The record, 25 août 2000, vendredi 25 août 2000

Big Brome Fair Expo Brome September 1,2,3,4* THE The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 Our safes flyer is inserted in today's Record.Take advantage of all our mouth-watering specials.Come vwt us al Carrefour de rEsIrie befimd the SAQ.2010 Port!»»»# 6ML ?Open 7 d*yt • wk 85 CENTS Friday, August 25, 2000 Bishop’s will receive largest increase of any Quebec university Funding reform will be ‘more equitable’ - Grégoire By Janice Cunningham Bishop’s University is looking at a possible 37.3 per cent increase in funding over the next three years, due to recent changes proposed by Education Minis- PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL Jean Luc Grégoire, vice-principal administration at Bishop’s.We’ve always administered frugally.’ ter François Legault in the ministry’s effort to reform university funding.In the reform.Bishop’s would receive an extra $2.8 million this year and a total of $4.5 million over the next three years, giving them the largest increase, percentagewise, of any university in the province.The huge increase is due to proposed changes in the way the government will allocate its funds.Jean Luc Grégoire, vice-principal (administration) at Bishop’s said that until now, funding has been done on an “historical basis.” Over the years 1971 to 1972, he said, the government decided that 1969 to ‘70 would be the ‘base year’ for all future funding for Quebec universities.Although future increases and decreases in student enrollment would result in corresponding budget cuts and increases, the base was “frozen” at this arbitrary year.SEE BISHOP’S, PAGE 4 .«&.*.L.Jf üt :*#*r Compton Apple-Pickers RENÉ BRUEMMER Vincent 'Iheriault, Raoul Berland, Sylvie Marchessault (background), Josiane Lamoureux and Andrée Anne Theriault pick apples at the Verger R.M.Ferland apple orchard in Compton.For the story, please see pages 8-9.MP David Price consulting his constituents on political options By Rita Legault Rock Forest Compton-Stanstead MP David Price will definitely be running in the next federal election, but the Conservative MP has not decided which political banner he will be flying.Price, who maintains his Conservative stripes remain intact, is vacillating between his longtime federal Tory roots and demands by a growing number of constituents that he switch sides to ensure a federalist victory in the riding in the next election.Price told reporters the current reflection on his political future came at the request of constituents whose perpetual fear of splitting the federalist vote makes them yearn for one strong federalist candidate who can beat the separatist Bloc Québécois.Price said many believe his best chance of beating the Bloc in the former Conservative stronghold of Compton-Stanstead is to run under the Liberal banner.SEE PRICE, PAGE 3 Carbon impact super impact 5500 Carbon impact super impact 6000 * 7 fjengwî 'WTO SUPER SPECIAL m IMPACT Ui4KKOI\T A m Carbon impact super impact 7000 /EACH ALSO AVAILABLE: FAT SHAFT @ $10.99 im LACHANCE t CHASSE 8c PÊCHE Jean-Guy Lachance, Prop.1435 King E.Fleurimont 563-9676 page 2 Friday, August 25, 2000 ¦ THf Record ;-'.v ^v.t -V* .¦ ¦ T*y ¦ Check out the classifieds on our website! «innnw.sberbrookereconi.coin : loto-québec Draw 2000-08-23 06 08 M II 32 4Z BONUS NUMBER: 10 WINNERS PRIZES 6/6 2 1,000,000.00$ 5/6+ 6 88,841.00$ 5/6 249 1,712.60$ 4/6 13,346 61.20$ 3/6 242,619 10.00$ Total sales: $ 13,288,512 Next grand prize (approx.): $ 2,000,000 Draw 2000-08-23 12 17 18 24 31 35 BONUS NUMBER: 10 WINNERS PRIZES 6/6 0 1,000,000.00 $ 5/6+ 2 25,000.00 $ 5/6 29 500.00 $ 4/6 1,342 50.00 $ 3/6 21,965 5.00$ I Total sales: $ 539,183.00 Egtra Draw 2000-08-23 NUMBER PRIZES 890774 100,000 1 90774 1,000 $ 0774 250 $ 774 50 $ 74 10 $ 4 2 $ Gambling should remain a game Claims: See back of tickets, in the event of discrepancy between this list and the official winning list of L-Q, the latter shall prevail.Crime: and Punishment Weekly review of crime and accidents By Karen Eryou Special to The Record Aug.22 • An accident was reported on Autoroute 10 in Deauville at kilometre 125.• An accident was reported at kilometre 139 on Autoroute 10 in Sherbrooke.• An accident was reported at the Canadian Customs on Autoroute 55 in Stanstead.• A robbery was reported at 45 Main Street in North Hatley.• A boat motor was reported stolen from Descente 20 in Ogden.• A robbery was reported on Chemin George Bonalie in Stukely Township.Jewellery, important papers, and a wallet were among the stolen goods.• A trailer was broken into at 259 Highway 253 in St-Malo.No robbery was reported.Aug.21 • An accident was reported on Chemin Val Perkins in Potton.No injuries were reported.• A boat motor was stolen from Chemin Cedarville in Ogden.• Intruders visited a sugarhouse on Highway 253 in St-Malo, making off with $260 worth of maple syrup and a propane stove.Damages were estimated at $200.Aug.20 • A suspected drunk driver was pulled over on Chemin Mills in Ayer’s Cliff.• An aluminum boat was reported stolen from a home on Chemin Georges Bonalie in Stukely Township.• Minor injuries were reported as a result of an accident taking place on Highway 245 in East Bolton.• Someone broke into a home at 132, Highway 208 in Hatley.According to the QPF no robbery took place.Entry was gained by the front door of the home.• A robbery was reported at 1260 Highway 208 in Hatley.Approximately $3,000 in items was stolen, including a VCR and a sound system.The QPF are still investigating.Aug.19 • A break-in was reported at 3 Chemin Pine, Lake Nick in East Bolton.Someone broke into a tent and made off with $500 worth of clothes.• A hit-and-run accident was reported on Chemin Thompson in Ayer’s Cliff.No injuries were reported.• A halogen lamp was the cause of an apartment fire at 11B Maple Street in Stanstead.The residents of the apartment were transported to La Providence Hospital in Magog for check-ups to make sure they had not inhaled too much smoke.