The record, 17 décembre 2012, lundi 17 décembre 2012

THE RECORD The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 Hickey inducted into Concordia sports Hall of Fame Page 10 m 75 CENTS + TAXES PM#0040007682 Monday, December 17, 2012 Seniors group warns of imposters Sherbrooke (McD) The Fédération de l’Âge d’Or du Québec (FADOQ) - Estrie Region is warning the public that it is not associated with door-to-door soliciting for a group calling itself the Fondation pour l’amour de nos aînés.This group does not have a license for this solicitation, and use the name of FADOQ to raise money supposedly to improve the living conditions of the elderly in their homes FADOQEstrie Region wishes to remind people to be cautious against this scheme and encourages people to contact Sherbrooke Police by calling 819-821-5555 if they are victims of fraudulent solicitation.Arnold to serve four years Sherbrooke (McD) Coaticook resident Jocelyn Arnold will spend at least the next four years prison, following his conviction Friday of charges of recklessly discharging a firearm, as well as aggravated assault.Judge Hélène Fabi imposed the sentence after hearing recommendations from both Crown and defense attorneys.Arnold was convicted of shooting Jean-René Garon at Arnold’s home on Dec.18, 2010.Testifying in his own behalf, Arnold swore he was at the door wanting to escape what he claimed to be young Cont'd on page 4 Local professionals perform in NH HEATHER DAVIS Louise Thibault and Jon Gearey played a jazz concert at the North Hatley Library Thursday night, Dec.13.In the photo above, Gearey performs a Christmas song with his son, Michael.For the story and another photo, please turn to page 3.Bishop’s tackles $1.2 million cut By Gordon Lambie Special to The Record After having spoken of a feeling of ambitious excitement about the future of Bishop’s University just a few weeks ago, Michael Goldbloom says the school is taking a new look at its finances to determine how it will face the challenge of cutting $1.2 million from the budget.A government cut of 5 per cent has been applied to all universities in the province, which has Goldbloom talking about the school’s plans with strained optimism.“As disappointed as I am in the government’s decision and as concerned as I am about it, I am nonetheless confident that we are going to be able to build on all the things that have been happening.” Goldbloom mentioned his optimism several times in the conversation, but his tone was one of frustration and fatigue, and his message was one that underscored the ways in which Bishop’s has had the metaphorical rug pulled out from under it by this news.“We had expected that this would be the first year in seven where we Cont’d on page 4 ————the — RECORD BONUS: Take a 1 year print subscription (new or renewal) and get an ONLINE subscription for only $5 more for yourself or to give as a gift! Valid until December 31, 2012 Christmas Gift Subscriptions It’s quick & easy and.no lineups! • $129.(12 months) • $68.(6 months) • $34.(3 months).Taxes included.Online Subcription: $62.Taxes included For more information or assistance call 819-569-9528 billing@sherbrookerecord.com DRAWING: For any new or renewed subscription, your name will be placed in a drawing for the following: • 2 tickets to the opening ceremony of the 2013 Canada Games.2 passports giving access to preliminary round activities for the two weeks of the games.Drawing will be on Dec.20/12 at 4 p.m.201 Scanadagames.ca ^ —JEUX Dl’— 1 CANADA GAMES— 13 Page 2 Monday, December 17, 2012 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record Be sure to read the Record’s sports columnists on Fridays A Runner’s Mind Christine Blanchette ¦ The Grind Doug McCooeye Weather TODAY: SNOW HIGH OF 0 LOW OF-4 Ï JJJJJ TUESDAY: RAIN HIGH OF 2 LOW OF 0 \ WEDNESDAY: SCATTERED FLURRIES HIGH OF 2 LOW O FT >J'/ '£ THURSDAY: CLOUDY PERIODS HIGH OF 1 LOW OF-3 MIXED PRECIP.j J j J HIGH OF 4 j J j J LOW OF -1 ETRC Archives Deck the halls: Happy holidays from the ETRC Jody Robinson Archivist f-| jhe tradition of putting up decora-I tions during this season has origins .X.that stretch back to Europe during the medieval period when evergreen bows and plants, such as holly, were displayed in the home as signs of life and colour during the winter season.A much more recent custom, the Christmas tree was established in Germany in the sixteenth or seventeenth century and became common in the homes of European nobility in the early nineteenth century.Much unlike today, early Christmas trees were decorated with candles, fruit and homemade ornaments.Here in Canada, the Christmas tree was first introduced in 1781 by German soldiers stationed in Sorel, Quebec but it was not until the late 1800s that the custom became widespread.Scattered throughout the ETRC Archives are records that give evidence of the Christmas traditions present in the Eastern Townships at the turn of the twentieth century.Photographs from the early 1900s show the interior of PHOTOS COURTESY OF ETRC Christmas party at Pyramid Paper Products.Leeds Anglican Church, 1912.Draw results: 2012-12-15 U 22 36 37 43 48 OZ 09 14 21 38 42 Bonus Next grand prize (approx.) $3,000,000 9792499 Québec ÎaTiM*' (oi + 7 WINNING SELECTIONS OF ADDITIONAL PRIZES Please consult the complete results on lotoquebec.com or at a Loto-Québec retailer.I In the event of discrepancy between this list and the official winning list ol Loto-Québec.the latter shall pn churches decorated with garlands and bows for the season.Other photographs show decorated storefronts in Magog and the first employee Christmas party at Pyramid Paper Products in East Angus in 1929.A letter between sisters from 1944 describes a neighbour turning her house “upside down” as she put up her Christmas trimmings and the writer laments that she cannot afford to do the same.Also found among our documents are a number of charming Christmas and New Year’s postcards, sending love and season’s greetings to family and friends.In looking at all of these examples, it is clear that the many of the traditions we have today have origins that stretch back for hundreds of years and were firmly established in the Townships by the early One- dP^e-booe-r o\rt of fwo doe-Ç not hav'c- a will.And hou?