The record, 5 novembre 2012, lundi 5 novembre 2012

Making the government aware of the poor THE The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 Page 3 A wheelbarrow full of awards from Galt Page 7 75 CENTS + TAXES PM#0040007682 Monday, November 5, 2012 Blackout causes disruption Sherbrooke - (McD) More than 15,000 Sherbrooke residents found themselves without power for almost four hours Friday afternoon as a result of a blackout caused by routine repair work by Hydro-Sherbrooke.The blackout began around 2:30 and affected much of downtown, Bowen and Conseil streets.St-Francis, and the downtown core were all affected, as was Bishop’s College School in Lennoxville and the Hôtel-Dieu hospital complex.Power was restored in all areas before 7 p.m.According to Hydro-Sherbrooke, the blackout was the result of several short circuits that occurred during routine preparations for the winter season.This caused outages in Fleurimont, downtown, Sherbrooke West, the North Ward and Rock-Forest.The blackout caused additional problems for the city itself as all municipal telephone lines, including those of Hydro-Sherbrooke, also went.The city uses an IP telephone network that operates through the Internet and computers.This, of course, made it impossible for city departments or Hydro-Sherbrooke to receive complaints and made it difficult for communication among employees and departments.The blackout also affected traffic lights, thereby making Friday rush hour traffic even more difficult to navigate.Fire destroys home in Rock Forest SYLVIA BULLARD The intense fire seemed to break out on the roof of the singlefamily residence and firefighters were concerned about a 400-pound propane tank on the property.By Sylvia Bullard Afire destroyed the home of a retired couple in the Borough of Rock Forest Friday afternoon.There were no injuries.Luckily, a woman who was taking a walk around 3:30 in the afternoon saw flames on the roof of the single family residence located at 1295, Godin Road.She quickly knocked on the door and alerted the owner, Réal Nadeau, who was watching TV and had not noticed anything.Sherbrooke Fire Department Chief Stéphane Brochu considers that Nadeau was fortunate.“It is not the first time this kind of thing has happened when people are inside the residence and smoke detectors are not able to detect smoke from a Cont’d on page 5 Tom Cavanagh raises a good question Page 6 union exec — THE—I RECORD SPECIAL OFFER for Record print subscribers: Receive a full year's subscription to the online edition for only $5 with every new subscription or renewal.Read The Record online any time, any place Subscribers can view each new issue of The Record, as well as Brome County News, The Townships Outlet and our many special sections with just the click of the mouse.To subscribe, go to www.sherbrookerecord.com, click on e-dition and follow the simple instructions.For information or assistance call 819-569-9528 billing@sherbrookerecord.com Page 2 Monday, November 5, 2012 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record Don’t miss The Record's Wednesday columnists Gordon Lambie Sheila Quinn Weather \ \ I / TODAY: ' / VARIABLE ^ CLOUDINESS HIGH OF-1 LOW OF -6 , ^ / TUESDAY: / : / CLOUDY j 1____ PERIODS HIGH OF 1 LOW OF -7 * * ¦ / V s WEDNESDAY: CLOUDY PERIODS HIGH OF 3 LOW OF -9 \ THURSDAY: MIXED PRECIP > ' J J HIGH OF 2 ^ J j LOW OF-1 * / i / FRIDAY: CLOUDY Vi— WITH SUNNY ) BREAKS HIGH OF 4 LOW OF-3 The Gift of Reading Help a child fall for reading Annie Cardinal Literacy Foundation As part of the 14th edition of “The Gift of Reading,” the Literacy Foundation and program spokesperson actress Marie Turgeon invites you to buy a brand new book for a poor child in your region.Through this simple act, you contribute to preventing the reading and writing difficulties that can lead to young people dropping out of school, and then to illiteracy.Help us reach our goal of collecting 30,900 books.“I invite the general public to share their joy of reading with young people,” says Turgeon.“Why not choose a book that you or your children have loved, and give it to an underprivileged young Quebecer?Use the bookmark included in the gift kit to write a personalized word of encouragement to the child who will be receiving your book.Help preschoolers get hooked on reading, to prepare them for school and foster their educational success.” The importance of acting early “A Canada-wide study entitled “Early Years Study 3,” published by the Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation, shows that early intervention is needed in children’s lives so as to give them a strong start at school and throughout their lives,” adds Diane Mockle, CEO of the Literacy Foundation.“The study emphasizes the importance of reading daily to pre-school-age children for them to acquire the vocabulary they need to do well at school.It is in that spirit that The Gift of Reading is joining this year the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation’s early childhood program, Naître et grandir, to remind the public of the importance of giving books to infants and toddlers aged 0-4.” The joy of reading as a family Parents who read regularly at home pass on the joy of reading to their children.Indeed, it is a proven fact that parents play a major role in the relationship young people will have with reading.The Gift of Reading is a means of raising parents’ awareness of the importance of their input in their family’s education.The Info-Alpha line (1-800-361-9142) can also help them acquire the tools to perform this role fully.Buy a book and pass on the joy of reading During November and December, buy a new children’s book and ask for the Gift of Reading donation kit at one of the 150 participating bookstores or libraries.This kit contains a dedication bookmark for writing a message to the child, along with a postcard for hearing from the child.To find out all about collection sites and activities, visit fonda-tionalphabetisation.org/en.Once upon a time .at Montreal’s Salon du livre Come and meet us at the Salon du livre de Montréa 1— Montreal’s book fair—from November 14 to 19, 2012, in order to give and receive the gift of reading.Visitors to the fair will be