• Between Aug.16 and 19, someone broke into a secondary residence on Chemin Fitch Bay in Stanstead Township.An all-terrain vehicle was stolen from the garage, as well as a small utility trailer, and miscellaneous tools-all valued at $5500.• The Anglican Church in Barnston West was the scene of a robbery.Intruders made off with a small table, candlesticks, and the collection plate.Damages were also reported.Aug.18 • A suspected drunk driver was pulled over at the intersection of Highways 143 and 141 in Stanstead East.• A boat motor was reported stolen at 140 Taylor in North Hatley.The motor was valued at $1200.The QPF would like to remind boat owners that there have been many boat motors stolen in recent weeks, and owners should keep a watchful eye on their motors, and lock them out of sight.• Robbers, who made way with $4500 worth of tools and a motor, visited the hardware store on Capelton Road in North Hatley.• A cottage at 557, Highway 141 in Ayer’s Cliff was broken into with a television reported stolen.The value of the television is $350, and $75 in damages was also reported.• Robbers also visited a neighbor at 553, Highway 141 in Ayer’s Cliff.Approximately $3200 worth of items including antique vases, U.S.currency, and a cordless phone were stolen.• A credit card was reported stolen from a Compton resident.The QPF reported that the stolen card has been used in the Coaticook area.• An accident involving a deer was reported on Highway 141 in Ste-Her-ménégilde.Aug.17 • A break-in was reported at 99 Chemin Winget in Hatley Township.According to the QPF no robbery had been reported, however the culprits caused $200 in damages.Internet workshop in English The “Fondation de la Bibliothèque Memphrémagog Inc." is offering a Beginners’ Workshop for the English-speaking community.This activity will take place at the Bibliothèque Municipale Memphrémagog situated at 61, Merry St.North.A Beginners' Computer workshop will take place on Wednesday.Sept.13 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.Also, a Beginners’ Internet workshop will take place on Wednesday, Sept 20 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 p.m.Please note that these workshops are offered to all residents of the MRC of Memphrémagog.You must preregister at the circulation desk at the library.No reservations will be accepted by phone.For further information about the workshops please contact us at 843-1330.Weather Friday.Variable cloudiness.High near 23.Saturday.Sunny with cloudy periods.Low near 12.High near 26.Sunday.Variable cloudiness.Low near 13.High near 26.Monday.Variable cloudiness.Low near 12.High near 25.Normals for the period.Low 11.High 22.Ben by Daniel Shelton I THINK IVE FOUND THOSE GREEN GARDENING GLOVES YOU LOST GRm&LL. 1 THE i— ” RECORD Friday, August 25, 2000 page 3 ‘All options are on the table’ Price: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Price, who was one of three Townships Tory MPs elected in 1997 on the coattails of then Tory leader Jean Charest, said his constituents want to ensure a federalist will continue to represent the riding held by Bloc Québécois MP Maurice Bernier before he was unseated by Price.Before that, most of the now redrawn riding was held by longtime Conservative François Gérin, the first nationalist Quebec MP to cross the floor and begin the movement which eventually created the Bloc Québécois.The federal Conservative MP, who is also a card-carrying provincial Liberal, admits he has had discussions with the Liberal Party of Canada.Price said several Liberal cabinet ministers including Quebec Liberal organizer Alfonso Gagliano have approached him to encourage him to defect to the ruling party.He added that the pressure to switch is increasing as the next federal election looms.As rumblings of his imminent defection grew louder and louder and his office was inundated with calls from both the local and national press to confirm or deny the rumours, Price held a news conference Thursday to announce he had nothing to announce.Despite badgering from the local and na-tional press that crowded into his tiny Rock Forest office, Price was adamant that he has not yet made a decision on his political future.“The only certainty I can MW* iris?: PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL David Price.What Mr.Clark does is one thing.What I do is something else.’ the table, in particular that of running as a Progressive Conservative under Joe Clark’s leadership.” “In the final analysis, it is the opinion of the people in my riding that will determine my decision,” he said, reading from a carefully scripted statement before being bombarded with a volley of questions.Price said another thing was for sure, that “after the election I would be representing everyone in my riding, of all parties and all colours.” Despite his obvious ambivalence, Price insists he is still loyal to Conservative leader Joe Clark, who is currently fighting a by election to finally gain a seat in the House of Commons.Price said he had not made up his mind and is not, as some sisted.“What I do is something else.” “I was elected in 1997 under the banner of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, which was then led by Jean Charest, I am eager to see the Right Honorable Joe Clark election to the Commons, because he is to my way of thinking one of the the Canadian political figures who has been the most consistent and faithful in supporting many principles I hold dear.” Despite that statement, Price said he is not concerned that his increasingly public reflection will hurt Clark’s chances in the byelection by giving the message that the new leader’s troops are not loyal and ready to follow him into battle.Price, who insists the Conservatives aren’t dead yet, tion.Price said he spoke with Clark again this morning and the Tory leader was aware that he was holding a press conference to admit he was sitting on the fence.