Message from Mayor Meloche - April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

Hello residents of LaSalle,

With profound sadness, we shared earlier this week the passing of Councillor Sue Desjarlais. Sue was more than just a colleague, she was a friend, a tireless volunteer, and a dedicated public servant who poured her heart into every part of our town.

Her passion for our community was evident in everything that she did, from her work with the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Community Living Windsor, John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area, and the Essex Region Conservation Area (ERCA).

Sue had a special place in her heart for helping those in need. She spent countless hours volunteering with the St. Andrews Anglican Church—Community Food Bank, as well as the LaSalle Fire Service Sparky’s Toy Drive, always showing up with compassion, energy, and a smile.

Her legacy is one of service, kindness, and unwavering dedication to others. We are all better for having known her. We will miss you, dear friend.

Earth Day Clean-Up in LaSalle

Thank you to those who have organized a clean-up in LaSalle in honour of Earth Day.

A special thank you to Matthew Prangley and family and also the Sabre Bytes Robotics Team for their efforts and for submitting photos of their clean up.

If you wish to organize a clean-up, visit Clean-Up LaSalle for more details and to register.

Strong Mayor Powers

LaSalle has been named as one of the municipalities that may be granted Strong Mayor Powers, but I want to be clear — this is not a tool I intend to use.

While I understand the Province's reasoning — particularly in communities facing gridlock or struggling to meet housing targets — I don’t believe that applies to LaSalle. We’ve already been proactive in building homes, supporting critical infrastructure, and planning for long-term growth. We’re aligned with many of the same goals the Province has set out, and we will continue working with them to achieve those outcomes.

That said, my leadership style — and the way our Council operates — is rooted in collaboration. We have seven Council members, each bringing their own perspectives and experiences to the table. That diversity of thought makes our decisions stronger and has helped build a sense of trust both among Council and within our community. We’ve proven that by working together, we can get results.

So, while some may choose to fully embrace Strong Mayor Powers, I believe our current governance model works — and, more importantly, it reflects the values of this community. We’ll continue to work with the Province in a respectful and constructive way to serve LaSalle’s best interests.

I also believe strongly in democracy and the importance of ensuring all voices are heard. The people of LaSalle had their say in the 2022 municipal election. They chose who they wanted to represent them — and I don’t believe it would be right to silence those voices by centralizing authority.

It’s important to note that municipalities cannot decline or opt out of being granted Strong Mayor Powers. However, if these powers come into effect for LaSalle on May 1st, I plan to delegate that authority back to our CAO and Council members. This will allow us to continue leading our community in the collaborative, inclusive way we always have — as a team.

Boat Ramp Temporary Closure

The LaSalle Boat Ramp will be temporarily closed on Saturday, May 3, for the LaSalle Firefighters Associations Annual Detroit River Walleye Classic.

Emergency Preparedness Week

Be Prepared. Know Your Risks. Emergency Preparedness Week is May 4 to 10, 2025. LaSalle Fire Service urges residents to make a plan and prepare an emergency kit. Visit the Government of Canada Get Prepared website for resources.

LaSalle Council Meetings

The next regular meeting of LaSalle Council is Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Join us in person or watch along on the Town’s YouTube channel. Looking for a previous meeting? You can find them on YouTube.

Stay Connected

Stay Connected and up-to-date with what is happening in the Town of LaSalle by subscribing to our News page and following our official Instagram,  Facebook, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn sites. You will find the latest news, information, and events happening in and around our Town.

Mayor Crystal Meloche