Cutler 2005, Osterland ’78 and SHS parent Price all running for Westmount Council

By Richard Wills, Publications Editor

Three members of the Selwyn House community have livened up the November 1 Westmount municipal election by running for city council.

Philip Cutler 2005 is running in District 2, where one of his opponents is SHS parent Tim Price. Michael Osterland ’78 is running in district 6.

The Cutlers have a history in Westmount politics; Phil’s grandmother May Cutler was elected the first woman mayor of Westmount in 1987.

“The first main issue that I would like to see through if I were elected would be the construction of a state-of-the-art arena/recreation project that would benefit Westmounters for generations to come,” says Phil. “From a hockey standpoint, Hockey Quebec standards suggest that we should offer almost twice the amount of ice time that we currently offer to our hockey programs.

“All this being said, with an almost $20-million grant, we must ensure that the project is built in the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly way possible, with minimal collateral damage to the surrounding areas.”

“I bring to the issue the point of view of residents who use the arena every day rather than those who have an opinion on it but are not active users,” Phil told the Westmount Independent. “I believe that a new arena could be a good source of revenue for the city.”

Now in his fourth season in Westmount Senior A hockey, Phil played football at John Abbott College and at Concordia University. He is now studying education at McGill.

“I would also like to see to it that the goals set forth in Westmount’s sustainable development action plan are adhered to and met by the council,” says Phil. “Many of the components of these goals are attainable if the proper steps are taken, and I want to be sure that we do not ignore them.”

Phil is also on the record as a proponent of installing BIXI bicycle stands near Marianopolis to reduce parking and traffic congestion.

“At age 20, this is my first real opportunity I’ve had to run for public office,” says Phil. “I have hoped to inspire young people to get involved in politics as early as possible regardless of age or experience. Someday we will be called on to make decisions, and it might end up being sooner than we expect.”

Michael Osterland ’78 says he is running for council because he feels privileged to be a Westmount resident. “In recent years, I have volunteered regularly in sports and recreation with our children and came to the conclusion that I would like to be involved in the process to make Westmount an even better place to live.”

He agrees with Phil Cutler that “the multi-million dollar issue” is the proposed municipal rink/pool renewal project. “It needs to be done well, and there is immediacy to the situation, given the large sums of money coming from the federal/provincial infrastructure coffers.

Michael also stresses “green” issues in his campaign, pointing out

that his family drives a hybrid that they fill with gas once a month. “I also believe Westmount must continue its initiative to promote sustainable living within a sustainable city. Westmount is a vibrant urban community that should lead the way toward this new societal paradigm. This is a challenge that can only be met if all Westmounters make it a priority. The government’s role is to set the plate, create incentives, and thus empower individuals to pursue real changes that reduce our collective environmental footprint.”

Michael is a business analyst-turned–teacher who grew up in Montreal, left for a 15 years for university and work, and returned to Westmount in 2002. He and his wife, Lisa, who is very active in the SHS Parents’ Association, have two sons, one of whom attends SHS in Grade 5.

Michael is also very involved with local sports. He played hockey and other sports here since his school days, and has been an active coach throughout his years in the community.

Tim Price is also close to the arena issue, having played hockey here since age 12 and coached children’s sports. A financial manager by profession, he is chairman of MacDougall, MacDougall and MacTier. He is also chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Health Complex foundation and a director of the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Tim has a son attending Selwyn House in Grade 5. He told the Indpendent he decided to run for council after coming face-to-face with municipal bylaw restrictions while renovating his house. “If you don’t get involved, you just have to deal with it,” he said.