\f/ Un héritage à partager LEAVE A LEGACY"’ www.legacy-quebec.org I 888 304-8834 1900s.As you carry on with your own traditions this season, the ETRC wishes you happy holidays.Draw results: 2012-12-14 BONUS (B) (31 ) i Efjtra 9554369 Christmas postcard, ca.1910.Ben by Daniel Shelton IM PETERMINEP TO PD MOST OF OUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING ONLINE THIS YÊ4R^ IT ¦\t>A cuk ¦^A£ TAP yap WITH FOUR KIF5, WHO HAS TIME TO 00 OUT GO FROM STORE TO STORE, LOOK FOR-PARKING ANP FIGHT THE CPOWPST I GAN JUST SIT HERE, RELAX ANIP 3UYALU THE SAME STUFF ^WHATS KWRONg^ X KlHPA MISS COING OUT FROM STORE TO STORE, LOOKING FOR PARKING ANP SIGHTING THE CROWDS. The Record newsroom@sherbrookerccord.com Monday, December 17, 2012 Page 3 OCAL “We hope that the entire community will become engaged in this ^j) | major project.” Canada Games closing free thanks to BRP irrlnn TAimhio ____j j .i ^ ._ By Gordon Lambie Special to The Record A contribution by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) in the amount of $250,000 has allowed organizers of the Sherbrooke 2013 Canada Games to announce that, for the first time in the history of the Canada Games, a host city will be holding a free, public closing ceremony.Thanks to BRP’s donation, the cost of the closing ceremony of the games, planned to be held at Jacques Cartier Park next August 17,has been completely covered.“We’ve wanted to offer this gift to the community ever since the City of Sher- brooke was awarded the Games.We are thrilled to be able to announce this great news in time for the holidays,” stated Tom Allen, chairman of the board and executive committee of the Canada Summer Games-Sherbrooke 2013.“We wanted to do something special for the population,” said José Boisjoli, president and CEO of BRP.“The athletes participating in these Games have sacrificed a great deal to represent their province and their country.They all de serve that we come out in great numbers to show our appreciation and encourage them to pursue their dreams and be counted among the world’s top athletes.” Seasonal benefit concert at North Hatley Library Bernard Sévigny, mayor of Sherbrooke and first vice-president of the Canada Summer Games-Sherbrooke 2013, welcomed the announcement and its positive impact.“We hope that the entire community will become engaged in this major project.By inviting them to the closing ceremony, we’re demonstrating our commitment to having them take part in this historic event and experience its magic with all of us.” Organizers of the event wouldn’t give away too much of what is being planned, but Director General Luc Fournier did say, “We want a big party; dancing, fireworks, everything to say it’s a party.” He pointed out that there is an official protocol to the closing, including a parade of athletes and the Governor-General, which should take about one hour and a half but he added that, “maybe afterward we can open everything up ‘till midnight.” Official word is that spectators can expect a very colourful show that will pay tribute to the excellence of the athletes and highlight the talents of Quebec and other Canadian artists, reflecting the country’s rich culture and diversity.Fournier says they are looking at “a big crowd” of around 20,000 people.By Heather Davis Louise Thibault and Jon Gearey, both local residents and professional musicians, gave a smooth jazz concert on December 13 at the North Hatley Library.The concert was attended by a large crowd that Librarian Annie Potter described as “just the right number.” Gearey and Thibault have been performing together for more than 18 years and are part of the trio, Avalon Motel (avalonmotel.net).Gearey plays 7-string guitar and has opened for Michael Buble.Thibault’s voice has been described as, “beautifully seductive.” She plays guitar, cello and percussion.The couple moved to North Hatley last January with their now 10-year-old son because, as Thibault says, “Life is so crazy in Montreal.” She finds the people in the Townships nicer, though she admits that maybe they just have more time to be nice.Her son attends the local village school.The loudest applause of Electric circuit grows in the Townships the evening came after young Michael played Jingle Bells on the violin.Thibault has always loved books and the whole family loves the North Hatley Library.She and Gearey proposed the benefit show because, “The library needs a little help.” Since moving to North Hatley, Gearey has been teaching guitar at the University of Sherbrooke and he is now teaching at Bishop’s as well.Thibault says that she doesn’t perform as often now since she is spending more time “being a mom,” but that she misses their regular Sunday evening gig in Old Montreal.The couple has already played one concert at La Caravane in North Hatley and another at Dreamland Park this past summer.They would like to play more local concerts and are available to play at weddings as well.Donations to the library are always gratefully received.All the proceeds from the concert will go to the upkeep I of the library.Sherbrooke (McD) Taking advantage of his visit to the Sherbrooke Chamber of Commerce last Thursday, Pierre-Luc Desgagné, senior manager of Strategic Planning at Hydro-Quebec, took the opportunity to confirm, on behalf of the founding partners of the circuit to announce the sites selected for the first public charging stations for electric vehicles in the Eastern Townships.Four terminals are already in service in Sherbrooke, at the Marché de la Gare, La Grenouillère parking lot (downtown), the plateau Sylvie Daigle, and the Rock Forest Recreation Center.In the coming weeks, terminals will also be installed at five sites at the University of Sherbrooke - on the main campus, at Innovation Park at the Health Campus in Sherbrooke, and de Centre de collaboration MiQro Innovation in Bromont.The university will also set install a unit on the Longueuil Campus.The University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke and the Cégep de Sherbrooke will also install terminals, at 300 King Street East and at 475 Cégep Street, respectively.