Mayor's Statement on the Embrun McDonald's
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
November 1, 2021
Dear Residents,
I want to address two issues regarding the new Embrun McDonald's.
Firstly, the design of the drive-thru. Since the beginning of the planning process, Russell Township staff and Council have voiced concerns regarding the drive-thru design to the proponent and the United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR). Since the entrance to the property off of Notre-Dame Street is not a public road but private access for the businesses in that area, and McDonald's sits solely on private land, managing traffic flow in that area is the proponent's responsibility. The proponent hired traffic engineers who confirmed the design submitted was designed adequately based on their standards. The alternative would have been not to allow the project to move ahead. To protect Township taxpayers, the Township was proactive by including provisions in the legal agreement to address the potential situation where onsite traffic flow would affect Notre-Dame St.
Many who have witnessed the current flow would agree that there are growing pains, and many factors are contributing to the current predicament. I am glad to hear they are trying to address them; however, that leads me to my second issue. Having worked a large portion of my life in the retail and restaurant service industry, I understand the fast-paced environment the employees are now facing. Many of these workers are entering the workplace for the first time. The pressures are already elevated; besides many other potential issues, the last thing they need is people degrading them for something clearly outside their control. So please be considerate of those working there; a simple smile and acknowledgement of their hard work will go a long way for them and will help maintain the kind of community we all want to live in.
Sincerely,
Pierre Leroux
Mayor