The record, 6 mars 2008, jeudi 6 mars 2008

THE 75 CENTS + TAXES RECORD The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 ¦ ¦MM—¦ l - VOLVO Come to our new location 3625 du Blanc Coteau, Sherbrooke 813-563-8303 wvw.voivo8hertrooke.cein PM#0(HIKX)7682 Thursday, March 6, 2008 jT'-SA-, yt'yivi-*, .o T V ‘PWF*W?r The New Look?PERRY BEATON An artist’s rendition of how Lennoxville’s downtown might look, post facelift.See page 5.Marier drops out Hints of Tory tensions By Rita Legault Sherbrooke David Mailer has withdrawn his name for the Conservative Party nomination in Brome-Missisquoi.In a curt, three sentence letter to local party members dated and sent on Wednesday, Marier writes: “I regret that for personal reasons I cannot continue as an applicant for the Conservative : Party candidacy in Brome-Missisquoi.” j The specifics of why will remain a se- ! cret until after next month’s nomination meeting.“I have decided that the appropriate ] thing for hie is to make no statement until the nomination race has run its course,” Marier told The Record Wednesday.But he hinted broadly that there is ; tension between the local and national | Please see Mari er on Page 4 Gun scare raises worries ‘Two of my friends were walking across campus’ ByJen Young Sherbrooke Bishop’s University employees are counting their lucky stars that Tuesday’s campus gun scare turned out to be a false alarm, but according to one it was a “wake up call”.“I was on campus at the time this was going on and I found out much after the fact that an evacuation was underway,” said Dr.Ginny Stroeher.The biology professor’s office is on the third floor of the Johnson science building.“I never heard anything.It’s a real concern.Two of my friends were walking across campus to the sports complex while this was going on.They could have walked right into the situation.“Thankfully it was not real, but it really brought it home for many of us.It made you say, ‘Wow, we need to do something.’ As far as a real evacuation plan or procedure, there isn’t one.A lock-down, what does that mean?” Police made their way to the campus Tuesday morning and were in the process of evacuating a building into which two people with guns had been seen entering.Within minutes, the two were found — they were students, being photographed with props (fake rifles) as part of an English and films studies course.According to university spokesman David McBride, the institution has begun to re-assess its emergency protocols, but creating a plan for thousands is not an easy task.“There is a security plan in place, but for security reasons we can not publish them,” he said.“We have a 500-acre campus.At any given time there could be over 3,000 [people on campus].It’s certainly a challenge, but our goal is to make sure that our students and employees are safe.” Stroeher, who is also the president of the Association of Professors of Bishop’s University (APBU), said she is confident the university is working towards a solid plan.“I spoke to security and then the dean and I was told that the university is working on the procedures.I would imagine how complicated it is to figure out how to do this.I mean how do you contact everyone in an emergency such as this?I was assured a plan was coming.It is reassuring to see that police Please see Safety on Page 4 The Border Our reviewer compares life in Stanstead with the TV version New coach?Rod Gilpin is tipped as the next BU men’s eager coach Editorial .6 Sports .10 Births & Deaths.11 Annie’s Mailbox .16 Comics.13 Classifieds.14 Horoscope.15 Crossword.15 Drive a little save ' Your Eastern Townships truck center e know trucks! Jeep 60 years at your service 203 Railroad St., STANSTEAD Tel.: 819-876-2785 www.beliveaucomeauchrysler.com page 2 Thursday, March 6, 2008 imtio:».RECORD ¦ SesaBtëgg \mm ?jW^SlSMS*, issaai rt,«^*ggag; Ssssrc Competition finalists will perform in private homes.PERRY BEATON Chamber music Students perform in homes Leading up to Sherbrooke’s 10th annual regional finals of the Canadian Music Competition, to be held March 31, young musicians will be giving a series of Sunday morning concerts in the area.On March 9 and 30 at 11:30 a.m.the competitors will be playing for the public at the Université de Sherbrooke’s Auditorium Serge Garant.On March 16, there will be three private concerts held at homes of people associated with the regional chap- ter.Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, available at the door.There are 25 musicians registered to compete in the Sherbrooke regional finals this year, including Thierry Bégin-Lamontagne, a guitarist who chapter president Madeleine Tremblay describes as “truly extraordinary.” Bégin-Lamontagne will be part of the biannual International Stepping Stone competition this year, for young people starting out in a musical career.For more information, contact Madeleine Tremblay at madeleine.tremblay@videotron.ca.- Claire Biddiscombe No homework! Always wanted a university education?By Claire Biddiscombe Sherbrooke For the first time, a university learning experience without the mountains of homework is available to the public at Bishop’s University’s Lennoxville campus.While the Université de Sherbrooke has a long history of continuing education, and the Bishop’s Knowlton campus has been offering non-credit courses for some time (mostly arts-related), this is the first semester that the main campus has offered this type of programming, said Suzanne Meesen, director of continuing education at Bishop’s.“We realize and recognize that continuing education needed to get back into the community,” Meesen said.“The community doesn’t want homework or assignments, they want the types of learning experiences the university can offer.” So, in collaboration with the Townshippers’ Association, the university conducted a series of focus groups to find out exactly what the community wanted.As a result, Bishop’s now offers eight non-credit courses during the winter semester, covering topics as varied as wills and powers of attorney, memoir writing, French conversation and Canadian foreign policy.The subjects of the courses were based on feedback from focus groups and Meesen said that the university is looking to expand its non-credit offerings.“We just listened to what members of the community were asking us for,” Meesen said.Taught by members of the Bishop’s faculty, these courses are offered to the community for a fee to cover the professors’ time.