“I want to thank the Chamber of Commerce for its warm welcome and highlight the important role played by the city and its institutional partners in supporting the deployment of public charging stations in the Estrie.It is a very dynamic environment and I am confident that soon the service companies in the region will also get involved,” said Desgagné.“The addition of these terminals is very important for us because it is designed to serve along the Montreal-Sherbrooke axis, a priority for the electrical circuit.” “The Sherbrooke Chamber of Commerce is more than satisfied with the scope of electric circuit development in the region,” said Louise Bourgault, vice-president and general manager of the Chamber of Commerce.The electrical circuit is a major step in the deployment of the charging infrastructure needed to support the arrival of rechargeable electric vehicles in Québec.It will include, by the end of 2012, nearly 150, 240-volt terminals in Québec, particularly in AMT parking lots, several RONA hardware stores, Metro grocers and St-Hubert restaurants.Since its beginning in March 2012, 19 private and institutional partners have joined the electrical circuit (see attached list).The expansion continues to provide greater geographical coverage and serve a larger number of EV drivers in several regions of Quebec.Much electric vehicle charging takes place at the owner’s home or at work.Public charging infrastructure, however, allows motorists to drive with peace of mind by offering them the opportunity to charge up on the road when necessary.There is a 24-hour hotline operated by CAA-Quebec as well as a terminal location service and, the website, www.lecircuitelectrique.com is updated as new terminals are placed in service or deployed.Electric circuit partners; • Aéroports de Montreal • Auberge Internationale du Témis-couata • CAA-Quebec • Cégep de Sherbrooke • Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke Cont’d on page 5 HEATHER DAVIS Louise Thibault and Jon Gearey entertain at the North Hatley Library.Justice _____________________________ I BELIEVE.I GIVE.and Peace 1 &&& 234-S5 3B www.tievp.orcj FUTURE SHOP Please be advised that this product: 7" Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 with Wi-Fi (WebCode: 10206559), advertised on the December 14 flyer, page 1, is limited in quantity with no rainchecks, and only 2 per customer.We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers.Serving the entire Eastern Townships with three publications Jo-Ann Hovey Advertising Consultant RECORD Townships Outlet County One number SI9 569-9525 jhovey@sherbrookerecord.com * Page 4 Monday, December 17, 2012 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record Super Hiro Productions presents Shadow Theatre presentation Potion’s youth The Scoop Mable Hastings Super Hiro Productions will be presenting a Shadow Theatre production done by some of Potton’s talented young people as a result of an arts workshop offered in Mansonville for youth.In the holiday theme, a group of young people ages 6-10 years will present a short show that will display their joy at this festive time of year.Also, there will be an exposition following the show of various techniques in drawing.The public is invited to come and encourage COURTESY these young and talented artists on Monday, December 17 at 4:30 p.m.upstairs in the Mansonville Town Hall.For more information about Hiro Gagnon’s Super Hiro Production workshops, visit the Potton website at www.potton.ca.Bishop’s cuts Cont’d from page 1 Bishop’s staff agrees to pension changes Sherbrooke (McD) Beginning in January, the pension plan for employees of Bishop’s University will be less generous as employees have agreed to changes in the plan, which now faces a deficit of approximately $19.6 million.The institution has also recently reached an agreement with two other employee groups for the renewal of their collective agreements.The agreements provide wage increases of 5.5 per cent over the next three years for librarians and teachers, whose employment contract expired last June.“The changes to the pension plan were negotiated in the context of the renewal of the contract of employment of librarians and teachers .But there are other employees who are not covered by this agreement who have now been heard from,” Michael Goldbloom, “Our employees have responsibly agreed to have fewer benefits." The changes, which were the subject of a referendum, will save the university approximately $448,000 per year.The pension deficit has increased from $4.3 million in 2008 to $19.6 million in 2011, according to data from the last actuarial review, which took place in 2011.The next is scheduled for 2014.Among the changes to the plan, the number of years required before becoming eligible for a full pension has been increased to 25 years service from 15.In addition, the age at which a full pension can be collected has also been raised to wouldn’t be running a deficit,” the principal explained.Bishop’s has been in a process of what Goldbloom called, “financial recovery,” since 2007.Starting in the autumn of 2008, facing large accumulated deficits, the school put together an economic recovery plan meant to turn the school’s financial situation around over the course of 10 years.That plan was endorsed by the provincial government in February 2009.