The record, 21 octobre 1999, jeudi 21 octobre 1999

I THE The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 Trust that si, small inner voice that says, This might -Diane iiiec® 65 CENTS Thursday, October 21, 1999 Lyon and the Wallrus wins sign law case Justice minister planning appeal By Maurice Crossfield A Quebec Court judge has struck down two articles of the province’s Charter of the French Language concerning the size of lettering on bilingual commercial signs, but an appeal is already on the way.Judge Danielle Côté handed down her ruling at the Granby courthouse Wednesday, acquitting merchants Walter Hoffman and Gwen Simpson, owners of the Lyon and the Wallrus antique store, which until recently had been operating in Knowlton.Côté’s judgment states that the Attorney General of Quebec failed to show the French language was threatened by the offending sign, which is English on one side and French on the other.As a result the judge sided with the store owners, stating that articles 58 and 205 of the Charter of the French Language violate freedom of expression under the Canadian and Quebec Charters of Rights and Freedoms.“We’re extremely happy with the decision,” said Brent Tyler, lawyer for Simpson and Hoffman.“The judge said to them ‘You didn’t prove your case, you had the opportunity to and you didn’t.” Tyler said with a recent survey showing that 82 per cent of Quebecers speak French in the home, the government lawyers could not prove that the French language is threatened.SEE SIGNS, PAGE 3 MAURICE CROSSFIELD Walter Wally’ Hoffman, lawyer Brent Tyler and Gwen Simpson were all smiles after Wednesday’s court victory in Granby.JH ^ iMUi * s ni §|f Lis Sauis of Suer I* PfllRO LES SALLES DE BAIN Sft ET FILS AhOfiM*t SftmLxrd KOHLER Courteous bilingual service (819) 843-3323 1 Main Street West, Magog 1-888-922-3323 Turn-key operation — Product — Colour — Style We do the rest! It's our specialty Mo middleman ta page 2 Thursday, October 21, 1999 Record.Hippocrates’ true followers earn Nobel Peace Prize r ! jhe global community owes special I acknowledgement and appreciation .X.to the Nobel Committee’s for its wise decision to award the century’s last prestigious Nobel peace prize to Médecins sans frontières (MSF), or Doctors without Borders.This group’s profound dedication and commitment to medical service for human suffering has been unrivaled since the late Albert Schweitzer, who also won the award in 1952 for his great work in Africa as a medical missionary.Profound humanitarian concern motivated the founding of Médecins sans Frontières.Its twelve founding members were journalists and doctors who worked for the Red Cross relief team during the Nigerian Civil War in 1968 and flood disasters in Bangladesh in 1970.Their determination and willingness to work to relieve human suffering led to the founding of the world’s most renowned humanitarian private organization in 1971 in France (thus the group’s French name) which is non-partisan and independent of any political, religious and economic affiliations.The pain they experienced at the horrible scenes of human disaster were translated into the establishment of today’s Nobel peace prize-winning, voluntary relief organization.Its headquarter is in Brussels, Belgium and more than 2,900 volunteers from 45 coun- _______ tries work for this private organization in some 70 countries that are in need of relief assistance.Truly, the winners of the great Nobel peace prize are not merely the volunteer doctors of this organization.More than 2.6 million patrons of the organization who share the founding ideals of these dedicated doctors and make financial contributions from all around the world, are also surely co-winners.The continuing support and encouragement from every continent has allowed today’s “Doctors Without Borders” Hello Canada Sangwook Cho to continue their work.In this sense, The Nobel Peace Award signifies a feat for all common citizens of our global community.Since its founding, the world has witnessed the ubiquitous presence of the MSF’s dedicated medical volunteers in all places of human destruction and disaster sites and calamities, nat- _______ ural or man-made.Included among its innumerable operations were activities in Nicaragua, Vietnam, as well as the Gulf War in 1990 when it mobilized its massive resources to save some 70,000 lives.Lately, MSF’s operations involved rescue or relief work in areas hit by earthquakes in Turkey and Taiwan.Its professional care of refugees and the injured in Kosovo and East Timor were very efficient and swift saving many lives, especially young children, the aged and handicapped.The dedication and devotion these volunteer doctors have magnificently dis- played for their fellow human beings in order to lesson their plights and suffering are a series of touching stories and a human dramas.Just think about these volunteers.These are young doctors with very promising careers in their countries.Nobody can deny that if they wanted to choose a life of personal comfort and luxury, it would have been quite easy for them to do so.But, they chose to fight against epidemics and infectious diseases for poor human beings in Africa.These young promising doctors did not hesitate to risk their safety by rushing to scenes of war torn areas, and courageously put their personal safety on the line.Don’t they have families?Don’t they have close friends?Truly, the world has a lot to learn from these dedicated medical volunteers, whose humanitarian concern for the suffering of fellow human beings is an impeccable, and yet splendid, demonstration of the spirit of Hippocrates’ teaching as his true followers.The book bash introduces Township talent The cloudy, wet Sunday afternoon could not make me miss the occasion to hear local literary artists talk about their books.The large audience in attendance showed that others were as determined as I was.The interior of the Slate museum of Melbourne, housed in a Presbyterian church built in 1889, was an excellent stage for the book bash sponsored by Townshippers’ Association through its Heritage and Cultural Committee represented by Beverly Smith, Brenda Hartwell and Barbara Verity.With the gold painted, muted pipe organ in the loft as the backdrop, an immersion into the literary world of the Townships enfolded.The kick-off by the Association’s president, Gary Richards, set the tone for the slate of talent we would have the pleasure to hear.Committee members, Beverly Smith and Brenda Hartwell, made knowledgeable and motivating introductions of each speaker.Weather THURSDAY: Variable cloudiness.High near 9.FRIDAY: Cloudy with a few showers.Low near 3.High near 10.Probability of precipitation 70 per cent.SATURDAY: Intermittent rain.Low near 5.High near 8.Probability of precipitation 80 per cent.The first writer to take the rostrum was the colorful Bernard (Bernie) Epps who talked to us about his career and the hardships he had to face.With his wry humor, probably from his British ancestry, he explained that in spite of the lack of income from his writing efforts, a divorce and an incapacitating stroke, he has persisted.His several publications including “The Eastern Townships Adventure” are monuments to his talent and tenacity.Heather Keith-Ryan spoke to us about the book “Quebec: Bonjour, eh?” co-authored with Sharon McCully, editor of the Sherbrooke Record.Heather’s interesting account included a recent development with the Quebec government assuring them that the contents of the book was sufficient to inform English-speaking visitors of the culture, history and language of Quebec.She also Our Man Thursday smilingly mentioned that the hoped-for substantial order of copies from the government was not forthcoming.Photographer and writer Teri Coburn entertained the audience with an account of the steps to completion of the book about Fred Coburn, her grandfather.Fred Coburn was an artist, once residing in Melbourne, who painted landscapes of the Townships.With her mother’s notes Teri was able to complete the work which is now presented in a very attractive hard copy edition.She told how Mr.Coburn once replied to a comment concerning his old age with, “In order to feel young, forget your age.” Bill Duncan and Matt Shepherd, talking alternately, introduced the first volume of FLOOD, a new medium for creative township writers and poets.Their belief in the Townships, and its writers, motivated them to embark on this meritori- William Cox ous endeavor.Their enthusiasm to make FLOOD a success could be felt in the earnest appeal they made to writers an-dreaders.What better way to learn about canoe and kayaking waters, cross country skiing, cycling and hiking trails in the Townships, than from the active and knowledgeable Barbara Verity.The book is titled “Outdoor activity in the Townships.” Her description of the contents makes you feel the wind in your face, hear your paddle dipping in the meandering river and smell the enervating summer vegetation while enjoying a picnic in the sun.Reading her book makes you want to “Get up and go.” Attending this event, listening to the artists talking about their works, I sensed a strong attachment to the Townships by the participants and audience alike.It is a moving experience for an outsider.I was-made to realize the difference between a Township writer and a writer in the Townships, like me.Ben by Daniel Shelton HOW'S THE FEEPING coming along?I HAP A HARPER TIME IN THE BEGINNING WITH NICHOLAS-'IM GUPI STUCK WITH IT.