The record, 30 octobre 2008, jeudi 30 octobre 2008

— .-.'iM—Mi 'THF ——- - RECORD The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 VOLVO 3625 du Blanc Coteau, Sherbrooke 819-563-8303 www.voivcs.'sr»:®» am ¦-» ¦ j U-.Come to our new location I BARBARA WINTLE 75 CENTS + TAXES JEN YOUNG Like so many of us, this lone petunnia shivered yesterday and refused to believe that winter is here.Halloween fast approaches.For trick or treating input see page 3.He says, SHE SAYS.“Nothing is preventing the reintegration of the parkland except the political will to do so.” Gisèle Lacasse-Benoit (THE RECORD, OCTOBER 29TH| PM#004(XX)7682 Thursday, October 30, 2008 Cops probe “suspicious package” that led to bomb scare Was it or was it not a bomb?By Rita Legault Sherbrooke Police investigators are trying to find out who left a “suspicious package” in the parking lot between the offices of the Eastern Townships Tourism Association and Sûreté du Quebec headquarters on Tuesday afternoon, and who it was aimed at.The suspicious package, which was found by a passerby beside the garbage bin behind the tourism office at the corner of King and Don Bosco,caused a scare that disrupted activities along King Street until late into the evening.After examining the package, Sherbrooke police immediately called the bomb squad and cordoned off a large security perimeter, evacuating restaurants, shops and offices, and blocking traffic on a 1.5 kilometer stretch of King that extended from Lionel Groulx to the Autoroute 410 exit.SEE BOMB PAGE 4 TBJJÎ* -Y DAVID ANDERSON By Jessica Brown Brome Lake A late night fire has claimed the life of a 7-year-old Brome Lake girl after a frantic effort from her father to rescue her.The call came in at nine minutes past midnight early yesterday morning.Brome Lake firefighters arrived at 29 Frizzle only to find the two-storey home engulfed in flames and a desperate rescue attempt was underway.According to the SQ’s Sylvain Ares, home owner, Hugues Nadeau made a fire before heading off to bed.“At some point he woke up because of the smoke was filling the house and went downstairs to find out what was the matter.” Ares says Nadeau thought he had fixed the problem and had aired out the house before going back to bed.“But either he hadn't fixed it or the problem started again and when he woke up again the house was full of smoke.” Nadeau got out of the house and put a ladder up to the second floor window of his 5-year-old son.He called his name and the boy came to him, and was carried down to safety.He then took the ladder to his daughter’s window and climbed up calling her name.However, she didn’t respond and the smoke was so thick and intense, he couldn’t get into her window to get her.In his desperation he ran to the neighbour’s house to get help but the fire was too intense to do anything but watch in anguish.Nadeau was alone at home with his two children.The children’s mother was in Montreal at the time.Both the father and son were hospitalized with smoke inhalation and the father suffered an injured knee.SQ investigators along with their regional investigation unit will continue to investigate the cause of the blaze.It’s not known if there were smoke detectors in the house at the time.Fire takes life of young girl in Brome Lake Magog and U de S unite efforts to attract IT industries Gamer’s haven By Rita Legault Sherbrooke If all goes according to plan, Magog will soon become a haven for young gamers looking for employment testing video games and for computer technicians able to correct programming errors.The town is also hoping to attract companies in the rapidly growing field of identify theft protection, with industries that design and produce security features for credit and other consumer cards.Magog Mayor Marc Poulin, who is also the chairman of the Centre local de développement de la MRC de Memphré-magog, told The Record a feasibility study commissioned by the town of Magog shows there are a lot of opportunities for the region in the profitable world of Information Technologies, known in the lingo as IT.The IT sector represents a market of $1.4 billion a year in Quebec, he added.“This is an area with the potential to create a lot of jobs,” said Poulin.But to attract those lucrative jobs, the town needs infrastructures and a trained workforce, he said.SEE MAGOG PAGE 5 save Your Eastern Townships truck center 203 Railroad St., STANSTEAD Tel.: know trucks! page 2 Thursday, October 30, 2008 ; i —THF i i RECORD Retchless Report—Bullet dodged The Townships really dodged the bullet with this last storm.The Low pressure system tracked inland right over our area.The major snow amounts were in western New York state and eastern Ontario.This quick shot of winter will only be a two-day event and after a cool down on the weekend the long range forecast is calling for Indian Summer like conditions.The definition of Indian Summer is: A prolonged warm spell in mid to late fall after the first major cold spell.Snow flurries should end today and a warm up will occur tomorrow.Temperatures will be cooler tomorrow where there is substantial snow on the ground.Late tomorrow a weak cold front will drift southward and this will kick off some scattered showers ending in Flurries.Saturday will DAVID ANDERSON be a mixed day with another chance for flurries overnight.On Sunday, high pressure builds in and this should be the best day of the weekend.Sunday night will be clear and cold with good radiational cooling.Monday and Tuesday will see warming temperatures as we see a pattern changes to a milder fall pattern Today: bright skies-10 degrees Tomorrow: showers to flurries early - mostly