Aiming for sufficiency

Le Tour was born to solve the problem of insufficient information in Sutton 24 years ago. This issue launches our 25 th volume of the publication, and this anniversary year will, on occasion, highlight the passage of time to help recognise what flows in its wake... For example, the first issue related the passing away of Réal Boulanger and featured articles on the Centre d’interprétation de la nature des monts Sutton, on the importance of the Fish and Game Club, and on ESCO lodge. Among others it included the following advertisers: Noirmouton, Frank Santerre, Yvon Paquette, Netherwood Schwesig, O Caprice, Atelier Ruth Lambert, Boulangerie En Passant, Le Puces Buissonnières, Provigo, l’Auberge du Bourg, Le Loft, Auberge de la Ferme Old Notch, le Restaurant TIEN AN II, Ameublement Boulanger, la Pisciculture Mont Sutton... all with a lasting contribution to tourism.

Whether we like it or not, the summer of 2007 will also mark Sutton’s history because the burying of the wires on Main Street should serve as a foundation to fulfil the needs of our current society. The vision of a town “with a core that remains active but peaceful, that is people-oriented and that maintains a tight symbiosis with nature”, which was formulated during public consultations on the revision of the urbanism plan, became noticeable while the work to bury the wires was in process.

We will remember the busy days of July when pedestrians, bikes, cars, and all sorts of construction equipment courteously shared Main Street. This sharing demonstrated what the heart a community could become at reduced speed.

Without sidewalks, without parking regulations, with multiple accesses (but with many restrictions), Main Street became one large sidewalk—on which vehicles were permitted. There were no accidents, no stupidities, and no complaints. Sutton celebrated the Saint-Jean-Baptiste, and the town centre hosted the first “ Journée des fous” on the same day as a sidewalk-less sale and the Swiss National day celebration. Citizens and visitors thoroughly enjoyed it all.

How can we accept leaving behind this civility once the street is completely rebuilt, black-topped and decorated, and pedestrians are relegated to sidewalks and cars to the street? Many citizens will ask for more and insist that car drivers slow down and heavy trucks be barred from Main Street. Let’s wish for sufficiency in this regard, doing just enough without going overboard.

Happy reading!

Denis Boulanger