Lac-Mégantic mayor Colette Roy Laroche takes a bow
'Granite Lady' first elected to lead town in 2002, retires to standing ovation
After 13 years as the mayor of Lac-Mégantic, Colette Roy Laroche chaired her last council meeting this week.
The mayor was nicknamed the "Granite Lady" for her composure in the aftermath of the deadly train derailment in 2013 that leveled most of the town's core, killing 47 people.
She had originally intended to retire that year but extended her mandate in the face of the tragedy.
After the derailment, Roy Laroche lobbied for changes to the way oil is transported by rail through communities like Lac-Mégantic. The town is still rebuilding.
It's a bit sad to leave a town. It's like leaving a family.- Colette Roy Laroche
Chairing her very last council meeting this week, Roy Laroche was given a standing ovation from councillors and citizens.
"I feel happy and satisfied but at the same time, it's a bit sad to leave a town. It's like leaving a family," she said.
In August, Roy Laroche said she would seek re-election in the November municipal elections.
She said she wanted to focus on her health and her family. Her husband died earlier this year after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Les citoyens de <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LacMegantic?src=hash">#LacMegantic</a> ont fait la file pour remercier personnellement Colette Roy-Laroche. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rces?src=hash">#rces</a> <a href="http://t.co/MTxTOWQcSt">pic.twitter.com/MTxTOWQcSt</a>
—@RousseauMH