The record, 21 août 2003, jeudi 21 août 2003

70 CENTS '¦""¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦Mi THE MWMMW*""111»11111”' RECORD The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 Birch ton yard begging for cleanup.See Page 5 WWW.SHERBROOKERECORD.COM THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2003 617 Bourque Blvd Omerville (819) 843-3380 JS Colombia is world leader in terror: study Most at-risk nation out of 186 on terror index By Liam Roberts Doris and German Boija are closing in on their two-month anniversary of sanctuary in North Hatley’s Unitarian Universalist Church.There would be no better way to celebrate the occasion than a phone call from Immigration Minister Denis Coderre, with the good news that their refugee file will be reopened.Instead, the federal government has so far responded to the two Colombians with an unexpectedly long silence, refusing to reconsider the pair’s deportation order.While Ottawa has dismissed the risks posed to the Boija family at home, though, a prominent think tank has just published a report that ranks Colombia tops in terror.This week, World Markets Research COURTESY Refugees holed up in the basement of a North Hatley Church are hoping the report will resonate with Immigration Minister Denis Coderre.Centre, a U.K.-based intelligence firm which primarily analyzes international security issues for foreign investors, re- leased its report called the Global Terrorism Index.Studying 186 nations and ranking them from top to bottom in terms of the prevalency of terrorist activity, Colombia came out as a riskier area than Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Pakistan, the United States, or anywhere else for that matter.David Rice, a co-author of the report, spoke to The Record from Boston Wednesday morning, and said that there should be no surprise that Colombia was ranked at number one.“You never know when people will be killed, or family members abducted," he said of life in the South American country.“Hostages are not meant to be returned.It’s part of the paramilitaries maintaining their grip of fear; it’s the overriding issue in people’s lives.“We felt it was fairly common knowledge that Colombia is a near-failed state, which has abdicated 30 per cent of its land to terrorists," he added.The report, which places the U.S.as the fourth most at-risk nation and Canada as 79th, was assembled according to five criteria: terrorists’ motivation, presence, efficacy, and scale; and a government’s capacity for prevention.Rice said that, despite the fact that terrorist atrocities in Colombia rarely outshine Middle Eastern battles on the nightly news, that doesn’t mean they’re less extreme.He calls the climate of fear “palpable,” and specifically mentioned that the city of Cali, the Borjas’ hometown, is especially hostile.“When I was in Cali, you couldn’t go more than a mile out of town.You simply had to turn back, it was too dangerous.You’re literally taking your life in your hands if you travel by road there.” Cali, located in the mountainous and relatively remote southwest corner of Colombia, is virtually out of the government’s jurisdiction, Rice said.Please see Colombia Page 5 Glass Menagerie PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL A transport truck merging on to Autoroute 10 West yesterday morning overturned when its load of 4 x 8-foot panels of glass shifted, according to Sûreté du Québec spokesperson Louis-Philippe Ruel.“While he was talcing the turn for the exit, it made him tip over,” Ruel said.It took emergency workers approximately 40 minutes to extract the driver, a 34-year-old man from the Rivière du Loup area.He suffered only minor injuries and was transported to the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS) immediately.There were no other vehicles involved in the accident.Ayer's Cliff suppler, nside ¦>* igs rvr page 2 Thursday, August 21, 2003 ; h ¦ THE — i RECORD U of T and McGill get grilled in survey By Sarah Schmidt Can West News y « jhe best-read college guide has served up a brutal assessment of .1.Canada’s top universities: boring classes, unhappy students, red tape -but a steady flow of beer.The Best 351 Colleges, published Tuesday by Random House, includes the University of Toronto and McGill in such dubious top-20 lists as “professors get low marks” and “long lines and red tape.” “To make it on a top-20 list, it means that an overwhelming number of students responding answered in one extreme or the other, from excellent to awful,” said Erik Olson, senior editor of the 774-page guide, compiled by the New York-based Princeton Review.The University of Toronto tops the “class discussions rare” list after outranking all other schools last year on the “professors suck all life from material” list.Of the remaining 62 ranking categories, U of T only appears on “bottom-20" lists: “least happy students” (13), “professors make themselves scarce” (13) and “professors get low marks” (14) .“Professors are either extremely helpful or they don’t give a hoot about you,” one student reported.McGill doesn’t land on any top-20 academic lists, but scores high on student diversity (1), great college towns (12) and beer consumption (20).“Montreal seems to be more of a fun town than Toronto,” said Olson.But, McGill’s reputation as a poorly administered school appears to be getting worse: It continues to creep up the “long lines and red tape” list, from 15th spot last year to eight this year.“It’s always something that can be improved, front-line relations with our students,” said McGill spokesman Sylvain-Jacques Desjardins, who added the university is “absolutely delighted” by the top diversity ranking.McGill students also complained of lecture-heavy classes; the university ranks seventh on the “class discussions rare” list.McGill and U of T, popular destinations for American students, are the only Canadian universities included in the rankings, based on a survey of more than 106,000 students at 351 colleges.University of Toronto provost Shirley Neuman dismissed the “highly contentious” survey as methodologically unsound.“The university calls this infotainment, not research.We don’t take it seriously.What we do take very seriously is our role as educators.” But, Neuman acknowledged more work needs to be done to improve the undergraduate experience, a central part in the university’s draft five-year academic plan, to be unveiled this fall.