cloudy - 5 degrees Sunday: Sunny-5 degrees Monday: Cloudy-10 degrees Tuesday: Sunny-12 degrees Andrew Retchless is The Record’s trusted weather prognosticator.An ETSB school principla by day and local weather pattern predictor by night, Retchless brings local weather related expectations each Thursday.Drier and milder winter expected, Almanac says Almanac: “a calendar or table showing the days, weeks, and months.Many almanacs give information about the weather, sun, moon, stars, tides, church days, and other facts." - Gage Canadian Dictionary The 2009 editions of almanacs have hit the shelves - as always to my great delight.Chock full of entertaining tidbits of information, almanacs never cease to fascinate me.It sure is amazing what you can learn from them.Here’s a sampling of what’s between the covers of Harrowsmith’s Truly Canadian Almanac 2009: - There is a listing of world record sizes for garden produce.And Canadians are the champs in three categories: the parsnip: at an unbelievable weight; the sunflower: with an huge head diameter; and Turks Turban squash: of an incredible heftiness) - Did you know there’s someone who believes that what distinguishes us Canadians from Americans is not the popularity of hockey vs.baseball but of chainsaws vs.guns?-Then there’s the intrigue of “Heirlooms in the Barnyard,” the sentimentality of “A Breed Apart: An Ode to the Barn Cat,” the practicality of “Forest- Four-year-old Anthony Green has given The Record his masterpieces depicting your weather forecast.Friendly Flooring” and the sense of pride that one of the Townships’ own - Marion Phelps - is featured and another person of ET origins -Dr.Susie Tector - has penned a story of her experience in Darfur.The pages of The Old Farmer’s 2009 Almanac, Canadian edition, cover such topics as: - Living to be 100: the howto article suggests flirting, enjoying some sun, and chewing perfectly, among other things! - Who’d have thunk of it?.a guide to manure, of all things, manure, featuring the primary nutrient content of various types of dung and suggesting natural remedies to fix clay, silt and sandy soils.- Tips on trout fishing, such as tossing a bark chip upstream before casting.- “Creatures That Glow in the Dark” explains how to attract fireflies, why they light up and mentions other organisms that produce bioluminescence.- And there’s sage advice regarding the best days to set eggs.The sign of the moon when chicks hatch seeming- ly influences their health and the speed at which they mature.In an ideal situation, they should be poking their little heads out of their shells when the moon is waxing in the signs of Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces.WEATHER PREDICTIONS Of course, what’s most important to many almanac fans is the weather forecast.Based on The Old Farmer’s 2009 Almanac’s forecasts, Christmas will definitely be white.Snow is predicted in Southern Quebec in every December time period listed from the first of the month up to and including the 29th.For the December 22 to 25 segment, flurries and very cold weather are anticipated.Overall, however, winter 2008-09 is expected to be drier and milder than normal, with the coldest temperatures in mid-December and early February, and the heaviest snowfalls in mid-December, early February and early March.Harrowsmith’s Truly Canadian Almanac 2009 also predicts snow throughout the month of December and for Dec.21 to 27, colder weather with two or three days of “windy, snowy weather.” Generally speaking, this almanac calls for normal winter temperatures, heavy snowfall in December and near-normal snowfall for the remainder of the season.So, in essence the two almanacs agree about snow for Christmas but disagree on average winter temperatures and precipitation.I guess they consult different charts and rely on different signs.How often are almanacs right about the weather?I have no idea; I read them more for their unusual facts.- Male red-winged blackbirds return north at least two weeks earlier than females of the species.(HTCA) - Among the foods of the future are flower-flavoured yoghurt and water.(HTCA) - In the 5th century, daisies were called “day’s eyes” and foxgloves “fairies’ beds." (HTCA) - If there was a llama in your dream, your current undertakings will be successful.If there were prunes in your dream, you should expect to move.(OFA) - “Wishes will come true for a person who catches and releases a traveling bit of milkweed floss." (OFA) First thing tomorrow, I’m going looking for milkweed floss.If it doesn’t make my wishes come true, at least I can use it to stuff a cushion.Ben by Daniel Shelton I'VE COMBAT THE RIGHT TIME THEN.,, I'LL SELL YOU AU- OF MY cakipyfoRTEN WHAT CHARACTER ARE YOU SUPPOSER TO BE?AN ENTREPRENEUR/ I'M SORRY-ISEEM TO HAVE RON OUT OF CANPY EARLIER THAN EYPECTEP Susan Mastine ¦¦¦¦ ¦¦— riih^.M i - =record; Thursday, Octoi '' * Feds stay loyal to asbestos industry despite health study flan Stephen McDougall crani^nrirm in iqqq ” o^,:a cu u ^Uga1' ganization in 1998,” said Shank.