-yr f l GUESS I'M JUST MORE R&AXEPTHE SEC0NP TIME mUNP-1 KNOW WHAT T0- EXPECT.m ‘Eye’ spy a Lions’ Club donates optic nerve topograph to hospital By Steven Warburton Sherbrooke Dr.Pierre Blondeau has seen thousands of patients walk through the doors of the ophthalmology clinic at the Centre universitaire de santé de l’Estrie over the past seven years, many of whom complained of eye problems or eye pain.For an equally long time, he’s been trying to get an optic nerve topograph for the hospital to help identify and treat certain eye conditions.Now, thanks to a $50,000 donation from the Lions’ Club, his dream has become a reality.“We get an average of 16,000 people coming in here every year for eye problem treatment,” he says.“A machine like this is sorely needed.” Blondeau says that the machine will be used primarily to detect and stop glaucoma, which is one of the three main causes of blindness.It affects between one and two per cent of the population over 40 years of age THE — i RECORD Thursday, October 21, 1999 page 3 new health machine at CUSE and at least ten per cent of people over 80.“One of the reasons we need a machine like this is because generally, glaucoma has no symptoms.A person doesn’t know he has it until it’s too late to stop it.This machine can help in that fight,” Blondeau says.It actually is appropriate that the Lions’ Club should foot the bill for this machine.They have long been known as Chevaliers de la vue, or ‘Champions of the blind.’ “We actually got that title in 1918 when Helen Keller asked us to be ‘champions for the blind,’” says Michael Baker, who is the governor of the district U-4 area Lions’ Club.Baker, who has been a Lion since 1979, says that the $50,000 was raised specifically for this project rather than just taken out of the Lions’ account.“We are very proud that we can accept this generous donation from the Lions’ Club so that we can better help people who have serious eye conditions,” says André Larocque, vice-president of the administrative counsel for the Centre Universitaire de Santé de l’Estrie.FOSD'JIOS PERRY BEATON This should help some people with their eye check-ups.André Larocque, administrative council vice-president for the Centre Universitaire de Santé de l’Estrie; Michael Baker, governor of U-4 district Lions Club; Dr Pierre Blondeau, programming director of the optho-mology clinic at the University of Sherbrooke; and Gilles Melanson, international director of the Lions Club.The $50,000 donation, courtesy of the Lions’ Club, will be used to buy a machine to help detect and treat glaucoma, one of the three leading causes ofblindess in North America.‘.require French, allow English and let’s move on’ Signs: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “I’m surprised a bit, but I’m very happy,” said Simpson.“It’s about time.Now we can get on with our business and have our sign.” Sitting in the courtroom during the decision was Alliance Quebec president William Johnson.“I’m incredibly happy to see that justice has been done,” Johnson said.“This is our biggest victory ever.” One day trial The trial, held on June 28, wrapped up after only one day.Government lawyers on the case primarily relied on a 1988 Supreme Court decision which said that bilingual signs were allowed, provided French is “markedly predominant.” “We don’t want them to appeal, we want them to amend the law,” said Tyler.“As important as the language of signs is, there are other things that require our attention as a province and as a country.Let’s amend the law, require French, allow English and let’s move on.” However Quebec justice minister Linda Goupil thinks differently.By early afternoon Wednesday she said she believed that justice Côté made several errors in her judgment, and that the decision will be appealed.Reached by The Record later in the day, Johnson said he’s willing to lay ten-to-one odds that the Quebec Superior Court will uphold Côté’s decision.He said that decision should come quickly, because no new evidence is introduced during appeals.He said he wants to see the case fought before the Supreme Court, to decide the matter once and for all.“The decision made today goes to the heart of the whole issue of liberty and justice,” Johnson said.“The 1988 decision was based on information from the 60s, and none of that applies anymore.It is absurd to try to proclaim the precarity of the French language.” Sparring words Johnson also took the opportunity to take a swipe at the Townshippers’ Association, which refused to get involved in the sign language cases.He said the anglo rights lobby group should have followed Alliance Quebec’s lead, offering financial and moral support to Simpson and Hoffman.“Gary Richards should be apologizing to Townshippers today for refusing to back this court case,” Johnson said.“Through litigation we have given people back their rights.” Townshippers’ president Gary Richards said Johnson’s comments about the association are “hogwash.” Richards said the merchants involved never asked for help from Town-shippers.He said Tyler presented the anglo rights group with documents which they in turn turned over to a lawyer for an opinion.The response was at the time that there was not enough evidence to go on.“What he wanted was a donation,” Richards said.“Alliance Quebec didn’t get involved either until Johnson’s second mandate.” As for the decision itself, Richards said he was pleased with the result.He said the Quebec language situation has changed in the last decade.“The judge was right in saying to the government that it is time for them to go back and do their homework,” he said.“We are living in a more tolerant Quebec that has evolved in the last decade.The Parti Québécois are not spending their nights plotting on how to make life miserable for anglophones.” Richards called the decision part of an overall evolution which is seeing life getting better for Quebec anglophones.More court dates ahead Because of the pending appeal the other sign cases in the province will most likely continue to advance.Tyler said he presently has six other clients awaiting trials for having bilingual signs, and another dozen waiting to be summoned to court.One of those awaiting trial is Lennoxville flower shop owner Marcella Davis.She said she is pleased with the decision, but not surprised at the news that it will be appealed.“It just seems like there are other more pressing issues, it’s pretty sad,” she said in a telephone interview from Vaudry’s Flower Shop.“We realize it’s a French province and we’re still living here.A lot of my customers are English, and a lot of my customers are French.One’s not better than the other.” Davis said she will have to wait and see what happens next with her case.For Guy Bouthillier of the Montreal chapter of the Société St-Jean-Baptiste, the answer to the signs issue lies in the political arena, not in the courts.“The solution of the language problem is in the solution of the status of Quebec,” he told a radio phone-in show.Meanwhile the sign that started it all no longer stands as one of Knowl-ton’s most notorious landmarks.Simpson and Hoffman have moved their store to their home in Sutton Township, and recently removed the elegant wooden sign from Lakeside Street.It is not yet known if the sign will be erected again at a new location. page 4 Thursday, October 21, 1999 ¦¦THE» ¦¦¦ h i i i —— — ¦ — Record =_________________=________» Local initiatives part of international cooperation events Women facing poverty and violence is this year’s theme By Rita Legault Sherbrooke This week marks the third edition of les Journées québécoises de la solidarité internationale aimed at getting Quebecers to become more aware of the world they live in and take a clos- er look at international cooperation projects.Here in the Townships, this week also marks the publication of the second edition of a brochure entitled “Dioïla - une cooperation a visage humain”.The brochure tells the story of an awards winning international cooperation program that twins Estrie with the Dioïla region of Mali in Africa.For the past seven years, the Sherbrooke area chapter of the Carrefour de FINANCIAL PLANNING By Frank Cameron C.ADM.R.F.P.Year 2000 and the investment markets: What can you expect?With the new millennium fast approaching, predictions are being made about how much of a threat the Year 2000 computer problem will be to financial markets.As an investor in the markets, should you be concerned about the impact of the Year 2000 changeover?Certainly, some caution is warranted as the new millennium approaches, but as reports are now showing, there’s little reason for long-term investors to be overly concerned.If Canadian financial markets experience