The record, 11 décembre 2000, lundi 11 décembre 2000

THE REC The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 65 CENTS Monday, December 11, 2000 Sleeping Santa MURIEIXE PARKES/CORRES PONDENT Ssshhh! Caught on a bench in Mansonville, one jolly, white-bearded old man bedecked in a familiar red-and-white-trimmed suit.It seems Santa needs to catch a few winks before embarking on his marathon trip around the world.With all those presents neatly wrapped, however, no one is begrudging the snoozing gent his well-earned nap.Nor are any of the passing kids wanting to disturb him - especially those on their very best behaviour at this time of the year.Expectations are that by Christmas Eve, Santa will be his customary merry and wide-awake self as he sets off with a sleigh full of gifts and a team of eight tiny reindeer.- Murielle Parkes, Record Correspondent._________________________________________________ Fire leaves C’ville family homeless and destroys community centre By Maurice Crossfield Afire leveled a community centre in Cowansville Saturday night, leaving the occupants of an upstairs apartment homeless for the holidays.Cowansville Police spokesman Det.Jacques Landry said the Cowansville fire department was called to the St-Leon Community Centre on Brown Street at 7:52 p.m.Shortly after they arrived, they realized more help was needed.The Farnham, Bromont and Sutton volunteer fire departments were called in, bringing about 50 firefighters to battle the blaze.By early morning, the fire was under control, but the building was a total loss, said Constable Thierry Champoux of Cowansville Police.Landry estimated the building's value at around $400,000 dollars.The St-Leon Community Centre was built in the 1960s and served as both a church and community centre.There was an apartment upstairs and two people were there at the time the fire started.They managed to escape from the burning building, but were unable to save the family dog.“The fire appears to have started in the church part of the building," said Landry as the police started their investigation on Saturday.SEE FIRE, PAGE 7 Townshippers recognized for heroic efforts COURTESY LA TRIBUNE Richard Nadeau received a Medal of Bravery for saving two lives and trying to save a third.By Maurice Crossfield Fleurimont’s Richard Nadeau was in Ottawa Friday, receiving a medal for saving two people from a burning van in 1999.Nadeau was one of 45 people from across Canada to receive the Medal of Bravery.Another 46 people were given Decorations for Bravery and one person received the Star of Courage.A little after midnight on March 29, 1999, Nadeau was traveling on Route 112 in Fleurimont when he saw a van that had been in an accident.He immediately stopped and went to see if he could help the occupants.Despite smoke and flames, Nadeau managed to pull out the occupant of the passenger seat through the window of the door.He then went back to try to free the driver, who was caught behind the wheel.He managed to cut the seat-belt and pull the driver out of the burning van.Another motorist helped Nadeau to bring the two accident victims to a safe distance from the vehicle.He then went back to try to save a third victim.With the smoke and flames becoming more serious, Nadeau was unable to save the third person, a five-year-old boy, who was sitting in the back.In saving two lives and try- ing to save a third, Nadeau suffered second-degree burns to his hands.Quebec Awards For Nadeau, Friday’s award for heroism is a follow-up to the Medal of Heroism he received from the Quebec government last month.Two other Townshippers were recognized at that ceremony, held in Quebec City on Nov.20.Unfortunately, these two heroes didn’t survive their attempts to save the lives of others.On the night of June 3, 1999 Bury resident Sheryl Bin-ney was at home while her four children slept.Discovering that the house was on fire, she immediately called a neighbour to ask them to contact the fire department.see hero, page 7 page 2 Monday, December 11, 2000 ¦¦ THE—» Record Collision on Route 108 Staff A passenger vehicle collided with a tractor trailer seven kilometres outside of St-Mar-guerite-de-Lingwick in the direction of Stornoway on Route 108 yesterday afternoon.“The car was underneath the truck following the accident,” Quebec Police Force spokesperson Serge Dubord said at press time, adding the driver of the car had been taken to hospital and was not showing any signs of life.loto-québec Draw 2000-12-09 09 19 21 30 38 40 Bonus number: 33 WINNERS PRIZES 6/6 1 $2,001,802.60 5/6+ 11 $ 54,594.60 5/6 225 $ 2,135.20 4/6 12,381 $ 74.30 3/6 233,043 $10.00 Total sales: $ 14,075,634 Next grand prize (approx.): $ 2,000,000 Wrong address uncovers marijuana operation Staff A9-1-1 call directed police to a residence on du Moulin St.in St-Pierre-de-Veronne-à-Pike-River.However, the woman who had called in with health problems was no longer living at that address.Police had gone to her former address, where marijuana growers were now living.