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Sidney apologizes to Beacon Ave. traffic proponent

Mayor Larry Cross apologizes for tone of council questioning.

Sidney Mayor Larry Cross issued a public apology to Denis Paquette at council’s Oct. 28 regular meeting.

The apology came after strong reaction to council’s questioning of Paquette at the Oct. 21 committee of the whole session. Paquette, a founding member of the Sidney Tourism Improvement Group (STIG), gave a presentation outlining their arguments for a push to change Beacon Avenue to full two-way traffic flow. Councillors questioned Paquette’s information in what could be described as a defensive reaction to the presentation.

Paquete said afterwards he felt insulted and subsequently a few indignant letters were made public, reacting to council’s actions.

Cross noted on Monday that the success of any process is measured by its outcome and not the intention.

“Council,” he continued, “asked questions and had no intent to insult Mr. Paquette. I do apologize.”

In an email to the News Review, Paquette said he accepts the apology.