“It’s very much how 1 teach my normal courses, but very condensed,” said William Hogg, a professor of political studies who is teaching a five-session course called “Understanding Canada in the World.” “[The course is designed to] sort of help anyone who wants to understand things that are in the paper,” Hogg said.Once a week, Hogg meets with his class of “nine ladies” to explain current issues in Canadian foreign policy and how the country has evolved to reach this point.He added that the course can be as interesting for him as for his students.“These ladies have lived through a lot of the events that I’m talking about and can provide some good context,” Hogg said.Heather Keith, one of Hogg’s students, was part of the committee that recommended that the community be more involved in adult education at Bishop’s.When she found out that the university was going ahead with the non-credit program, she signed up for a course — and spread the word to her acquaintances.“I’m very happy to see that they’re doing it,” Keith said.“I’m really quite enjoying it.” This interaction between the university and the people who coexist with it in their daily lives is key, according to Meesen.“This is a trend that we see in continuing education across Canada,” Meesen said.“It’s important for the community to know that Bishop’s is accessible.That university education is accessible.” But, she added, it can be a challenge to know what people would like to see offered and what would grab their interest.“We are open to hear about what the community wants,” Meesen said, inviting comments from the public.“I think it’s part of the university's responsibility to deliver learning opportunities to the community in a way that meets their needs.” For more information, or to register for a course, contact Continuing Education in the Nicholls Building at Bishop's University at 819-822-9670 or cont-ed@ubishops.ca.The cost ranges from $100 to $400.Weather Today: Mix of sun and cloud.High plus 2.Low of minus 6.Friday: Cloudy.Low minus 6.High plus 3.Saturday: Snow.Low minus 5.High minus 2.Sunday: Periods of snow.Low minus 12.High minus 7.Ben by Daniel Shelton ANPMYHEAP.-.THERE'S A FUNNY FEELING OVER ARE YOU SEIF PIAGNOSIN00N THE INTERNET V AGAIN?> felt PALPITATIONS V EARLIER.I'M SURE ITS NOTHING LETS SEE WHAT IT SAYS HERE-I TYPE IN THE SYMPTOMS ANPTHE RESULTS SHOW UP SEC0NPS LATER.yr CYBERCHON DRIA YIKE5: S0UNP5 SCARY/ RECORD Thursday, March 6, 2008 page 3 - PERRY BEATON Wednesday’s high winds appeared to have wrenched down this tree on Lennoxville’s Willowdale Street.No snow blower theft epidemic Just average, say police By Jen Young Sherbrooke Montreal is experiencing an “epidemic” of snow blower thefts according to Sherbrooke police, but a spokesman said the local theft rate is average this year, despite local media alerts claiming the contrary.“There were approximately 20 snow blower thefts in the Sherbrooke area around the holidays,” said Const.Martin Carrier.“This is the usual number from year to year.In fact, this year was even a little less than in previous years and I think that has a lot to do with prevention.” Carrier said local officers spent much time canvassing the area over the winter, warning residents who had left their equipment outside for all to see.“When patrollers saw snow blowers sitting outside or in a carport, and they were visible, they would stop and warn the owners.They also kept an eye out for trucks transporting them.They pretty much stopped everything that moved if it had a snow blower.” Provincial police in the Montreal area have issued a warning because of what they see as an astonishingly high number of thefts.Said Carrier: “While it snows there is always the chance of thieves looking for equipment to steal.Just because we don’t have an epidemic like Montreal doesn’t mean that people shouldn’t be careful.It’s better to be safe than sorry.” Police are reminding snow blower owners to keep the equipment out of sight.“Out of sight, out of mind,” Carrier said.He also recommends that residents jot down their machine’s serial number, which makes locating stolen equipment much easier.Briefs Granby police need you The Granby police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a man accused of credit card theft and fraud.According to a release a man stole a credit card in the beginning of February and used it to make purchases of approximately $300 at a Granby grocery store and two dépanneurs.TJte suspect (pictured) was reportedly seen leaving one location in a black Dodge Neon on Feb.2 between 3 and 4 p.m.The twenty-something white male was wearing dark pants and jacket and sporting an army style baseball cap.Police ask that anyone with any information contact Det.Yves Pare at 450-776-8333 or Info-crime at 1-800-711-1800.All calls are kept confidential.Magog doctor suspended A Magog doctor has been suspended from his practice for three months after having sexual relations with a former patient.Dr.Michel Barrette has been suspended by the province’s college of doctors after pleading guilty to engaging in a relationship with a cancer patient for a one-year period.According to the complaint filed to the Collège des médecins du Québec, the woman was a patient of Barrette’s since 1998.She sought help for anxiety and severe depression and was treated with antidepressant medication and anxiolytic, a mild tranquilizer.The 65-year-old family practitioner will also pay a fine of $1,000.Student spaghetti supper The handful of Alexander Galt Regional High School students who have organized this Saturday’s fundraising spaghetti supper ask that anyone interested in pre-purchasing tickets call 819-835-9296.The 5 p.m.event will be held at the North Hatley Legion in hopes of helping local teens raise funds to go to James Bay with their classmates this April and need to raise around $600 each.Tickets cost $10 for adults and $4 for anyone under the age of 12.Tickets can also be purchased at the door.AMCII ¦.The calm before the storm?Weather watcher’s warning By Jen Young Sherbrooke Eastern Townships residents will wake up to a calm and sunny day today with less wind, but according to local amateur weather forecaster Andrew Retchless this is “the calm before the storm.” “It’s gonna be nice,” he said Wednesday evening after snow blowing his driveway.“It’ll be sunny with temperatures of around minus 2 or minus 3.The winds will die down, but that’s nothing.We’re not out of it yet." Retchless is also the principal of Granby’s Parkview Elementary School, as well as a trusted meteorological source for the Eastern Townships School Board and he predicts that Friday will bring another problematic weather pattern.“We’re looking at another 10 to 30 centimeters depending on what track the storm takes,” he predicted.