“We entered the house and saw the plants, and we immediately got a warrant to search the premises,” QPF spokesperson Const.Serge Dubord said.The police found enough marijuana to fill the back of a truck.Although the confiscated plants had not been weighed yesterday, Dubord estimated their value as being in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.One 26-year-old man was arrested at the time of the bust.Cop pricked by needle during arrest Staff A member of the Quebec Police Force was accidentally pricked by a hypodermic needle while arresting two bandits in Granby last Thursday night.Armed with a hunting knife, the two men, aged 19 and 30, held up two convenience stores in St-Paul-dAbbotsford and Ange-Gardien before hiding out in a bar in Granby.The police caught up to them as they left the bar at 8 p.m.and chased them for a kilometre down Principale St.in Granby.One of the two suspects had a hypodermic needle in his pocket and, during the arrest, one of the QPF officers was stuck by the needle.It is not known whether the suspect is a carrier of any sort of communicable virus and, without the collaboration of the suspect, the policeman will not know for certain whether or not he has been infected with anything for up to six months.Draw 2000-12-09 Bonus number: WINNERS PRIZES 6/6 0 $ 1,000,000.00 5/6+ 0 $ 50,000.00 5/6 25 $500.00 4/6 1,032 $50.00 3/6 20,922 $5.00 Total sales: $ 625,004.00 lulls Plij Printin' 10 33 WINNERS 41 Draw 2000-12-09 47 PRIZE $243.90 ‘Only the selections participating in both Lotto 6/49 and Québec 49 on the same ticket are eligible to the promotion.Draw 2000-12-09 Egtra 279971 $100,000 EStra Draw 2000-12-08 156706 $100,000 MT17JS Draw 2000-12-08 01 08 13 20 31 35 3Z Bonus number: 44 WINNERS PRIZES 7/7 0 $ 7,500,000.00 6/7+ 1 $242,931.80 6/7 68 $3,125.90 5/7 5,072 $ 149.60 4/7 106,704 $ 10.00 3/7+ 98,761 $ 10.00 3/7 893,917 free play Total sales: $ 13,101,828 Next grand prize : $ 10,000,000 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.Gambling should remain a game.T V A , the network of draws A Cheque For Bessette o ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS SANS Fit 10 000 $ PAYE//- À UORDRE Dl CANADA POSTES POST CANADA Olympic cyclist Lyne Bessette ofKnowlton receives a $10,000 cheque from sponsors Rogers AT&T Wireless and Canada Post, as part of the "Mission Sydney" promotion launched by Canada Post during the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia.Pictured are Louise Roy, director of communications (eastern area) of Canada Post; cyclist Lyne Bessette; and Gilles Lacoursiëre, Quebec president of Rogers AT&T Wireless.Weather Today: A few very light flurries ending in the morning.Clearing later on.Temperature steady near minus 4.Tuesday: Snow.Low near minus 12.High near minus 2.Wednesday: Sunny with cloudy periods.Low near minus 20.High near minus 10.Thursday: Intermittent light snow.Low near minus 17.High near minus 8.Ben by Daniel Shelton EVERY ORNAMENT REMINPS ME OF PlFPERENT YEARS THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES.ANP THIS ONE, ON OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY.ANP THESE.WHEN NICHOLAS WAS TWO YEARS OLP.REMEMBER?WE GOT THIS WHEN RATTY WAS FIVE YEARS OLP \% ON A TRIP ID 0H/.ANP WHEN NICHOLAS WAS BORN! MAINE. ' THE— ¦ - RECORD Monday, December 11, 2000 page 3 CHUS seeking volunteers for breast cancer drug trials Sh erbrooke hospital participating in continent-wide research trials By Rita Legault Fleurimont If you are menopausal and at risk of contracting breast cancer, the radiooncology department at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS) is looking for you.The CHUS is taking part in a Cana-da/U.S.clinical study of two drugs that may significantly decrease the risk of contracting the disease which, after lung cancer, is the second most common cause of cancer deaths among North American women.The study is looking into Tamoxifen, a drug that has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer by 50 per cent, and Raloxifene, a drug prescribed to prevent osteoporosis among post menopausal women - an unexpected side-effect of which is a significant decrease the incidence of breast cancer.