“We have many hundreds of very dedicated teachers and we mustn’t slight the good work they do, but any university would tell you in an attempt to become very good researchers, it’s very difficult to give appropriate emphasis and merit to teaching.It’s very easy to measure research.” The academic plan proposes to “give teaching its due,” said Newman.Yale University is ranked the best overall college in Princeton Review’s survey.Vermont’s Marlboro College offers the “best academic bang for your buck” and the best professors can be found at Middlebury College, also in Vermont.The University of Colorado at Boulder earned the distinction of the top party school.The happiest students are at DePaul University in Chicago.The best dorms can be found at Loyola College in Baltimore, Md.and the best campus food at Bowdoin College in Maine.The annual survey, launched in 1992, asks students 70 questions about their school’s academics, campus life, study body, as well as their habits, politics, and opinions.The rankings for each top-20 list are based solely on student responses to survey questions.At least 300 students from each school must complete the survey to be included in the rankings.Housing bonanza ending By Eric Beauchesne CanWest News Housing has rarely been more affordable than it was this spring, a major bank says, adding that the cooling of the housing boom plus continued low mortgage rates, should keep it affordable.Housing affordability reached its lowest level since last fall thanks to falling mortgage rates, according to RBC’s housing affordability index released Wednesday.The housing index, which measures the proportion of pre-tax household income needed to cover the cost of a home, fell to 31.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2003 from 32.1 per cent in the previous quarter, it said.That translates into $1,237 in average monthly ownership costs in Canada, ranging from a low of $901 in the Atlantic region to a high of $1,570 in British Co- lumbia.The index is based on the costs of owning a detached bungalow, a typical starter home for first-time buyers.For example, a reading of 50 per cent means that home ownership costs, including mortgage payments, utilities and property taxes, take up 50 per cent of a typical household’s pre-tax income.This past spring, Atlantic Canada remained the most affordable region with a reading of 26 while British Columbia remained the least affordable at 41.2, it said.In Quebec, affordable housing and the on-going release of pent-up housing demand will markets there humming for the rest of this year.What makes housing in Alberta the country’s second most affordable behind Atlantic Canada, is the relatively high incomes in that province, RBC said.Richler Remembered CANWEST The new animated YTV series loosely based on the late Mordecai Richler’s Jacob Two-Two books, will feature the antics of Jacob Richler, a kid who is equal parts sweetness and chutzpah, his father Mordecai, and the rest of the well-known Richler clan.Weather Today: 5unny.Winds becoming southwest 40 km/h near noon.High 29.Friday: Cloudy.60 per cent chance of showers.Low 18.High 20.Saturday: Cloudy.60 per cent chance of showers.Low 18.High 20.Sunday: Cloudy.Low 12.High 18.Ben by Daniel Shelton HAVE you SEEN MV LOOK UNPER YOUR R)WER «OUT PENCH.YOUR ROWER WORKOUT OHH.'YOU MEAN THE “CLOTHES RACK'/ Jr 0ROWN SHOES?V/ITHINK I TUPVVC II THEY'RE IN OUR ROOM.WHAT?mm [jfiitf mm IMr RECORD Thursday, August 21, 2003 page 3 Thetford, Ireland water fight soon solved: Lessard By Stephen McDougall Special to The Record Thetford Mines A conflict between the municipalities of Thetford Mines and Ireland Township over future sources of water should be solved later this year after an environmental impact study is made, according to the area’s member of the Quebec legislature, Laurent Lessard.“I met with the mayors of the two municipalities before the July vacations and they agreed that such a study must be made to settle this issue,” said the Liberal member for Frontenac at his Thetford Mines’ riding office.“We don’t know if there is enough suitable water for everyone to share.I expect this study should stop the tension and find a solution." The tension came earlier this summer when four water wells were discovered in Ireland Township (pop: 950) that were large enough to supply the neighbouring municipality of Thetford Mines.But four members of the Thetford water committee who lived in Ireland later decided to resign their posts, arguing Thetford administrators wanted to tap into Ireland’s wells rather than consider other options.The latter municipality had been searching for new sources of water to supply its 28,000 residents.The new sources of water were demanded by the Quebec government after Thetford Mines merged with four neighbouring towns two years ago.The government said the new water system was needed to adequately provide the new municipality with a clean, long-lasting supply of drinking water.It gave Thetford until 2005 to have the new water system in place.Ireland Mayor Jacques Beaudoin defended the resignations of the Ireland committee members, arguing Thetford Mines’ water needs were threatening those of Ireland residents.Under provincial law, underground water supplies cannot be withheld by any one municipality.“It must be shared by all residents of Quebec," said Thetford town manager Yvan Faucher.Besides the Ireland wells, the other option Thetford was looking at was piping water in from Lake St.Francois, 18 kilometers away.Thetford mayor Normand Laliberté said he favoured the well-tapping option because it would cost $30 million to build, versus the $40 million cost of a pipeline to Lake St.Francois.He added the cost of the new water system would be subsidized by the Quebec government, but he did not know by how much.Lessard said the impact study will be paid by Thetford Mines and the Quebec government, each picking up half the tab.He did not know how much the study will cost, nor did he know the exact date the study would start and finish.Officials at Thetford who could answers these questions were unavailable for comment at press time.FILE photo Frontenac MNA Laurent Lessard said an impact study is in the works.Federation keeps prices stable: Maple Producers Fed.Industry was faced with 50-million-pound syrup surplus By Kate Shingler Secretary of the Quebec Maple Producers Federation (QMPF) Charles Ross said establishing a sales agency last year to ensure all syrup produced in the province is sold through the Federation was essential in order to maintain the price of syrup.“Each year there was a surplus of maple syrup and it resulted in a drop in prices,” explained Ross yesterday afternoon.