able to take part in a reading by one of the personalities present, including Marie Turgeon, Christiane Duchesne, Alain Zouvi, Micheline Bernard, Salomé Corbo, Frédéric Barbusci, Philippe Beha and several others.They will also be able to buy a new book on-site for donation to The Gift of Reading.Distribution of books Each book collected in a region is given to a child from that region.The books collected will be handed out to children in May 2013, through hundreds of organizations targeted using deprivation indicators established by the Ministry of Education, Recreation and Sports (MELS).These establishments include schools, daycare Draw results: 2012-11-03 09 22 34 35 46 47 miHiim 06 11 14 20 22 25 Next grand prize (approx.) : $31.000,000 1179203 COURTESY Program spokesperson, Marie Turgeon.centres and Famille grassroots organizations.Since 1999, more than 286,000 new children’s books have been distributed in this way.A big thank-you to our partners The foundation thanks all the program partners and collaborators, who have been contributing to the success of The Gift of Reading for the past 14 years.Literacy Foundation Founded in 1989, the Literacy Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to involve all Quebecers in meeting the challenge of reading in a knowledge society.To support the foundation’s work, make a donation at fondationalphabetisation.org/en.^ Québec (03^12^25^35^40^41^44) bonus (B i (23) + 7 WINNING SELECTIONS OF ADDITIONAL PRIZES Please consult the complete results ON LOTOOUEBEC.COM OR AT A LOTO-QUÉBEC RETAILER.Draw results: 2012-11-02 Kfjjtra 4225385 4 the event ol c >Québec Take matters into your own hands 1877 369 7845 (5'4) 369 7845 www.osteoporose.qc.ca Ostéoporose \?Québec iHem \1m Ai difi iw K- Sl/ehw KINPOFKKEPMTH CCWTlOUl \0uR AllODZBOOKS, MAKEUP /STORIES GRANMA.A STORY / ARE SO V—againtA goop' you ours WANT ME TO REAP YOU ^ A STORY?> X LIKE THE ONES ABOUT EENCAMIN SUTTHY > TOO/ME , TOO/; The Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Monday, November 5, 2012 Page 3 OCAL IA EW “Today our purpose is to ask the government to increase the revenue for those people on social assistance.” Poverty awareness groups form a coalition to demand increase to financial aid By Gib Mclnnis Special to The Record A coalition of poverty awareness groups gathered in front of Quebec Social Services in an attempt to bring awareness to the plight of low-income people and how living on 6.000 to 10,000 dollars per year is not enough.The group demanded that the government recognize that they had a right to an income that would allow them to secure safe housing and a healthy diet.The four groups — Table d'action contre l’appauvrissement de l’Estrie (TACAE), Solidarité populaire Es-trie (SPE), La coalition opposée à la tarification et à la privatisation des services publics (La coalition), and the association des locataires de Sherbrooke (ALS) - organized four events last week, beginning on Tuesday in front of MNA Serge Cardin's office, to street theatre performances on Wednesday, on Thursday in front of Quebec’s employment agency, and on Sunday at Sherbrooke Transit Society bus depot to demand affordable bus fees.Lynne Marcoux from TACAE came out to support the ALS, and especially those who are living alone on financial assistance.“We are speaking for all those poor people who are alone, and that this category of people be recognized by the government, and that the financial aid for these people be fair.We are asking for more affordable housing for this category, and this is why our organization is here today in support of the ALS.” A member of La coalition, Pierre-Yves Santerre, joined the event because he wants to bring awareness to the issue of debt poverty, which for him is a result of the government allowing industries not to pay their own way in society.Instead, Santerre believes that much of the debt of our government is being paid by citizens, not those companies who are making large profits while having no fair share of paying society’s debt.“For me, I am here today to show that industries should be helping these people in need because these people in need are going more and more into debt.But they are making more profit, and our government is doing nothing to address the issue of rising debt and poverty.We need them to know that these people who are fighting poverty want government to recognize that those on financial assistance want to get out of poverty, so they should be allowed to have a decent living,” said Santerre.m ; AAA", '"A Norman Qoutier (centre,with mic) and Alain Roy (with headset mic to the right).GIB MCINNIS Suzanne Theriault, a spokesperson for the group SPE, said her support for ALS is very important because both groups have a similar goal in fighting poverty in all fronts.Theriault mentioned Premier Marois’s speech made on the opening day of the National Assembly.“We are here today to support the ALS and show that the government should fight against this poverty.With the speech given yesterday by Marois in the National Assembly, it says to us that the fight against poverty is not a priority of her government, but instead the priority is the debt, and this is inacceptable for us.This is why we are here to put forward our seven-point plan.” The seven-point plan was declared on Tuesday last in front of MNA Serge Cardin’s office when participants wrote on post cards various elements of the plan.The plan stipulated that the government should work toward eliminating poverty in the area, which includes having access to decent revenue, access to affordable housing, to medication, to free education from primary level to university, access to affordable transportation, access to real government services, and the right to have food.Norman Cloutier from ALS organized the Thursday Child porn cop freed with conditions Sherbrooke (McD) François Blouin, the Sûreté du Québec police officer charged with possession and production of child pornography has been released on bail under severe conditions.At his bail hearing Friday, Superior Court Judge Julie Beauchesne imposed a $20,000 bond, $5,000 of which was paid as deposit, and allowed Blouin to enter La Vigile therapy house near Quebec City.This centre