“That led researchers to ask the question: “Could Raloxifene be as effective as Tamoxifen with fewer side effects,” said research nurse Esther Fortier, who is charged with the trials at the CHUS.Studied for more than 20 years and approved by Health Canada and the U.S.Federal Drug Administration (FDA), Tamoxifen is already prescribed to women at risk of developing breast cancer and to others who have had breasts or tumors removed to ensure the disease does not recur.But the drug has some potential side-effects, including hot flashes, menopausal symptoms and leg cramps.Both drugs may increase a woman’s chance of developing several rare, but potentially life-threatening problems including deep vein thrombosis (blood cots in large veins) and pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in the lungs).Tamoxifen may also increase the risk of stroke and endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus).That risk is similar to the one associated with estrogen replacement therapy.The STAR (Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene) trial aims to test some 22,000 women in more than 400 centers across Canada, the United States, and Puerto Rico.Over an extended five-year period, the STAR study aims to determine if Raloxifene gives the same benefits as Tamoxifen with fewer side effects.It also aims to determine the benefits and risk of the two drugs, both of which have been shown to protect bones in women.During the double-blind clinical trial, women will be assigned to take either Tamoxifen or Raloxifene.Neither the women nor their doctors will know which drug they are taking.Participants will be monitored throughout the trial à*» PERKY BEATON/SPECIAL Research nurse Esther Fortier, who is charged with the trials at the CHUS.candidates must be in menopause, and cannot have had cancer.with annual mammograms and gynecological examinations.In order to take part in the study, women must answer a questionnaire to assess their personal risk profile of contracting breast cancer.Risk factors include a family history of the disease in mothers, sisters and daughters; age; never having borne children or having a first child after 30; first menstrual periods at an early age; and a history of benign breast disease that has required biopsies and/or breast conditions such as lobular carcinoma in situ or atypical hyperplasia.The quick and simple risk assessment questionnaire can be given over the phone to women who believe they may If their risk profile is high, women are invited to a one-on-one meeting to explain the clinical trial and the potential side-effects of the two medications.Candidates must be in menopause, and cannot have had cancer.Fortier said that one year into the study, about 50 local women have taken the risk assessment questionnaire.Almost half of them signed up for the clinical trial which is being financed by the National Cancer Institute in the U.S.and overseen by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project, a group of more than 6,000 medical professionals who has conducted clinical have changed the way breast cancer is treated and potentially prevented.So far the study has recruited some 7,000 women.Almost half of the Canadians, about 250, are from Quebec.Half are women between the ages of 50 and 60.“Quebecers have a good reputation for participating in programs like this,” Fortier said.So far most of the recruits are the sisters and daughters of breast cancer patients treated at the CHUS.For more about the study contact Esther Fortier at (819) 829-3250.be candidates, Fortier said.research trials tha t Communications Internet IDebCommufiications ~~~“f Æ.» 1 m Record ¦ Michel Duval * Advertising Consultant f Tel.: Ô19-569-9525 Fax: Ô19-Ô21-3179 email: sherbrookerecord@>videotron.ca Web Design Web Hosting /.Mil5- Content Creation H * a;: :: y*t~t FtJf-u.819.829.5772 www.northern-crown.com NORTHERN-CROWN page 4 Monday, December 11, 2000 THE' Briefs ILTRA GRIP ifpilll & Hi ¦& st.& €.OODfŸEAR SELECT Banner year for QPFs war on marijuana By Maurice Crossfleld It was a banner year for the Quebec Police Force’s war on marijuana farmers, bringing in some $60 million worth of the green gold from across the Townships in 2000.That total comes from the 49,195 marijuana plants discovered by the QPF’s Es-trie garrison over the course of the year.QPF spokesman Const.Serge Dubord said the monster bust at the former Space Research property in Highwater on June 1 added about $20 million to the total.“If you take into account the High-water bust, this was our best year ever,” said Dubord, noting that last year the cops got 32,483 plants.In terms of weight, the QPF actually brought in less of the illicit weed.However, there were more “buds,” the stronger and more valuable part of the plant.Dubord said more plants were found still growing, compared to other years when more pot was found drying or in bags, in preparation for sale.The most prolific pot producers seem to have come from the western end of the Townships.Brome-Mis-sisquoi and Haute-Yamaska were the scenes of more pot busts, bringing in about $5 million worth of weed each.But for all those thousands of plants and dozens of busts, relatively few of the outlaw gardeners were caught.Some 60 people were arrested and now face charges of cultivating marijuana as a result of the QPF’s efforts in the Townships over the last year.Burglars make off with ski wear in Sutton Staff Thieves broke into a sporting goods store in Sutton Thursday night, making off with an assortment of ski wear.The Quebec Police Force was alerted to the break-in when the alarm at 671 Maple Street went off just before 11 p.m.By