a slowdown as the turn of the century draws near, it probably will be the result of investors pulling funds out of markets in fear of potential problems, rather than any actual problems.Industries in North America appear to have Y2K issues well in hand, so the direct impact of the transition to a new century is unlikely to affect the finances of most companies.Studies have shown that most U.S.companies are well on their way to being Y2K compliant.If markets do experience a sell-off, they are likely to recover quickly after the Year 2000 rollover — especially if predictions of gloom and doom prove unfounded.Such a brief disruption will be of little consequence to a portfolio oriented toward long-term growth.In fact, Y2K could even provide you with some excellent investment opportunities.If financial markets do go into a temporary slowdown, it could be a good time to buy securities at attractive prices.This will make their long-term potential that much more attractive.Some experts even suggest that the Canadian economy could experience a modest increase in growth toward the end of the year as a result of the upcoming millennium, especially if businesses and individuals stockpile goods and materials out of concerns over what Y2K will bring.This potential growth could be beneficial to the share prices of many companies.If you invest inforeign markets, you should have little to worry about.Most developed countries — which are also highly computerized — are expected to meet the Y2K challenge.Among the best prepared are the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands and Australia.The impact on financial markets should be minimal.Emerging markets may be of greater concern.Although many emerging nations are less computerized, they could still run into problems with older computer equipment used to provide essential services such as power generation and telecommunications.This could have a spillover effect on financial markets.This concern is mitigated, however, because much computerization in these industries has taken place recently and equipment may already be Year 2000 compliant.Some countries have contingency plans in place in the event of a Y2K disruption.That’s why Y2K worries shouldn’t detract you from your long-term strategy.It may be wise to simply remain invested in a diversified investment portfolio that combines equities, bonds and money market instruments.As a long-term investor, you shouldn’t be tempted to change your portfolio in response to short-term market fluctuations.Even so, it might pay to keep a close watch on Year 2000 sentiment as 1999 progresses, if you are concerned, speak to your financial advisor.This column, written and published by Investors Group Financial Services Inc., is presented as a general source of information only and is not intended as a solicitation to buy or sell investments, nor is it intended to provide legal advice.For more information on this topic or on any other investment or financial matters, please contact your financial advisor.Mr.Frank Cameron is a Chartered Administrator, and Registered Financial Planner, with Investors Group.Solidarité International has been working with women in villages there to help them become self-sufficient in growing vegetables and grains.The brochure, written by development workers and enhanced by articles by La Tribune reporter Steve Bergeron, relates how women have become literate, increased their collective revenues and are feeding families while gaining power and respect in their communities.The Dioïla project received an honorable mention by the Conseil Canadien de la cooperation internationale for programs which reduce poverty by increasing food security.It also placed first among 18 programs in a 1998 study by the Canadian International Development Agency which looked at the results, the durability of programs as well as the use of resources.Program manager Marco Labrie said the program not only offered women the tools and financial resources to get started, it also provided training and knowledge to continue long after the start up capital was spent.The project had important spinoffs including the creation of locally managed federations where the know-how that was developed was shared with other communities which weren’t part of the program.International cooperation awareness week, with its theme of women facing poverty and violence, will include a number of activities among them an exhibition of photos at the Eva Senécal library in Sherbrooke entitled “Femmes du Guatemala” by development intern Anne Desrochers.On Thursday at 8 p.m., the film “Des marelles et des petites filles” will premier at the Salon du Livre book fair at the Centre Culturel of the University of Sherbrooke.Saturday afternoon there will be films and discussion one women rights.The four films include two on women and poverty, one about globalization, and one about rape as a war crime.That will be held in Room 3 of the Eva Senécal Library.There will also be some lighter events including improvisational theater at Presse Boutique Café on Sunday afternoon at 1:30.Storyteller Sylvie Marchand will entertain at the Capelton Mine at 3 p.m.on Sunday and Susana Asquinezer will weave tales at the Eva Senécal library, also at 3.The final event will be held outside the official week on Dec.2 when 65 high school students get together for a mock sitting of the United Nations to discuss a number of issues including East Timor, homosexuality and women’s rights.That event is sponsored by the political science department of the University of Sherbrooke and will be held in the council room at Sherbrooke Citv Hall.COURTESY Solidarité International has been working with women in villages there to help them become self-sufficient in growing vegetables and grains. Thursday, October 21, 1999 page 5 Record Marbelton residents question quarry project Graybec determined to preserve environment By Steven Warburton Marbleton When the Graybec corporation announced that it was building a new quarry in Marbleton, some local residents were dismayed.“We found some stone in the ground and it’s very good stone,” says Mario Couture, human resources director for Graybec.“We are planning on excavating the site.” But some residents are not happy with this news.The new site, which is near rue-des-Canadiens and rue-du-Ham just north of Lac d’argent, comes dangerously close to threatening the picturesque lifestyles that some of the residents have grown accustomed to.“We already have the Graybec factory on one side of us,” says Josée Trudel, who has lived in the area for six years.“Now, if this new quarry happens, we’ll have Graybec on both sides of us.Not to mention the big truckers road that will go around the town and make lots of noise.” Noise is a big concern among the residents.“It is difficult to imagine how noisy it’s going to be,” says Trudel.“In the summertime, we could hear chainsaws operating out in the forest.If we could hear that in our homes, what do you think the trucks are going to sound like?” So the citizens of Marbleton asked Pierre Chassat fields questions from residents.their mayor, Marc Latulippe, to approach the Graybec corporation to address these concerns.The result was a general information meeting held at the Marbleton Community Centre on Tuesday night.Mayor Latulippe hosted the meeting with the bulk of the presentation coming from plant manager, Pierre Chassat, who gave a brief history of Graybec and then went into the proposed developments for the quarry.In his presentation, Chassat said that Graybec was committed to preserving the environment.He used a multimedia presentation to show the state of the ‘excavated’ forest and how the company would work in stages to plant new trees while removing the rock from the earth.Graybec agreed to form a committee with citizens to discuss concerns and come up with solutions that satisfy both parties.“Respecting the environment is of primary importance to Graybec,” said Chassat.“We intend to co-operate completely with the committee on examining all solutions.We are committed to preserving the high quality of life that Marbleton citizens have grown accustomed to.” The seven member committee will consist of municipal councillor Andre Bernard, three Graybec employees, and three citizens.Chassat and environmental manager Claudia Houde, are two of the Graybec representatives who have been named to the committee; the third member has yet to be chosen.No citizens have been selected for the committee but Trudel says that she would like to be a part of it.Things began to heat up when Latulippe opened the floor for a question period, after Chassat’s presentation.One man stood up and spewed forth with a passionate monologue about how he lived in the area for 25 years and how he’d chosen to stay in the area because of the natural beauty.He accused Graybec of destroying that beauty in a speech that drew haggard applause from the audience.Another issue that cut close to the bone for residents was the prospect of rerouting route 255.