¦U.' f *I:SP(],ND1;NT According to Laryssa Waler, press agent of Health rTain 1nyal t0 the miniSter Tony Clement’ the smdy was then ordered rl ehrystotile Asbestos industiy despite having un- viewed by the health minister himself.dertaken a study late last year that critics claim con- Paul Duchesne, a media advisor with HC, said the ex- ‘TT, ,f”lnS lf- , , perts come from Canada, the U.S., Switzerland, Italy and k We believe in and support the safe use of Chrysotile Australia and were chosen because they had diverging Asbestos, said Mark Quinlan, press agent for Public Works minister Christian Paradis.Tliat position has not changed.We will continue to support this industry.” Quinlan would not comment on a Health Canada study prepared last March on the effects of the industrial fiber on the public that has yet to be made public.Instead, the study is being reviewed by the HC department and no date has been set for its release.Last week, three medical journals from the United States, Canada and England charged Ottawa with censorship for not releasing the study, claiming it was not favourable to the continued mining of the Fireproof fiber in Canada and its export to developing countries around the world.Stéphane Shank, an official with Health Canada, said the study was initiated by the department's Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety branch as part of a routine peer review of health issues.The study was made over a five month period by a panel of seven experts from five countries and cost taxpayers $101,000.“The last peer review of the health affects of Chrysotile asbestos were made by the World Health Or- Tips to have a happy and safe Halloween SHERBRO fs By Corrinna Pole SHERBROOKE he time for cos-'tumes and candy s almost here.This Friday, ghouls and goblins everywhere will take to the streets to collect their sweets as trick or treating officially takes place from 3:30 to 9:00 P-m.Despite being the most festive day it can also be one of the most dangerous for young pedestrians.Along with the thrills and chills of the day safety is needed from civilians and monsters alike.Taking a few small steps can keep the day fun for all.“We remind the population to be cautious as young children take to the streets to collect their delicacies.” said Martin Carrier of the Service de police de Sherbrooke These simple safety regulations, Carrier provides, will help everyone to enjoy the celebrations without incident.Homeowners should turn on outdoor lighting and keep walkways clear.Pet owners, keep your furry friends inside and away from the front door.Noises can frighten pets, which might bolt and get lost.Remember candy can be harmful to pets.Motorists should be extra careful when driving.Children are more excit- ed and may forget safety rules.Make sure you slow down and watch for children.Enter and exit driveways and take turns slowly.Don’t drive distracted.Sherbrooke police, as well as many groups of volunteers, and 200 people from more than 30 organizations, will be present and visible in all the districts to help keep Spidermen and Hulks trick or treating safely.Ten safety tips for Halloween - Wear short clothing to avoid stumbling.- Clothing must be bright colours or have reflective materials.- Bring a flashlight to help you see better and to be more visible to others.- Avoid masks that block your senses.Makeup allows you to see and hear better.- Inform your parents of your travel route and hour of return.- Knock on doors in groups or with an adult and wait outside.- Look all directions before crossing the street.Avoid crossing unnecessarily.- Cross the street at intersections or pedestrian crossings.- Do not approach or get in vehicles without your parents’ permission.- Check all the treats you receive with your parents.opinions on the health affects of the fiber.He would not say what the study uncovered and was not surprised it had to be reviewed.“These reviews are standard procedure in this department,” he said.There is no rule on how long the reveiw takes.It depends on the situation.” Clement could not be reached for comment.The study concerned Jeffrey asbestos mine president Bernard Coulombe, who expressed fear earlier this week the federal government was backing away from supporting his industry.We are not a big industry and the government is always facing pressure from anti-asbestos militants who want to see us go under, ’ he said.“But if the government does back away, they leave themselves vulnerable to political attacks and possible legal actions from the anti-asbestos camp.Then other natural resources that are unpopular become the next target for banning.” Coulombe suspects the study is being delayed be- cause the experts could not agree on the health risks of the fiber.This is the not the first time a government has backed the industry while its civil servants questioned or opposed it.In 2003, Louise Deguire of the Quebec provincial health board presented a study indicating the number of lung cancer cases linked to some types of asbestos were increasing and argued further use of the fiber would only add to those numbers.Her arguments were made despite the provincial government' s repeated support for the Chrysotile asbestos industry.She later appeared at an anti-asbestos conference on capital hill in Ottawa and expressed her opposition to continued use of the fiber.The conference was closed to the public, but recorded and later broadcast on the C-PAC parliamentary cable channel.Coulombe and other industry people are also concerned the federal government is being influenced by native affairs minister Chuch Strahl, who claims to have the lung cancer mesothelioma and blamed exposure to asbestos fibers for the disease.Sthral never made public any official medical diagnosis of the disease and did not directly link it to asbestos exposure in a newspaper column he wrote in 2005.He has been silent about the issue since then.Falling axe surprises Magog’s Dana plant îy Rita Le'—'* jHERBROC Oi By Rita Legault Sherbrooke ne of Magog’s last car parts plants won’t go down without a fight.On October 16th, about 120 workers at the Dana plant in Magog learned the facility was closing down next summer.The company announced that between now and August, jobs at the plant would be progressively eliminated.But workers, most of whom have between 15 and 20 years seniority at the factory, have not given up hope of preventing the plant from closing.In the wake of the announcement, the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) declared it planned to put pressure on the company and politicians to keep the plant alive, but workers aren’t too optimistic.