the time patrollers arrived on the scene, the burglars were gone.QPF spokesman Const.Serge Dubord said tracks in the snow indicate that at least two people carried out the theft.They managed to carry off $20,000 worth of ski apparel, under the brand names Descente and Karbon.On Friday, Dubord said police had found little in the way of hard evidence on who committed the robbery.It was not clear if anyone saw the burglars carrying out the theft.Anyone who might have seen the theft, or who notices someone with a sudden abundance of Descente and Karbon ski wear, should contact the QPF’s Brome-Missisquoi detachment at (450) 266-1122.COPYRIGHT WHEELBASE COMMUNICATIONS How run-flat tires work The days of carrying a spare tire and a jack may be numbered with «re advent of the run-flat tires.Although Introduced tn 1994 as optional equipment on a couple of new cars, the 1998 Corvette was the first to come w» tun-flat tires as standard equipment - no jack, no spare.Depending on the make of fires, you get from 50-200 mites (80-320 km) of driving once the air is completaty gone, enough to get you to a service station Drive slowly and you’ll get more, as too much heat spelts death tof run-flats interestingly, run-fiat tires are available to retrofit some older cars.Structural reinforcing cords Some run flat tires require special rims with an inner ledge to keep the 'bead' seated when the tire goes flat Steel belts The most distinguishing feature of run-flat tires are the thickness of the sidewalls — much thicker than conventional sidewalls — which support the weight of the car while there's no air in the tires.The thicker sidewalls make for a heavier tire that rides somewhat rougher than a conventional tire.If a tire goes flat, how do yoi know?when run-flat tires are purchased, an air-pressure sensing system must be installed to let you know when there’s little or no air left in the tires.Run-flats are available for a growing number of vehicles >70 Wellington St.S.[819) 346-5283 SHERBROOKE 2025 King St.W.(819) 569-9288 TRAIL BUSTER M/S Light Truck Tire Directional CONCORD TR Durable Mud & Snow MUNICIPALITY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF EATON VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT The Municipality of the Township of Eaton is presently searching for dynamic people who can act as volunteer firefighters and first respondants for the Fire Department.The Fire Department of the Municipality consists of 2 stations plus 7 vehicles and specialized equipment such as the jaws of life.The service responds to more than 80 calls annually.Interested persons who do not have any training as a firefighter can follow the necessary courses required for the service.A monetary compensation is given in accordance with the Municipal agreement.Requirements for the position: ?Must be a resident of Eaton ?Must have a sense of team work ?Must remain cold blooded in all emergency situations ?Must display a code of conduct and demonstrate respect for their colleagues and among the population Interested persons may express their interest by sending their curriculum vitae to the following address: Municipality of the Township of Eaton 375, Route 253 Canton Eaton (Quebec) JOB 1M0 Tel.: (819) 875-3554 Fax: (819) 875-5646 15 fewer drunks on the road Staff A Quebec Police Force crackdown on impaired drivers over the last month proved fruitful, with 15 drivers now facing charges for drinking and driving.Across the Townships, some 62 roadblock operations were carried out by the QPF between Nov.3 and Dec.3.Held mostly at night, the roadblocks checked out some 3,350 cars.Forty-two drivers were given a roadside breathalyser test, 15 of which ended up being arrested for being over the legal limit.QPF spokesman Const.Serge Dubord said drivers can expect higher than usual surveillance by police during the upcoming holiday season, a time in which more motorists risk getting behind the wheel after having a few too many.Gun licence deadline drawing near Staff The deadline is drawing near for firearms owners to comply with the new firearms legislation.As of Jan.1, 2001 all firearms owners must have a licence.That licence will be needed to purchase ammunition.If you don’t plan to get a firearms licence, there are a couple of other options to avoid becoming an outlaw.The firearm can be sold or given to someone who has a licence.Or the firearm can be deactivated by a gunsmith.If you’re looking to get rid of an unwanted firearm, you can also turn them in to the police.If you do decide to turn in your guns, call the police first before bringing them in.However, if you have a firearm and you want to keep it, you must get your licence.After getting the license, you will then have until the end of 2003 to get your firearms registered.Sherbrooke vacancy rate drops significantly Staff The vacancy rate in the Sherbrooke metropolitan area is at its lowest point in 15 years according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s