“If we go ahead with this new quarry, we will need the space where route 255 is right now.But we own the old railway tracks on the land and we will reroute the road so that traffic will still get through,” said Couture.Michael Marsden who’s had a country house in the area since 1972, noted that Graybec is really the only business in town.“The new quarry is inevitable,” he says.“It’s going to happen.” Marsden criticized the municipality for the Graybec situation rather than the Graybec corporation itself.“I think the municipality should have extracted a higher price for the land [Graybec bought,]” he said.“They could have made more demands.They could have asked Graybec to create park land or to put up historical markers.” Few will dispute that Graybec has been good for the economy of the region.Graybec employs 300 people in their three Quebec offices, including 100 at the Marbleton branch.The company also indirectly provides work for 300 others ranging from truck drivers to private contractors.Graybec says it also supports local businesses and has pumped $9 million into the local economy.In the past twenty years, they’ve in-jected over $40 million into local investments.Quebec has some very stringent laws when it comes to extracting and manufacturing raw materials from the earth, including several environmental laws.“It’s my job to ensure that our plant operations coincide with those laws,” says Claudia Houde.Gibbs plans to be ‘accessible’ mayor of Brome Lake ‘There has to be a balance between leadership and input’ By Maurice Crossfield Acknowledging that there is a lot of work to be done, Ron Gibbs says he has both the time and the energy to be the next mayor of Brome Lake.“Part of the reason I decided to run was that people were coming to me and saying they want someone who is accessible,” Gibbs said during an interview at his Knowlton office Tuesday.“I will do like Homer Blackwood did and be at the town hall every morning.” Gibbs said he wants to restore harmony in the council, something he says hasn’t existed recently.“People should feel welcome to go to council meetings,” he said.“They should feel welcome when they go to the town hall.There has to be a balance between leadership and input.” As mayor, Gibbs says he will use his experience as an insurance agent to take a hard look at the policies covering the town.He said better coverage and service could have made a difference last year when David Allen Gauthier was awarded nearly $700,000 in punitive damages for a beating he received at the hands of police in 1982.Gibbs also wants to work on cleaning up and protecting Brome Lake.He said he would like to see a moratorium on all commercial developments around the lake.“There is space for a few more residences,” he said.“But every stream that drains into the lake must be protected.” Included in his plans to protect the lake will be to look at introducing an inspection system to ensure that homes around the lake are either properly connected to town sewage or have properly functioning septic systems.“Someday I would like to see Lakeside Road improved from the town hall to the beach,” he said.“At the same time I’d like to have the sewer and water systems improved as well.” Gibbs says road repairs are needed all over Brome Lake.He said the next mayor will have to be able to lobby hard for government grants to help rebuild the town’s infrastructure.“It seems as if in the last few years we’re not getting our share,” he said.That’s where Gibbs said he will be able to draw upon his network of friends and acquaintances.Gibbs counts among his Brome Lake mayoral hopeful Ron Gibbs.Citizens must be made to feel welcome at personal friends many mayors from the region as well as Brome-Missisquoi MNA Pierre Paradis.He is also actively involved in the federal Liberal party and various community organizations.His past experience includes a six year stint on the municipal council in Danville.A resident of Brome Lake since 1979, Gibbs presently sits on Brome Lake’s urban plan- ning committee.Gibbs said he also wants to clear the way so that housing can be built for older residents.He said many elderly Brome Lake residents are forced to move away because there is nothing for them.“People who’ve lived here for 65 years, they’ve made the town what it is today,” he said.“There was a lot of volunteer work done by the people before us.We have to make sure these people remain here and are happy here.” To further help some residents Gibbs wants to take a look at the taxation system.While the tax rate is generally considered low, Gibbs says he knows of cases where overall property values have increased ten fold, leading to a much heftier tax bill.“There are longtime residents who can no longer afford to live here,” he said.“People are selling their family homesteads to strangers.” He said property taxes should not be hiked just because a neighboring home sold for a very high price.He said some form of tax compensation could be considered.“There’s going to be a lot to do whoever gets in,” he said.But it looks like we’re going to have good councillors to work with.” page 6 Thursday, October 21, 1999 i ¦¦ THE ¦¦¦ i RECORD Community Forum Letters To The Editor Reaction to reactions on teacher’s dispute Dear Editor: Your community forum has been very busy with reactions to our letter protesting the work to rule by the teachers.We would appreciate an opportunity to comment on a few of them.In response to Sheila Brown’s compassionate letter of Oct.12th„ we have this to say.We protest the same cuts that you do that have crippled our education system.With regard to pay equity, you say you "find it sad that teachers in Quebec are among the lowest paid in Canada.” What you do not say is that teachers in other provinces have contracts that require them to work more hours than our Quebec teachers.We have read that teachers hearts are breaking and they have tears in their eyes as they enforce their work to rule.Our Knowlton union asked us to “Please understand the government of Quebec has pushed us into this by refusing to negotiate in good faith with its employees.” We say this is not the only solution to your problem.You had other choices you could have made other than work to rule that would not have affected our children directly.You could picket, you could march, you could demonstrate and hold a rally outside Mr.Bouchard’s office.Any one of these would have drawn attention to your grievances and most parents would have been out there with you.To Michael Bradley who commented on the voucher system on Oct.13th, we offer this.The “poor and the disadvantaged” in a voucher system carry the same financial power to schools as everyone else.Better services attract more students and more funding.The bad schools are eliminated when they cannot compete with the better ones.Parents have the power to choose the best school for their children.To Julie Rhicard who also responded on Oct.13th.we have this to say.We respect your opinions that you voiced publicly in the Record, you have every right to state them.We do not respect the private response you sent to our home attacking us personally.Shame on you Julie.To Bonnie Banks of Sutton, we were encouraged by your letter.Your suggestion that taxes be withheld as a means of protest is very interesting.We understand that this has actually been done before.It certainly sounds like a better solution than working to rule.To Renalee Gore who suggests that we start a petition in Knowlton Academy protesting the government cuts to spending, we are pleased to tell you that this has already been done by our Governing Board.We personally have collected and handed in many pages.Glad to hear that the parents of Parkview are doing this too.To Marilyn Graham, for whom we have the utmost respect and appreciation for what she has contributed to our school, we have this comment.When you discuss the handling of mediocre teachers you say “If the situation warranted it, written documentation was produced and the teachers were removed.” ‘Removed’ can mean many things, “transferred to another school” would be more accurate.We both know this has happened at Knowlton Academy.We do not blame the prin-cipal or the school for this, it is the union that protects these teachers.Do you know that the union regulation states that any letter of discipline or reprimand in a teacher’s personnel file must be removed after three months?To Gary Smith who gave us an extensive rendition of his wife’s day, from getting the children ready for school and dropping the baby off at the sitter, to doing extra schoolwork after her household chores were done, we have this comment.Your wife sounds like she works very hard and she is most likely one of the “excellent teachers” we refer to in our letter.In a perfect world life would be easier.Unfortunately, Mr.Smith, we have to tell you that there are a lot of other mothers out there who are not teachers that have days similar to your wife, but do not have the comfort of a guaranteed job and pay scale.We do not put down the fact that your wife works hard, we just remind you that teachers aren’t the only ones.As for volunteering during coffee