“He has known since the beginning of summer, I have been in reflection,” he said.Price said he had not been branded a black sheep by his Conservative colleagues and added that he does not fear he will be turfed by the Tories, like Ontario Tory Jim Jones who could not make up his mind between the Conservatives and the Canadian Alliance.When Jones announced he would run under both political banners he was expelled by Clark.Price agreed that it is important for politicians to have political convictions express clear ideas - “but what’s most important is what voters think.” Price said he has called some 150 constituents to seek their advice.He said he has more than 100 more calls to make before he makes a final decision.“I’m in no rush.There is no rush,” he said, adding that before he takes a final decision, he wants to fully consult his constituents.The former Lennoxville mayor who was pressed into politics by Charest, said he consulted with his political mentor who faced a similar decision a few years ago when he switched parties to lead the provincial Liberals in the National Assembly.Price said Charest and others have tried to recruit him for provincial politics but, for now, Price intends to pursue his political career on Parliament Hill.give you today is that I will have said, waiting until after be a candidate in the upcom- the crucial Tory byelection to ing federal election and that announce his decision, it will not be under the ban- “What Mr.Clark does is ner of the Bloc or the Canadi- o n i an Alliance,” he said.“For thing, the rest, all options are on he in said he has spoken with Clark, who is aware of his current reflec- Career Career Fluently bilingual (spoken and written), commercial and civil law, minimum 2 years experience.Full time in Sherbrooke.Please send your C.V.before September 2 to: Box 314 1195 Galt Street East Sherbrooke J1H 5B9 LEGAL SECRETARY REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY STARTING AS PART-TIME LEADING TO FULL-TIME The Wales Home Richmond, Quebec (819) 826-3233 RN or RNA REQUIRED DENTAL HYGIENIST DENTAL ASSISTANT Sherbrooke area Part-time Functional knowledge of both French & English - a must.Miminum 2 years experience Send your cv to: Box 316 c/0 The Record P.0.Box 1200 Sherbrooke, Que.J1H5L6 Water shutdown in Magog Staff The Magog public works department is advising people that water will be shut off to certain segments in the eastern sector of Magog for 12 hours, from 6 p.m.on Tuesday, Aug.29, to 6 a.m.on Wednesday, Aug.30, so that repairs can be carried out.The affected areas will be: - Courtemanche Street, between address numbers 995 to 1320 - Eddy Street - Principale Est Street, from Nico-las-Viel to the municipal limits - 16th Avenue - 17th Avenue - 18th Avenue - Sous-Bois Road - Domaine Avenue - Pente-Douce Street - Hautes-Sources Street - Lalande Street - Saint-Ours Street - Nicolas-Viel Street, between Principale East and Adélard, even numbers - Nicolas-Viel Street, from Adélard to Pente-Douce - Saint-Paul Street, from Lalande to Michel - Saint-Alphonse Street, from Saint-Ours to Lalande Career Community Counsellor for the Troc-à-Tout project (minimum 1 year) ResponsibilltlM; Development of the local exchange and bartering system: Le Troc-à-Tout Requirements: • Formal training in social work or other related field of study • Training or experience in management and administration • Considerable skill in social intervention • Capacity to work on several projects at once • Must have access to means of transportation • Oral and written French Working conditions: • 30 hours a week at $15 per hour.Variable schedule Send your resumé in French before August 29th, 2000 to: Comité de sélection Poste: lntervenant-e social-e Responsable du Troc-à-Tout C.P.1697 Richmond (Québec) JOB 2H0 Fax: 819-826-6516 V page 4 Friday, August 25, 2000 RECORD ¦ Doctor in the House PHOTOS: PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL Four-year-old Myriam Baillargeon picked the winning ticket (inset) for the Maison Desjardins raffle on Thursday.The lucky winner of the $100,000 house in Rock Forest was Dr.Gabriel Laberge, who works at the CHUS.Gabriel Baillargeon (behind Myriam in inset) chose the winning ticket for $500 worth of furniture from Bureau & Bureau.The winner of that draw was Anna Veillieux of Cookshire.By Caroline Kehne Record Correspondent public is invited to I come hear Betty Fox, X mother of deceased runner and cancer fundraiser Terry Fox, who will speak in Knowlton at 7 p.m.on Aug.28 at the Auberge Lakeview.Jennifer Neil, the 20-year old daughter of Lac Brome Mayor Stanley Neil, has organized the town of Lac Brome's first community run which will take place on Sept.17.“Betty Fox is going to be in Montreal to get people motivated for the big run,” said Neil.“She will make a stop in Knowlton at the Auberge Lakeview for a half-hour speech and to show a three-minute video on the run.” Neil notes that there is currently a community run in Granby and that this run is open to anyone, regardless of place of residence.Pledge sheets will be available in Lac Brome, Sutton and Waterloo, including the IGA Knowlton, Lac Brome Community Centre, the Sutton IGA, as wells as at banks and other businesses.For additional information, contact Jennifer Neil at (450) 539-2208.One goal: to restore the number of full-time tenured profs Bishop’s: Randboro residents, Dennis Bousquet and his mother, Joyce, were two of the many contributors to the Record’s “Taste of the Townships” recipe supplement.Copies will be on sale at the Records booth at the fair this weekend, for only $2 (they make great gifts!).CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “Any inequities continued to exist through all those years,” said Grégoire, who explained that in that base year, Bishop’s was spending less money per student than other universities.