“We have met or exceeded the plan in each of the first four years,” Goldbloom said, his pride in the achievement clearly challenged by the fact that this year’s balanced budget, a part of the plan, has been cut two-thirds of the way through the fiscal year.This 5 per cent cut is the “second hit” to the school’s balanced budget this year, according to Goldbloom.The budget was calculated in May based on tuition increases promised by the former ., 60 from 55.Liberal govern- __________________ ment at the time, which were repealed by the Parti Québécois.As a result, Bishop’s students are receiving a credit on their tuition.In talking about what the school has already done to streamline its finances, Goldbloom highlighted the 38 per cent increase in student enrolment: the fact that the pension plan now splits responsibility for the deficit between the university (60 per cent) and its employees (40 per cent): recent negotiations for reduced benefits: spending delays on maintenance projects: and about $450,000 in heat cost savings with the school’s geothermal pump.He also addressed a concern, however, that 70 per cent of school expenses are made up of salaries and benefits, meaning that the cuts that have to come will be challenging, to say the least.“We will do our very best to ensure the student experience is impacted as minimally as possible,” the principal said, responding to the concern voiced by leaders of Quebec’s student movements that universities will be cutting money in a way that is negative to student development, “I will say, not to Bishop’s students, but to those students who were so forcefully opposing the tuition increases, there are consequences to one’s actions.If the universities aren’t going to have the financial resources that they need, it’s going to be very difficult.” Goldbloom spoke very highly of the Bishop’s community’s commitment to education and development, pointing out the positive result of a referendum Four years- Cont’d from page 1 people giving him the scare of his life.Judge Fabi dismissed his testimony as “incredible.” “The accused made use of unreasonable force.The shot was exaggerated and excessive.He used more force than is necessary.clearly, he must have known to voluntarily add to student fees in order to help renovate the library.“No one wants to pay more money, but our students seem to recognize that there is a value to what they are paying for." It’s worth noting, in this situation, that while the cut is a universal 5 per cent to all institutions.Bishop’s is being hit harder because it draws almost 25 percent of its income directly from tuition.That, according to Goldbloom, is “more than virtually any other institution in the province,” because of the school’s focus on undergraduate studies, which draws less research income.“A small institution like ours would say, when you are as minimally resourced as we are, cutting is even more difficult.When you have one person in a department, you can’t cut that department in half.” In a time when schools are being accused of financial mismanagement.Bishop’s principal said he is, “confident that if anyone were to come to take a look at our university, they would find that we have been extraordinarily judicious in terms of managing our costs.it is as lean an operation as I, in my working career, have ever seen.” Through it all, Goldbloom maintains his optimism.“1 think one has to keep a broad perspective to begin with.Bishop’s has faced lots of challenges in its 170 years, and it’s always come out strong, and stronger as a consequence.We will work our way through this” he could hit someone.He did not care for the lives or safety of others.The accused knew that there could be a person very close to where he was shooting,” Fabi said, in handing down the four-year term.DRAWING FOR TICKETS TO JACQUES ROUGEAU’S WRESTLING GALA 4 great Christmas gift idea! 7:30 P.M.COMPLEXE THIBAULT GM 2959 boul.de rUnlversIte Sherbrooke www.jacquesrougeau.com Be one of the first 3 callers on Wednesday, December 19 at 10 a.m.to win a pair of tickets.8t9-569-9525 ' .¦ ; ; .j I he Record newsroor 3sherbrookerecord.com Monday, December 17, 2012 Page 5 Destroy the phone numbers, arguesVallieres By Stephen McDougall DANVILLE Karine Vallieres has some advice for the new provincial environment minister: do not interfere with the work of your employees.“This is what the former environment minister tried to do,” argued the elected Liberal member of the provincial assembly for Richmond.“Daniel Breton demanded and got the cell phone numbers of BAPE members intending to intimidate them.“I can only hope that Mr.(Yves-Francois) Blanchet does not try and do the same thing.The best thing he can do is destroy those phone numbers.” BAPE (Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environment) is an independent environmental assessment agency that often holds public hearings into environmental projects and disputes.Breton resigned his cabinet post at the end of November after it was learned he had not paid $8,000 in rent to a landlord, had been prosecuted for employment insurance infractions, had failed to file an income tax return and had speeding violations.But Vallieres was more concerned about Breton’s actions on October 24 when it was alleged in media reports that he personally visited the BAPE offices, then asked for and got the cell phone numbers of every BAPE bureau employee.In the past, Breton had been critical of BAPE work and had fired its president and vice-president after he became the environment minister.According to a Quebec City newspaper, Breton reportedly told BAPE employees that he intended to call the president anytime he was dissatisfied with his work.The report then led Liberal and Coalition Party members in the assembly to pass a motion ordering Breton to appear before a transport and environment committee of the legislature to explain himself.The appearance before the committee never occurred.Instead, Premier Pauline Marois accepted Breton’s resignation on Nov.29 because she had earlier vowed to have “zero tolerance” for corruption in government.Vallieres can only hope that Blanchet does not repeat the mistakes of Breton and is more tolerant of and detached from the BAPE.