and lunch breaks, we have some good news for you.We often spend ours volunteering at school too.To the teacher that took the trouble to call me at home I have this to say.Our lengthy debate in which you said you felt our letter was unjust and that it would cause the breakdown of the valuable volunteer support system that Knowlton Academy enjoys was very interesting.You also said, “I never took volunteers in my class because it was more work for me.” Although you gave me permission to quote you on this, I have chosen not to identify you.You may take the credit for this yourself if you wish.As to my comment on the statement, I have none, you have left me speechless.In closing, I would like to say that we were overwhelmed by all the people who mailed, phoned, faxed and e-mailed their support.We, and many of the parents who contacted us, do not support the union on the work to rule.Because we do not support the way the unions have chosen to demonstrate their grievances, does not mean we support the cuts.Many parents congratulated us on our courage in speaking out publicly but expressed concern about the personal repercussions it could have on us.I hope their concern is unfounded.I would like to thank all of you who supported us, as well as those of you who took the trouble to state your dissatisfaction with our views.We feel that everyone should be free to voice their opinion.Diane Seaward Knowlton Children will benefit from generosity Dear Editor, On behalf of the Sawyerville Cafeteria Volunteers, I would like to thank all the members of the community who so graciously donated food on Oct.8.Your generosity will help us provide healthy and hearty meals for our school children.We will be accepting donations throughout the school year and are also in need of an electric stove for the kitchen.If you wish to contribute, please contact Melanie Alden Rowell at 875-3235.Thank you again, Robin Watt Sawyerville QFF\CE OF TUE RE6vSy W WJOk.FTOtiWfrHKS TO MJTOWOUVciHü.«W» dolighauittg>aoLcom P.O.Bra 1200 SherbrookeJlH5l6 or 257 Queen St, Lennoxvills, Que.J1M1K7 Fax: 819-569-3945 e-mail: record@interlinx.qc.ca Website: www.sherbrookerecord.com Randy Kinnear Publisher .(819) 569-9511 Sharon McCully Editor .(819) 569-6345 Sunil Mahtani Corresp.Editor .(819) 5696345 Richard Lessard Prod.Mgr.(819) 569-9931 Francine Thibault Prod.Superv.(819)569-9931 DEPARTMENTS Accounting .(819)569-9511 Advertising .(819) 569-9525 Circulation.(819)5699528 Newsroom .(819)5696345 Knowlton office 88 Lakeside.Knowlton, Quebec, JOE 1V0 Tel: (450) 242-1188 Fax: (450) 243-5155 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS GST PST TOTAL Canada: 1 year 104.00 7.28 8.35 $119.63 6 MONTHS 53.50 3.75 4.29 S61.54 3 MONTHS 27.00 1.89 2.17 $31.06 Out of Quebec residents do not include PST.Rates for other services available on request.The Record is published daily Monday to Friday.Back copies of The Record ordered one week after publication are available at $3.00 per copy prepaid.The Record was founded on February 7,1897, and acquired the Sherbrooke Examiner (est.1879) in 1905 and the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) in 1908.The Record is published by UniMedia Company, a subsidiary of Hollinger Canadian Newspapers L.P.Canadian Publications Mail Service Product Agreement No.0479675.Member ABC, CARD, CDNA, NMB, QCNA THE »i RECORD Thursday, October 21, 1999 page 7 Community Forum Letters To The editor Teachers should strike to make point Dear Editor, As I see it, I would like to comment on an issue which has been talked about in whispers and hushed tones.The subject is on the teacher’s union decision to eliminate all extra-curricular activities.This encompasses play days, graduation ceremonies, ski days, class trips and all sporting events.As I see it, no one benefits from this pressure tactic, and the government will not pay it any attention.It is not supported by a teacher’s union in Montreal and certainly it is not supported by the parents.As I see it, the union thought that this pressure tactic would possibly avoid a strike and bring sympathy towards their cause.However, it has had the reverse effect and many people have been hurt by this decision.As I see it, the union does not care who is hurt as long as it benefits their cause.But how can their cause benefit if no one supports it?As I see it, the students who walked out at Massey-Vanier were supporting the teacher’s cause by protesting to the government.However, these students, who were supportive, are now being punished with an after school detention.I am so disappointed to learn that staff members are permitted to remain after school to PUNISH students but they are, however, not permitted to stay after school to HELP students.As I see it, the teacher’s should go on strike.They do not deserve the treatment the government has asked them to tolerate.They deserve better pay and better working conditions.A strike would show the government how serious the teachers are and it would definitely have my full support.But then again, that’s just the way I see it.Donna Sayers Fulford Letter-writing campaign is first step Dear Editor, On one hand, the provincial government has, over the years, slashed and burned in ALL parts of our social network including all aspects of social services, health care and education.These cuts have put our most vulnerable people at risk; our sick, our elderly, our less fortunate and our children.Then, on the other hand, we have Deputy Premier Landry of this same government giving away $360 million dollars of our hard earned money to save The GM-Boisbriand plant.I do not believe I stand alone when I say this is totally absurd.What does this government value?Certainly not its people.Please, our ‘beef ought to be with our provincial government not with each other.These cuts affect us all.It is not up to our nurses or our teachers or any other group of people to carry this message alone.We have to act now and we have to act collectively.Please write the Quebec government stating your dissatisfaction and anger about the deplorable condition of our ENTIRE social network.Please do not delay - our future and well-being depend on it.Each letter the government receives is representative of several thousand voices from the general population.The more letters, the louder our voice.It is also important to send copies of your letters to Jean Charest, leader of the Liberal Party as well as to your local MNA.They need to know too.See you at the mailbox.Sincerely, Sally Meyer Cowansville Addresses: • Premier Lucien Bouchard, Government of Quebec, 885 Grande Allee E, Quebec GIA 1A2 • Deputy Premier Bernard Landry, Government of Quebec, 12 St.Louis, 1st Floor, Quebec, Quebec GIR 5L3 •M.Jean Charest, Leader, Liberal Party, 2665 King, W„ Suite #325, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1L 2G5 •M.Pierre Paradis, Deputy for Brome-Missisquoi, 104 rue Sud., #101, Cowansville, Quebec J2K 2X2 Remember veterans with two minutes of silence Dear Editor, The Royal Canadian Legion and its 500.000 members has started its campaign to get Canadians to pause for a special two minutes of silence on 11 November.The program is named “The Two Minute Wave of Silence” as we are trying to get Canadians to pause for two minutes at 11 a.m.local time, thus creating a “wave” across this country.As this century closes, we would like Canadians to take these two minutes and pay tribute to those who died for the freedoms we enjoy today.More than 116.000 Canadians have died for this country in the uniformed services and the Merchant Navy.We would like to turn back the clock this year and have Canadians return to the traditional two minutes of silence that used to mark this special time of day on 11 November.However you wish to participate, including allowing your staff to mark the moment, we thank you in advance for your commitment to the perpetuation of Remembrance in Canada.Yours truly, Chuck Murphy Dominion President Some thoughts for Remembrance Day Dear Editor, As Remembrance Day again approaches, you may be looking around for suitable items to publish.Kindly consider the poem below, in my opinion, it’s so well put that I would, in fact, like to see it published on an annual basis.The poem was written by Nicholas Peters just after the outbreak of World War II in 1939.Peters, who lived for some years at Grande Pointe, Manitoba had emigrated from Russia in 1925 as a boy of 10 and had seen firsthand the horrors of revolution and war in his native country.He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942 and trained as a flying officer, he died on the night of March 7 - 8, 1945 after his aircraft was hit by enemy fire.The poem is from a collection of Peter’s work entitled Another Morn.I have been given permission, by the Peters’ family to have the poem published.The War We Make I gaze into the world with sorrowing eyes And see the wide-abounding fruits of hate.We fight, we say, for peace, and kind The wars we make To be a spring of hate and source of future war.Is there no peace for man?No hope that this accursed flow Of blood may cease?Is this