Verdun, one of the safest and best places to live in Canada!

I have been away for a while, and I have returned back to Montreal and Verdun. I am happy to state that Verdun has improved in many ways, the parks are fantastic, the streets are cleaner, the garbage situation is better. Congratulations to the Mayor and the city Council and the residents of Verdun for these improvements,

However, I have noticed a few items that require attention: there are more dogs than ever before in the Parks, they are everywhere, some are loose, some owners do not pick up the dog poo, there is little control, the dogs are not where they should be, in the dog pound, just east of the football field. These dog owners seem to love their dogs more than their spouses, they talk to them and kiss them, meantime there is more and more dog poo, and there are lots of kids out there who are more important than those dogs.

I have also seen motorized vehicles on both pedestrian and bicycle paths. This is a no-no and these rule-breakers should be fined. I do not include people in wheel-chairs, for them it is a necessity.

Last, but not least, there are some residents living in condos and appartments directly on the Park who barbecue on their balconies, whether they use charcoal or propane or other substances to fire up their barbecues this is dangerous and should be stopped. It gets windy up in those appartments and condos, and if there is a fire, the insurance companies won't pay.

All things considered, except for these problems, this is a paradise, and a great place to live, as long as we all follow the rules. Thanks again, to the Mayor, the City Council, our Fire and Police departments who combine to make Verdun one of the safest and best places to live in Canada. I speak from experience, I have been across the country a number of times. Nowhere, have I seen a park system as beautiful as ours in Verdun.

Sincerely,

Roland Valentine