“We’ve always administered frugally," he said.“For example, our professors are known to teach more courses than the average.” Because of this economy, the university’s base for funding was lower than what others were allotted.According to Grégoire, McGill has been in the same situation over the years.The new plan would take an average cost per student over all the universities in Quebec, by discipline, then multiple that amount by the number of students at each institute.“For example,” said Grégoire, “a student in natural sciences would be allotted perhaps $7000, while one in humanities, $6000 - but the allocation would be equitable over all the universities.” The highest allocation would probably go to faculties of medicine, then engineering, he said.Although Bishop’s has neither faculty, they do have a computer science department, which counts as engineering.Allocations would then be highest for natural sciences, such as biology, chemistry and physics, then education and finally, the other faculties All proceeds will become part of the Records contribution to the Alexander Galt Regional High School ‘Christmas basket fund’.VERGER RM.FERLAND 380 Chemin de la Station, Compton, Que.“JERSEY MAC” “MELBA” “VISTA BELLA" “JERSEY MAC” “MELBA" “SAVIGNAC” PEARS Im• (819)835-5762 would receive equal allocations per student.Altogether, Quebec’s three English universities would receive an additional $78.1 million in provincial funding over the next three years.Concordia University would get an 8.3-per-cent increase this year, or $9.6 million more, and over three years, would get a 21.7 per-cent increase, or $25.4 million.McGill University’s funding would go up 10.9 per cent this year, an increase of $19.2 million, and over three years the university would receive an additional $48.1 million.“I think everybody feels that it’s more equitable,” said Grégoire.“It’s a major change.Of course, some universities will benefit more than others.As it turns out, we’ll benefit the most.” Bishop’s two main objectives for the increased funding is to restore the number of full-time tenured position professors to what it was a few years ago and to update their information technology.“Four years ago we had 102 full-time tenured faculty members,” said the vice-principal.“We would like to get back to 90 to 100 full-timers, starting this year.” But Grégoire said he is not spending any money until the deal is signed - and that may not happen for a few months.“It’s very preliminary,” he added.“It’s still a working document - it’s not a ‘fait accompli.” The universities have already submitted the required “Performance Contract,” asked for by the government which formulates how each institute will spend the new funding, but the proposals have to be discussed and agreed on between the universities and the government -“before we see any money," said Grégoire.Last year, when the university budgeted a $730,000 deficit, “we took the risk that some money would come forward,” said Grégoire.“$2.8 million dollars is considerably more." Friday, August 25, 2000 page 5 TRumpn Local vets do their part to end northern dog-shooting days SPA veterinarian Dr.Normand Joly and animal technician Manon Duval are preparing for a trip to Northern Quebec where they will be holding free spay/neuter clinics to prevent litters of unwanted puppies which are regularly disposed of by shooting.\ ft'.' ::: , PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL ' v-y*V By Rita Legault Sherbrooke A veterinarian and a veterinary technician from the local SPA animal protection society are heading north to the arctic next week where they will spend a couple of weeks spaying and neutering dogs.In an effort to prevent unwanted litters of puppies, Dr.Normand Joly and technician Manon Duval will be holding a series of free veterinary clinics in five Inuit villages in Northern Quebec in the region of Nunavik.The two Townships humane society workers will participate in an arctic dog project organized by the World Society for the Protection of Animals - the world’s largest network of animal protection groups representing some 350 member societies in 75 countries.The WSPA hopes the free spay/neuter clinics will replace “dog shooting days” in Inuit villages.Currently, there are no permanent veterinary clinics and no humane societies in the north.Unwanted puppies are commonly disposed of by shooting them.A horse vet by trade, Dr.Joly joined the SPA in 1995 and has advised veterinarians and horse, donkey and mule owners on the well-being of those animals.He has worked in Nicaragua, Haiti, Cuba and Costa Rica, where he helped to control the pet population by spaying and neutering dogs.Since 1996, Dr.Joly has worked extensively with the Eastern Townships SPA doing a study on farm animals, helping in cases of neglect and helping the humane society in Sherbrooke to set up its own operating room to spay/neuter animals at the shelter.Duval, who received her veterinarian technician's degree from the Collège de Sherbrooke in 1994, began working at the SPA the next year.During the ice storm in 1998, she worked to find foster families for the pets of people from the Montérégie area whose homes had been evacuated during the blackout.Since March, she is one of the technicians who has been assisting Dr.Joly during his spay/neutering clinics at the SPA.Duval, who won the draw of employees eager to accompany Joly, said the trip will be a big challenge, not only in learning and practicing new procedures, but also in learning a new culture.“It will be a chance to see how these people live, and to give them a helping hand,” she said.