our destiny: to kill and maim For peace?Or is this ‘peace’ we strive to gain A thin, unholy masquerade Which, when our pride, our greed, our gain is touched too far, Is shed, and stands uncovered, what we are?Show me your light, O God That I may fight for peace with peace And not with war; To prove my love with love, And hate no more! Nicholas Peters Yours truly, Stan Penner Landmark, Manitoba P.S.Some six and a half years ago, my wife and I stood beside Peters’ grave in a war cemetery in Germany and grieved for him and the countless other dead there “row on row” in those graveyards of Europe.Quietly they lie now, sometimes friend and foe close together and I ask myself, “Why could they not have been friends in life?” Most of the last verse of Peters’ poem is inscribed on his tombstone with “me” and “I” changed to the plural: “Show us your light, O God, That we may fight For peace with peace And not with war.” Alzheimer patients require attention Dear Editor, Alzheimer patients or the older person who is easily disoriented, like fresh air, sunshine and walking outside as much as any person.Not many people are content to remain inside without a walk outside for exercise or just a change of scenery.Many visitors who come to a seniors’ residence and are able to enter the security door would not recognize the well dressed person waiting on the other side to come out, as an Alzheimer patient.They might, even innocently, hold the door for, what to them, looks like another visitor.1 feel we could make these homes safer and more comfortable if everyone could get outside to walk around or sit under the shade of a tree and watch the outdoor activities.All it would take is a fence with security coded gates.You might say that an enclosure of 20,000 square feet would be expensive.I wonder what the cost is for the police and search teams - to say nothing about the anxiety and discomfort of the lost person and his or her family.We think that because an older person has moved into a seniors’ residence that he will receive all kinds of special care that he could not get in his own home.This is not necessarily true.Most residents are left to their own personal care.Some are not capable of getting in and out of the bathtub without help, so they never get bathed unless they or a family member request this service.Their clothes are only washed if and when they decide to put them where they will get washed.If they decide not to go to a meal, no one seems to notice.I feel each home, whether privately run or not, should have government standards and inspectors that see that these standards are met.Since, this is untrue, family and visitors should be very observant and be the voice for those who are unaware that things could be better.E.E.Young page 8 Thursday, October 21, 1999 ¦ ¦THE* Record Remembering the Italian Campaign Record editor Sharon McCully accompanied 50 Canadian World War II veterans to Italy to honour Canada's war dead at cemeteries throughout the country to mark the 55th anniversary of the Italian Campaign.Over the next week.The Record pays tribute to them.At one of a dozen graveside ceremonies held to honour Canada’s war dead in Italy, an elderly Italian woman with leathery skin and a kerchief tied tightly around her head clutched a bouquet of mauve and white flowers.After dignitaries and veterans representing regiments who fought in the Italian campaign laid wreaths, the woman laid her bouquet at the base of the monument to fallen soldiers.Speaking through an interpreter, Simon Marangoni Clementino, 80, said she has been bringing flowers to the Ravenna war cemetery every year for the past 55.Clementino said during the war, Canadian troops had stayed at her home but she remembered one young soldier, too young to be away from home, in particular.She recalled on the night of Dec.6, 1944, the baby-faced soldier sat at her table writing a letter to his family at home in Canada.But the letter was never sent.The next day, the soldier was struck and killed by a German grenade.“The other soldiers wrapped his body in a blanket and wanted to move him to the barn, but I asked, ‘Before you take him away, let me wash him and kiss and embrace him,” she said, stroking her face to illustrate how she had lovingly sent the young man to his grave so many miles from home.“I don’t know his name,” she said.“But I come every year on Dec.7 to put flowers here.” Sharon McCully ' woman SHARON MCCULLY Simon Marangoni Clementino, 80, has been bringing flowers to a cemetery for the past 55 years to honour a soldier she met during the war.Reunited The pilgrimage was not with-out its more joyous moments.Canadian Intelligence officer John Hadden of Mission, B.C.was reunited with members of a family he has been corresponding with for 55 years.Hadden began sending Christ- mas cards to an Italian family he met 55 years ago while fighting in Italy.The Canadian military had set up temporary headquarters at the home of Alfredo Corte-si, his wife Maria and their eight children and remained with them for two months.When the war ended, we sent New higher rates for the 100% guaranteed part of your RRSP 4.15% Year 1 HHQEËKX Series 60 Series 9 4.80% 5.10% 5.35% Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Series 9.Annual compound rate of 5.08% for C-bond if held for 3 years.Christmas cards to each other every year,” Hadden said.When Alfredo died, other family members continued the tradition of exchanging Christmas cards.More recently, Hadden began corresponding with Alfredo’s son Giafranco by e-mail and plans were made to reunite at Ravenna during the pilgrimage.Hadden later brought a smile to the face of an Italian official when he returned a regimental flag which had been taken from a German soldier.The silk square, circa 1870, bore the regimental colours and bugle calls of an Italian regiment.Sharon McCully «Jib $ 2000 NEW CANADA SAVINGS BONDS L YOU'RE ON SOLID GROUND.J Canada 1-800-575-5151 or www.csb.gc.ca Sgt.John Hadden met the family he has been sending Christmas cards to for the past 50 years.ÊÈÊËj SHARON MCCULLY ' THE — RECORD Thursday, October 21, 1999 page 9 Federal workers win pay equity ruling Average worker owed $30,000; government could owe $5 billion By Kathryn May Southam Newspapers Ottawa The Liberal government is wrestling with a $ 5-billion dilemma after federal workers scored another landmark victory Tuesday in their fight for pay equity.The decision by Federal Court Justice John Evans was a vindication of a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal that ruled in July 1998 the government owed 200,000 mostly female workers 13 years in back pay, plus interest, to wipe out the wage gap between men and women in the public service.The average worker is owed about $30,000.Evans strongly rejected the Chrétien government’s appeal of the tribunal decision and ordered the government to pay the legal costs of the giant Public Service Alliance of Canada, which led the pay-equity case.He also urged the government to settle the 16-year pay-equity dispute, arguing that justice delayed was justice denied.“This is a matter that has dragged on for far too long, and at far too great a cost for all concerned,” Evans wrote in his 92-page decision.“I would be reluctant to grant a remedy that would have the effect of imposing further delay, with the consequent injustice that this would inflict on many.” The case is the longest-running and largest human rights case in North America.The dispute revolves around how the wage gap between female and male-dominated jobs should be calculated.In other words, how to turn the principle of “equal pay for work of equal value” into cash owed to workers.Evans ruled the tribunal correctly applied the law, rejecting the government’s contention that the tribunal was out of step with the law because the ruling meant paying women the same as men for doing work of different value.Rather, Evans said pay equity is a “systemic problem” and wage discrimination against women grew out of old policies that reflected outdated social attitudes and stereotypes about women’s work.Word of the victory spread quickly among federal workers across Canada, but reaction was muted because of uncertainty over whether the government would appeal.The dispute involves mostly women who work in one of six female-dominated occupations: secretaries, clerks,data processors, librarians, educational support and health services staff.About 50,000 of them still work for the government and this year received hefty raises that narrowed much of the existing wage gap.Another 21,100 have retired and would be entitled to adjustments to their pensions.The remainder are full-time employees who have since quit the public service and the thousands of part-time, casual and term employees who worked between 1985 and 1998 for a few weeks or a few months.The government will be under intense pressure to settle.It has been fighting this case through the courts since 1983 when PSAC filed its complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.The Canadian Human Rights Act, passed in 1978, outlawed the practice of paying women less than men for work of equal value.