“If it takes a westerly track we will see much like we got (Wednesday).Snow and freezing rain, but if it takes a Cape Cod track we’re looking at a foot of snow.” At least one ski hill shut down early Wednesday because of the weather.North Hatley’s Montjoye closed at 4 p.m., blaming icy conditions and freezing rain.A release stated work would be completed on the runs overnight and Montjoye would reopen Thursday morning for 8:30.Westbury Ethanol plant Staff Sherbrooke Enerkem is building an industrial plant in Westbury that will be one of the first in the world to produce cellulosic ethanol.The plant, which is targeted to be completed this fall, will produce 1.5 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol from creosoted urban wood — in other words, old power poles.Unlike traditional ethanol, which is derived from cereals or plants, cellulosic ethanol comes from residues and solid urban wastes.“Unlike other gasification technologies, which are limited to using the gas for the production of heat and electricity, Enerkem’s synthetic gas is conditioned for use as a chemical feedstock in the manufacturing of higher value-added products, such as cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels,” said Enerkem president and CEO Vincent Chornet.Renewable biofuels offer many advantages, Chornet said, including contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by using materials that would otherwise produce methane in a landfill.The plant is the first in a series of industrial projects that Enerkem plans to announce in future months to process municipal solid waste.This comes almost five years after the start-up of Enerkem’s pilot plant in Sherbrooke.That facility has recycled about 100,000 tonnes of materials per year — by-producing a synthetic gas, called syngas, from waste.Enerkem is headquartered in Montreal.Michel Duval Advertising Consultant Tel.: 819-569.9525 Fax : 819-821 -3179 mduval@sherbrookerecord.com RECCÏÏin page 4 Thursday, March 6, 2008 ^RECORD Marler: Cont’d from Page 1 party organizers.“This edition of the Conservative party is tightly controlled (at the national level)," Marler said.“They determine what goes on.The local association has no power whatsoever.” Marler, who said he has informed local Tory riding president Peter White of his decision to pull out, made it clear he had every intention of running until recently.Whatever happened to make Marler pull out, he is bitter.“I’ve sort of been the flag carrier for the party," he said.“I represented the party here for three years.I was the candidate at the last election.” The Knowlton lawyer and longtime Conservative, who came in third with a little more than 20 per cent of the votes in the last federal election, has been busy ever since attending golf tournaments and fundraisers.“I was the candidate the last time and I haven’t stopped running,” Marler told The Record last summer when Perle Bouchard jumped into the race.Marler said that he, Bouchard, and the local riding association sought permission from the party to start the nomination process.It was “all of sudden” launched on Jan.14 and then abruptly closed on Jan.16, he said.“Tile candidates at the time were Mrs.(Perle) Bouchard and myself,” he said.“That’s when (Mark) Quinlan expressed an interest.” Marler said the nomination process was finally reopened on Feb.20.The nomination meeting is scheduled for April 6.“The management of the situation has been disastrous,” Marler said, refusing to confirm rumours that he was was forced out to make room for Quinlan.Quinlan is a political attaché for Mé-gantic-l’Érable Conservative MP Christian Paradis, the secretary of state for agriculture in Ottawa.In 2000, Quinlan was the Sherbrooke candidate for the Canadian Alliance, which has since merged with the Progressive Conservatives to form the new Conservative Party of Canada.In a telephone interview, Quinlan confirmed he is officially in the running for the party’s nomination in Brome Mis-sisquoi.“I have decided to throw my hat in,” he said.Quinlan denied that Marler was forced out so he could run.“David Marler made the decision, as far as I know, to let me go,” he said.“As far as I know, David made the decision for personal reasons.“What I can tell you is that I have the deepest respect for David Marlet,” Quinlan said, noting that Marler has increased the membership and visibility of the party in Brome Missisquoi.Quinlan said that he and Marler share many of the same supporters.Quinlan was campaign manager for Peter Stastny when he ran in 2004.Stastny supported Marler in 2006.“I know a lot of the same people.I was-n’t going to go into the race against David.I said to David and to the riding association that I would not join the race late unless David Marler decided to withdraw,” Quinlan said.“I told him if he did withdraw, I would most likely jump in.“I have till next Wednesday to sell memberships and to convince people to support me,” Quinlan said.“I’m late but I’m doing my best to gain support from members in Brome Missisquoi.I don’t mind saying that I’m ambitious and I would like to be their MP.” Quinlan also said the Tories he knows in Brome-Missisquoi are clear: They want a bilingual candidate.Perle Bouchard has admitted she is a unilingual francophone, but that she was working on improving her English.In an earlier interview with The Record she recognized it’s important to be comfortable in English in the riding that has the largest percentage of anglophones in the Eastern Townships.On Wednesday, Bouchard said she had spoken with Marler and that she was aware he was stepping down.But she was not aware of any attempts to push him out of the race.“On my side I am actively selling cards,” she said, noting she had till March 12 to sell as many memberships as possible.Bouchard said the earlier nomination meeting was canceled due to a restructuring of the Conservative Party in Quebec.Bouchard said there has been no pressure on her to step aside.“I have been working for two years,” she said, noting that she went to Ottawa for a training session for prospective MPs.“I’m still in the race,” she said.While his opponents continue seeking the nomination, Marler would not comment on what his plans are for the future and whether he plans to run again for the Tories or as an independent.