“For sure there are possibilities to keep the plant open, but they’re minimal,” admits union leader Éric Dubois.Dubois told The Record workers were taken by surprise when the axe fell.“We weren’t expecting it,” he said, noting workers were in the process of negotiating their first contract when Dana announced it was closing the Canadian plant.Camille Bisson, a spokesman for the CAW, said the unionization of workers and the imminent shutdown are not linked.“We see no link between the two.The Magog plant is not the only Dana plant that is unionized.” Bisson said the company stated the main reason for the shutdown is the drastic decrease in the sale of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) as well as light and heavy trucks.The Magog plant manufactured drive shafts for SUVs and trucks.Sales of such vehicles are down 40 per cent, said Bisson.The auto parts company, which will shift production to plants in the United States and Mexico, also argued transport costs were up significantly, Bisson added.Since then, the skyrocketing loonie has plunged just as quickly as it rose making manufacturing in Canada a more cost-efficient option.The dropping dollar may help save the plant, but he said it will be a combination of factors that will make a difference.Political pressure will be a major factor.Bisson said workers met with Premier Jean Charest in Drummondville last week to seek his support.“He said he was taking the matter seriously,” said Bisson Workers also met with the Magog Mayor Marc Poulin and regional politicians who have seen some 21,000 manufacturing job disappear since 2005.Sixty per cent of products manufactured in Magog’s industrial park are destined for the U.S.market and with the economy down south on the slump, things are not looking up for local workers.Magog mayor Marc Poulin told The Record that auto parts plants have suffered a severe blow by the skyrocketing loonie and rising gas prices that has impacted on the sales of cars and trucks.He said he’s hoping that plunging loonie and dropping gas prices may help remedy the situation for Dana and other endangered car plants and manufacturing industries that export most of their goods to the United States.“When the dollar is low, it’s good for us,” he said.Poulin said the town was attempting to meet with Dana management to try and convince them to change their minds about the shutdown.Dubois, who’s been working at the plant for the past 19 years, said he and his colleagues who earned an average of $17 an hour, will not be able to find similar jobs with similar wages - “especially not in Magog”.Dubois said car parts plants and other manufacturing industry jobs in Magog have become increasingly rare and that the pay for newly created jobs in the service and fast food sectors wouldn’t be enough for them to raise their families.Dubois remarked that dozens of other workers in the Magog area will also be hurt by the closing.That includes employees of service providers such as those who cleaned the plant and laundered uniforms as well as those who recycled oil and repaired machinery.Plant manager Alain Plouffe did not return the Record’s call but he told reporters last week the closing had nothing to do with the arrival of a CAW union at the plant.Plouffe, who has been at the plant since the early nineties, said the plant was productive.The Dana drive-shaft facility in Magog, which once employed 175 workers, won the National Quality Institute Award of Excellence in 2002.Michel Puval Advertising Consultant Tel.: 819*569«9525 Fax : 819»B21 -3179 mduval@sherbrookerecord.com RKCX >Ri ) page 4 Thursday, October 30, 2008 ¦ rill -, RECORD Bomb: The evacuation forced hundreds of people to leave work and the roadblock caused traffic chaos for hours along Sherbrooke’s main drag.Wednesday morning police spokesman Martin Carrier refused to reveal what was in the suspicious package, but he confirmed it presented a clear and present danger to the population.¦ Hitchcock or awesome sight?\ PHOTO AND TEXT BY GORDON ALEXANDER ST-FELIX-DE-KINGSEY — Like Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 thriller, The Birds, thousands of migrating Snow Geese swarm over the small town of St-Felix-de-Kingsey, not on the attack but looking for a cornfield to take a break and perhaps spend the night.In the Hitchcock thriller a northern California coastal town is filled with an onslaught of seemingly unexplained, arbitrary and chaotic attacks of ordinary birds.This fly-over of migrating Snow Geese was not terrifying, but spectacular.During the Snow Geese breeding season, from early June to early September, the Greater Snow Goose lives in the high arctic tundra near the coast or inland on rolling terrain or in low-lying wet meadows with many grasses and sedges.During the winter, along the United States Atlantic coast, it frequents marine inlets, bays, marshes, coastal prairies, and cultivated fields.The Snow Goose gathers in great numbers during its migration and 500, 000 geese at a time can be seen in early April at Baie-du-Febvre, Quebec also touching down briefly in Burbank Pond in Danville.Some eyewitnesses told reporters at the scene there were actually two suspicious packages, including one that included what looked like five butane bottles.Carrier said the provincial bomb squad, which arrived early Wednesday evening, was unable to neutralize the suspect bundle despite four attempts.The first two attempts were by a remote control robot which tried to neutralize the package first with a powerful water jet and then by placing an explosive beneath.After that, a bomb expert dressed in padded safety clothing, approached the package and attempted to defuse it.He also failed.Carrier said that after four failed attempts, police called in a second specialized bomb squad in the middle of the night.The team was equipped with an armored truck used to safely transport explosive materials.