“This government supports pay equity as long as .it doesn’t have to pay any money,” said NDP Leader Alexa McDonough.“When the government is required to obey.its principles go out the window.” Senior bureaucrats are said to be more open to the idea of settling.After a decade of shattered labour relations, Treasury Board is trying to patch up relations with its unions - especially PSAC -and an appeal would be a major setback in that drive.Some argue the government’s longstanding offer to settle for $1.3 billion, coupled with the growing budget surplus, gives the government more room to settle without jeopardizing its fiscal plan for tax cuts and more spending on health and education.The Liberals have long been accused of exaggerating the the cost of the tribunal's ruling - estimated at up to $5 billion - to sway public opinion to support its decision to appeal.Both the unions and the human rights commission estimate the formula adopted by the tribunal would cost between $2 billion and $3 billion.GM, workers reach deal Rapist suspect waives bail Southam Newspapers Toronto The Canadian Auto Workers and General Motors reached a tentative contract agreement late Tuesday.less than six hours before 21,000 workers were set to walk off the job.“I am announcing that we are withdrawing our strike deadline and recommending unanimously as a bargaining committee that our members ratify this collective agreement,” said CAW president Buzz Hargrove.GM is the last of the Big Three Canadian automakers to reach a deal with the CAW, which had already settled with Ford and Daimler Chrysler over the last five weeks without a strike.“We are very pleased that we were able to reach an agreement which met the needs of the union, our employees and the company before the deadline,” General Motors of Canada Limited vicepresident A1 Green said in a written statement.Union members will receive a three-per-cent wage hike and a projected 1.5-percent cost-of-living allowance in each year of the three-year deal, a $1,000 signing bonus and a $300 increase to the $900 an- nual Christmas bonus.Employees will also get a 25-per-cent pension increase, improved child-care benefits and new procedures will be added to health-care benefits.General Motors also committed earlier Tuesday to study ways to extend the life of its assembly plant in Ste-Therese, Que.The Ste-Therese plant is expected to close in 2002 when GM ends production of the Camaro and Firebird sports cars.The closure could cost more than 1,200 workers their jobs and is a major point of contention for the union.“We have a letter from GM that commits them not to sell, close or lease the plant during the life of this agreement,” Hargrove said.GM has promised to explore ways of prolonging the life of the plant with a new vehicle or a joint venture with another auto producer.The 34-year-old plant near Montreal, which currently operates on one shift, is the only major car assembly plant in Quebec.GM’s promise to keep the plant open for the short term, along with its decision Monday to scrap the contracting out of 700 union jobs, settled the biggest issues.By Natalie Armstrong $outham Newspapers The lawyer for Eli Nicholas, the suspected Bedroom Rapist, says his client has waived his right to bail and will remain in jail until his trial.Defence lawyer Todd Ducharme would not tell reporters outside court Tuesday why Nicholas, who turns 21 in December, had decided to waive bail.A publication ban applies to Tuesday’s brief court preceding.However, Ducharme said that with his client in custody he is concerned the Centre of Forensic $cience (CFS) will take its time testing DNA evidence that police believe links Nicholas to other charges, limiting his ability to prepare a defence.“I don’t mean to be unduly critical of the CFS - the fact is they’re under-resourced and they’re very heavily burdened,” said Ducharme, adding that the centre is flooded with evidence from sexual assaults and homicides from across the province.“I appreciate their problems, but my problem is we need to know what Mr.Nicholas is facing in terms of charges and we need to know it now so we can start defending him properly.” Nicholas of Toronto was charged Sept.25 with two counts each of sexual assault, break and enter and failure to comply with bail conditions.He is also charged with one count of wearing a disguise with intent to commit a crime.Police also believe Nicholas is responsible for 12 break-ins between June 2 and Sept.13 that resulted in eight sexual assaults on women aged nine to 75.Ducharme told reporters he requested a December court date so he can better prepare for a trial which is expected to begin after the spring.He added that his client’s DNA was tested quickly before he was arrested.of Sunsf,t 99 Annual Financial Campaign Fondation de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Sherbrooke Sherbrooke Geriatric University Institute Foundation Argyll Pavilion, 375 Argyll Street, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1J3H5 ~ Tel.: (819) 829-7138 Please be generous, this is the only long-term care fundraistng campaign in Sherbrooke I wish to cive S Receipts for income tax purpose issued for Name Address City Postal code Telephone Cash Cheque Visa no.Exp.Name Signature ?% i rÿ wM ere you ¦ CANADA SAVINGS BOND CANADA PREMIUM BOND page 10 Thursday, October 21, 1999 Record Air Canada buyout offer bodes well - Collenette T By James Baxter For Southam Newspapers Ottawa I he counter offer by Air Canada to lines as a domestic affiliate shows that buy out 35 per cent of its own share- competition is brisk and that the system holders and to keep Canadian Air- is working, according to Transport Minis- 4 rEAR 1 >eries 60 4.80* 5.10» 5.35* 1 YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 Series 9.Annual compound rate of 5.08% for C-bond if held for 3 years.Series 60 and 9 are available until November 1,1999.With New Canada Savings Bonds you always know where you stand.And there’s never been a better time to buy them than right now.As always they’re perfect for the secure part of your savings, but now there are even more choices and more options than ever before.• Original Canada Savings Bond • New higher interest Canada Premium Bond The new Canada Premium Bond is cashable once a year on the anniversary date and 30 days thereafter while the original Canada Savings Bond is as flexible as ever and cashable at any time.With our no fee RRSP option, you’ll receive all the security of New Canada Savings Bonds New bond series on sale each month for 6 months combined with all the benefits of an RRSP.No fee RRSP and RRIF options • Start investing with as little as $100 • No fees, ever Both bonds are 100% guaranteed by the Government of Canada, have absolutely no fees of any kind, and are easy to buy wherever you bank or invest.200° NEW CANADA SAVINGS BONDS Canada For more information call l*800-575-5151 or visit our web site at www.csb.gc.ca ?This rate also applies to Canada Savings Bonds Series 50 and Series 54, issued November 1, 1995 and November 1, 1998 respectively for the year beginning November 1, 1999.WW, NEW HIGHER RATES ter David Collenette.“Some have criticized the process we’ve been following, but I can tell you we wouldn’t be where we are today if we hadn’t brought in the Section 47 (exemption) of the Canadian Transportation Act which has brought forward two private-sector proposals,” said Collenette.“It’s for the shareholders of Air Canada and now Canadian Airlines .to decide what’s in the interests of them, as shareholders.“And then, when that private-sector process is complete, we certainly will look at it to see whether or not any proposed deal meets the public interest test - the five principles - that I have outlined.” Those five principles are consumer protection, continued service to small communities, protections for employees, Canadian control of the airline and open competition.Air Canada offered $12 per share to buy back 35 per cent of all outstanding stock, which translates to an immediate $4.20 per share payout to shareholders.In the process, Air Canada would increase its debt and would dilute shareholdings later on in some form of debt-for-equity swap, industry experts predict.Air Canada also matched Onex’s offer of $2 per share for all Canadian Airlines stock, promising to keep Canadian operational as a domestic air carrier.Air Canada’s move would effectively block Onex Corp.from acquiring the two-thirds of all shares it needs to complete its deal.Onex’s deal is a cash-and-stock transaction worth $8.25 a share.However, in announcing its offer, Air Canada president and CEO Robert Milton said he would also welcome a full review of the deal by the federal Competition Bureau, a process Onex insists would drive Canadian Airlines into bankruptcy.Onex insists Tuesday’s offer is little more than an effort to block its bid and will leave Canada with one substantially weakened airline as opposed to one healthy entity.Nigel Wright, a partner with Onex, said that by stalling for time, Air Canada is simply waiting for Canadian Airlines to die a slow death.