“I’m now a free man and the world is open to me.I could go back to gardening.I could go back to signing.” Brome-Missisquoi riding president Peter White could not be reached for comment.Brief- PQjshelves referendum?The Parti Québécois may be putting its plans for a referendum on hold for now, but it remains committed to the sovereignty dream, PQ Leader Pauline Marois said Wednesday morning.Releasing a package of proposed resolutions for a meeting next week of the PQ rank-and-file, Marois confirmed that the old party pledge to hold a referendum as soon as possible in the first mandate in the event the PQ forms a government is on hold for now.In its place, Marois says the party will try and talk up the reasons it feels Quebec should separate.The party’s new tag for the debate will be that Quebecers dive into a “national conversation” on sovereignty all over the province.A PQ government would also start preparing the terrain for sovereignty by drafting a new Quebec constitution, create a Quebec citizenship, reinforce the status of the French language, re-write Quebec's history curriculum to highlight the sovereignty point-of-view in schools and assure a better integration of immigrants.- Can west News Service Safety: Cont’d from Page 1 were immediately notified, but this is a concern.” This is the second scare at Bishop’s in as many months.A campus cafeteria employee has been charged with uttering threats following reports he said he would shoot work colleagues.Champlain College shares the university campus.According to Cégep director Paul Kaeser, they were “monitoring the situation while it was happening.” “We do (have an evacuation plan),” said Kaeser Wednesday afternoon.“In light of Dawson College last year we reviewed and refined our security.” That tragic incident left two dead and 19 injured in September 2006 when a gunman walked onto the Montreal campus and opened fire, then committed suicide.Said Kaeser: “We had an expert come in and we built an entire plan.Not only on how to deal with hostile intruders, but also floods [and] right up to gas leaks.” For reasons of security, he also would not divulge specifics.Stroeher said the APBU is more than willing to cooperate to put an effective plan into play.“There is talk of holding a ‘what to do in case’ workshop in the fall.A good test system needs to be put in place.If someone walks into a classroom (in a hostile manner) we don’t know what to do.The union will do what we can to help.” McBride confirmed that campus security has been reviewing security measures since the Dawson College tragedy, and before.“We’ve been refining our system since even before Dawson College,” he said.“We are looking at making use of email and voice mail as well as looking at text messaging.Again, our biggest concern is keeping everyone safe.” your donations FOND VnON ^as ena^€^ C'JfVS to purchase mw equipment ill ftv CtMB MOSHTAUet uMvmtrAJSt to: Shfkimook* Higher definition for greater precision Thanks to funds from the Fondation du CHUS, the CHUS-Fleurimont Hospital's outpatient clinic has purchased a new-generation colposcope with higher definition to detect the presence of malignant lesions on the cervix with greater precision.The apparatus is attached to the wall, significantly reducing the need to handle it.Enhanced visibility is another advantage when compared to earlier models.For the patient, this translates into shorter examination time and greater exactness in the establishment of a diagnosis.Fondation du CHUS, 580 Bowen Street S, Sherbrooke QC JIG 2K8 / (819) 820-6450 - 1-866-820-6450 • www.fondationchua.or}» r i Proud to contribute for | he belter health of our community! Iverijthitu) starts with trust .INNUKANKi AM) > IKAM, |A1.MiKVK TS PROMUTUEL WÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ .MUÉ: : s -«’H.v », §&»»» %-f I'M LOOKING FOR Upbeat response to Lennoxville facelift No negatives?By Sarah Rogers Sherbrooke ¦—¦—¦he south east entrance to the city of Sher-Drooke is about to get a facelift, and local in- I stitutions are welcoming the change.X.Sherbrooke city council adopted a plan Monday night that will see the borough of Lennoxville’s Queen and College street area revitalized, from new lamp posts to the restoration of local buildings and pedestrian and cycle paths.Lennoxville borough chairman Douglas MacAulay, who called the project “a dream come true” for the community, is hoping that Lennoxville emerges from its makeover looking like the quaint college towns that dot parts of New England’s landscape.Bishop’s University, which had representation on an advisory committee in the early stages of the planning, believes any positive changes to the school’s host community would reflect well on the institution itself.“When you look at some of the schools we compete against, Sackville and Wolfville are very quaint and picturesque,” said campus spokesman David McBride, referring to the Maritime communities that are home to both Mount Allison and Acadia universities.“And that plays a role in recruitment.“Lennoxville has huge charm, but a lot of its beauty lies off the beaten path,” he added.“I don’t think Lennoxville is quite there yet, but I think it has that potential.“We’re happy to be a part of that change.” McBride said the university would welcome a more seamless approach between the municipality and the Bishop’s campus, starting with new pedestrian and bike paths connecting the two.Trails and signage are also a way to get students to enjoy their off-campus surroundings, he said.Staff at the Uplands Cultural and Heritage Centre agree.Recent work to connect visitors to the Lennoxville museum by way of new trails and signage have meant a noticeable increase in visitors to the centre over the last few years, said Upland’s Nancy Robert.“We’re trying to create as many links as we can,” Robert said, pointing to discussion around reviving a tramway link from the old city of Sherbrooke to Lennoxville.Robert also hopes to see some of Lennoxville’s heritage buildings made more visible, an initiative that she feels will be helped with the burying of wires, a source of “visual pollution.” In addition, the proposal outlines plans to restore heritage buildings in the downtown core, replace lamp posts and other street furniture, landscaping, the creation of pedestrian and bike paths to link some of Lennoxville’s institutions and possible recreational development along the banks of the Saint-François and Massawippi rivers.Some changes to the plan are expected if the proposed Highway 410 expansion begins construction towards Lennoxville.But as it stands, urban planners in Sherbrooke anticipate the project will attract new business to the area to help bolster Lennoxville’s assortment of restaurant and services.The plan, estimated to cost over $6 million, is the latest Programme particulier d’urbanisme (PPU) tar- PERRY BEATON The corner of Queen and College in the heart of Lennoxville.geting different Sherbrooke neighbourhoods, a future planning tool