“We have asked Blanchet about the phone numbers and about his approach to handling environmental investigations, but he will not comment for now,” said Vallieres.“We will have to keep on asking him these same questions in the new year." What Vallieres will not ask about is Blanchet’s past, including a drunk driving conviction he received two years ago.The conviction stemmed from an incident days before he was elected as a Parti Québécois member of the legislature during the December, 2008 provincial election.Blanchet was detained by provincial police in Drummondville after they found him sitting in his car with alcohol on his breath.The car was idling in a no-parking zone.Blanchet initially told the police the car was not fully functioning because it was an electric-gas hybrid and only the electrical system was working to heat the interior and recharge his cell phone.An investigation by The Record revealed that hybrid cars need to have the gas engine running to warm up the car interior and charge the electrical system.According to the provincial highway code, drivers with an illegal level of alcohol in their blood cannot operate a motor vehicle, even if that vehicle does not move.A breathalyzer test revealed Blanchet was over the blood-alcohol limit at the time.After a year and a half of court delays, Blanchet pleaded guilty to the drunk driving charge and was given a fine of $1,000 and a one-year suspension of his license.Blanchet was allowed to sit in the assembly despite the conviction, because he was not given a prison sentence of two years or more in a federal institution.“I don’t want to comment on such private matters,” Vallieres told The Record last week.“I am more concerned with how the new minister will conduct himself.We want to make sure he does not abuse the system like his predecessor tried to do.” Blanchet could not be reached for comment at press time.Vallieres also told The Record she voted against the government budget two weeks ago, but it passed anyway because many of her Liberal colleagues chose not to show up in the assembly for the vote.“We let the budget pass even though we do not support it,” she said.“If the vote had rejected the budget, then the minority PQ government would have fallen due to a show of non-confidence and an election would have been necessary.“I don’t think Quebec voters would have appreciated another election so soon after the last one.” The budget was passed by a vote of 49 to 48.She said the Liberals, who hold 50 seats in the assembly, may choose to bring down the government next year after they select a new leader in March.Vallieres said she supports former Transport Minister Pierre Moreau as the party’s new leader.Electric circuit Com’D FROM PAGE 3 • Centre for Health and Social Services-University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke • Commission scolaire de la Région-de-Sherbrooke • Discount Car Rental • First Capital Realty • Fairmont • Sépaq • Place des Arts • Borough of Saint-Laurent • University of Sherbrooke • Bishop's University • City of Joliette • City of Montreal • Town of Rivière-Rouge • City of Sherbrooke Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world.MS 1-8-20ti-www mssociely ca RECORD Christmas Special The Record, the gift that gives all year long! It’s quick & easy and.no lineups! • $129.(12 months) * $68.(6 months) • $34.(3 months).Taxes included.Online Subcription: $62.Taxes included BONUS: Take a 1 year print subscription (new or renewal) and get an ONLINE subscription for only $5 more for yourself or to give as a gift! "DRAWING: For any new or renewed subscription to The Record, your name will be placed in a drawing for the following: SHERBRpjDKE20 ^ IL —JEUX DU— 13 CANADA — GAMES— 201 Scanadagames.ca 2 tickets to the opening ceremony of the 2013 Canada Games.2 passports giving access to preliminary round activities for the two weeks of the games.The drawing will take place on December 20, 2012 at 4 p.m.a p Address: Phone Number Send gift card _ No From: Address: Phone Number: From: Start the gift ___Now _____Jan.2013 ___Extend current Other Payment by: ____Cheque ___Money Order __M/C Amount paid: $________ Credit card #:________ Expiry date: _ Visa RECORD P.O.Box 1200, Sherbrooke, OC, J1H 5L6 Tel.: (819) 569-9528 billing@sherbrookerecord.com Page 6 Monday, December 17, 2012 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.a)m ; The Record in I nrn 1R^ H A If ^ meantime, however, we are passing through the astounding total Id 1LJ' IL IL vJ' JTV Ji Jt ^ of seven billion h uman beings, on our way to nine or ten billion.A shortage of sperm Choice: It’s time to compete with the world By Gwynne Dyer Many years ago, when 1 was young and handsome, a friend inveigled me into taking a small role in a film he was making.It was a Cold War spoof called “The Last Straw” in which the Soviets were plotting to bring the West to its knees by causing the sperm count in Western males to collapse.I got the Dr.Strangelove role, and briefed the leaders of the Free World on the gravity of the threat.You cannot even find this film on YouTube now, I’m pleased to report.However, it did give me a head start on considering the appalling strategic consequences of a drastic fall in the sperm count of Western men.This comes in handy at the moment, since that is now actually happening.In the 15 years between 1989 and 2005, according to a study just published in the journal Human Reproduction, the sperm count of French men fell by one-third.More than 26,000 men were tested in the study, and the number of millions of spermatozoa per millilitre of their semen was falling by almost 2 per cent a year.The numbers are quite impressive: from 73.6 million sperm per millilitre in 1989 to only 49.9 million per millilitre in 2005.If the rate of decline has stayed the same