“We now set aside the surplus, if it remains on the market then the prices drop.It is worse than not getting 100 per cent for the syrup.” A group of maple producers in the area beg to differ.Earlier this month about 75 angry farmers gathered in a Dunham sugar shack to voice their discontent over the new system and discuss the possibility of breaking away from the provincial body.In its first year of operation under the new system, the QMPF paid producers 80 per cent in the summer of 2002, an additional 15 per cent in the fall, leaving the remaining 5 per cent to be distributed in March 2003.Instead of mailing out cheques in the spring, the Federation issued invoices to producers it realized it had overpaid as a result of the 50-million-pound surplus and lower than expected prices.Sugar bush operators received notices that they had been overpaid, and in place of the final five per cent in revenues they were expecting, the amount owed to the Federation was deducted off of the first cheque for this year’s crop.Arnold Raymond, a local syrup dealer and one of the organizers of the Aug.4 meeting, said he wants to return to selling syrup privately.“We should be able to sell our syrup like we did in the past,” he told The Record recently.“All we want is to be paid for the hard work we did in the spring.” Raymond and several colleagues are seeking to establish the Eastern Townships Maple Producers Association.The organization would represent part-time producers, those with fewer than 10,000 taps.Under the current regulations, small-scale producers must deal through the Federation, and selling outside the system results in a fine of $1 per pound for both the producer and dealer.But, of the 11,000 independent maple syrup producers in Quebec the Federation represents, Ross said there is only a group of farmers in the Townships which is displeased with the new system.“Traditionally, they were divided from the Federation,” he noted of the disgruntled maple producers in the Townships.“They liked more of a distance from the collective.” Ross admits the situation is not ideal, but he is convinced it is better to regulate how much syrup is sold to uphold standard prices.“We are at least able to maintain the prices and store the surplus safely.If nothing had been done, it could have been a lot worse.” uSASSEÎ MAURICE CROSSFIELD Ë' SJÎ AÎÀ ii! urw About 75 maple producers gathered at Henry Garrick’s sugar shack in Dunham earlier this month to vent their frustration over the problems with the Quebec Maple Producers Federation’s new marketing system.¦ ¦THE — RECORD Ç/o c flnn Ifiov ey Advertising Consultant Tel.: 819-569-9525 Fax: 819-821-3179 email: sherbrookerecord@videotron.ca page 4 Thursday, August 21, 2003 in¦ nil .RECORD First Nations festival this weekend Thousands expected to flock to Cookshire By Kate Shingler and Tom Peacock ££lt’s going to be a big weekend,” said Jean Dube, one of the organizers of this weekend’s International Festival of Corn and First Nations in Cookshire, in an interview yesterday at his home in Birchton.Dubé said things are going as planned so far in the preparation for this weekend’s event.He also said he is maintaining a healthy, optimistic attitude about the variable weather.“It’s not going to be too hot, and it’s not going to be too cold.We’re going to have the best,” he said, flashing a huge grin.“We’re expecting people from all over the place, all the provinces and the United States,” said Festival general manager Gerard Bouffard from his place on Dubé’s couch, where he was knitting slippers to sell at the festival.Bouffard is a member of the Montag-nais First Nation.The festival, which begins this Friday, will feature traditional music, dance and food from a host of native groups including the Mohawk, Micmac and Abenaki Nations.Bouffard said there are two main reasons to hold the three-day celebration.“To make it known to everyone the customs and traditions of the First Nations.But, also, here in North America, there is a certain tension between each Nation.There can be more of a unity brought to all natives.” Cookshire/Eaton Mayor Bertrand Landry said the municipality will support the ceremonies by making community resources available, including nearby emergency first responders and the local fire department.The longtime mayor said he plans to attend the happening, and check out the authentic native exhibits.The festival runs through Sunday at the Cookshire exhibition fairgrounds on Highway 108.Everyone is invited to take part in a 1.7-kilometre parade, to take place Saturday at 1 p.m., departing from the centre of Cookshire and making its way to the exhibition grounds.For more information, to participate in the parade, or to reserve a vending booth on the exhibition fairgrounds ($50), call 875-3721.PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL Festival general manager Gerard Bouffard ready for big weekend.¦fsSoa**' ¦ THE ¦! i visit Record js booth at the BROME FAIR AUGUST 29, 30, 31 SEPTEMBER 1 SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES* months o o CM CO w ^345^ months o o CM CD year $12200 •Valid on site only MrMI DEFUSIONMAG06.CA.TC Sign says it all PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL Demerger forces in Magog are encouraging residents of the recently merged Township of Magog to post signs on their front lawns showing their affection for the former township.The signs are a take-off on the ‘I love New York’ theme. ¦ ¦ — rnEw RECORD Thursday, August 21, 2003 page 5 TOM PEACOCK Municipal yard angers local residents Bertrand Morin lives across the street from the municipal lot in Birchton and he wants it cleaned up.By Tom Peacock r ! jhe municipality of Cookshire/Eaton I has been dumping tires and scrap JL metal on one of its lots in Birchton, and local residents are none too happy about it.“I want this stuff out of here,” said retired construction worker Bertrand Morin, who lives right across the street from the municipal lot.“Not only the tires, I want the whole damn thing cleaned up.“We try to keep the house nice and clean and the grass cut every week.And on the other side of the street there’s a dump.It doesn’t make any sense,” he added.Morin said the mayor of Cookshire/Eaton promised him two years ago that the site would be cleaned up, with sheds built for the machinery and gravel piles, and trees planted along the edges.