that dictates the vision and development in a particular area.In Lennoxville’s case, the planning zone encompasses an area bordered by Queen Street between Academy and Downs streets, and along College Street to Bishop’s University, a densely occupied urban section of the community.Lennoxville-Ascot Historical and Museum Society archivist Lu Rider said that, although Lennoxville has gained some by merging with the city of Sherbrooke, it also stands to lose its distinctness if signage does not reflect its heritage.Like some other neighbouring municipalities that have been part of mergers, Rider would like to see the name Lennoxville included beneath that of the city of Sherbrooke in municipal place name signage.Before moving ahead to secure funding, the revitalization project will go to a public consultation on Tuesday, April 8 at the Amédée-Beaudoin community centre in Lennoxville.A CAREER I'LL TAKE PRIDE IN Interested in knowing more about the Canadian Forces?Come and meet one of our recruiters at our Open House.Why?To find out about our wide range of part- and full-time career opportunities.When?From Thursday, March 6 to Sunday, March 9 Where?Carrefour de l’Estrie, 3050 de Portland Boulevard, Sherbrooke, 819-563-1907 Visit us.Opening our door might open up a lifetime of opportunities for you.FIGHT WITH THE CANADIAN FORCES Æ& www.forces.ca 1'8°°-856-8488 Canada page 6 Thursday, March 6, 2008 PFrnprt Community Forum Letters to the Editor Better things to spend on DEAR EDITOR In the paper I read a letter from Compton (“In agreement", Feb.26 Record).I do not wish to become a nuisance to keep harping about language.But every time I read something about it I get a little angrier about the Quebec government and their baby talk about the issue of language.It sounds almost immature.English is more of a world language and businesses get to be more global; cannot the government of today understand that they loose businesses and people?What if the Chinese in this country or any other fraction of the population started to talk about their office for language enforcement or whatever and try to push it down our throats.What would happen?If only the Quebec people started to learn another language like Spanish or Chinese or even Russian and spent their money on that instead of spending it to comply with the Office de la langue française.Are the Québécois taxpayers so insecure to lose their français?We taxpayers should encourage the new government [after a Quebec election] to abolish the whole language office and save that money for other items like education or health.Casey Vriesendorp Ayer’s Cliff Clinging to ignorance Dear editor This is in regard to the stance you have taken on the controversy created by your Feb.18 editorial in which you denounced merchants who serve you in English (“I said, en français; enough English, already”).We have not heard from you since your response of Feb.19 (“English service; Step back”), it is imperative that you understand that such a position will be totally unacceptable to a large number of your readers.Let me attempt to make this clear for you by MRb BUCK To MuVE INTO NEW HOME.Woo«iÇlehis-we* caglecartoons.com m Spi naaw creating an analogy drawn from your own frame of reference.Imagine I got a job as the editor of a gay and lesbian newsletter — a community of which I am not a member.One day I decide to write what I consider a humorous editorial.Instead of the hoped-for amusement, I provoke a torrent of indignation and outrage.As a responsible journalist, which of the following reactions should I choose?Reaction #1: Express regret for the unintended offence.Vow to learn more about sensitive issues in the community I am trying to serve.Reaction #2: Say, "Hey, I was only kidding.You guys need to learn to laugh at yourselves a bit more.Anyway, it’s part of my job to rattle your cages from time to time." I expect the analogy is clear.You, unfortunately, have so far chosen reaction #2 when the only appropriate reaction is #1.“But,” you may be thinking, “the analogy isn’t accurate — 1 am a member of the English-speaking community.” On that point, please consider the following.To truly be a member of a community, it is usually necessary to share some common experience.How much experi- ence do you have in common with those of us who have lived in Quebec for most of our lives?Have you ever had to apply to the government for permission to send your child to an English school?Have you owned a business and been visited by officials from the Office de la langue française?Have you ever had to help an elderly relative in a situation where they were distressed because they could not communicate?Have you endured many of the waves of English-baiting which occur whenever the Parti Québécois slips in the polls?Have you participated in protests when language laws were applied in absurd and hurtful fashion to such things as an ancient bilingual sign on a tiny flower shop?My intent here is not to give the im- pression that it’s unpleasant to be an English-speaker in the Townships.On the contrary, I find the vast majority of my francophone neighbours to be kind, open minded, and generous of spirit.Neither is it the case that we who have lived here many years have all directly experienced more than one or two of the situations I have outlined.Often, rather, we have merely known or heard of other anglophones who have had such experiences.The point is that the experiences mentioned above have contributed to shaping our perceptions and sensibilities over the years.In your case, although you technically became a member of Quebec’s English-speaking minority as soon as you moved here, in terms of your perceptions and sensibilities you obviously remain as though you are simply a visitor from English Canada.As such, it is not yet appropriate for you to attempt to judge when and how we should laugh at issues relating to language.I hope I have convinced you on this point.I believe I speak for many when I say that we can forgive you for an act done in ignorance, but it will be very difficult to forgive if you insist on clinging to that ignorance.Robert Whati i Y Sherbrooke Record editor Eleanor Brown writes.I was born in Sherbrooke.I attended Sherbrooke Elementary School, Alexander Galt Regional High, Champlain Col-lege-Lennoxville and (for a short while) Bishop’s University'.I have lived all but a few years of my life as an anglophone in Quebec.MPs follow suit RECORD P.O.Box 1200 Sherbrooke J1H 51j6 or 1195 Galt E„ Sherbrooke JIG 1Y7 Fax: 819-569-3945 ti-MAii.: newsroomSsherbrookerecord.com Website: www.sherbrookerecord.com Kenneth Wells Publisher .