“There is no sterilization program and little treatment for sick animals,” she said, adding that aside from neutering and spaying dogs, they will also be dispensing other veterinary care and advice.Duval said she also hopes the trip will help create awareness among Inuit that there are better, more humane ways to address the pet overpopulation problem than shooting unwanted dogs.The two Townshippers will be joined by field leader Brian Faulkner, a professional dog handler who led the WSPA’s second dog rescue mission team to war-torn Kosovo in August of 1999.There he set up a stray control program, and has returned four times since.They will also be joined by WSPA communications director Pat Tohill.Tohill said the arctic dog project began when teacher Matthew Coombs, who was working in Kan-girsuk, witnessed the practice of shooting puppies.“He was horrified this was going on, but at first, he figured it was their culture, their way of life,” Tohill said.“But he thought there must be a better way.” Tohill said that Coombs searched the Internet to find a humane society that would be interested in rescuing the animals.He ended up with the WSPA number in Boston which referred him to the Canadian office in Toronto.In February 1999 the WSPA paid to airlift six dogs out of Kangirsuk and bring them to Montreal.All six dogs were taken to the adoption clinic at the Montreal SPCA which found them new homes.Tohill said the WSPA also sent a team Barbara Niznik Director of Human Resources North Country Hospital 189 Prouty Drive Newport, VT 05855 (802) 334-3218 Fax: (802) 334-3510 “An Equal Opportunity Employer" of vets to the village in April for a free veterinary clinic at which 16 of the more than three dozen dogs in the village and three cats were neutered.But Tohill said the airlift did not provide a permanent solution to the number of unwanted animals.He said the problem needs to be addressed at the source, ensuring that unwanted puppies are never born.Tohill said that with dozens of dogs producing progeny, there is a significant pet overpopulation problem - particularly since snowmobiles and trucks have replaced the traditional dog sled teams as a way of transportation.That’s why the WSPA has decided to send another team to spay or neuter more animals.“If we can get a high enough percentage of dogs spayed or neutered, then perhaps the puppies will be absorbed by the community,” he said, adding that the clinics will also show the Inuit people there is an alternative way to deal with the overpopulation problem.He said the Inuit people would euthanize unwanted animals, but with no veterinary clinics, shooting them is their only solution.But aside from programs to deal with those specific problems, there is no access to veterinary care for animals there.“Perhaps the lack of clinics is something a provincial or federal government should be looking at,’ Tohill suggests.“There is a real need for that kind of thing.” The WSPA team will arrive in Kuu-juaq on Monday, August 28 and begin its first free clinic later that day.After that they will visit the northern communities of Kangirsurk, Quaqtaq, Sal-luit, Puvirnituq.NOTICE Pharmacie Valérie Courchesne NEW STORE HOURS Please take note as of September 1st, 2000 our business hours will be as follows: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m.to 9:30 p.m.Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m.to 6 p.m.Essaim 147 Queen Street Lennoxvilie 569-3601 Career MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST North Country Hospital has an immediate opening for a Full-Time Laboratory Technologist.Responsibilities include, but not limited to, conducting qualitative clinical testing in all laboratory areas for use in diagnosis and treatment of disease; conducting Quality Assurance checks and calibration.Baccalaureate degree in Medical Technology preferred or an Associate degree in Medical Technology with clinical lab experience.Qualified candidate must be responsible with high integrity, be detailed and task oriented and have the ability to work well solo.Please apply to: North.Country page 6 Friday, August 25, 2000 RECORD Community Forum Opposition victory in Chiapas State elections By Judith Brisson Mexico One more PRI dinosaur has bitten the dust.Preliminary results of the Chiapas State gubernatorial election on Aug.20 gave opposition Alliance candidate Pablo Salazar Mendiguchia a ten point lead over PRI candidate Sami David David.The defeat at the polls in this conflict-ridden and neglected state is historic, as the PRI has enjoyed a 71-year run of power.The until now uninterrupted rule has been maintained by a well-stuffed bag of dirty tricks- ballot stuffing, falsifying and destroying results, vote-buying, coercion, intimidation, even reports of the elimination of opposition supporters.Devastating poverty and lack of education have traditionally made the Chiapas rural vote a particularly cheap and easy bargain.I participated in the Global Exchange delegation, a San Francisco-based human rights organization that has lead several such groups to observe Mexico’s electoral processes.Altogether we were 19 observers, with representation from the U.S., Italy, Canada, and Sweden.We divided into three groups so that we could visit the three most con-flictive regions of the state.Six of us visited the Zona Norte, an area renowned for its paramilitary activity; it is essentially a low-intensity war zone.Since 1996, armed civilians from the paramilitary group known as “Paz yjusticia” (cynically, Peace and Justice) have been intimidating the indigenous residents and controlling movement within the region.According to the survivors of brutal paramilitary attacks, military and police helicopters have been present during several such at- .I PONT CAKE WH&T tns.ITU HAVE TP VIAiT UNTIL 0U6 SUOWISCWffi! * i.r* V dwatu.nftianK wtr P.0.Box 1200 Sherbrooke J1H 516 or 1195 Galt E, Sherbrooke JIG 1Y7 Fax: 8195693945 e-mail: newsroom@slierbrookerecord.com Website: wwwjherbrookerecord.com Randy Kinneak Publisher .