“Landry told me it was going to be beautiful, but now it’s just more and more junk," he said.But the yard is not merely an aesthetic concern.Eaton resident Angus Curry said the yard poses a health risk as well, since the tires are a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.Thousands of crows are known to roost every night on Jean Dube’s land, near the municipal yard.A dead crow which tested positive for the West Nile virus was found in Cookshire some weeks ago, the first to be found in the Eastern Townships.Yesterday, after a brief rainfall, the tires littering the yard were full of water.Curry pointed out small white specks in the water he said was most certainly mosquito larvae.With new houses going up along the roads all around the dump, and with a lot of young families moving in, Curry said the yard is also a safety concern for children.He pointed out piles of scrap metal and two salting trailers resting precariously on stilts and old cement culverts.“My initial concern was the health issue, but when I talked to the neighbours, their concern was it’s a safety issue,” Curry said.“They (the municipality) encourage more people to build here because it’s more taxes, then they should try to improve it by turning it into a green space,” he added.Then there’s the noise and the smell of the sanding trucks.According to Morin, the smell of the town’s diesel trucks and the noise during the winter time is “terrible.” Mayor Landry said the tires are not usually left in the yard for the whole summer.He said they were only left there this year because of administration problems resulting from the merger of Cookshire with Eaton County.“Last year it went well.We didn’t have a problem,” he said, adding that the government organization in charge of recycling the town’s old tires, Recyc-Quebec, only picked up one load this spring from a site in Cookshire and thought that was all there was this year.The municipality then transported all the rest of the tires to the site in Birchton.“In July, they came to get one load,” the mayor said.“Then I had to call them back.And then last week, they came to get another load.” Municipal workers have been hard at work sorting out the tires for the final pick-up, expected sometime this week.“The last load (of tires that Recyc-Que-bec cannot recycle) the municipality will send to a place to burn,” Landry said.Landry admitted that before the amalgamation, he had a plan to clean up the municipal yard, but then things got complicated and the plan was put on the back burner.“With all the changes we had, we didn’t know how it was going.Now we know,” he said.“It’s still in my project, but I don’t know, it’s probably too late this year” he added.The town has procured some soil it will use to level off the yard.In the coming months, the mayor said outbuildings will likely be constructed to house the machinery and the piles of gravel.“We’ve bought some equipment for that sort of thing, and now we don’t have to wait for contractors, and it’s less expensive,” he said.TOM PEACOCK Nearby residents are concerned the refuse can become a health hazard.Colombia: Cont’d from Page 1 In much of the country where the cocaine trade fuels paramilitary finances, the organs of the state simply have no sway.“For the narco-terrorists, their level of sophistication and resources are nearly infinite.They have the means to buy what they want in terms of weaponry, and they’re able to import expertise if they can’t create it organically.“The paramilitary is so deadly, that the government is in fear.They can’t root them out.” The Quebec regional chief of Citizenship and Immigration Canada Robert Gervais was surprised at the results of the WMRC report, but said that one re- port alone will not likely make an impact on the case of the Borjas.He said that, when the department conducts its “pre-removal risk assessment" to determine the dangers deported refugees may face, various intelligence is taken into account.“When we do the pre-removal risk assessment, one criteria is that, if there’s a problem in one part of the country, that doesn't mean nationals can’t pursue internal flight.If they could move to a different city than Cali, and be safer, that’s an option for them.” Gervais went on to explain that, as much as a country’s “general risk” is important to consider, the Immigrant and Refugee Board needs to see clear “specific risk” in refugee claims.“If there’s evidence of specific risk, we’re not asking them to go back,” he stated.Rice, though, stressed that the findings of the report indicate that, with general risks in Colombia so widespread that almost every family is affected, specific risks speak for themselves.“I don’t know why the government of Canada has taken the position it has,” Rice wondered.“Perhaps because it’s nominally a democracy.But, just because you can vote in an election doesn’t make you free.Not when your life is always at risk.” Keith Baxter, chair of the Borjas’ sanctuary committee at the North Hatley church, hopes that the new report will make a loud noise on Minister Coderre’s desk.“We’ve believed in the risks in Colombia from the beginning, and it’s something the Canadian government has had trouble understanding,” he said.He admitted that the ongoing petition campaign to pressure the CIC to add Colombia to its list of so-called “moratorium countries” hasn’t yet provoked any response from Ottawa.The new findings, though, may call significant attention to Colombia’s risk level.“We aren’t primarily concerned with the moratorium list, but it would certainly help.Anything that can persuade (the CIC) of the credibility of the risk would help.” Baxter said that the Borjas have recently fallen under the weather due to damp and humid conditions in the church’s basement.Mildew and wetness has caused the two refugees sinus headaches and colds, he said, but added that the extended silence from Ottawa is the couple’s biggest worry right now. page 6 Thursday, August 21, 2003 i?rrrn?r> Community Forum Letters to the editor Amend Charter to support marriage, family and democracy Dear Editor It is time for review and amendment of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.One strength of the Charter is that it seeks to protect the rights of individuals.Conversely, one weakness of the Charter is that it can be used to supersede the rights, and most certainly the wishes, of the majority.Currently, the federal Liberal government is in a procedural quandary with the same-sex legislation.Amendment of the Charter is necessary to solve the current procedural crisis and to prevent any future undemocratic law-making.Thus far, the same-sex marriage legislation has followed a flawed, undemocratic process through the federal Parliament, the provincial courts and the Prime Minister.In 1999, Parliament, including Prime Minister Jean Chretien, voted 216 to 55 in favour of the traditional definition of marriage -one man and one woman, exclusive to each other.Lobbyists then sought to circumvent the political law-making process by appealing to