“The package was taken to a safe location where they succeeded in neutralizing it,” Carrier said, refusing to reveal where the package was taken.Carrier could not confirm what was in the package, which has been sent to the police laboratory for analysis.In the meantime police investigators are trying to figure out who put the package there and why, Carrier said.But while the investigation is underway, it was not clear on Wednesday morning who would complete it.Carrier said noting such investigations are usually transferred to the Sûreté du Quebec.Because it was unclear if the SQwas the target of the suspicious package, and since police forces don’t investigate cases where they are involved, Carrier Thanks to your donations .healthy investments) Each year, the Fondation acquires a wide range of new equipment CHUS $300 000 for hemodynamics unit The CHUS-Flcurimont Hospital’s hemodynamics unit has acquired an electrophysiology console and three monitors making it possible to perform procedures on patients suffering from cardiac arrhythmia.Previously, patients had to go to the Montreal Heart Institute for corrective surgery.This equipment permits a full range of treatment for Eastern Townships patients.There are three stages involved.First, the cardiologist tests the patient in order to determine the pertinent circumstances relating to surgery.Then, he bums the arrhythmic part that has been identified.Finally, the specialist induces arrhythmia to confirm the success of the treatment.Michel Poirier, electrophysiology technician, demonstrates the console acquired with funds from the Fondation du CHUS.www.fondationcllUS.otx - Phone: 819 820-6450 - 500, Murray Street, Suite 600, Sherbrooke QC JIG 2K6 :;»!! PROMUTUEL Proud to contribute to improved health in our community Everything starts with trust j said the investigation could remain with Sherbrooke police or be transferred to the RCMP.“They are on the phones trying to figure that out right now,” he said early Wednesday morning.By mid-morning the investigation was transferred to the SQ which has begun interviewing witnesses and is seeking help from the public.SQ spokesman Louis-Philippe Ruel said the investigation will continue in partnership with Sherbrooke police.As for the suspicious package, Ruel wouldn’t confirm if it was a bomb.He said the “device” was blown to bits by the bomb squad and that the recovered bits have been sent to the forensic laboratory for analysis.Anyone who witnessed anyone or anything suspicious at the corner of King and Don Bosco should contact provincial police at 310-4141.MAGOG! That why the Town of Magog signed a deal and the University of Sherbrooke that recognizes the university as a major player in helping develop information technologies in Magog.Poulin said the deal could soon extend to Bishop’s University as well.“This choice partnership demonstrates the firm desire of the University of Sherbrooke to contribute to the full potential of Magog and the region,” commented Rector Bruno-Marie Béchard in a press release.“In a world that’s gone global, we have to act locally and join the forces of municipalities, industries and universities." Poulin said the town is also looking for investors willing to provide infrastructures such as a high security building for companies working in the sensitive area of preventing identify theft.“This deal shows the desire of Magog to carefully position its economy and to create more wealth,” Poulin said.The last few years have been tough with huge losses in the manufacturing sector, said Poulin, noting the town must develop new niches in emerging industries to ensure job creation.“Moreover, we want to offer to future employers and employees access to the exceptional quality of life Magog provides as well as access to the quality of our education institutions.” Poulin said IT industries would create quality, well-paid jobs, not only for professionals but also for individuals who have not received their high school diplomas.“Some of the jobs don’t require a degree so much as gaming abilities,” he said, joking he might be interested in applying for such a job.On a more serious note, Poulin said the average annual salary in the IT field is $49,000 and that could go a long way to helping replace well-paid jobs in lost manufacturing industries.“This would bring back some of the wealth we have lost on the salary level,” he said, noting it would offer well-paid alternatives to lost jobs.Poulin said that once the infrastructures are in place, IT companies could create hundreds of jobs and possibly more. RECORD Thursday, October 30, 2008 page 5 iThe Legend show, mm^msoN lb Wmii + _nvtwvvittVM,.,_*" Brikfs Fire in Eastman destroys home Eastman (JB)—Firefighters in Eastman are investigating the cause of a blaze on Chemin du Lac Orford that started Tuesday night.Michel Dextraze, the Director of Eastman Fire Services says a neighbour called 911 around 9:25 p.m.when he saw flames shooting out of the home.No one was in the house at the time.