annual rental market survey.The vacancy rate fell from 7.6 per cent in October 1999, to 4.7 per cent in October 2000.The rate had stagnated over the past three years, but was brought down by an increase in employment among young people and a weak supply of new rental units.Despite the improvement in the rental market, rents only increased by .5 per cent for two bedroom units. ¦ THEm» - RECORD Monday, December 11, 2000 page 5 mm3 By Rita Legault Sherbrooke All countries must join in the fight against child labour by signing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, by encouraging international development efforts wherever possible, and by better informing indigenous people in developing nations of their human rights.That was the resolution adopted by a majority of high school students who participated in a mock United Nations assembly Friday afternoon at Sherbrooke City Hall.More than 100 boys and girls, francophones and anglophones, from public and private institutions attempted to find ways to resolve child labour issues and other international troubles in the third annual event sponsored by the Carrefour de Solidarité International as part of the Journées québécoise de la solidarité Internationale.The event, shepherded by l’association québécoise des organismes de coopération Internationale, is also sponsored by Quebec’s Ministry of International Relations.Ten secondary schools, including Alexander Galt Regional High School, participated in the simulation of the United Nations general assembly organized by students in history and political science at the University of Sherbrooke and masters student Marie-Claude Cotnoir.The students, who represented different UN nations, divided up into four different commissions looking into the following themes: child labour: intervention in an armed conflict: youth racism; and climatic change.To prepare for the general assembly debate on Friday, student spent 10 weeks doing research on the United Nations and the issues they were to debate.Students on the various UN committees met Friday morning to debate and pass resolutions before a plenary session of the general assembly in the afternoon.After a half hour of debate, the resolution presented by the Child Labour PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL More than 100 boys and girls, francophones and anglophones, from public and private institutions attempted to find ways to resolve child labour issues and other international troubles in the third annual event.Commission passed with 24 countries in favour, 15 opposed and four countries abstaining.Countries which voted against the resolution included many developing nations which argued during the debate that young workers are an integral part of their economies and that abol- ishing child labour could cause greater hardships for many poor families.“This could cause the collapse of their economies,” said the student representative for Columbia.Students representing developing nations argued strongly in favour of better regulation to improve conditions for child workers and to ensure they have access to education that could lead to better employment.The Algerian representative pointed out that children would not be forced to work if their parents weren’t exploited - mainly by rich companies from industrialized nations.Many countries supported a suggestion by Great Britain that a monetary fund be set up to help developing nations, but that idea was rejected by a majority of nations.While the resolution received the support of a majority of member nations, some wondered how it would be effectively enforced.A spokesperson for El Salvador questioned how child labourers would be informed of their rights when they are illiterate, while another asked how powerless children could enforce their rights even if they were aware of them.All in all, students discovered resolving the world’s troubles was not an easy affair.But most enjoyed trying and the exercise was an informative one.This was the second year Galt students participated in the United Nations simulation.Last year they could not participate because of the work-to-rule campaign by teachers who were in tough negotiations with the provincial government.The Galt team had four students on the Child Labour commission, including Michi Truong and Alexandra Pope, who represented Haiti, the poorest nation in the western hemisphere; and Sabrina Vigneux and Mylène Pigeon, who represented the South American nation of Argentina.Isabelle Lombardo and Michael Dy-tynyshyn, who represented El Salvador in Central America, sat on the commission on racism.Lombardo was selected as one of the two spokespeople for the group studying the problem of youth racism.Laura Dytynyshyn and Nancy Roach, who represented the South American country Honduras, sat on the commission that studied climatic change.