offers a 30-day treatment program for all kinds of dependencies and is dedicated to serving peace officers.At the completion of his treatment, Blouin must reside at his parents’ home in Sherbrooke and will be forbidden from using a computer of any kind, or accessing the Internet.There will be no computers in his parents’ home as long as their son is living with them.I addition, Blouin had to surrender his passport, and is forbidden from frequenting parks or to have any contact with minors.Blouin is accused of producing, printing and distributing child pornography between Nov.1, 2006 and August 8, and between Aug.9 and October 9, 2012.He faces a minimum of one-year in prison if convicted.A publication ban has been imposed on the proceedings, but the judge did permit the disclosure that none of the evidence presented established any connection between the crimes Blouin is accused of and his former position as SQ liaison officer with Louis-Saint-Laurent High School in East Angus and no complaint against him has emerged from that institution.Blouin will next appear in court on December 17.gathering in front of Quebec Social Service agency, which was titled “Monitoring the PQ.” Earlier in the week, Cloutier had organized “Deficit zero okay, but not on the backs of the poor!” in front of Serge Cardin’s office.Today, Cloutier and his partners at the event handed out pamphlets to street pedestrians and to cars waiting at the traffic lights.The pamphlets set out their seven-point plan that the group has been fighting for all week.When asked about the specific purpose of Thursday’s event, Cloutier mentioned “Today our purpose is to ask the government to increase the revenue for those people on social assistance.At the moment, people on social assistance are living on less than $10,000 a year.Do you know that for one person living alone it takes to cover the basic needs of living, that person would need at least $14,000 per year?Actually, a person like this on social assistance is only getting $6,000.“The enormous consequence to this situation is these people have to pay their rent, the have to pay the heat and electricity, pay for their food, and this isn’t even considering other needs that can not be acquired with this small amount of money, so they have to live with the fact of losing telephone services, reducing the amount of food, and instead, they have to rely on soup kitchens and the like to live by,” said Cloutier.Cloutier mentioned that in 2003 the provincial government promised that it would propose a plan to fight poverty in the province, and a bill was introduced into the National Assembly.“The PQ voted unanimously in favour of this plan, and since this vote we should have had some advantages, but we have not seen any new proof that this plan was ever implemented.Last night (at the official opening of the National Assembly) Mrs.Marois announced the possibility of a budget soon, and we will see if there any concrete changes to implement this plan.” FUTURE SHOP Please be advised that the PS3 LittleBigPlanet Karting Video Game (WebID: 10202065), found on POP page 2 of the November 2 flyer, was advertised with an incorrect price.The correct price of this game is $59.99, NOT $9.99, as previously advertised.We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers.Serving the entire Eastern Townships with three publications Jo-Ahm Hovey Advertising Consultant RECORD Townships Outlet BrmcCamtf «SMS0 NEWS One number SI9 569-9525 jhovey@sherbrookerecord.com Page 4 Monday, November 5, 2012 In Asbestos Vallieres vows to get all she can By Stephen McDougall If the Quebec government is firm on not lending the Jeffrey Mine money to restart next year, then the new member of the provincial assembly for Richmond wants action now to get the local economy started again.“Pauline Marois has promised to inject $50 million into the Asbestos area when she denied the mine the $58 million loan,” said Karine Vallieres.“My job is to see that she keeps that promise.” Newly elected last Sept.4 into the now opposition Liberal ranks, Vallieres takes on the job left by her father Yvon to defend the interests of the Richmond riding, which includes the Asbestos area and the troubled Jeffrey asbestos mine.Promised the loan by the previous Liberal government this past June, the mine was getting ready at the end of summer to restart its underground shaft when newly-elected PQ Premiere Pauline Marois said the loan was cancelled.In its place, she promised to inject an unspecified $50 million in economic development into the town.But Vallieres is skeptical about that promise.“We still don’t now why she cancelled the loan,” argued Vallieres.“And she has been vague about how she is going to help this area.We havê some firm ideas about what we need and we will have to work to convince her that this area needs help.” Vallieres has her own list of ideas, including designating the town and area a special economic zone for establishing new companies, compensating the town for lost tax revenue it could have taken in if the mine was active, securing the mine site and infrastructure for a future restart and creating up to 500 jobs that mine officials had promised would have been created in two years if they had gotten the loan.“If the government is serious about its promise, then it will listen to us,” she said.“If it is not, then their credibility is not worth much.” Asbestos Mayor Hugues Grimard told The Record the town has established an economic diversification committee that is meeting with government officials this week to discuss ideas similar to what Vallieres has suggested.He said he is going into these discussion knowing newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record from Premier there is no chance the premier will change her mind on the mine loan.“The loan is history,” he said.“We have to move on and get what is being promised us.I have to think of the town’s future." But town councilor Serge Boislard is not hopeful the provincial government will be that helpful, even if it does open up its purse strings.“In the past, they would give a local company money for the first year, create a few short-term jobs, then forget about it the next year,” he said.