(819) 569-9511 Sharon McCully Editor .(819) 569-6345 Sunil Mahtani Corresp.Editor .(819) 569-6345 Richard Lessard Prod.Mgr.(819) 569-9931 Serge Gagnon Chief Pressman .(819) 569-9931 Francine Thibault Prod.Superv.(819) 5694856 DEPARTMENTS Accounting .(819)569-9511 Advertising .(819)569-9525 Circulation.(819)569-9528 Newsroom .(819)569-6345 Knowlton office 88 Lakeside, Knowlton, Quebec.JOE 1V0 Tel: (450) 242-1188 Fax: (450) 243-5155 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS GST PST TOTAL Canada: 1 year 114.40 8.01 9.18 S131.59 6 MONTHS 59.00 4.13 4.73 $67.86 3 MONTHS 30.00 2.10 2.41 S34.51 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 are available.The Record was founded on February 7.1897, and acquired the Sherbrooke Examiner (est.1879) in 1905 and the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) in 1908.The Record is published by UniMedia Company, a subsidiary of Hollinger Canadian Newspapers L.P.Canadian Publications Mail Service Product Agreement No.0479675.Member ABC, CARD, CNA, QCNA tacks on civilians- evidence which strongly suggests collusion between the state and the paramilitary.For our visit to the region, however, things were quiet, if tense.The 70 000 or so military troops present in the state were relegated to their barracks.Not once in our trajectory from San Cristobal de las Casas to Yajolon (Zona Norte) were we stopped and asked to show our credentials- a route which is usually replete with military check-points.On the day of the election, our small band of observers awoke to a chorus of roosters.Before dawn, four of our group had set out into the emerald-green countryside to the community of Sa-banilla.I, with another international observer, sat out in the plaza of Yajolon awaiting a ride with a national observer who had substantial knowledge of the region, and who was accompanying us to the community of Pojcol.The fact that a health service building located next to the polling station had been burnt to the ground two days before the election, and that threats were made that the poll would not be allowed to open, made this community one of the “focus rojos” (red lights) worthy of an international presence.When we arrived, 200 or so people were crowded around the polling station awaiting their name to be called from the nominal list.We excused ourselves through the crowd to get to the poll officials in order to make our presence known.Voting was already well underway.The reception we received from the PRI party observer, while at first hostile, was, in the end, cordial when he realized that we weren’t going to leave.In spite of the various minor irregularities that we observed, it was a day where the community was able to get out and vote, and their votes counted.What presented itself as a serious obstacle was the apparent lack of familiarity with the voting process, especially among the women voters.Many women emerged from the booths with their ballots unfolded, not knowing where to put them, or didn’t know what to do with the ballots in the first place.The ease with which our delegation moved through the Chiapaneca countryside belied the actual level of militarization that plagues the mountainous state.On my way back home after the election, on the short bus ride between the lofty, cloud-shrouded heights of San Cristobal de las Casas, en route to the state capital, Tuxtla Gutierrez, I saw a convoy of 15 military vehicles, each carrying at least 20 heavily-armed soldiers, lumbering along the highway towards San Cristobal.Since crossing the state border into Oaxaca, our first-class deluxe bus was stopped and reviewed eight times.A confusing plethora of police and other authorities (soldiers, PJF’s, Precos, Mi-gracion), most bearing knives and small arms, have boarded the bus and shone flashlights in everyone’s faces.Perhaps they were looking for someone-perhaps just reasserting their hegemony after the brief respite offered by the electoral fluster.In any case, their silent investigations were intimidating.Now that the spotlight brought on by electoral observers, both national and international, has dimmed, the state will once again be clenched in the vice-like grip of the military.Judith Brisson is a teacher at Massey-Vanier High School in Cowansville and a member of the Social Justice Committee.Letter to the Editor Nature is smarter than we are Dear Editor: One would think that anyone who lives in close proximity to Brome Lake, or a waterway of any kind, surely is aware of the delicate balance between land and water and would never use pesticide or herbicide near that waterway.It’s amazing to me, therefore, that there are a number of property owners on the lake using one or the other, or both of the above on their lawns.One can smell it in the air while walking along the lake.Do any of these property owners give any thought to the devastating effect this can have on the birds, for example and many other creatures too numerous to mention.Not to mention the humans themselves! There’s another questionable human activity I’ve heard about recently.Some people are actually having the outside of their houses sprayed with goodness-knows-what poisonous substance to get rid of spiders.Amazing! We’re a funny lot, us humans.We think we can go on abusing our planet and it will continue to provide us with an abundance of everything we need.When are we going to learn that nature is a lot smarter than us, and leave her alone to do the best she can do.Carol Smith, Foster | THE ' Friday, August 25, 2000 page 7 -'.T STEPHEN MCDOUGALL/SPECIA1 Danville couple build potted garden, playground BACK TO SCHOOL! THE SPECIALISTS WILL PAY THF EQUIVALENT OF TTIE TAXES iitqlia HOTPOINT EFRIGIDAIRE MOFFHT MAYTAG FROM STUDENT SPECIAL 450 USED APPLIANCES Inspected • Guaranteed • Delivered / APPLIANCE Call now (819) 563-4724 on all selected models.We also pay the GST on identified models.Limited