¦3»r m9€' FONDATION ou foyss H O M I FOUNDATION The Wales Home Foundation 2000 Annual Financial Campaign Objective: $< WALES *200,000 Serving the English community for 79 years.Donations to: The Wales Home Foundation 506 Route 243 North Richmond, Quebec JOB 2H0 Income Tax Registration Number 89107 5747 RR0001 Name___ Address City.Prov.Postal Code.RECORD page 6 Monday, December 11, 2000 « THE — RECORD Community Forum À LITTLE dolighonQ home.cor ï.h LETTER TO THE EDITOR Blue Christmas service Dear Editor, I was very moved by ‘A Letter to my Son’ in Friday’s paper.I would like to let all Record readers know that on Monday, Dec.11 at 7:30 p.m.there will be a Blue Christmas service at St.Mark’s Chapel on the campus of Bishop’s University and Champlain Regional College.This service is for all those who are finding the Christmas season difficult due to the loss of a loved one or because of the suffering which comes as a result of broken relationships, ill health or unemployment.We would welcome people from the community to join us as we gather to acknowledge our pain and to celebrate that God’s light comes in the midst of darkness.Sincerely, Heather Thomson Campus Chaplain THE P.0.Box 1200 Sherbrooke J1H SLSor 1195 Galt E, Sherbrooke JIG 1Y7 Fax:819-569-3945 e-mail: newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Website: svww.sherbrookerecord.com Randy Kinnear Publisher .(819) 569-9511 Sharon McCully Editor .(819) 5696345 Sunil Mahtani Corresp.Editor .(819) 5696345 Richard Lessard Prod.Mcr.(819) 569-9931 Serge Gagnon Chief Pressman .(819) 569-9931 Francine Thibault Prod.Superv.(819) 5694856 DEPARTMENTS Accounting .(819) 5699511 Advertising .(819) 569-9525 Circulation.(819)569-9528 Newsroom .(819)5696345 Knowlton office 88 Lakeside, Knowlton, Quebec, JOE 1V0 Tel: (450) 242-1188 Fax: (450) 243-S155 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS GST PST TOTAL Canada: 1 year 114.40 8.01 9.18 $131.59 6 MONTHS 59.00 4.13 4.73 S67.86 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 Holiinger Canadian Newspapers L.P.Canadian Publications Mail Service Product Agreement No.0479675.Member ABC, CARD, CNA, QCNA Squabbling in the schoolyard over Bill 99 You can’t do that” says Ottawa.“Oh yes I can” says Quebec City.“No you can’t.” “Yes I can.” When this sort of thing is heard on the schoolyard, nobody bats an eye.We all come to know that challenging authority is part of growing up.But when it’s a provincial government insisting it can do whatever it likes, the behaviour is unseemly and it makes one pause.That’s what Bill 99 does.It challenges authority.Not just Canada’s authority is denied, but the very notion that there could be any restraints on the government of Quebec beyond what it chooses to grant the people of this province.Despite it’s lack of common logic or a legal foundation, despite the Supreme Court of Canada’s judgment, Bill 99 pretends that the Quebec government is answer-able to no one.No one, that is, other than itself and half the province’s voters, plus one, who happen to turn out on a given day, should that half opt for secession from Canada.This is nothing more and nothing less than a pipe dream.Not only is it a baseless provocation aimed at the Government of Canada, it is an insult to Quebecers, most of them understanding and accepting that Canada will never come apart without all Canadians being involved in the process.Of course the pretense for introducing Bill 99 - well over a year ago - was Ottawa’s Bill C-20, the Clarity Act.The Bouchard government makes out that the Clarity Act, unchallenged, slams the door to secession in Quebecers’ faces and that Bill 99 opens that door again.This is absolutely false on both counts.On the first, the Clarity Act does not shut the door to separation, it opens it -provided there is clear and widespread support for it.And on the second, Bill 99 does not negate the Clarity Act, it having no foundation either in fact or in law.All that Bill 99 does is flex muscles to impress the impressionable.Hard-core separatists are so uneasy these days - with the movement’s engine not just idling, but sputtering - even a federalist can feel a little sympathy for the premier.He is under pressure to push the independence option again, but knows it is political suicide to do so.As if it weren’t obvious enough beforehand, the November federal election drove this reality home.One of four federalist parties alone took more of the popular vote in this province than the separatists got.And that was under the leadership of a prime minister the pundits all portrayed as a liability in the unity question.With results like that, the conditions for a drive toward separation can hardly be described as winning.And as if that weren’t enough, Quebecers who count the federalist votes cast for the PCs, the Alliance and the NDP know that federalists actually outvoted separatists by a wide margin.In the Townships, the score was three to two and that was anemic compared with Montreal.The passing of Bill 99 in the wake of a licking