since 2005, the number now would be around 43 million.Doctors generally regard 15 million as the number below which there will be serious problems with fertility, so there’s another 40 years or so before the problem gets really serious, but still.There are really three questions here.One, is the same thing happening elsewhere?Two, what’s causing it?And three, how much does it matter?Most other scientific studies in developed countries in the past 20 years have also found falling sperm counts.There is no comparable research on the trend in developing countries, but it is at least plausible that this may be a global phenomenon.Secondly, if environmental factors are causing the decline, are they the same in rich countries and poor ones?A common theory lays the blame on chemicals in the environment like Bisphenol A, found in some plastics, that disrupt endocrine function and change hormonal balances.Another theory blames smoking, drinking alcohol, and high-fat diets.These factors vary from one country to another, and more research is clearly needed.But let us suppose that the trend is continuing, and that sperm counts are also declining in developing countries.Should you lie awake at night worrying that this is a threat to human survival?Definitely not.If you’re really worried about keeping human numbers up, then you should be doing something quite different at night.And afterwards, you might lull yourself to sleep pondering whether it would really be such a bad thing if the birth rate dropped for a while.If this decline in sperm counts really is due to environmental factors, then it can almost certainly be reversed eventually by doing enough research and then eliminating those factors.In the meantime, however, we are passing through the astounding total of seven billion human beings, on our way to nine or ten billion.That’s far too many for this finite planet, and a rapid decline in the birth rate, even to below replacement level, would be a Good Thing.Gwynne Dyer is an independent journalist whose articles are published in 45 countries.By Marc Garneau Big bills, poor service, few choices - on wireless, Internet and phone services, Canadians are fed up.They want competition and it’s time to give it to them.The evidence is clear.In initiating its recent public consultation on a wireless code of conduct, Canadians inundated the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) with comments.We are at best ranked in the middle in the developed world and our prices are high.While some may quibble about one methodology versus another in ranking us, the evidence supports Canadians’ frustration.Studies from the Organization of Economic-Cooperation and Development (OECD), Harvard University and the CRTC, show where we stand.According to the CRTC’s latest report, Canadian wireless revenues, measured as the monthly average revenue per user (ARPU), are the highest in the G7.At $55 per month per mobile subscriber, Canadians pay 20 per cent more than users in the US, 70 per cent more than users in France, and 100 per cent more than users in the UK and Germany.On mobile data, roaming rates and Internet combined, Canadians pay more per month for telecommunications than many of our developed world counterparts.Beyond just prices, Canadians are frustrated with the endless list of roadblocks: Locked phones, ridiculous contract penalties, hidden service charges, bogus “system access fees,” the list is endless.Small, medium and large businesses are also frustrated with the lack of choice, high prices and restrictive contracts.According to the latest study by the Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) Canadian business investment in information technology and telecommunications in 2010 was just 53 per cent of that in the US.This, in turn, has negatively affected Canada’s productivity and ultimately the strength of Canada’s overall economy.While I commend the CRTC for making the effort on its wireless code of conduct, I hold little hope for success in achieving change.In a system without real competition in which consumers have few choices, the CRTC, the regulator, has limited options.Technology will change, providers will change their packages, their price offerings, slip in a new fee here, there and everywhere, and the regulator will not be able to keep up.Ultimately, the key is competition.Only real, market-based competition will keep providers in line.With competition and choice, providers will weed out unnecessary fees, invest in service quality to retain customers and improve their product packages.That is why I believe Canada must open the Cont’d on page 7 Who and what do we blame?Anna May Kinney Forgive me for making this personal for a minute, but those who have met me in real life, those who know the lifestyle I choose, know that I live a very, even extremely isolated, quiet existence.Well they also know that because my contacts in person, on the phone are few and far between, when I do get the chance to interact, this solitary individual does not shut up.I appear very outgoing, friendly to a fault and a bit hyperactive, total type A personality.I’m explaining this for a good reason.As back in 1976 I bought my land/house and began my adventure into self-sufficiency.Never in my life was I so happy, everything was falling into place by 1977, I’d learned all kinds of valuable things, which included splitting firewood, even using a chainsaw, but my heart started to act up from what I believed was the heavy work I was doing.You see, I’d been on heart medication back in 73, my rare thick blood clotting condition had to be watched closely.Well when my heartbeat became to fast, not having loads of time to travel into Sherbrooke for tests and such, thought a visit to the new local “young” doctor might be a good idea.After five minutes of talking with me, no heart tests, not even listening to my heartbeat; he did not even want my medical history.He turns to me and tells Cont’d on page 7 RECORD P.0.Box 1200 Sherbrooke J1H 5L6 or 1195 Galt En Sherbrooke JIG 1Y7 Fax for Newsroom only: 819-569-3945 e-mail: newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Website: www.sherbrookerecord.com Sharon McCully Publisher .