(819) 569-9511 Eleanor Brown Editor .(819) 569-6345 Richard Lessard Prod.Mgr (819) 569-9931 Serge Gagnon Chief Pressman .(819) 569-9931 Francine Thibault Prod.Supf.rv.(819) 569-4856 DEPARTMENTS Accounting .(819)569-9511 advertising .(819) 569-9525 Circulation .(819) 569-9528 Newsroom .(819) 569-6345 Knowiton office 88-A Lakeside.Knowiton.Quebec.JOE 1V0 Tel: (450) 242-1188 Fax: (450) 243-5155 mail subscriptions GST PST TOTAL Canada: 1 year 120.00 6.00 9.45 $135.45 6 MONTHS 63.00 3.15 4.96 $71.11 3 MONTHS 32.00 1.60 2.52 $36.12 Out of Quebec residents do not include PST Rates for other seirices 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 Alta Newspaper Group Limited Partnership.PM#0040007682 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to The Record.1195 Galt East, Sherbrooke, QC JIG 1Y7 Member ABC.CARD, CNA, QCNA Sue ’em all Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s threatened lawsuit against top Liberals appears to have inspired other parliamentary lawsuits, with MPs suing MPs, ordinary citizens, celebrities and, in one instance, a Pomeranian named Theo.“It’s not only opened the floodgates, it’s let the genie out of the bottle," said John “Jon” Tollbrooke, a political analyst with the Redundant Cliché Institute.“When your prime minister is in the vanguard of leading the way on a new and unprecedented issue like suing fellow MPs, other MPs feel they have a free rein to give themselves carte blanche to launch legal actions of their own.They’re copycat imitations.” The wave of lawsuits began early Tuesday, a day after Prime Minister mw.¦: «i Ross Murray Harper announced he was suing Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion, Deputy Leader Michael Ignatieff, House Leader Ralph Goodale, the Liberal Party and anyone suspiciously wearing too much red.The libel suit stems from articles on the Liberal website that allege Harper knew of a Conservative attempt to buy the late MP Chuck Cad man’s vote with a million-dollar life insurance policy.Harper has described the allegations as “devastatingly defamatory,” although he did later concede that Ignatieff is devastatingly handsome.” The precedent appears to have unleashed a deep-seated longing for litigation in the House of Commons.The quickest out of the chute was Vancouver East MP Zwoon Van Hursten (NDP), who issued a notice of slander suit against Prime Minister Harper for Please see Legal on Page 8 Stanstead Review Serving Stanstead and ITS BORDER COMMUNITY *If’ll • ci .4 .i—-M.A d L.71 Also See: How to stay young .see Page 8 NEWSROOM@SHERBROOKERECORD.COM Thursday, March 6, 2008 page 7 COURTESY CBC Major Mike Kessler [James McGowan) chases down criminals on CBC Television’s The Border.What’s it’s like on The Border A TV review By Nancy Nourse Record correspondent Considering all the media attention that life on the Quebec/Vermont border has been getting in recent months, we thought it might be fun to look at the new CBC television show.The Border.The show definitely gives one food for thought.Did the writers intend it to be realistic, or was it designed purely for the sake of drama and ratings, or could it be designed to highlight the inner workings of government agencies so that we can better understand the decisions that are being made on our behalf?As to the actual inner workings of government agencies, we may never know for sure unless we, too, become employed in this field.This television show seems to be trying to give us insight into the inner conflict that those involved in law enforcement, whether it is border security or day-to-day policing of certain regions, are faced with in trying to do the job that they must do.Adding to the difficulty is that they, too, must answer to their superiors, regardless of whether they agree with the actions they have been ordered to take.This particular dilemma is depicted in one scene where an officer is faced with choosing between upholding a person’s civil rights and respecting their religious customs, or doing what must be done to obtain needed information to stop a terrorist attack.As a life-long resident of the border area, I have witnessed many changes in the routine operations that are carried out in the name of border security.The first time this issue made an impression on me was during the Vietnam War when troops of soldiers came to patrol the actual geographical borderline between the United States and Canada, an imaginary line that holds little value in the daily lives of these two socially and economically intertwined border towns — Stanstead, Quebec and Derby Line, Vt.Local residents could be heard wondering if the real reason behind this increased security was to protect the northern border of the United States or to keep draft-dodgers from crossing into Canada.One rather scruffy looking young man, whom my husband and 1 became acquainted with during that period, told how he had made the difficult choice to travel north to Canada, so he could live in freedom instead of going to jail for refusing to fight in a war that he did not believe in.It was considered as nothing out of the ordinary then, as today, to hear planes passing overhead at all hours of the night patrolling the border for possible smuggling of people or drugs.According to Stanstead Historical Society files and research done by several local historians, the bridge linking Rock Island, Quebec (now part of Stanstead) with Derby Line, Vt.was actually blown up in the early 1900s to discourage settlers and soldiers from cross- ing into Canada.It appears as if there are two main agencies at work each week in the CBC series, one Canadian and one American; both appear to be fictional.Mimicking the media’s view of Canadian and American politics, the Canadian agency is portrayed as looking for a middle road in the scheme of things while the American agency is portrayed as doing whatever is necessary to get the results that they are looking for, regardless of the views of others.Canada has always been commended for its peacekeeping role in times of war, for being a country that openly welcomed immigrants from less fortunate countries.This viewpoint was also portrayed in the series through a storyline about a troubled young lad front the Third World who came to Canada, first on a temporary visa, and then as a permanent resident.The fact that The Border is set in a geographically similar border town makes it resemble the region around Stanstead - but the focus of the television show seems to be in a city much larger than Stanstead.It is similar in that, as a border town, local law en- forcement agencies, immigration and customs agencies