“It was an old house,” says Dextraze.“About 100 years old.” The fire department called in help from the municipalities of Austin and Waterloo but they were unable to save the building.It took about 30 firefighters almost 6 hours to contain the blaze and finally extinguish it.There were no injuries and the incident’s cause is still under investigation.Bonsant and Reid escalate gate debate Rita Legault Sherbrooke W-ork on the controversial barrier on the Canadian side of the Customs crossing on Main Street in Stanstead has apparently come to a halt while elected officials continue their war of words over the gates.Compton-Stanstead MP France Bonsant told the Record she heard the news from Joel Bernard, Senior Policy Advisor in the office of Public Safety Minister Stock-well Day.Bonsant said she has also asked for the resolution that authorized the work and the contract for the execution of the barrier.“We want to see who passed the resolution and which department gave permission for the barrier to go ahead,” said Bonsant, who recalled that when she met with Minister Day and Stanstead Mayor Raymond Yates last year, Day promised no barrier would be erected in Stanstead.“Mr.Day told Mr.Yates they wouldn’t put up a barrier.It was not the solution." Then in the middle of the election campaign, they started building the barrier,” she said, noting that she could not contact Day who was in the middle of the election campaign.Bonsant, who said she has been working on the issue for the past four years, said she has been trying since October 15 (the day after the federal election) to get answers from the public security ministry.She received news yesterday afternoon.Bonsant and Orford MNA Pierre Reid have been in a personal pissing match over the barrier since the middle of the federal election campaign when Bonsant commented it was a provincial road and that the provincial government had jurisdiction.Reid was reportedly furious over the remarks, but kept quiet until this week when he announced he would get involved in the gate debate even if it was a federal matter.Reid returned Bonsant’s barb saying he had to get involved because of her inaction.Even if the barrier is being built on a provincial road its is still a matter of federal jurisdiction, said Reid.“We have no authority to impose anything,.” he said, noting that while the Canadian Border Services Agency had to seek permission to dig up the road, it was basically a rubber-stamp.“We could not say no.” “If we had said no because we don’t like the barrier it would have become a federal/provincial conflict,” he added, noting Premier Jean Charest and the Governor of Vermont Jim Douglas both promised the population at a public meeting that they would try and intervene with their respective federal government.“I tried to find an appropriate communications channel,” Reid said, noting that he talked to officials at Transport Quebec who “transmitted our request in a very polite Manner because we have no jurisdiction and we got a good reception on the federal side,” he told The Record.Reid said he expects news in the coming days.Reid said the proposed barrier creates all kinds of problems for Canadian citizens who will be forced to cross the border and come back into Canada.He said municipal authorities as well as the Memphremagog Centre Local de Développement expressed concerns about the impact of the new infrastructures on tourism and the local economy.“This is bound to affect traffic on Main Street, Reid also announced this week he had asked the Canada Border Services Agency to postpone the installation of barriers at the border in Stanstead and asked for a new meeting with municipal representatives to discuss objections over the installation of “anti-port-run-ner” equipment on Main Street in Stanstead.The Record called Day’s offices for a comment on whose responsible for the moratorium, but a spokesperson passed us on to Canada Border Services Agency.The latter did not return our call before deadline.Bonsant also commented that re-opening RCMP office along the border would resolve much of the issue.“If there are police patrols on the border, it will be less tempting to try and sneak across the border,” she said.“But they prefer to manage a fence rather than manage people.” Cardin fave to replace Perrault Sherbrooke - A poll published by the firm Segma Unimarketing suggested that the favourite among possible successors to Sherbrooke mayor Jean Perrault is none other than recently re-elected Bloc MP Serge Cardin.According to the poll, Cardin is supported by 28 per cent of respondents, followed by outgoing Université de Sherbrooke’s Rector Bruno-Marie Béchard, who has already indicated he has no intention of seeking the job, with 20 per cent, and former candidate Hélène Gravel at 10 per cent.Cardin, who has a previous history of involvement in Sherbrooke municipal politics has not commented on the poll, which questioned 517 potential voters.Armed and prepared Drummondville - The Cégep de Drum-mondville was placed on alert last week following reports a student was preparing to enter the campus armed and prepared to do damage.Responding to rumours that a student at the college was planning to open fire on the campus, school authorities unleashed their emergency plan and contacted the Sûreté du Québec last Thursday.The provincial police then questioned the individual involved as well as some of those who had provided the information.On Friday, the suspect was released as police could find no reason to lay charges.What the.?Being treated like crap is one thing .being treated TO crap is another thing entirely.A huge row has erupted in Australia over accusations that a very popular tourist pub had served a couple a dish of chocolate gelato that had been laced with fecal matter.According to Food Minister Ian Macdonald, it has been confirmed that said dish was indeed served to Stephen Whyte and his wife Jessica after the two had complained about not being able to hear a televised soccer game because of too-loud music.