“What they do is give a Band Aid solution that is not sustainable.The companies need long-term capital and markets, not a short-term loan that goes nowhere fast.” Clement Godbout, the former head of the Chrysotile Institute that supported the asbestos mining industry, argued in a statement issued last week that Marois understands little about economic development.He said she only thinks in political terms.“If she denied the loan, it has nothing to do with the environment or fiscal prudence, it was a political decision,” he wrote.“If she gives out any help, there will be political strings attached." Read The Record online any time, any place Since June 2011, The Record has had a full online edition in addition to the print newspaper.Subscribers can view each new issue of The Record, as well as Brome County News, The Townships Outlet and our many special sections with just the click of the mouse.Archived editions from June 2011 are also available for viewing or download.To subscribe, go to www.sherbrookerecord.com and follow these simple instructions: • Click e-edition which will bring you to Awsom.ca • Click on subscribe • Pick Sherbrooke Record from the list of papers • Select user name and password (write these down for future use), then Subscribe • Complete required information, then Send • Your subscription request will be sent to The Record and you will receive an email response requesting payment ($4.99 per month, $55 for 1 year, plus taxes) • Subscription is activated upon receipt of payment and you will receive email confirmation • Begin reading your online edition anytime, any place.SPECIAL OFFER for Record print subscribers: Receive a full year’s subscription to the online edition for only $5 with every new subscription or renewal.Use it yourself or give it to a family member or friend.(One online subscription for each one-year print subscription)._____xiic- For information or assistance: RECORD h„.819 569.9528 -billing@sherbrookerecord.com Time to slow down on the 112 Sherbrooke (McD) In spite of intense effort by police over the last few years, motorists continue to speed recklessly on Hwy 112 in Ascot Corner.A police operation last week nabbed 14 drivers for speeding along the dangerous section.Police have received numerous complaints about excessive speed along this section of the highway - where numerous fatal or otherwise serious accidents have occurred over the last few years.Police have particularly targeted the section of the highway between the intersection with Hwy 610 and the village of Ascot Corner where, despite their best efforts, motorists continue to flaunt the speed limit.This section of the road is four lanes and drivers often fail to realize that speed is limited to 80 km/h.“The message isn’t getting through, “opined Val-St-François SQ officer Jocelyn Rose.As a result, the SQis warning drivers that it intends to redouble its efforts to control speeding in this sector.Townships roadwork Sherbrooke (McD) The Ministry of Transport is advising motorist of roadwork to be done on guardrails on Hwy 10 east, between kilometre 100 and 102 at Saint- Étienne-de-Bolton from Nov.5 - 16.This work will require the closing of one eastbound lane from 7 a.m.to 5 p.m.Traffic will circulate on the other lane.The speed limit in this area will be reduced to 80 km/h for the duration of the work.Diabetes The New REACT NOW! V I he Record newsr''"-uvc^sherbrookerccord.com Monday, November 5, 2012 Page 5 Trudeau to unite the country by gaining support in west By Gib Mclnnis Special to The Record Jrustin Trudeau met with various party I officials over the last few days dis-| cussing the possibility of building etworks here in the Eastern Township.It was during this past week that •The Record • sat down with Trudeau and discussed his strategy of how he was going to reunite the country after some many years of deep seated regionalism.Colin Standish is the financial agent for the Federal Liberal Association in Compton-Stanstead.Standish made clear in a telephone interview just after Trudeau declared his candidacy that he would not be supporting Trudeau, but instead he was supporting David Bertschi.Standish did recognize Trudeau’s ability to rejuvenate the Liberal Party of Canada, but he was not sure of whether Trudeau could reunite the country because of the deep-seated wedge caused by his father’s government.“It is going to be an interesting leadership campaign because he is very articulate and very charismatic and very well-known.And certainly the Trudeau brand has many strengths in Canada, but there are some downsides as well.There is the legacy of his father that perhaps is not so fondly remembered in certain parts of the country.” When offered the example of Prime Minister Trudeau’s infamous national energy policy (NEP) and how it alienated the west from supporting the Liberal Party ever since, Standish agreed.Standish did however admit that someone like Justin Trudeau could reunite the regional fragmentation initiated by the father, especially when his charisma is considered.When Trudeau visited Bishop’s University last week he was asked about the deep-seated regionalism caused by past Liberals, and the wedge caused by the NEP of his father’s administration.However, Trudeau made it clear that as Lib- eral leader he would not trade off one part of the country for another.In fact, he believes those old stereotypes of east and west really do not exist anymore.“Look, what is the most multi-cultural city in Canada?Toronto,” Trudeau said.“What is the most conservative city?Calgary.Why is it than that the mayor of Toronto is a bit of a redneck, and the mayor of Calgary a progressive young Muslim?The old definitions of east and west don’t hold anymore.” Trudeau also stated that he would not resort to east-west division just to get votes because this is exactly what his opponents are doing at the moment, and according to him, his opponents have added to those east-west conflicts because of their regionalism.