(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 TOTAL Quebec: 1 year 120.00 6.00 11.97 Si 37.9 7 6 MONTHS 63.00 3.15 6.28 $72.43 3 MONTHS 32.00 1.60 3.19 $3 6.79 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 Februaiy 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 Letter An open letter to American gun lovers and the NRA So it’s happened again.You have killed Presidents and defenceless little children, and everything in between.I suppose some of you would suggest that if these children had been packing arms they could have defended themselves.Bravo, wonderful logic.You have thrown out regulations that could have protected these innocent people.As Mr.Heston once said they would have to pry his gun from his cold dead hands.Wonderful slogan Mr.LA Pierre.There will be a great wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth over the coming months, gives you something to do, but nothing will be done, death must go on.Don't worry girls and boys, the government will not take away your toys.John Keenan Sherbrooke I he Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Monday, December 17, 2012 Page 7 North Hatley Elementary serves up Oliver! as a holiday treat Richard Williams “Olivpr i« vpi-v chv a ho hi™ —-.______ ________ Richard Williams Grade 5-6 teacher North Hatley Elementary School On Tuesday.Dec.18, 7 p.m„ the entire student body of North Hatley Elementary School will present Oliver! in the North Hatley Elementary School gymnasium.Oliver! was a hit in London and on Broadway with script, music, and lyrics written by Lionel Bart, and was a musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist.Teachers Catherine Barnard, Crystal Rattai and Richard Williams adapted the play for elementary school students and, with the help of all their fellow teachers, involved students from kindergarten to grade 6 in singing, dancing, and even learning the necessary Cockney and upper class English accents to make it a wonderful evening’s entertainment.It is the Cycle 3 students, however, who have taken on the characters with musical support from grades K-4.Parent volunteers produced a wonderful backdrop, set and costumes.The students rehearsed during recesses, lunch hours and after school to get all the musical numbers just right.Oliver! is a whole-school and parent community effort! Ella Canzani plays Oliver Twist, the young orphan who escapes abuse at the world’s most horrible orphanage to survive on the streets of London.“Oliver is very shy, a bit like me.I like the challenge of being a boy because it’s fun doing different stuff.At first, I found the singing scary, but then I thought it was really fun.” Oliver is picked up on the street by the Artful Dodger, played by Luke Fedida.Luke was very keen to do this part.“I’m all ramshackle like the Artful Dodger.The rehearsals are fun and I like singing.It wasn’t too hard to do the accent because my parents are British.” The Artful Dodger takes Oliver to a most suspicious establishment, Fagin’s lair, where boys are taught to pickpocket and bring back their loot to Fagin, played by Kevin Parnell.Kevin really enjoys the challenge of playing a villain who might not be all bad.“Fagin is trying to stop being a bad guy and the fun is trying to be a bad person and a good person at the same time.The most fun was learning the accent because it’s a weird accent.” Great musical numbers such as “Consider Yourself,” “I’d Do Anything,” and “Food Glorious Food” will have you humming the tunes long after the show is over.Oliver plays only one night at North Hatley Elementary School, on Tuesday, December 18 at 7 p.m.Admission is free but there will be a silver plate collection at the end.I Blame COURTESY OF NORTH HATLEY ELEMENTARY Choice — Cont’d from page 6 door fully to competition in telecommunications.Canadians want world-class service, and we want to be able to compete in the world.Perhaps this sounds redundant, but we can’t compete with the best unless we actually compete with the best.You won’t make the NHL if you keep playing in house league.I would maintain restrictions on foreign ownership in broadcasting because of cultural and content implications to ensure continued production and broadcast of Canadian shows and content for television, film and new media.But I would open the doors on telecommunications.In Germany, Sweden, Italy, even France, there exist no restrictions on foreign investment in telecommunications.It is time for Canada to enter fully into the global market as well.Let’s compete with the best and let competition bring new ideas, entice investment in new technologies, create new jobs in Canada and drive down the costs of our wireless bills.If a Vodaphone or a Verizon enters Canada and offers Canadians new choices, new options, all the better.New entrants will invest in new advanced networks benefiting Canadian consumers and businesses alike.The investment will support continued innovation in the digital economy, improve Canadian competitiveness and help create jobs.Only through competition with the world will we innovate on the leading edge and create our own homegrown, globally competitive businesses.I have every faith that when put to the test, Canadian businesses, Canadian entrepreneurs will step up to the plate and compete - and the ultimate winners will be Canadians.Marc Garneau is Canada’s first astronaut, a former captain in the Canadian Navy, the former president of the Canadian Space Agency, the current Member of Parliament for Westmount Ville-Marie and a candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.Cont’d from page 6 me that I was suffering from “emotional” stress and hiding depression, all because I was too outgoing.While