the provincial courts.They have succeeded.In June of this year, three Ontario judges approved same-sex marriage based on their interpretation of the Charter.Same- sex marriage has become legal in Ontario.Instead of challenging the decision or amending the Charter, Prime Minister Chretien has supported the provincial court’s interpretation and law-making initiative.In a democracy, government is supposed to make the laws, based on the wishes of the majority.The courts are supposed to interpret the laws and to advise the elected politicians.Given the importance of redefinition of the fundamental term “marriage”, there should be strong political leadership and much public input.Both have been lacking regarding the same-sex marriage initiative.In fact, the federal government’s Justice Committee was supposed to report on the complex implications of this issue, but Chretien has told the committee that their months of work will not be considered.Their report has not come forward.Instead, Chretien is urging fellow Members of Parliament to not follow their own convictions or to even poll for constituent wishes.He wants them to “rubber stamp” the law-making of the provincial court.This is a sad mockery of democracy.Through this flawed, undemocratic process comes risk to marriage and family.The traditional, global definition of family is mother, father and children.Sociological research and world religions agree that both the female mentor (mother) and the male mentor (father) roles are needed for child development.Children who experience good male and female parent models have greater success when relating to both genders later in life.The traditional family unit is preferred for the health of society.At a time when there are so many broken and distressed homes, the government should be supporting and protecting traditional marriage and family.If government does not remedy this potentially precedent-setting legislation, there will be more lobbying requests at provincial courts for other variations of marriage and in effect, family.Based on sexual orientation or religious belief under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, judges will have to seriously consider variations of marriage that the vast majority of Canadi- ¦—THE —N RECORD P.0.Box 1200 Sherbrooke Jill 516 or 1195 Galt E, Sherbrooke JIG 1Y7 Fax: 819-569-3945 e-mail: newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Website: wwwjherbrookerecord.com Randy Kinnear Publisher .(819) 569-9511 Sharon McCully Editor .(819) 569-6345 Jamie Zachary Corresp.Editor .(819) 5696345 Richard Lessard Prod.Mcr.(819) 569-9931 Serge Gagnon Chief Pressman .(819) 569-9931 Francine Thibault Prod.Superv.(819) 569-4856 DEPARTMENTS Accounting .(819)569-9511 Advertising .(819)569-9525 Circulation.(819) 569-9528 Newsroom .(819)569-6345 Knowlton ofttce 88 Lakeside.Knowlton, Quebec, JOE 1V0 Tel: (450) 242-1188 Fax: (450) 243-5155 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS GST PST TOTAL Canada: 1 year 114.40 8.01 9.18 $131.59 6 MONTHS 59.00 4.13 4.73 $67.86 3 MONTHS 30.00 2.10 2.41 $34.51 Out of Quebec residents do not include PST.Rates for other services available on request.The Record is published daily Monday to Friday.Back copies of The Record are available.The Record was founded on February 7.1897, and acquired the Sherbrooke Examiner (est.1879) in 1905 and the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) in 1908.The Record is published by Hollinger Canadian Newspapers L.P.Canadian Publications Mail Service Product Agreement No.0479675.Member ABC, CARD, CNA, QCNA ans would not want approved.Polygamous, bisexual and multiple other variations of marriage could be legislated by the courts in the future.It is imperative that the Charter be reviewed and amended as soon as possible.Given the importance of the rights of the individual in the Charter, the need to do so is inevitable.Better sooner, than later.Perhaps at this late time in office, Prime Minister Chretien is loathe to enter a constitutional debate.And his likely successor, Paul Martin, would probably prefer to have the same-sex marriage legislation settled before he is sworn in.However, it is hoped that expediency is not the main factor being considered.It is time to do what is right and democratic.It is time for government to lead on legislation, based on the wishes of the majority of people they serve.It is time for federal and provincial government cooperation to appropriately amend the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.It is also time for caring Canadians to participate in preserving marriage, family, and society.Attempts must be made to save the family, the core unit of society.One should communicate with federal and provincial members of parliament by phone, fax, email, letter or in person.Communication information is available in telephone books, at local riding offices, through dialing 411 or on government Web sites.Explain that there is concern about the democratic process.The Charter must be amended.Members of government, elected to be responsible to the people, must make the laws.Only then, will Canada be a truer democracy.Linda Rydholm Thunder Bay, Ont.Time to stop complaining Dear Editor, I would like to congratulate Mr.R.Côté from North Hatley, for his letter on Aug.19 about going to French movies.When I was on the mail route in the late 30s, there were no French papers, ads or catalogues.The pill bottles were all written in English.I would have to read to mail route customers about their medication.Our French friends went to English movies with us and enjoyed them.When I needed help on my farm, the French neighbors never said no, as the English sometimes were ‘too busy’ to come.So, it’s about time the English people who are complaining, start to learn their language as they had to learn ours.Harold Beard Danville 5PAM OKAY FOR PINM&R T0WI6HT, HONEY?N «ÿ $8» THE RECORD Thursday, August 21, 2003 page 7 Friday 8 AM - 9 PM and Saturday 8 AM - 5 PM only! Friday, August 22 and Saturday, August 23,2003 Use pr Sears Card and get double Sears Club points on all furniture*, sleep sets & major appliances plus, almost all furniture* & sleep sets are on sale On approved credit.Double Sears Club Points otter valid at Sears Retail Mall stores, Sears Furniture and Appliances stores and Dealer stores.Excludes Catalogue and Website purchases.Offer ends Saturday, August 23,2003.Ask for details.Sale prices in effect Friday, August 22 and Saturday, August 23,2003 only Jim.