“Both those strategies are used by my opponents.Stephen Harper is focused on the west and putting “Xs” over the places in the east.Mr.Mulcaii is putting a big “X” over the west and anchoring himself here in Quebec.Not only have they already locked down those strategies, they are both dead wrong.I think Canadians want to be brought together.So, 1 am not going to play up those petty divisions.! want to be leader for the Liberal Party for all Canadians.” But when asked about the east west conflict caused by his father though the National Energy Program, Trudeau was well aware of the long-term consequences of his father’s policy, and admitted that NEP was not a good decision for the whole country.However, he stated that getting rid of the current regionalism as a political ploy to win power would put an end to the disunity in the country, and he is working toward that goal.“And that is why in my very first campaign stop after Montreal (the official launch) I went to Calgary, where I said that I am not going to use the wealth of some regions against others.It was wrong in the past, and it is wrong today and it will be wrong in the future.I am not my father and I am not here to defend my father.I am here to defend certain ideas of what a great country could look like (that I am very proud of), and that I inherited from him.The way we do that is very different in 2012 than it was back then.” But when asked about whether the people of the west were ready for a Liberal Party, Trudeau said, “One certainly senses with the provincial election out west where there was a rejection of the reform style Wild Rose Party, they are definitely looking for something else.I GIB MCINNIS Justin Trudeau at Bishop’s University last week.They are definitely looking to be part of a conversation that isn’t bashing the west, while trying and develop in the electoral east.I am committed to never using the wealth of the west as a wedge to gain votes in the east.” University, staff, seek damages Fire destroys home Cont’d from page 1 fire that starts in the roof.because the heat rises,” he explained.At the time the fire broke out Nadeau’s wife, Françoise Gosselin, was at the hairdresser.Upon returning and seeing the scene she suffered nervous shock and had to be transported to the CHUS by ambulance.A large sector of Godin Road was sectioned off to traffic and bystanders while firefighters worked to get the intense flames under control.A 400-pound propane gas cylinder located on the property was of real concern to firefighters; however they were able to prevent the propane from overheating and exploding.They were also able to protect a camping trailer that was parked in front of the approximately six-year-old house.In total more than 20 firefighters were called to the blaze.Preliminary observations point to the possibility that an electrical fault was the cause of the blaze.However, according to the fire chief, “All avenues will be explored.” The residence, valued at $ 266,000, is a total loss.Sherbrooke (McD) The University of Sherbrooke is fighting for damages against a local union leader for comments he made during last fall’s support staff walkout.The university, along with four of its administrative employees are suing local union executive Michael Murray for defamation and are seeking a total of $495,000 in damages and interest for comments he made during an interview with a local radio station.At the time, Murray referred to 155 workers as “scoundrels” because of the $2.8 million in overtime they were required to put in.Besides the university itself, the plaintiffs in the suit includes employees Alain Lévesque, Lucie Frenière, Marc Drouin and Marie-Claude Meunier, each of whom is asking for $25,000 in damages and interest and an additional $15,000 in punitive damages.Murray was being interviewed on radio station FM 107 Estrie last June when he made the inflammatory comments last as the overtime bill resulting from the student disruptions rose to $2.8 million for the 155 staff members A \î SYLVIA BULLARD The home is a total loss with an electrical fault thought to be the cause of the blaze.list of these employees and their overtime earnings was distributed prior to the interview.Among those employees, overtime payments ranged from $1,600 and $70,000, the largest two being $58,000 and $70,000.These two employees are not among the plaintiffs.Four employees earned between $40,000 and $50,000,13 earned between $30,000 and $40,000 and almost 30 between $20,000 and $30,000.Thirty-seven employees pulled in under $10,000 When these numbers were released, the university argued that managers and other staff had to work many extra hours in order to avoid cancelling the fall 2011, a feat that was accomplished despite the absence of some 1,400 support workers during the labour dispute, which started in August of last year and continued for 16 weeks.“It makes you want to puke when you see that during the sixteen weeks we were sitting at the table that we were negotiating with people while others were making enough for a huge Jacuzzi on the backs of the workers,” Murray said, “At least, with this list, we can identify the scoundrels who were doing our jobs during the conflict, and I’m being very careful when I say this.” During the same interview, Murray specified the four plaintiffs specifically, and stated that they had each earned between $25,000 and $38,000, a fact pointed out in the suit.The lawsuit also mentions that Murray had made comparisons between the situation at the university and the Sponsorship scandal, an accusation the plaintiffs claim was “extremely serious,” given the importance of that scandal.The plaintiffs claim that this statement had no other purpose but to defame the workers and destroy their reputations while they were trying to re-establish links with the striking workers. Page 6 Monday, November 5, 2012 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record It really comes down to the human condition.We have angelic features and a darker side.When we fail I think it is often a concern about the acceptance of others — sort of a wanting to be liked.What would you have done?Tom Cavanagh I once read that only in Ireland might you get into a discussion on how you’d hold up under torture.I have Irish on both sides but it hasn’t happened to me; still it strikes me as possible if not probable.Torture does not particularly interest me but I have a bit of a fixation on what went