NEWPORT – Mayor Beth Barnes held a meeting with Magog Mayor Nathalie Pelletier and Stanstead Mayor Jody Stone to discuss building stronger ties between their neighboring cities and protecting Lake Memphremagog, a vital source of drinking water for over 175,000 Quebec residents.
During the meeting, the mayors discussed the potential for tourism between the cities, with Newport’s recreation path connecting to Stanstead’s bike path and many attractions.
Mayor Barnes also expressed her commitment to protecting the lake, which is a major economic driver for Newport’s tourism industry.
“I have no decision or policy-making capabilities, but as a human being living in this world, it’s important to me that I do everything I can to ensure a healthy environment today and into the distant future,” said Mayor Barnes.
The mayors agreed on the importance of collaboration and friendship between their cities, with Mayor Barnes inviting the Quebec mayors to join her for a picnic at Newport’s Wednesday on the Waterfront event.
Mayor Barnes said she hopes to continue building relationships with other mayors north of the border who share Lake Memphremagog.
Magog Mayor Nathalie Pelletier said it was a pleasure to accept the invitation to meet with Barnes and Stone.
“Mrs. Barnes is a dynamic mayor who has her citizens’ quality of life at heart,” Pelletier said. “It was a very positive first meeting to which we will surely follow up on.”
Pelletier says with both municipalities bordering lake Memphremagog, it is without doubt that they will benefit from working together.
“There are over 500 billion gallons of water in our beautiful lake and even a drop of anything less than healthy water is a drop too much,” Mayor Barnes said.