(to?only your Sean Can! on appro** credit.mm MWraam 5200 ptirclase.All anpfcaMe taxes and charges will tie deferred.' A for details and other payment options.Major Appliances Department; excludes vacuums and sewing machines ‘D/6ÛI Furniture Shop; excludes baby and patio furniture IMRllfX Furniture selection varies by store.Please contact your local Sears store for ¦ms 50 page 8 Thursday, August 21, 2003 You plight not look at an ^ automobile thesaoi way, ever agai 4M' \ - : *• : l WM By MALCOLM GUNN WHEELBASE COMMUNICATIONS Who would have guessed that helping to save the planet in a gas-pump-passing gasoline/electric hybrid car could be this appealing?Apparently, Toyota.The company is unleashing a bigger, faster and more feature-laden 2004 Prius this fall that should make the bestseller list on looks alone.While the ’03 Prius delivered impressive fuel savings in a plain-brown wrapper, the seductively styled ’04 edition promises to further lower gasoline consumption with technology not seen in any other vehicle, anywhere.Not content with a mere makeover for its lean, green machine, Toyota has engineered an all-new platform and propulsion system and added one of the slickest and most futuristic bodies around.The Prius is now set farther apart from its more conservatively styled stable mates and will turn heads like no other Toyota.The car has also been upgraded to mid-size status from its previous compact-class perch.There’s more room for up to five passengers plus a larger cargo hold accessed via a rear hatch.In addition, cargo space can be significantly enlarged by folding flat the rear seats.Despite its bolder dimensions, aerodynamic drag is actually lower than that of the previous model while weight is increased by just 40 kilograms.The new Prius introduces Toyota’s next-generation powerplant combo.Called Hybrid Synergy Drive, the 1.5-litre 78-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline and 67-horsepower electric motors are not only more powerful than their ’03 counterparts, but can operate on their own or in tandem.Previously, both Prius engines were always at work assisting each other.Obviously, running on electric current only (when condi- tions allow) lowers both tailpipe emissions and gasoline consumption.In fact, Toyota estimates that the Prius’ current 4.5-litres/100 kilometres city and 4.7-litres/100 kilometres highway rating should improve by a full 15 per cent.Another important byproduct of the torquier Hybrid Synergy Drive is better performance.Again, Toyota figures that the new Prius will reach 100 km-h from rest in about 10.5 seconds, a two-second improvement over the outgoing model and about the same rate of acceleration as a four-cylinder Camry sedan.The electrically controlled continuously variable transmission is connected to a dash-mounted joystick shifter that requires just a light tap of a finger to operate.The gas pedal is electrically controlled in a similar fashion.As with the first Prius, this version comes equipped with a full range of features, including air conditioning, cruise control, anti-lock brakes and power windows, door locks and mirrors.But Toyota is bringing a couple of not-seen-before innovations to the Prius party, such as an electrically operated air conditioner that does not work by means of a power-robbing and fuel-consuming fan belt.Also standard is what Toyota calls a Smart Entry and Smart Start feature.A sensor in the Prius reads a signal in the key in the driver’s pocket or purse and unlocks the doors as he or she approaches the car.Once behind the wheel, a starter button on the dash brings the Prius to life.With improvements in power, packaging and economy of operation, the Prius represents a quantum leap forward in marketing a mainstream alternative to the traditional energy-sapping family sedan.That the car is so good looking represents some extra frosting on an already mouth-watering piece of cake.No word as yet on the final price, but if Toyota can stay close to the original’s $30,000 sticker, keeping these eco-beauties in stock is going to be a real challenge.SPEC SHEET 2004 Prius ?Four-door mid-size hatchback sedan.?1.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder gasoline engine combined with a 70-horsepower electric engine for a combined net rating of 106 horsepower.?Continuously variable transmission.?The latest Prius is a roomier, and thus more practical, way to thumb your nose at petroleum-product consumption.?The Prius’ design has a futuristic concept-car look that will surprise and impress prospective buyers.?With a larger body, added power and features and improved economy, the new Prius is virtually guaranteed to be noticed.?L/100 km (city/hwy): 3.8/4.0 (est.).?Base price: n/a I I 1 I 1205 Wellington St.S.569-5959 563-0036 MUFFLERS IMPORTS WELCOME HERE! Locally installed.Nationally guaranteed 7,v v>'.- O LaughingStocs International Inc./diat by United Media, 2003 Grizwells Soup to Nuts mm NoT THAT ONE1 “He was an unmanageable 6’2” when I married him.” WHâHë Yfc>o Two MookS Doin'?,., THetfeS ONLY CNe FnoCWWP LeFX.T'LL atM-WÆSTlfi.Tt>o IT.n Of-boT X GeT To use Two HaNCtS page 18 Thursday, August 21, 2003 RFrrron Call Sherbrooke: (819) 569-9525 between 830 a.m.and 430 p.m E-mah; dassad@sherbrookerecord.com o« Knowlton: (450) 242-1188 between 9LX) a_m.and 41» P.M.CLASSIFIED Deadune: 1230 p.m.one day prior to pubucation Or mail your prepaid classified ads to The Record, P.O.Box 1200, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5L6 035 For Rent 100 Job Opportunities 100 Job Opportunities 100 Job Opportunities 100 Job Opportunities 190 Cars For Sale 290 Articles For Sale 425 Bus.Opportunities HUNTINGVILLE - 5 strengthening mar- minutes from Lennoxville.Newty renovated 3 1/2 apartment in private home, utilities included.Call (819) 564-1962.LENNOXVILLE Renovated apartments, 3 1/2, 4 1/2, 5 1/2.Pool.Close to town and buses.Includes hot water.(819) 823-5336.WATERVILLE - 4 bedroom charming cottage, semi-fur-nished, in rural setting on main road.15 minutes to Sherbrooke.S750.+ utilities.For appointment, call (514) 697-8273 or (514) 953-8273.036 Vacation Rentals IN NOVA SCOTIA -Oceanfront cottage, all included.Available immediately, September and October.$650.per week.Call (902) 243-2033.100 Job Opportunities HOMEWORKERS WANTED.$529.27 weekly.Process mail or assemble products at home.(416) 703-5655.24 hour message.www.TheHomeJob.ca or write: Consumer 599B Yonge St.