“The stench went through my nostrils,” said truly potty-mouthed Jessica Whyte, “I retched and spat it into the napkin.” The pub, of course, has vehemently denied the charges and both the manager and chef at the pub have volunteered to provide DNA to prove that they had nothing to do with the occurrence.Macdonald says DNA testing will be done, primarily to determine whether the contamination came from human or animal sources (Phony distinction here, I think).“Obviously we are keeping an open mind and do not want to pre-empt the investigation in any manner,” he says.The pub itself is standing by its staff and insists its own tests found no contamination in the gelato tub.(McD) t02ifm RECORD O SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2008 AT 8 P.M.GRANADA THEATER IN SHERBROOKE page 6 Thursday, October 30, 2008 — THKm.RECORD Community Forum Column A pair of putrid parables Warning: The following stories contain gruesome and crude elements and are not intended for mature audiences.Montessori’s Revenge A mild tremor rumbled beneath the Funky Dreadlock Centre for Childhood Exploration.It wasn’t strong enough to disturb the children’s self-discovery on the possibilities of what 3+4 might add up to.But it was strong enough to awaken something.Something evil.Directly beneath the school, a chasm split open, and seeping from it like an evil seeping thing seeped a toxin, a toxin more toxic than aspartame, beef, traditional education and reality television combined.The fumes filtered upward, eventually snaking into the building and into the Manual Dexterity Celebration Room where the children were learning about civil rights by creating figures of Gandhi and Mandela out of chick pea paste.The children’s brains were like sponges - and they soaked up the evil toxin.Within the hour, the children began to change.One minute they were singing, “This old man, he played six, he played knick-knack on his military-industrial complex,” and the next they were drooling, vacant, babbling - even more than usual.“Now children,” said the adult facilitator, “let’s all sit on our hemp mats and discuss our feelings about the alphabet.” As one, the children turned their heads toward her.There was silence.Somewhere in the distance, a gecko barked.“Gllriarrgh.," gurgled a girl menacingly.“Very good, Mashika,” said the teacher.“Does anyone know another word that starts with ‘gllrr’?” And with that the children advanced, growling with sinister intent, their teeth bared and gnashing.“Hmmm,” said the teacher, “It’s good that you’re expressing yourselves dentally as well as orally.Though, I must say the eyes rolled into the back of your heads?A bit off-putting.Who wants to go outside and fondle the grass?The children staggered closer, flinging aside hemp mats and ffee-form mobiles.“NRRGLLRBBH!” they growled.They stretched out their arms and grasped blindly with their hands.“My, what an excellent homage to the cinematic zombie genre,” the early childhood educator stuttered nervously, backing towards the Cooperative Board Game Corner.“It’s good that you’re role-playing but how are we all feeling about encroaching my personal space?And who can tell me what ‘encroaching’ means?" The infected children, some of them armed with homemade clay-dough, others savagely munching pastels, advanced.“Children! Let’s assimilate some competencies!” stammered the teacher as the snarling children began tearing at her.“Ouch! No, children! AAGGH! No! We’re vegetarians! YAARG! THINK OF YOUR SELF-ESTEEM!!!” The moral of the story: Those who can, do; those who can’t, get eaten.The Happening “So, what’s happening?” “Not much.What’s happening with you?” “Well, I have a feeling something’s going to happen.” “Happen?” “Yeah, some sort of.happening.” “A happening.” “Yes, a happening." “Can you be more specific?” “Not really, just some happening that’ll make us stop in our tracks and say out loud to no one in particular, ‘What’s happening?’” “Hmm.It’s a funny word, eh?‘Happening.’ Especially when you say it over and over.“Yeah.Happening, happening, happening.You know what else is a funny word?‘Apocalypse.’” “Apocalypse, apocalypse, apocalypse.Sounds like a type of dance.A happy dance.” “Yeah, doesn’t sound anything like the end of the world.Now ‘armaged-don.’ That sounds like the end of the Ross Murray ¦ — THF — i i RECORD P.O.Box 1200 SherbrookeJIH 5L6or 1195 Galt E, ShertirookeJIG 1Y7 Fax:819-569-3945 e-mail: newsroom@sherbrookerecord.cora Website: www.sherbrookerecord.com Kenneth Wells Pubijsher .(819) 569-9511 Jen Young Editor .(819) 569-6345 Joe Strizzi Corresp.Editor .(819) 569-6345 Ric hard Lessard Prod.Mgr.(819) 5699931 Serge Gagnon Chief Pressman .(819) 5699931 Francine Thibault Prod.Superv.(819) 569-4856 DEPARTMENTS Accounting .(819) 5699511 Advertising .(819) 5699525 Circulation .(819) 5699528 Newsroom .