on in Germany and elsewhere in the thirties and forties.I’m unsure too of the viability of an existentialist overview of the Holocaust in a family newspaper.But no matter.No one has to read it.Given my thoughts on the human condition it just seems too easy to say we would never be involved.The truth is when it comes to murdering six million men women and children in a state-directed program lasting for years, pretty well everyone in the country gets implicated in some way or other.Collecting the victims, transporting them by the thousands, building and operating concentration camps, all the organizational minutiae, the guards, the soldiers, support staff, etc.It’s hard to grasp the vast day-to-day mundane work involved.But killing millions of innocent people is a huge business.And the question remains.Why and how did ‘normal’ people not resist or protest?There were some resisters, but precious few.Most joined the bandwagon.Or just let it happen.Teachers, milkmen, priests, ministers, judges, clerks, government officials, mayors, bakers, waiters, councillors, etc.If an advanced Western highly educated society like Germany did nothing wî '.t does that mean for us.What would we have done?Of course there was always the fear of punishment and death and that explains a lot.Toleration of differences was not a Nazi quality.To put it mildly.But all that silence for so many years.Of course the war too was a factor.Yet year after year after year.And what would I have done?A classic excuse is “ just following orders.” Something to that, but not much.Especially when it comes to putting people into ovens.The questions remain.Well, since I wasn’t there I don’t I have to agonize about this.Maybe I do.After all I too live in a relatively advanced Western society.Food for thought there.Consider your present situation with your co-workers, life-long friends, relatives, parliamentarians, religious leaders, tennis partners, the mayor, the college professor, judges, fellow golfers, etc.No one speaks out.Are you prepared to rock the boat?Are you ready to turn all these people against you?That will probably happen.And I haven’t even mentioned employers, spouses, and partners.I found myself first fully drawn into the question in the fifties when documentary films about the Holocaust appeared.We had heard and read about it, but the horror only really hit home in a Bloor Street cinema in Toronto in 1958.And then there was Anne Frank’s book, and the film “The Pawnbroker” which still makes me shiver.What would I have done in Germany during those years?Tough questions.Am I a good person?Well I’ve improved I think.But I honestly don’t know about Tom Cavanagh in his twenties and thirties.Would I have lined up with the heroes?The Bonhoeffers?I think so.Maybe.Maybe not.I hope so.I don’t know.It’s a life and death call.It really comes down to the human condition.We have angelic features and a darker side.When we fail I think it is often a concern about the acceptance of others — sort of a wanting to be liked.Of course it’s also a sell out.For years I was involved in simulation gaming and discovered something first hand at conferences and workshops about people’s penchant for wrong doing in stressful situations.Even when one knows it is a game people can get carried away rapidly and become brutal, and strange.We accept authority too readily.Especially Catholics.It’s drilled into us.The Milgram study is one famous investigation into our propensity to obey authority.A psychologist in a prestigious university set up a laboratory experiment, where a man in a white coat directs volunteers to hit ‘victims’ with increasingly higher electric shocks.It starts with 15 volts and goes up to 450.RECORD P.O.Box 1200 Sherbrooke J1H 5L6 or 1195 Galt E, Sherbrooke jlG IY7 Fax for Newsroom only: 819-569-3945 e-mail: newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Website:: www.sherbrookerecord.com Sharon McCully Pubusher .(819) 569-9511 Daniel Coulombe News Editor .(819) 569-6345 Stephen Blake Corresp.Editor .(819) 569-6345 Serge Gagnon Chief Pressman.(819) 569-9931 DEPARTMENTS Accounting.(819) 569-9511 Advertising .(819) 569-9525 Circulation .(819) 569-9528 Newsroom .(819) 569-6345 Knowlton office 5B Victoria Street, Knowlton, Quebec, JOE 1V0 Tel: (450) 242-1188 Fax: (450) 243-5155 PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS GST PST T O T A L Quebec: 1 YEAR 120.00 6.00 11.97 SI 37.97 6 MONTHS 63.00 3.15 6.28 S72.43 3 MONTHS 32.00 1.60 3.19 S36.79 ON-LINE SUBSCRIPTIONS Quebec: 1 YEAR 55.00 2.75 5.49 $63.24 1 MONTH 4.99 0.25 0.50 $5.74 Rates for out of Quebec and 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 9.1897, 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 Certainly it seems wrong and barbaric with the victim screaming and begging them to stop.(The ‘victim’ is not visible but is near, loud, and clear.) It seems people would refuse to deliver the shocks.Right?Wrong.They started at 15 volts and all volunteers went up to 300, and 65 per cent hit the top level (450 volts).Enough to kill.Those delivering the shocks were upset and even cried and prayed - but continued to participate.Milgram’s study, and others, reveals a striking and sobering willingness of people to obey and comply in face of authority — even if it is no more than a white coat.It was a simulation and no one was hurt but the conclusions are troubling.Uniforms, white coats, guns.No matter.Too often we simply obey.I conclude with an appreciation of the heroes —those who refused.In Germany they risked and often lost their lives in their efforts to resist the Nazis — and saved lives of children and sometimes families.Think Dietrich Bonhoef-fer, Oskar Schindler, Anne Frank, Sophie Scholl, The White Rose Resistance Group, and many others.Incredible heroes and heroines.They drew a line.They showed us how to live our lives.What happened to being prepared?Anna May Kinney Nothing is more satisfying to a writer than to know that something they said made a difference for the better in someone’s life and I’ve had my moments, but as someone who has written about emergency preparedness since the Great Ice Storm of 97/98 I realize most people have not taken ‘being prepared’ serious.Most are not