like that is for one purpose only.It’s designed to keep rabid separatists a safe distance from the seat of the premier’s pants in his play for time.No one appreciates better than Premier Bouchard that the party’s cause is bogged down.He knows perfectly well the PQ’s bill of goods won’t sell in the foreseeable future.He knows, as well, that their cause is not grass-roots driven, that their friends and neighbours have to be pulled, pushed, cajoled and duped for the independence movement to merely survive, never mind succeed.Now that this bill has been enacted into law, it is about to be challenged on constitutional grounds.This was bound to happen, of course, since it is so full ol holes any level-headed person can see right through it.The only question the legal challenge raises for me is whether it is worth the expense and bother.Unless Quebecers are a lot less intelligent than I think they are, they’ll never come close to switching on the green light if a cheap gimmick like this is offered as the magic carpet to the promised land.That’s Bill 99 as I see it - much noise, like the schoolyard spat, but of little consequence.VIEWPOINT Healy Hard-core separatists are so uneasy these days - with the movement’s engine not just idling, but sputtering - even a federalist can feel a little sympathy for the premier. Monday, December 11, 2000 page 7 ¦ THE» Record [i *,.' s&pp «P -> '*±‘:‘4***% ‘They are people who are very involved in the community’ MAURICE CROSS FIELD Firefighters from Cowansville, Famham, Bromont and Sutton battled the blaze.By Sunday afternoon, investigators had still not determined whether or not the fire was criminal.Fire: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 By Sunday afternoon, the investigators had still not determined whether or not the fire was criminal."Investigators are currently going over the scene with a chemical specialist to determine the cause of the fire," Champoux said, adding the investigation could take a few days to complete.Danielle Champigny lived in the apartment with her husband, Benoit Deslands, and their four grown children.Neither Champigny nor her husband were at home at the time of the fire, but one of her sons was in the apartment with his girlfriend.Champigny and Deslands acted as caretakers of the building.“They are people who are very involved in the community,” said Landry, adding the occupants were involved in a number of activities, including the local youth centre.“Tonight they are disaster victims.” A special bus with volunteers was brought in to provide comfort for the victims and the firefighters.Danielle Champigny is the sister of Nathalie Champigny, who disappeared in 1992 at age 21.Nathalie’s boyfriend at the time, Kelly Whittier, was arrested in connection with the disappearance and later convicted of obstruction of justice after it was discovered he had collaborated with a witness to create a false alibi surrounding his whereabouts at the time of the disappearance.No evidence linked Whittier to the girl’s disappearance however, and Nathalie Champigny has never been found.Hero: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Binney then went to get her children.She successfully managed to remove Tanya, Yves and Sandra from the burning home.She went back in to get her son Michael, but was overcome by the smoke.Both Sheryl and Michael died in the fire.Accepting the medal on Bin-ney’s behalf was her husband, Richard Chapdelaine.The parents of Danville’s Melissa Brière were also on hand that day to accept a Medal of Heroism on behalf of their 15-year-old daughter, who also perished while trying to save someone else’s life.On Aug.16, 1999, Brière was swimming with three friends from the Asbestos region in the south branch of the Nicolet River.Strong rains had raised the water level and the currents were particularly strong that day.The teens used the deep water as an opportunity to jump from a bridge that crossed the river.The teens suddenly realized that one of them didn’t resurface after the jump.Brière jumped in to search for her friend, but also fell victim to the currents, which dragged her and her friend to the bottom.Unable to help, the two boys in the group left to get help.Brière and her friend drowned.OPTOMÉTRIQUE Côté, O.D.Lennoxvilie TÎH tatocPwil* Holder Suttm Î-POMTIQME DM VOYflQE ^ DE LESTRIE ( 1960) INC 2339 Les Promenades King, Sherbrooke 525 1st Avenue, Asbestos -mata».lap* Marthe Lecours Vice-President ESSAÎM 147 Queen Street Lennoxvilie 569-3601 (819) 563-7343 (619) 879-7188 Alain Côté, O.D.H NATIONAL BANK FINANCIAL 600-455 King St.West, Sherbrooke J1H 6E9 • (819) 348-1010 A Jackson Noble, C.A.Helen Labrec Art.Real Estate Agent Helen Labrecque Dr.Chantal Beliveau, d.d.s.Family Dentist King Street West Sherbrooke (819) 562-8024 (819) 823-7474 Elisabeth Têtu LE GROUPE pr- FORGET T PARENT AUDIOPROSTHESISTS HEARING AIDS 66 Court Street, Suite 207, Granby (450)372-1022 31 Brooks Street, Sherbrooke (819)569-9781 Valeri* Courchesne Danielle F.Cassar Investment Advisor OPTO • Cosmetic Dentistry • New patients welcome • Emergencies accepted 92 Queen St.Lennoxvilie Dr.Chantal Beliveau D.D.S.1901 Portland Blvd., Sherbrooke (mg) 822-1367 John Brouwer D.D.177 Queen St., Tel.: (819) 563-2333 Consult our professionals first Send your questions to: The Record, P.O.Box 1200., Sherbrooke J1H 5L6 Fax: 569-3945 • E-mail: recordad@interlinx.qc.ca page 8 Monday, December 11, 2000 ¦ THEm RECORD ‘A Christinas Carol’ comes to Aver’s Cliff Townshippers’ Association invites you to a CBC reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” in Ayer’s Cliff on Friday, Dec.15, at 7:30 p.m.at the Beulah United Church on Main St.Young and old alike are warmly invited, and are asked to bring along a donation and/or a non perishable food item for the Beulah United Church Christmas Basket Drive.All are welcome to stay after the reading for refreshments in the parish hall.“A Christmas Carol,” the well-loved story about Scrooge and Tiny Tim’s family, is a shortened version of Dick-en’s 1843 novel of the same name.Readers are Tim Belford, host of Quebec A.M.; John Mahoney, writer from Tomifobia and CBC correspondent: David McLauchlin, reporter for CBC Radio: Kim Prangley, director of the Haskell Free Library and Opera House; and Barbara Wintle, Anglican Church lay reader.Carols by a combined United and Anglican choir from Ayer’s Cliff will accompany the reading.This seasonal treat is one of more than 80 CBC readings of “A Christmas Carol” across Canada this year.It is a joint project of Townshippers’ Association, the CBC Quebec Community Network and Beulah United Church.The Ayer’s Cliff event is part of a CBC tradition started in 1990 by Judy Maddren, host of World Report, using a shortened version of “A Christmas Carol” Dickens wrote for a fund-raising performance.“I found that there was some interest from my CBC Radio colleagues to help me read the story for an adult audience.At the same time, we could raise money for causes that connected with Dickens’ own values: the poor and the homeless, education and health care,” Maddren explained.For more information, call Town-shippers’ Association at (819) 566-5717 or (450) 263-4422.Details about CBC’s readings and how to obtain a recording of “A Christmas Carol” on CD or cassette are available on CBC’s website, www.cbc.ca.Hi*; Adieu to the Holy Family Parish After 62 years serving the Richmond population, the Holy Family Parish will close its doors.The final mass will be held Dec.17 at 10:30 a.m.in honour of the parishioners and their families.Anyone who would like to come to the brunch or sing in the choir should contact Estelle Champagne at 826-5066.A choir practice will be held on the evening of Monday, Dec.11, with another later in the week.“There’s a lot of sadness with the closing of this church, but there’s optimism,” said congregation member Theresa Doyle, pictured above with her father Joseph.“My father wrote a poem for this church, how its spirit will prevail through the changes.This last mass will reflect that feeling." Well-known poet Joseph Doyle, 88, is ready to go to press with a collection of 150 poems.Visit his Website or call Theresa Doyle at 826-1487 for more information.- Rick Foss, Record Correspondent.JOB OPPORTUNITY “The Alexander Galt Christmas Basket Campaign" RECORD and ALEXANDER GALT REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ivite you to drop off your non-perishable food and donations (before December 15th).The baskets will benefit families within the ETSB School Board.um-iwmn Lennoxville VAUDRY'S FLOWER SHOP, 49 BELVIDERE 563-7272.Sherbrooke 1195 Galt St.East for your Please give generously UniuTmlmfi ANDROSCOGGIN VALLEY HOSPITAL Intensive Care Registered Nurses Medical/Surgical Registered Nurses Surgical Services Technician Androscoggin Valley Hospital, a 92-bed acute care facility in the picturesque White Mountains of tax-free New Hampshire, has full and part-time Registered Nurse positions and a full-time Surgical Services Technician position available.Join our professional team in delivering the high quality health care our Hospital is proud of.Successful nursing candidates must be registered with the NH State Board of Nursing.Prior experience is preferred.Surgical Services Technician candidates should be graduates of a surgical technician program or prior Operating Room experience is preferred.We offer a competitive salary, an attractive benefit package and excellent working conditions.Schedule includes rotating shifts and weekends.If interested, contact: Human Resources Department ANDROSCOGGIN VALLEY HOSPITAL 59 Page Hill Road Berlin, NY 03570 (603) 752-2200, Ext.105 An equal opportunity employer mÊtmmÊiamÊmKimÊÊmmÊmÊimÊÊmmmmËiim—ÊmmÊKÊÊmmÊÊiÊmm—mmmimmm¦ THE RECORD Monday, December 11, 2000 page 9 ' For more info, see further.mms Desjardins IT M u*TAMuurr f 10, St-Jean- Baptiste.Sherbrooke Afcrodge Pelletier