politely listening to him, I was very annoyed with the ego I saw in front of me, that knew me in five minutes of talking.Nothing like an MD playing psychologist/ psychiatrist.When he was done, I not so politely told him that he was extremely wrong and this was the most peaceful time I had ever had in my life and I did not need the “new” antidepressant he was pushing.Also told him that I’d never be back and was going to warn people not to trust him.So many people look up to doctors as though they are gods, but they are not, and during the last 40 years the medical profession has changed from one that sacrifices its own time/money and pleasure to help their patients, into one that pushes, often not-understood prescription drugs.The reason for this is simple, new drugs are constantly appearing on the market place, doctors have limited time in their busy schedule and do not take time to read up on the drugs they administer, other than the information provided by the drug companies hawking their wares, and these companies offer incentives to doctors to prescribe these “drugs.” As we have all learned since many of these drugs are advertised on television, most come with a long list of potential side effects, which most MDs downplay, saying the percentage is so low that we need not worry and that they will monitor us.But do they, yes.I’m sure that some do, but most do so in their six-month checkups or yearly visits and nothing more.We are talking about very, seriously dangerous drugs some like diabetes drugs can affect our liver and kidneys and recommended testing is required every month in some cases, that includes a series of blood workups.Only one of many While this quack of a doctor did not intimidate me into taking a drug I did not need, there are many people who would have believed and probably did believe what someone told them with MD after his name.We’ve been told that Prozac was not marketed until 1988, yet the drug introduced by Eli Lilly and Company in 1974 as Fluoxetine is the key ingredient in quite a few Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants (trade names; Prozac, Sarafem, Fontex).The history of SSRI drugs is more than a shady one, being prescribed for all kinds of assorted emotional/mental and even physical problems such as “major depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, panic disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (what woman has not had PMS, is it any surprise that some attacks are worse than others, some women affected stronger than others, but now these stronger attacks are defined as a mental illness?With the absorption of hormones through our food, water, air and even the makeup we choose to use, is it any wonder that some women are having these “hormonal” symptom, which are being treated with SSRI drugs?), trichotillomania (hair pulling brought on by chemical imbalance, could be caused by environment and bad nutrition issues, while it’s really unknown what causes such behavior, let’s just give them a chemical), also used for obesity, and alcohol dependence, as well as binge eating.Since the 1990s we’ve seen the number of mass murders as well as murder/suicides within families jump to an alarming rate, it’s almost become normal to turn on the news and hear another heartbreaking story.The US congressional subcommittees have heard thousands of testimonies from loved ones who lost someone to suicide, killed family members or struck out against society.Since 1992, Dr.Ann Blake Tracy, a Ph.D.in Health Sciences with the emphasis on Psychology, the director of the International Coalition for Drug Awareness has testified as an expert witness regarding Prozac and SSRI related court cases around the world and before US congressional committees, linking thousands of suicides, attempted suicides and murder to these drugs.Even the company that manufactures these drugs admits to the following side effects: nausea 22 per cent, insomnia 19 per cent, anorexia 10 per cent, anxiety 12 per cent, nervousness 13 per cent, and tremor 9 per cent.Ifyou notice, many of these side effects are the same problems that the drug is prescribed for.Numerous shooters including Connecticut school shooter Adam Lanza, and the Colorado theatre shooter where under psychiatric care and diagnosed as having “personality disorder,” the type such drugs are usually given to treat.The evidence is overpowering that there is a super big connection between treating people with SSRI drugs and what we are seeing happening within our society.Families who have had a member go over the edge while on one of these drugs testify that not having access to a gun makes little difference.Spouses, family member and even small children have come to their ends being drowned, stabbed, poisoned, suffocated, burnt to death and other diverse means.Banning guns is not the answer to this problem, which is not caused by the weapon of choice, but rather the person whose mind is so mixed up he wants to kill others before killing him/her self. Page 8 Monday, December 10, 2012 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com I The Record Lennoxville • Eat locally • Spend locally Grow locally Directory It takes you to start the trend! Helen Labrecque Real Estate Broker Cell: 819-572-1070 HOUSE OF THE WEEK Watervllle: Lovely home renovated with taste and charm.Large open rooms, modern kitchen 1.5 bathrooms.Above ground pool and garage.Mélanie Bérubé Real Estate Broker Cell: 819-820-5893 Tim Goddard “Coaching Solid Pension Strategies for our Clients” We focus on the decisions you require in accumulating wealth to transition smoothly through life's stages with the peace of mind you deserve.GLOBAL MAXFIN INVESTMENTS INC.151 Queen Street SHERBROOKE 819-569-5666 hlabrecque@sutton.com Groupe Sutton de fEatne 819-823-7474 berubem@sutton.com Lamoureux Leonard semrt Shop locally this Christmas for fantastic gifts and savings! 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