(819) 5696345 Knowlton office 88-A Lakeside, Knowlton, Quebec, JOE 1V0 Tel: (450) 242-1188 Fax: (450) 243-5155 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS GST PST TOTAL Canada: 1 year 120.00 6.00 9.45 $135.45 6 MONTHS 63.00 3.15 4.96 $71.11 3 MONTHS 32.00 1.60 2.52 $36.12 Out of Quebec residents do not include PST.Rates for other services available on request.Ihe Record is published daily Monday to Friday.Back copies of The Record are available.7he Record was founded on February 7.1897.and acquired the Sherbrooke Examiner (est.1879) in 1905 and the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) in 1908.The Record is published by Alta Newspaper Group Limited Partnership.PM#0040007682 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to The Record, 1195 Galt East.Sherbrooke.QC JIG 1Y7 Member ABC, CARD, CNA, QCNA fryi ,£***¦ world.” “That's because it ends in ‘done.’” “True.Like ‘London.’” “London’s got nothing to do with the end of the world.” “Possibly.But I have a sense that whatever’s happening, it’s starting to happen in London.” “Oh 1 see.And there’s, what, a four-hour time difference?” “Something like that.” “So we’ve got a bit of time.” “Unless, of course, there’s a surprise ending.” “Like what?” “Well, if I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.” “Aha! So you do know what’s happening! How?” “Because I’m the writer of this story.” “You’re kidding.You mean.?” “Yup: literary murder-suicide.” “Gee, I didn't foresee that happeni-” Moral of the story: Most surprise endings aren’t.Letter Democrats at fault in Florida I could not get through this piece before “blood started coming out of my ears”.It is clear that Mr.McDe-vitt has little or no understanding of the American electoral college system.If so he would understand that it was the democratic party that attempted to circumvent Florida state law on behalf of A1 Gore and not the liberal lament that George Bush “stole the election”.Probably, Mr.McDevitt believes the American government conspired to cause the 9-11 terrorist plot as well.David Beebe Magog Remember when?Ice fishing is a great family activity.Recognize the kids?When was it taken?If you know who is drilling the hole in this remember when, or where, let us know by emailing newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com. Stanstead Review Serving Stanstead and ITS BORDER COMMUNITY mA Also See: Dave’s Den .see Page 8 NEWSROOM@SHERBROOKERECORD.COM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2008 page 7 MS Fundraiser a success m , By Nancy Nourse Record correspondent It was a lively time at Restaurant La Vieille Douane/the Old Customs on Friday evening as many people came out to show their support of the work being done by MS Branch 2000.A delicious spaghetti supper was served while the Bear Mountain String Band kept things tapping to the down-home sound.Although the dancing area was minimal, this did not deter several high-steppers from showing everyone how it is done.There were door-prizes and auctioned items to be won.A special silent auction was also held for one of Shannon Cooney’s amazing drunkwood art pieces.Several larger ones were also on display.Cooney is a local artist whose medium is drunkwood that he personally retrieves from the depths of lakes and other bodies of water.He admits that while it may be easier to start with a new piece of wood to sculpt, it is far more interesting to work with these pieces of wood that have been sitting at the bottom, naturally crafted by the sand of time.Cooney’s more recent works are a blend of drunkwood and other materials such as marble and glass, creating something trophy-like or something as large as a coffee table.He is also one of the local artists who participated in the first International Sculptors’ Sympo- sium in Stanstead.His creation Mem-phré, made of Stanstead Granite, now sits in its new home at the bottom of Lake Memphremagog (commemorating the launching of the 2nd International Sculptors’ Symposium 2007).“The support we have been receiving from the people of Stanstead since we made the decision to move our office here, from Rock Forest, is so heartwarming.It tells us that we have made the right decision,” said Lynn Bennet.Bennett gave a touching testimonial of what it is like to live with Multiple Sclerosis, an illness that changes from day to day in intensity.“It makes us feel so good to know that there are so many people out there who really do care! With the money from the supper and the vigorous effort on the part of our fundraising co-coordinator Jerry Smith, we were able to raise over SlOOO on Friday evening," commented Lee Aulis, Pres.Of MS Branch 2000.Aulis also wanted to express her personal appreciation to the waitresses and staff of the restaurant who donated their time, to managers Bashar Shbib and his team for encouraging them to hold such an event and once again to everyone who attended.NANCY NOURSE Hxample of the work done by Drunkwood artist Shannon Cooney (from Georgeville).CaJtaAa, Qmmm of Las FraJtcopkvnie.Lebanon, 2009 The Canadian delegation at the Games of La Francophonie is made up of three distinct teams: Canada, Canada-Quebec and Canada-New Brunswick.Professional artists under 35 years of age as of September 27, 2009, have a Canadian citizenship and are interested in representing Team Canada in the cultural competitions, should register now.Artists Wanted to represent Canada in the cultural competitions of the VI Games of La Francophonie in Beirut, Lebanon from September 27 to October 6, 2009 Official disciplines: Song Storytelling Original dance Literature (short story) Painting ¦ Photography Sculpture November 24, 2008 is the deadline to submit an application.Information: Team Canada at the VI Games of La Francophonie— Cultural component P.O.Box 6003 CSP Aylmer East 375 Aylmer Road Gatineau, QC J9H 0A4 Tel.(toll-free): 1 -866-955-2009 E-mail: info@francophonie2009.ca Website: www.pch.gc.ca/francophonie2009 Canada page 8 Thursday, October 30, 2008 Stanstead REVIEW All hallow’s eve creeps up on you * * » OurOHf.H dad isyitatin»,- ro deposit ai the caisse S 10