#259-430, Toronto.ON.M4Y 1Z4.MECHANIC FOR AGRICULTURE, bilingual, part-time, possible full-time.Call (819) 845-3186 or fax (819) 845-3456.PUBLISHER & REGIONAL MANAGER, Kamloops.B.C., Kamloops Daily News.Summary of responsibilities: The Publisher is responsible for directing all aspects of the newspaper's operation, for achieving profit, revenue, and circulation goals, and for ket share and positioning in the community.As Regional Manager, he/she will be responsible for the newspapers in the Interior region, including the ancillary newspaper products and the Merritt News.Specific responsibilities: Meet sales, circulation and profit goals, approve and implement editorial policy and lead editorial development, extend and develop relationships to build the newspaper's profile in the community, develop and maintain productivity and quality standards for production of the newspaper, manage community press operation and commercial print sales, direct the management of human resources, and promote skills development of staff, develop and manage newspapers within the region and promote regional coop-e r a t i o n .Qualifications: Experience in newspaper publishing business, proven leadership skills in communicating vision, building trust, and stimulating creativity, experience in managing human and capital resources an asset, strong motivation to effect and manage change.Closing date for applications is Wednesday, August 27, 2003.Interested candidates should contact, in writing: Sarah Strother, Vice President, Hollinger Canadian Newspapers GP, 1827 West 5th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., V6J 1P5, by fax: (604) 732-3155.by email: sstrother 0 hollinger-mail.com.URGENT! Carriers wanted for: STANSTEAD AYER’S CLIFF Delivery only (no collections) If interested, please call RECORD at (819) 569-9528 between 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.or leave a message.125 Work Wanted CARETAKER and outdoor maintenance on a country property with living accommodations.Call (819) 565-8645.140 Professional Services MAKING PROJECTS work! Project development & management, creative producing, marketing strategy, coordination, budgeting, & team leadership.Project experience in business and community organizations.Available on contract, onsite/offsite.Email: info© northern-crown .com or call Mike at (819)345-5772."professional MANAGER offering his services in the following management areas: accounting, buying, sales, warehouse operations, production, project management, business software consultant, real estate management.Don’t wait, contract your work to a professional manager.Call (450) 777-5557, (450) 375-9457 145 Mscelaneous Saw» DAN’S SERVICE -Service on household appliances: washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators, etc.Tel.(819) 822-0800.LENNOXVILLE PLUMBING.Domestic repairs and water refiners.Call Norman Walker at (819) 563-1491.LOOKING TO INCORPORATE?Save $$$.Incorporations starting at $450.Also available: minute book, GST/QST numbers, name searches.Easy and simple.Call IncorpDirect Inc.(450) 292-0550.TONY THE PAINTER will do painting and handy work.Free estimate.Call (819)846-1763.EMAIL Y0ÜR CLASSIFIED TOUS! Fast and convenient! 150 Computers ARE COMPUTERS ESSENTIAL to your Business?Onsite Computer repair and upgrades, Network design and installation, Small Business Servers, and Training.Hourly rates or monthly service retainers starting at $150.per month including Guaranteed Response Time.Entrust your technology with the consultants and technicians who know, and care! Serving the entire Eastern Townships, Centre du Québec, and Montérégie.Call today: (819) 345-5772, (819) 879- 6579 or email: info @ northern-crown.com.190 Cars For Sale 1995 TERCEL, good condition, high mileage, 8 tires.$2,600.Call (450) 242-2380.2001 DODGE CAR-AVAN SE, fully loaded.4 door.76,000 km.Call (819) 829-6153 or 889-2643.Selling a car?Make your classified stand out.For $10.00 more per day, run a photo with your classified! Deadline: 2 days before publication.Drop by our office in Sherbrooke or Knowlton.(819) 569-9525.195 Trucks For Sale 1998 FORD RANGER pick-up, stepside, 4 extra wheels and winter tires available, 5 speed.1991 Chevrolet Caprice, white, good condition.Also tires 215/70R15, $25.each.Call (450) 375-9457.275 Antiques A L’ETAGE open daily 10 a.m.to 5 p.m., Sundays noon to 5 p.m., closed Tuesdays.All kinds of collectibles, antiques, depression glass and many assorted items.144 Foster St., Foster.(450) 539-2303.WE BUY from the past for the future, one item or a household, attic or basement, shed or garage.We like it all, give us a call.BluBarn Antiques (819) 884-2151, (819) 837-2680.290 Articles For Sale 2 MATCHING LOVE SEATS, sofa, hide-abed, 3 wicker chairs, rocking chair, quality table (round), 4 excellent dining room chairs, many more items, all reasonably priced Call (819) 842-1387.MAYTAG STACKED WASHER & DRYER, white, standard capacity 16 gallons, works on 220 plug, in good condition.Asking $400., negotiable.Call (819) 849-7442.UPRIGHT PIANO, $400.Antique dining room chairs, $30.each.Spindle infant bed, $100.Call (819) 842-4409.340 Garage Sales FLEURIMONT Garage Sale, antiques, Friday and Saturday, August 22 and 23, at 324 Lachapelle, Fleurimont.KNOWLTON Saturday, August 23 (if rain, Sunday, August 24), at 3 Kennedy.Sale starts at 8 a.m.No early birds please.Furniture, children clothes (0-5), toys, etc.KNOWLTON Saturday, August 23, 10 a.m.to 5 p.m., comer Stockwell and St.Paul’s Road, Knowlton.Small furniture, dishes, books, odds and ends.etc.365 Landscaping PERENNIALS - New varieties.August, 9 cm pots, 18 for $25.Thursday to Sunday, 1:30 to 9 p.m.16 MacAulay Road, Bishopton (819) 884-5417.375 Construction B.SALTER CON-STRUCTION, Licensed General Contractor.Custom building, renovations, roofing, repairs.Tel.(819) 569-0841 or (819) 564-6823.RBQ #1436-8443-59.CANDY ROUTE (Many Success Stories) ($4K-$8K Month/Proven) www.utumcanada.comf DIRECT FROM MANUFACTURE! All cash candy route.Do you earn $800 a day?30 machines - all for $9,995.