prepared with enough food, water, medication or anything special they or their family needs to survive just three days.Over the last sixteen years I’ve pushed self-sufficiency and when the US and Canadian governments began to push having bug out bags, or stay at home supplies for three days so everyone could make it until help arrived, I wrote a series of articles for The Record and also worked with a friend of mine, a television producer, comedian, author and now radio show host, Janette Barber who published many of my articles on her website.Right now I'm pretty upset with the effects of Hurricane Sandy, and also very thankful that Quebec was saved from the severe 80 mph wind gusts that had been first predicted, which would of taken down hundreds of trees and power lines, leaving us in the dark for days if not a week or longer.I can’t help wondering if people have changed at all, and if anyone is more prepared than they were during the ice storm?From what I’m hearing from family/friends in Long Island, NYC and Staten Island most did not have three days of food and water put up for an emergency.And to think that this was not something that just happened without warning.This storm had been predicted for a week, people had the chance to stock up and prepare, so tell me what makes people think they can do nothing, then scream that they have no food, water or diapers for their baby?There seems to be a deterioration of our species, whereby people begin to act like dependent children and want government and others to come to their rescue without doing anything to protect Cont’d on page 8 Letter Humorous, serious, and sad Dear Editor: Re the ‘Halloween’ Editorial, Mike McDevitt has done it again — a brilliant piece of journalistic writing, as humorous as it is serious, as serious as it is sad.Mike’s final paragraph, when married with Ezra Pound’s classic quote in The Record of the previous day makes ultimate sense! “So, in what will surely not be her final costume, Alice in Wonderland, our fearless leader, has the daunting task of convincing the world that it’s everybody else that’s crazy, not her.” Mr.Pound reminds us “I guess the definition of a lunatic is a (wo)man surrounded by them.” Q.E.D.Donald Patriquin Eastman The Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Monday, November 5, 2012 Page 7 THE Carmen Moliner, his mother, accepted the awards on his behalf, and brought the wheelbarrow as suggested to carry them home.Linking Lennoxville 8c the surrounding communities Galt awards night Bylina Annesley Many students of all ages from all secondary grade levels were honoured Friday night, November 2 for their hard work academically and with their involvement at Galt and in the community.Academic trophies, scholarships anid prizes were given out to students from Cycle 1 arid Cycle 2, along with prizes for the top academic students from the 2012 graduating class.Marina Rousseau won the Bob Halsall Student Activity Award.Griffon Clement was awarded the Citizenship Award for Cycle 1.Josée Bourdon was awarded the Horizon Award for Level 3.The following students were awarded the Margaret Paulette medals: Clément Moliner-Roy, Alex Rivard, Cassandra Bouchard, Julie Jacques, Chloe Giddings, Eliane Wubbolts, Marina Rousseau, Alexandra Robb, Kyla Lapointe, Casey Johann, Joanna Toussaint, and Sean Lum-ley.Eliane Wubbolts was awarded several scholarships and won numerous prizes, including the music trophy, being on the principal's list, the Margaret Paulette medal for an average over 90 per cent in Secondary 5.She was also awarded the Norton-St.Laurent Medal, which is the “Rhodes Scholar” of Galt awards.To win this award a student has to exhibit high academic achievement, bilingualism, musical ability, student leadership, and athleticism.In June at the Athletic Awards she was awarded the Ella Hoy Trophy.Cassandra Bouchard and Julie Jacques were honoured with the Everett “Doc” Porter Award for Academic Excellence over five years at Galt.Their averages were very close throughout their time at Galt, with Cassandra being the Top Academic Student when they were in Secondary 3, whereas Julie won the honour in Secondary 4.In the end, Cassandra had the highest overall average, and Julie was runner-up: only 1 per cent separated the girls.Both girls won several course prizes last year, and were granted several scholarships.Both received a Margaret Paulette Medal for averages over 90 per cent in Secondary 5.Clément Moliner-Roy was the Top Aca- demic Student for Secondary 5 and the recipient of the Governor General’s Medal, the Jamie Coles Citizenship Award, and the Heather Fisher Memorial Award.However, Clément is currently studying at the World College in Wales, UK, and was not able to appear in person.Clément did sent a video message thanking the Awards and Scholarship Committee, his teachers, and the Galt staff in general for contributing to his success while at Galt and beyond.The video also included information about his schooling in Wales, and what causes in which he is currently involved.It was an entertaining and humorous video.Carmen Moliner, his mother, accepted the awards on his behalf, and brought the wheelbarrow as suggested to carry them home.Carmen, herself a Galt graduate, thanked the school and its dedicated staff for the opportunities it provides to all its students, her son included.Congratulations to this year’s winners.4, ffpK 11 Sr Clockwise, from above left: The winnings of Clement Moliner-Roy, who is currently studying in Wales.Top academic student for level 3, Lennoxville local Anna Davidson and Principal Randy MacLean.This is the second year in a row that Davidson and Provencher (featured in the above photo) had the highest overall average.Marilyne Trépanierwas top academic student for Secondary 4 last year and has been a top academic student for the last four years.Marina Rousseau who is holding the Bob Halsall Student Activities Award for involvement in school activities and showing school spirit over five years at Galt.Cassandra Bouchard and Julie Jacques, winners of the Everett “Doc" Porter Award for Academic Excellence over five years, standing with Principal Randy MacLean.Siblings Eliane and Samuel Wubbolts, who won numerous