quantities.See details.V SHERBROOKE GRANBY SHERBROOKE 3151 Portland Blvd.385 Dufferin St.225 Wellington St.S.563-2920 777-5544 563-0563 www.servicedelestrie.com Courteous bilingual service Waist-level garden takes bending out of weeding By Stephen McDougall Danville Most gardeners will tell you if you want good vegetables, you have to get down on your hands and knees to till the deep soil and pick out the weeds.That’s enough to put off most people from ever starting a garden.But Danville residents Réjean and Charles Giguère decided if a ground-level garden was too much for them, why not raise it to a level they could handle.This past March, they set up their garden in eight waist-level pots made out of old plexiglass tubes set on wooden legs and planted 13 different vegetables.The depth of the soil in each pot was only eight inches deep.Many gardeners would argue that’s not enough to grow vegetables in.But earlier this month, the Giguères pronounced the experiment a success, and invited the Record in to photograph the results.“This way, we don’t have to crouch down to tend to our garden,” said Re-jean Giguère, as she offered the reporter two cucumbers off a vine supported by a chicken wire fence built into two of the plexiglass pots.“The plants are at waist-level, so we can tend to them standing up.” So far, the Giguères have grown various herbs, cucumbers, snow peas, string beans, Swiss char, celery, potatoes, beets, carrots, radishes, lettuce and onions in the plastic pots.Two batches of peppers, one green, one black, were grown in some old, discarded car tires which Charles made after he ran out of plexiglass.“I admit you can’t grow large sizes, but that all depends on what size box you use, and giving the soil the right kind of fertilizer and watering makes the difference,” said the retired JM Asbestos employee.“All I know is my back is not sore.” The Giguères said having 11 grandchildren gave them the idea for the potted garden, because it could be used as a fence to surround a patio-playground they wanted to build.“They are all under the age of three, and they visit us so often, we wanted them to have a special place in the back, so we put up a sand pit with a swing, surrounded by cement tiles,” said Re-jean.“But it’s the potted gardens that make the difference, because they act as a fence for the children and prevent them from wandering, while at the same time getting them interested in gardening.“They have become fascinated by the plants we are growing and want to help us water them.” The Giguères hope to expand their potted garden next year and try other types of vegetables.They also realize their grandchildren will all be one year older and will need more to do to keep them occupied.“This is the thing retired couples need to do when the grandchildren visit,” she said.“We could not do this when we were raising our four children.We were working then, and there never seemed to be enough time.” Réjean and Charles Giguère with their cucumber plants.(Below) Daughter René¦ Giguère and children Lea-Lou and Charlie, and Réjean and Charles Giguère in their playground-garden.Career BECKWITH ^ BEMIS.STEPHEN MCUOUGALL/SPEA.1AL CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER • Mature minded individual with excellent bilingual communication skills • Must have proven track record of managing and developing client accounts and excellent phone/computer/multitasking skills • Minimum 5 years and degree required Salary and benefits commensurate with experience.Beckwith Bemis Inc.is a growing leader in custom-coated fabrics, films and adhesives since 1917.Visit us at www.beckwithbemis.com Mail/deliver/fax/e-mail resume in confidence to: Beckwith Bemis Inc.Attn: Human Resources 1145 Belanger St.Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2B1 mark@beckwithbemis.com FAX: (819) 822-0576 page 8 Friday, August 25, 2000 — THE Apple-growing is a labour of love to the core H The fact that there are two other growers in the region also helps because it gives the region a reputation for applegrowing which brings in larger crowds.“I couldn’t do it if we were all alone here,” Raoul Fer-land says.“We need them to keep the word out that we exist.” Ferland has con-centrated on the pick-your-own niche, but with a keen eye on the power of group tours and repeat business.School groups account for a large percentage of his clientele, rené bruémmer with as many as 10 bus loads bringing up to 200 children a day to the orchard during the brief picking season of August to October.The children return, year after year, eventually becoming adults and bringing their own offspring.“The allure of home-made products, natural biological foods is coming back in a big way these days,” Ferland says.“People are so busy with work, but they want to have natural products, and to get a taste of coming back to the farm.” For the adults, corn roasts and large meals supplied by a local caterer can be organized on reservation.Demand has grown so great they were forced to refuse places to many for yesterday’s annual season-opening party, which saw 200 in attendance with entertainment provided by popular Québécois singer Jean-Guy Piché.Madeleine had a second, industrialsized kitchen installed in the basement of her house where she makes all types of jams and jellies, ketchups and butters for sale in their small boutique.A part-time pastry chef comes in regularly to make pies and donuts for lunches that are served.Tractors pulling carts regularly patrol the expansive grounds, picking up happy harvesters and their produce, anywhere from three to 100 pounds per person, at a cost of 60 cents a pound.Following a love of agriculture born of childhood experiences on the farm, Raoul and Madeleine started the orchard in 1960, planting 500 trees on land bought from Madeleine’s parents.Since it took between five and 10 years before the one-year-old saplings to bear fruit, Ferland stayed at his job as a truck driver, planting more trees each year in the evenings and on weekends.Opening the orchard to pickers has helped industry survive By René Bruemmer Compton Until recently, as many as eight apple orchards dotted the verdant hills and kindly micro-climate surrounding the village of Compton, about 15 kilometres south of Lennoxville.Now only three remain, testament to the difficulty of competing in the apple-growing market and the long-term vision and openness to new technologies and marketing strategies necessary to stay alive in this business.With 40 years in apple-growing, Raoul and Madeleine Ferland, owners of the Verger R.M.Ferland apple orchard, are the patriarchs of the region’s orchard community and prime examples of the savvy required to persevere.