(U.S.).1-800-998-VEND.430 Personal MYSTICAL CONNECTIONS.Top Psychic Service! The very best! Only $2.99 min.Love, Money, Life?24 hours, 7 days.18+.1-900-677-5872 or 1-877-478-4410 Visa, MC, Cash, www.mysti-calconnections.ca 440 Miscellaneous TRAVELING TO USA.?Entering with a criminal record may result in arrest, deportation or vehicle seizure.Solution?Call for a free information booklet.Call 1-800-661-5554.www.par-donservicescana-da.com Thank You For Checking Please look over your ad the first day it appears making sure it reads as you requested, as The Record cannot be responsible for more than one insertion. : ¦ THE mi i RECORD Thursday, August 21, 2003 page 19 South Bolton W.I.The July 10th meeting of the South Bolton W.I.was held at the home of Jane Hamilton.After Jane’s warm welcome into her lovely cool home the meeting opened with the Collect and Salute to the Flag.The motto for the day was, “When you are too busy for friends, you are too busy”! Roll Call followed with seven members present, giving ideas where to go for our August outing.Birthday cards were belatedly extended to Jane our hostess and Your Birthday Thursday, Aug.21,2003 Changing your work patterns in the year ahead in order to make a big improvement in the way you handle your job will lead to a more pleasant working environment.A raise or promotion could follow.LEO (July 23-Aug.22) — Be sure to handle your fair share of the responsibilities when working side by side with your coworkers today.If you attempt to dump your duties on them, they’ll do the same to you.VIRGO (Aug.23-Sept.22) — Screen all your social invitations very carefully today so that you don’t have to mingle with someone you dislike.It might be a volatile day where unpleasant situations could Pauline who both celebrated the big day on July 1st.Sheila Needham gave the treasurer’s report.It was decided to make a donation to Quebec Women’s Institutes to help balance the budget.The program for the day was, “Reflections on the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada convention 2003 hosted by the Quebec Women’s Institutes and held in Lennoxville”.Doris Wallet read her report.Anne Beauregard a guest at arise.LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.23) — Your image could be a bit fragile today, so be exceptionally cognizant of your behavior in front of associates, especially if there is someone present who likes to carry tales about others.SCORPIO (Oct.24-Nov.22) — No audience is receptive to someone droning on about topics that aren’t interesting.Constantly assess your listeners.If you see a few yawns, change the subject.SAGITTARIUS (Nov.23-Dec.21) - If you lower your guard today there is a strong chance you could find yourself drawn into a sticky situation that is not of your own making, but for which you may be held accountable.CAPRICORN (Dec.22-Jan.19) — Instead the banquet with her husband Bruno and Sheila the chair of the convention also had stories to tell.We are very proud to have the President Elect of FWIC Sheila Needham as a member of our branch.On Thursday, August 7th, South Bolton W.I.members, husbands and friends, met at the Day’s Inn in Cowansville for our annual outing.Our special guests were Reda Lewis of Sutton W.I., Kara Needham, Shelley and Curtis Needham.We all enjoyed a delicious buffet of soup, salads, roast pork, salmon, ham, chicken and vegetables and pasta, fol- of being demanding by trying to get others to do things your way today, seek out a compromise.Difficulties will quickly arise if your companions think you’re being pushy.AQUARIUS (Jan.20-Feb.19) — Take care not to attempt to do any tasks that are too physically strenuous for you to handle on your own today.If help isn’t readily available, wait for some so that you don’t cause any injuries.PISCES (Feb.20-March 20) — Select companions today who welcome your company rather than try to impose your presence on a clique which thus far has proven to be unfriendly.Who needs such snobbishness?ARIES (March 21-April 19) — It might be difficult for you to exercise the patience lowed by delectable desserts.We agreed all had a good, relaxing time.We all went our separate ways to help, or as in our van, to visit and discuss computers! Our next branch meeting will be on Sept.4th.Also the semi-annual Brome County meeting will be held in Abercorn on Sept.10th.There will be a finger food lunch, prizes for sweet breads and pies and an auction.See you there! For Home and Country, Doris Wallet and tolerance you’re capable of when dealing with others today.Unless you use some restraint, friction could ensue.TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — If you go around with a chip on your shoulder today, sooner or later someone will come along who’ll try to knock it off.Don’t ask for such trouble.GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Someone who has used you in the past is apt to try to take advantage of you again today.This person’s tactics might be a bit different but his or her objective will be the same.CANCER (June 21-July 22) — A rush to judgment today will cause you to overlook several significant factors that could change the outcome of events for you.Don’t be hasty when it comes to any major decisions.CROSSWORD ACROSS 38 Khan IV 24 Designer’s deg.46 Either part of a fly?1 Bing of basketball 39 Nick of “The Prince of Tides” 26 & the rest 48 Left port 5 Footlong containers 40 Ameslan 27 Allyson and Lockhart 50 Ageless in poems 10 Lasso 41 Brads 28 University of Maine location 52 As well 14 Author Haley 43 112.5 degrees from S 29 Male servant 54 Umps’ cohorts 15 Clues 44 Alone 30 salts 55 Seniors’ grp.16 Correct copy 46 Restaurant furniture 32 Marsh birds 56 Family follower 17 “The Maltese Falcon" author 47 Drunkards 33 Shoelace tip 58 Rostrum 20 Ravi Shankar’s instrument 49 Washington State cornerback 34 Impudent 60 Feast on Oahu 21 Caustic substance 51 Mote 37 Angels’ home 61 To be in Toulon 22 Heart spout 53 Adolescent 40 Shaded walkways 62 Roe source 23 Ear flap 54 Two-to-one, e.g.42 Forsakes 64 Ala.neighbor 25 Take a break 57 Dutch commune 45 Spanish eye 65 Hanoi holiday 27 “East of Eden” co-star 59 31 Times of note 63 35 Muse of astronomy 66 36 Spotted cavy 67 Wednesday's Puz2le Solved E R S Tl N 1 K E O T 1 C S A T U M G A S S O B 1 E N 1 G H| E D H R E T P F E V E A L 1 A T S A R E E L v| IS A G A Si R A T Cl] ERROL AES R E CAMUS T T O R E M E E R A I N A O R A N D S H L° ££JL£j [r e e s T] (C)2003 Tribune Media Service».Inc.p O L K A R O N r A V E i N E E s L P S A 1 T p B E R 1 O T A N R A D 1 V E R S A L A N M A N A 11 N 1 P 8/21/03 Loafs William Legge’s title Let loose Frankie or Cleo 68 Japan’s first capital 69 Hightailed it 70 Plus 71 Took to court DOWN 1 June celebrants 2 Lenin Peak’s range 3 British undershirt 4 Clam’s siphon 5 Haggard novel 6 Ancient rabbi 7 Sole 8 Airy 9 987-65-4321 grp.10 Distant 11 River to the Baltic 12 Brad of "Seven" 13 Kett of comics 18 Twists of fate 19 Mothers 1 .2 3 4 1 s 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 J 19 20 ¦ " 22 30 35 39 140 43 47 I 49 51 54 55 56 63 66 69 26 132 33 38 157 58 159 164 65 42 60 61 62 167 168 170 171 By Alan P.Olschwang 8/21/03 PAGE 20 THE RECORD Thursday, August 21, 2003 Satuntay In effect Friday, August 22 and Saturday, August 23,2003 Valid at Sears Retail Mall and Sears Outlet/Liquidation stores with super savings for 2 great days Valid only for a same-day purchase of $50 or more, before taxes.Some exclusions apply; see certificate for details.Friday & Saturday Saturday 8 AM ¦ 5 PM Stores open early NS OR4G4IH 200.1.Soars Canada Inc