prizes and honours throughout the night.Eliane is holding the music trophy and Samuel is holding the award for top academic student for secondary 1.irae a i V.PHOTOS BY TINA ANNESLEY Top academic student for Level 2, Justine Provencher, and Principal Randy MacLean.' ¦ : M ' Page 8 Monday, November 5, 2012 LINK newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record Give blood — give life By Tina Annesley On November 13 the Students' Representative Council of Bishop’s University and Hema-Quebec are holding their second blood drive of the year at the Gait (BU pub in the Marjorie Donald Building).A person qualifies to give blood if he or she is between the ages of 18 and 61.Bring a form of official ID, or your Hema-Quebec card if you have one.Make sure to have eaten prior to giving blood, which helps with not fainting.If you have had a piercing or tattoo done in the last six months you are unable to give blood.There are other certain temporary restrictions that can be found on the Hema-Quebec website and at the blood drive about traveling and medical procedures that can exclude a person from giving blood.Hema-Quebec is a non-profit organization established in 1998 after the Red Cross relinquished its transfusion services, in 1997.Since then volunteers and medical staff have hosted blood clinics throughout Quebec to ensure adequate amounts and safe and healthy blood for hospital use.Doors will open at 10 a.m.and close at 7 p.m.Domino’s is sponsoring the drive, so there is free pizza for everyone involved.For more information please visit http://www.hema-quebec.qc.ca/index.en.html.Being prepared Cont’d from page 6 Trick-or-treaters visit haunted house MABUE HASTING calamity from happening to them.OK, no one could stop Mother Nature from hitting the Jersey coast.Long Island, NY etc.But how much more valuable would having three days food and water be than having bought insurance?Yes, insurance will replace what you lost materially, but it will not save the lives of you and your family like having supplies would.While there are times when you have to evacuate and can’t take all your supplies with you, that is the time you take the bug out bag I talked about, which means wherever you have to go you take three days of food, water and whatever you personally need.Then at least you know your family will be all right no matter where they wind up, and you are also freeing rescue workers and essential supplies to help for others who are not prepared.Things to consider Alright we don’t have super high-rise buildings like you’d find in Manhattan, but we do have some that would make having to go downstairs for food/water or anything during an emergency nearly impossible for seniors or those fighting health problems.Can you imagine a single mother with three small children having to drag, carry them all up and down flights of stairs, unable to leave them alone even for a short time in a totally dark apartment?While this scenario is bad, I was recently called a fear monger for mentioning the possibility of the up-and-coming 2013 solar storm knocking out the electricity grid, like it did here in Quebec March 13, 1989, which would of resulted in most of the US east coast also having gone out if NJ substations were not able to reroute and get power from other places.This is a real threat to the electric grid, one that might cause it to be out of commission for six months or longer, even happening during the coldest part of the winter.It’s something you can read how about and how other solar storms like the one in 1859 caused many major fires and lots of damage.Having three days of supplies does not Getting out of the cold Trick-or-treaters were shaking in their masks when they visited the annual haunted house held at the Missisquoi North Youth Centre in Mansonville on Halloween night.Youth from the Former Youth Involvement (FYI) committee, as well as Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) members made it an evening not to be forgotten.Organized by FYI members Jessie Lee Johnson and Rachelle Lachance (assisted by Sarah Jersey and Julia Eldridge), with youth volunteers and the brawn and hard work of boyfriends and spouses, this year’s event was a real scream! Special thanks to Steve Johnson for the use of his garage and pickup.cost a lot, less than the monthly bill for most cell phones, and who in a big city does not have a cell phone?Not all people have the money or means to evacuate — many in big cities do not have automobiles and depend on public transport — besides some have nowhere to go, have extended family and pets they could not abandon.So what is needed for people to realize that getting prepared is the only way to guarantee safety, and we cannot keep telling ourselves that, “this or that” has never happened in our area, things are changing, anything can happen anywhere.While tornadoes are rare here in Quebec, in 2006,1 had one bounce over the house, then in 2007 another one hovered over the trees, but luckily didn’t touch down.Unusual weather is now the normal trend to expect.Last year Irene devastated parts of Upper New York State, and western Vermont, again, Quebec was lucky it was not as severe here.But we should not depend on luck, and I’m not.It’s understandable that people do not want to spend as much time getting prepared as I do here.Even with battery/solar backup power, having a gas generator with extra gas, food for a month or longer, I still drew enough water for about a week, still froze plastic soda bottles filled with water to keep my refrigerator cold, topped off the chest freezer and was ready to cover it.Also cooked pots of rice and other food, charged all the rechargeable batteries and did everything I could think of.When we heard about the potential for 80 mph wind gust, knowing the havoc it can cause, my roommate took roofing tin and screwed it over all the windows.Do I feel we wasted time seeing we were not hit?Well all I can say is you pay your insurance every year and when nothing happens do you cancel your policy?No, you give thanks.Yes, we all need to be giving thanks that we were missed this time, and realize we might not be missed the next time.Think “fire drill.” \: Ps-dn A •fV'K?•• • .ncwspBp