are faced with the daily task of enforcing the boundary between two countries with various sets of laws and opinions.The fact that The Border is set in a generic part of the Canadian border, not a specific city, with all the security problems that this location encompasses, does leave the writers open to scenarios that could very well become a real scenario in what we consider to be the safety of our hometown.As citizens of Canada, we enjoy a relatively peaceful existence, making it all too easy to forget about the terrible conditions under which many people live every day, preferring to focus on our own daily routines.It was with this mentality that many Stanstead/Derby Line residents received the information that IBET (the International Border Enforcement Team) and US Homeland Security wanted to see three unguarded streets in the Stanstead area closed off in some permanent way.Several months ago, officials called several meetings in Stanstead to give the public what they believed was a more realistic view of the world that we are living in today.Many people came away from these meetings feeling that they had been fed a lot of trumped up information so that the government agencies, on both sides of the border, could go ahead with their plans for increased border security.The idea that people from Colombia were finding their way to three small unmanned streets in Stanstead and making their way across the border from one country to another seemed far-fetched — but months later came the dismantling of two alleged people-smuggling rings.The people in the Stanstead region have long enjoyed a special relationship with their sister community Derby Line, Vt.and many feel that it will take more than a few misplaced Colombians or a few hardnosed authorities to erode the long history of friendship and family ties that have taken centuries to develop between these two deeply intertwined communities.Law enforcement officials depend on the eyes and ears of the local citizens, especially in border areas to effectively carry out their work, so does it not make sense to let them in on enough information to get them on board instead of dishing out a few, disjointed facts that only make sense to those who know the whole picture?The media, at large, is often reprimanded for releasing details and locations too early to the public and interfering with ongoing investigations (this scenario has also been depicted on the television show).Some local residents questioned whether this was the very reason that so much attention was being shown these seemingly insignificant streets in this small corner of the world.Very rarely has Stanstead seen such a barrage of media in the area, except of course when Angelina Joli came to make a movie here several years ago.The Border can be seen at 9 p.m.on Monday evenings. page 8 Thursday, March 6, 2008 Stanstead REVIEW I was sitting in the breakroom at work when a colleague entered.James was in a cheerful mood, probably because it was Friday and lie was looking forward to the upcoming weekend.“James, you’re rather chipper today,” I commented.“Got that right, Dave.It’s February 29th — Leap Day.It’s my Uncle Sid’s birthday.I called him up this morning and asked him if he felt older today.He just turned 16,” James said.I gave James a puzzled look.I know his Uncle Sid and he definitely wasn’t a teenager.In fact, Uncle Sid is a grandfather.I figured James was only testing my intelligence.“He’s 16 today?I think you have his age wrong.He’s a bit older than that,” 1 quipped.“I’m not kidding, Dave.Uncle Sid is really 16 today.Since he was born on Leap Day, he only celebrates his birthday once every four years.All us relatives joke with him about that.He wants us to believe he’s still underage,” The fountain of youth It’s the Leap Day James explained.So that cleared up the confusion.01’ Uncle Sid wants to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes by claiming he has a birthday only when every Feb.29th rolls around.Then again, Uncle Sid cleverly knows the secret of remaining forever young.1 remember reading some time ago about the history of Leap Day.It’s been around since 46 BC when Roman astronomers came up with a 365-day solar year, with six hours left each year.These six hours added up roughly one full extra day every four years.Hence, it was placed on the calendar at the end of February to become the infamous Leap Day.Uncle Sid proved that he is one of the many people who defy the inequality of being born on February 29th.The universal odds on being brought into life on Leap Day are 1 in 1,461.Another interesting statistic is of the estimated 1.2 million babies born in Canada in a four-year period, only about 1,000 are born on that date.So the stars were aligned when Uncle Sid came into the world.“So what did you plan on getting your uncle for a gift on his birthday?” I asked.“Well, since he just turned 16, Uncle Sid isn’t old enough to get my potent bottle of Scotch that 1 have stashed away at home.So perhaps he’ll have to settle for an iPod.” James grinned, “Then he can listen to the oldies music he’s always loved over the years.You know, the Beatles, the Doors, Fifth Di- Dave’s Den David Ellis mension.” “If he’s only 16, isn't that a little before his time?He should be listening to Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5 and No Doubt,” I added.“I guess you got me there, Dave.Uncle Sid has been around long before Elvis was making movies and Cadillacs came out with power windows,” he laughed.I then asked James if he was aware that his jovial uncle also shared his birthday with the hockey legend Hall Of Famer, Flenri (Pocket Rocket) Richard.“Oh yes, I know that.As a matter of fact, 1 think they used to play hockey together in the minor leagues years ago,” he smiled.I think James has been sampling his hidden bottle of Scotch.Next, he’ll be telling me that Uncle Sid once played for the Montreal Expos at old Jarry Park.But wait.come to think of it, wasn’t it a ball player named Sid who hit the first home-run out of that ballpark?Another big chance Découvertes de la Chanson By Nancy Nourse Record correspondent Organizers of the Découvertes de la Chanson de Magog held a press conference on Monday to herald the official launch of the 12th annual competition and to introduce the honorary spokesperson for this year’s competition, Marc-André Fortin.“I have participated in many contests of this nature but this is the first one where I have sensed such a strong feeling of caring and genuine support for the contestants,” said Fortin.