“It’s an ongoing learning process,” says Raoul Ferland, a genial, robust-looking 68-year-old.“You have to constantly Madeleine and Raoul Ferland.40 years in apple-growing business.try new things to stay competitive." Crucial to his longevity is the pick-your-own style of harvesting that accounts for 80 to 90 per cent of their visit Record js booth at the AYER’S CLIFF FAIR August 25-27 BOOTH HOURS: FRIDAY: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.SATURDAY: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.SUNDAY: 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.ipfCl**- SUBSCRIPTIOI year emonths 3 months *30.00 business.“I could never afford to do this strictly for the retail market,” he says.“The profit margins are too slim these days.Many go under.” The real test will be deciding which one.You would think an opportunity to test ride the 2001 lineup of motorcycles from HaHey-Davidson* would be a dream come true.On the contrary, for some enthusiasts it can be a nightmare.After all, deciding which one to test first is an almost impossible task.There's the new Dyna Super Glide* T-Sport," a quick, nimble touring machine.The 2001 Sportsters,* the hot rod of motorcycles.Not to mention the latest Softs ils?and our Touring family as well.Well don't take too long to decide.The Test Our New Metal Event is on for a limited time.Put yourself to the test today.Wednesday August 30th 2 to 4 p.m.at 2 Queen St.565-1376 www.harleycanada.com The Legend RoiisOn- Wh t» purctaM of any ns» modri HeterOmtan tom «1 utnrtzsd C i>un /*!* “¦- » C-»**-«— T- n- n «Malar, you «4 ihM a baa.ara ym ki monter**) "HOG* Wan** to Crate StfalyCraJfeterTrravPnvwi AtoaytridaeiftaMmst.RidicMm**y OMfeuM«du**riCrate by FfsdDssteylnvnti Lid, Vtaoawarrt Toronto FfMMsrlmpraL*tapraudrawaf»»Mu^DyittphyA«mlono(C«*L f ¦- HvSaMI THE' Friday, August 25, 2000 page 9 MM My.*" HOULE • : .wmmv *¦• » The Ferland orchard is a largely family affair CONTINUED FROM LAST PAGE Today 7,000 apple trees, 1,000 plum trees and about 250 bearing pears dot their 45 acres.New trees are planted about every four years to replace those that are between 20 and 40 years old and have passed their prime growing age.Plastic hoses snake by the base of each tree, part of a computerized watering system that pumps water from an artificial lake to provide just as much moisture as is required.Due to this year’s damp conditions, they only needed artificial irrigation for the last two weeks of July.The cold, overcast conditions have delayed the growing, but the Ferlands don’t expect it to have a large impact on the season.Last year’s sunny summer saw bountiful harvests, with a record 200,000 pounds of produce being sent to wholesalers and several more times that amount harvested by the public.RENÉ BRUEMMER Ferland has 10 varieties of apples, including Vista Bella, Melba, Jersey Mac and, of course, McIntosh.Apples that are disfigured or undersized are picked immediately so the rest of the produce is not robbed of nourishment, and sold to deer hunters who scatter them as bait.The annual pruning of the trees is crucial, ensuring that the new buds get enough sunlight, and that not too many apples can grow on each tree, which would rob them of the energy to submit a full harvest the following year.Cutting starts in February and takes until April to complete.Ferland and about 20 other apple growers across the province pay “a very handsome salary” to a scientific biologist who carries out constant comparisons of different types of trees and growing methods, and suggests the minimal amount of spraying required to ward off fungus and insects.Insurance ensures that the farm won’t be wiped out by pests, deer (only a minor problem, Madeleine Ferland says) hail storms or the apple growers biggest enemy, late frosts that can kill off early blooms.As enthusiastic as a child with a new bicycle, Raoul Ferland shows off the new species of trees he’s been growing over the last dozen or so years on the advice of his technician.Spindly and fragile looking in comparison to the gnarled, largetrunked varieties of earlier generations, the new type of growing features smaller trees draped over wire supports that take up much less room, but provide a greater harvest per acre.The tops of the trees are gradually bent downwards year after year at a height of about six feet to encourage greater access to the sun, while still producing large, juicy apples that are easy to reach.Ferland has 10 varieties, including Vista Bella, Melba, Jersey Mac and of course McIntosh.The orchard is a largely family affair, with their four children returning during harvest times to help out on the farm.“They grew up with it, and so it’s partly theirs,” Madeleine says.“I guess we’re lucky that we have children who are so interested in the growing and like to return.“It’s a good job, we are our own bosses.I feel that we are blessed.” RENÉ BRUEMMER Today 7,000 apple trees, 1,000 plum trees and about 250 bearing pears dot their 45 acres ^~&hank you for cominy to ookshiie and see you in (^September at the