“At first glance, (the Air Canada bid looks) good on paper but it won’t fly,” said Wright.He said Air Canada is using the competition review process to allow Canadian Airlines to collapse into bankruptcy, at which point a competition review would be futile, cent of the money the airline plans to use comes from outside.Collenette said he was pleased that the government’s decision to stay out of the way has resulted in a competitive scenario that could, ultimately, benefit the shareholders of both airlines.“I’ve been pretty sanguine about this whole process since the beginning,” said Collenette.“It has raised some concerns in some quarters, but the process was designed to allow this kind of offer that we’ve seen today and the Onex offer to come forward.We facilitated the private sector, making a decision that, to me, is more preferable to a government bailout or the bankruptcy of Canadian Airlines.” ¦— THEi Record Thursday, October 21, 1999 page 11 Learning which bulbs and roots need to be lifted Read catalogues carefully before ordering Sometimes I wonder, ‘What am I doing?’ Then when the next summer comes around and these time consuming plants put on their display of colour, I realize, this gardener is hooked.If you’re like me, you too have been busy digging, lifting and storing delicate roots and bulbs.Over the years, I have heard many people comment how they would never grow anything that they had to dig up and store every fall.Unfortunately, sometimes we see a particular flower, get attracted to it, buy, plant and care for it all summer, not knowing it must be lifted out of the ground and stored in a cool basement over the winter.The next spring we watch and wait, but there nothing lift to come up and what could have been a $10 to $40 investments is gone forever.Most bulb companies, like Breck’s and Spring Garden, send out their advertisements in the spring and fall.You can order bulbs to be delivered as soon as the ground is thawed.Taking the time to read all the details about each plant you are interested in will help you avoid plants that cannot be left in the ground year round.If you want a plant that blooms summer to fall, and do not have an appropriate place to store dahlias, here are a few other choices; Four O’Clocks come in an array of colors, grow from 60-90 cm, cheerful cupshaped blooms appear on hardy, bushy plants.They tolerate heat, humidity, and poor soil conditions.The Astranitia Major ‘Rubra’, 60-90 cm tall, sends up many stems covered with clusters of purple-red flowers.Pest resistant and easy to grow, this eyecatching plant adds color to your garden for a month or more.Blooming in late summer, right till killing frost, hardy Anemone Pamina has an abundance of soft old rose-pink with yellow center blooms.This 90 cm plant, multiplies yearly and flourished in partial shade.If you don’t mind the trouble and have a place to keep them, Dahlias, Call-las, Gladiolus, and Begonias are all a great addition to a garden.There is one thing you should note, you may have already noticed that winters are warmer than ever, making it a challenge to store them without them drying out before spring comes around.For years, Labor Day weekend was the time I dug, dried and packed them up.With the basements warmer and the season shorter, I now wait until Thanksgiving weekend.If you live in Lennoxville or another low, warm, protected area you should be able to keep them in till the last weekend in October.You may have to do this job in colder, wetter conditions, but it is well worth it to leave them in a bit longer.If you have bulbs and roots that you are not sure which ones can be left in and which ones need to come out, feel free to give me a call, like I’ve said before, bulbs bought for planting in the fall are those you leave in the ground all winter, those purchased in the spring can be both varieties.Make a record of what you have planted, along with details for caring for it and where you will find it after the foliage has died back, you can take a plastic spoon, for or knife and with a permanent marker write the name and color.This will make the job a lot easier when it comes to digging them out and marking them for storage.(I learned this trick from a friend and fellow gardener, Mrs.Jessie Hastings).When digging up gladiolus, you will find many tiny bulbs attached to the big bulbs and some loose.These tiny bulbs can be planted the following year and will eventually develop into mature bulbs.Once dried, they can be stored in large envelope and placed in a cold, dry room.The large bulbs are packed in peat moss and placed in either grain bags, plastic stacking containers or an open garbage can, then placed into a cold 40 degree basement.As much dirt as possible should be removed from the dahlia clumps, dry in the sun for a couple of days, and then on a porch for a few more days.Dusting with sulfur will help protect them from developing fungus.Very large clumps fit comfortably in grain bags.Marking them is important, because as sure as you are that you will remember which one is the red, which is the white, when spring arrives you won’t.Some people have asked me if this is the time to plant fruit tree for the birds?Yes, this is the perfect time to get a few bushes and your bird population will thank you for many years.I have many serviceberry, cranberry, chokecherry, hawthorn and nannyberry.If interested give me a call at 872-3295 or e-mail me at amkna-turesway@hotmail.com Nature’s Way Anna May Kinney Still The Night brings terror of Holocaust to life By René Bruemmer Montreal In the play, Still the Night, writer, producer and lead actress Theresa Tova takes on the daunting task of creating a work of entertainment that revolves around the horror of the Holocaust.In addition to the main story of two Jewish girls in Poland fleeing Nazi persecution, Tova also manages to weave in several Yiddish songs from the Holocaust, translated into English, and succeeds in the even more daunting task of creating a dramatic musical based on this horrific era.It is testimony to the skill of the writer and the production that Still the Night, currently playing at the Centaur Theatre in Montreal, manages to be a powerful and moving work that avoids a descent into maudlin pathos.Tova recreates the anguish of the war through the harrowing experiences of two characters who live it and the recollections of a woman who can’t stop suffering it.The play, which was shortlisted this week for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama, follows the trials Éaüyii Still The Night was just nominated for a Governor General’s award.of two young cousins growing up in Warsaw during the pre-war years and their subsequent escape from the ghettos of the cities to the short-lived safety of the country as Jewish persecution heightens.In a tour-de-force performance, Tova tackles three roles — the young girl Bryna during the war; the same character decades later as a mother living in present-day Canada; and Bryna’s own daughter, who learns about life through the stories of her mother.Tybele, the daughter, often serves as the autobiographical raconteur, as Tova has used much of her own experiences and those of her mother who lived through the war to create the play.Tova, best known for her role as Marge on the former TV series E.N.G., segues effortlessly between the young and older Bryna, distinguishing the difference in characters through the use of a shawl, ac-cent and mannerisms.Her portrayal of a young girl, be it the mother at an early age or the daughter, is assured.Even more impressive in the role of young Bryna’s even younger and more innocent cousin is Liza Balkan.An adult playing the role of a shrill, overly excitable 13-year-old is a dangerous gamble that could easily take a turn for the annoying, but Balkan inhabits the role perfectly and endears herself to the audience.Later, she exhibits her acting ability with a convincing turn as an elderly woman.The set is sparse, relying on the formidable acting talents of the two women who make up the entire cast to bring the scenes to life.A ladder, wooden platforms and cut-out wooden trees are the only props.The actresses succeed almost too well, translating the terror of two young girls forced to prostitute themselves to live in heart-wrenching scenes.As the story jumps between elder Bryna’s recollections to the girls’ experiences in Poland and Russia, the differences between the two cousins’ survival tactics become evident.Bryna is tough and brash, and in later life has becomes embittered without the ability to let the past go, while her younger cousin lives and lets live, and survives in happiness, having learned from the past.The play is hard to watch due to the subject matter, but certainly worth it to view the formidable talents Tova and Balkan bring to the stage.A difficult yet riveting piece, Still the Night ultimately affirms the beauty of life and the importance of survival.Still the Night plays at the Centaur Theatre in Montreal through Oct.24.Call 514-288-3161 for tickets and information.