“This is also the first time that I will be participating as a spokesperson instead of a contestant.This makes for a quite different experience, one which I am looking forward to sharing with these talented young people, especially the week of workshops for the semi-finalists.I will be on hand for any support and advice that I can give,” Fortin added.Fortin’s initiation into the world of music began at the piano, at the age of 6.In 2001, he was awarded first prize in the contest Jeunes Espoirs du Téléthon Opération Enfant Soleil, then came in second in a Granby contest and in 2005 he won the top award in Star Academy and last year released his first album.“Win or lose, one thing is certain, all the participants will come away with a valuable experience that will change their lives forever.Developing a new sense of confidence and expression, they will most certainly feel that the world is full of great new possibilities.This is what I find so special about la Découvertes de la Chanson de Magog,” added Fortin.There are four categories within this competition: Adults 18 years plus in both Interpretation and Au- thor/Composer/Interpreter, Youth in Interpretation only (10 to 13 years of age and 14 to 17 years of age).Découvertes de la Chanson de Magog is known for offering that extra something to its semi-finalists — an opportunity to enjoy week-long quality workshops with established professionals in the field of performance enhancement (vocally, artistically and musically).The finals will take place in October.“I have been involved in many other competitions throughout Quebec but this one stands out because of the quality team and the valuable advice that they have shared with us.It is also rare for young talent to be able to work with live musicians such as we did,” said Alexandre Simpson-Tremblay (of Gatineau), the 2007 winner in the category of ACI18 +.The deadline for applications for this talent contest is April 30.Anyone with a good knowledge of the French language is eligible to enter.For more information, you may contact 819-868-3641 or check out their website at www.DecouvertesDeLaChanson.com.after which time an intense selection process will take place to find young peo- Legal: Cont’d from Page 6 describing his private member’s bill to make Ramen noodles the official noodle of Canada as “a noodlv-brained idea from a doodly-brained dude.” “Mr.Harper hurt my reputation and he hurt my feelings,” said Van Hursten in a statement on his Face-book page.“He had a devastating effect on my Crusade for the Can-Noodle.” Asked for comment, Mr.Harper rolled his eyes into the back of his head and made a deep gurgling sound.CBC News analysis pointed out that this statement was remarkably similar to Harper’s position on Israel and Palestine.A spokesperson from the prime minister’s office later declared that Harper never issued the supposedly slanderous statement against Van Hursten.Shown a transcript of a tape where Harper says those exact words, the spokesperson clarified that the transcript was in fact a recording of Harper in a dinner-theatre performance of Spank Yer Yankee.Late in the day Tuesday, every Bloc Québécois MP jointly sued the City of Ottawa for not being in Quebec.“We have to cross that humiliating river every day to get here.It’s Hull," said Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe.When complimented on the pun, he replied, “What pun?" The flurry of suits continued into Wednesday.Kitchener Centre Liberal MP Constance Pardina sued the Grammies for snubbing singer Feist.She opted not to sue the Oscars for snubbing Juno because she’s “not fond of that preggie movie." MP Rufus Buntt (Liberal, St.John’s East) is suing MP Alex Gulpino (Conservative, Durham) for damage to his reputation resulting from a crude limerick about him scrawled in the Centre Block men’s room.“I’ve been teased about my name all my life,” said the Newfoundland MP.“But I think it behooves a Member of Parliament to rise above rhyming a colleague’s name with ’doofus.’” Asked for comment, Gulpino giggled, “He said ‘behooves’!’’ Avalon Liberal MP Julie Brown is suing former prime minister Brian Mulroney for damages, alleging that Mulroney “has been and continues to be willfully and with forethought an arrogant schmuck.” MP for West Nova Gail Pimbelton is suing NDP leader Jack Layton for mental duress and psychological damage caused by his mustache.“I mean, come on!” she said.And finally, Liberal leader Stéphane Dion launched a suit against himself, though he refused to say on what grounds.“1 have my reasons and I will reveal them when the time is right,” he stated, resulting in a collective sigh from reporters.Observers are suggesting that the flurry of suits will be short-lived and that Parliament will soon return to normal, with MPs getting things out of their system with simple namecalling in the House.Now with delivery to your dining room.Announcing the new www.sherbrookerecord.com THE RECORD Stanstead REVIEW Thursday, March 6, 2008 page 9 Talking tough on past-due taxes When these run out, another order will be placed.The Memphremagog Conservation Association asked for support in its attempt Pro-Mayor Michelle Richard, in to renaturalize the shores near Weir Park the absence of Mayor Raymond _ “only moral support at this time”, Yates, chaired Stanstead s town added the pro-mayor.The project would council meeting on Monday, see vegetation planted along these shores Richard said Yates was ill; there was that would act as a natural filter system only one other mention of for the water, the mayor, the fact that he is being investigated by the Quebec municipal affairs ministry at the request of council to look into whether he was in a conflict of interest while either running for mayor, or while sitting in office.A complementary resolution was passed at council, referring to loans received by Mayor Yates at various times during 2005 and 2006.Parties Yves de Lorimer, Raymond Richard and Jean-Luc Drapeau involved in the purchase of property in Stanstead were members of the board of Andre Morel but was not ready to re- Inc.which had granted Yates a personal veal any specific details at this time.The loan registration deadline is set at May 15.One resident asked during question Residents concerned period just who would be held responsible for paying the costs of legal repre- Several residents again expressed con-sentation for Mayor Yates.Director cern that there seemed to be more general Pierre Dussault and Richard empty buildings in the downtown area said the town is responsible for town is- an prices have been announced yet.However, expect the new SLK range to start around $58,000 for the 3(H) and top out at $85,000 for the 55 j AMG.