The record, 29 novembre 1996, vendredi 29 novembre 1996

FRIDAY November 29, 1996 WEATHER, Page 2 65 cents The Voice of the Eastern Townships since 1837 Best Guaranteed Investments • Flexible (not frozen) • Superior Rates • RRSP Eligible Call Calvin T.Chan Financial Advisor (819) 573-6006 / 1 800 561-3718 MIDLAND WALWYN : ¦ h â» î .u 4* * ismrmat Champlain students say no strike Champlain College students rose en masse to vote against further student protests that would result in lost class time.photo: rené bruemmer By René Bruemmer LENNOXVILLE Champlain College students in LennoxviHe voted unanimously against a walkout to protest tuition fee hikes yesterday, mainly because Education Minister Pauline Marois had already promised not to raise tuition fees ten days earlier.The vote was called in response to an anonymous petition circulated a few days before Marois’s announcement.The petition requested a referendum on a general unlimited strike which would start today and continue until a new vote would be held next Wednesday.Student chief returning officer Norm Green explained that the Champlain Students Association’s constitution stipulates a referendum must be held if a petition is received with more than 30 names.The anonymous petition had 42 names.The referendum could have been cancelled by the people who circulated the petition, but no one came forward to take responsibility.About 350 of Champlain College’s 1200 students filled the bleachers of the gymnasi- See STRIKE : page 2 Townships’ man charged in inmate’s death SHERBROOKE - An inmate at the federal penitentiary in Drummondville is facing charges following the death of a fellow convict Sunday.Sébastien Robert, 25, was found lying dead on the floor of a weight-training area inside the penitentiary among some of the equipment.An autopsy later revealed that he had been hit at least four times on the head with a steel bar.The blows caused a cerebral hemorrhage which led to his death.Robert, a native of the Eastern Townships, had been serving time for several counts of breaking and entering.The major crimes squad of the Trois Rivières detachment of the Quebec Police Force was called in to investigate.Thursday police arrested 20-year-old Patrick Morin, also from the Townships.He appeared in court Thursday afternoon to face charges of first-degree murder.QPF spokesman Cst.Daniel Lamirand said the investigation is continuing to determine the motive for the killing and the circumstances surrounding Robert’s death.Morin returns to court again on Dec.19 to have a date set for a preliminary hearing.Sherbrooke resident arrested in connection with the murder of a Rock Machine member last summer - See story page 3 Is Cowansville courthouse now on the chopping block?By Maurice Crossfield COWANSVILLE - After years of promises and several false starts on renovations, supporters of the Cowansville courthouse are worried local cases will one day be heard in Granby.“The future doesn’t seem too rosy right now,” said Réjean Lehoux, president of at the economic development group,Groupe de concertation régionale de Brome-Missisquoi.He said all plans to fix up the courthouse have been put on hold.“Nothing is moving.It’s not good news it’s not bad news, it’s no news,” Lehoux said fol- lowing a conversation with Parti Québécois cabinet chief Mathieu Proulx Thursday afternoon.At issue is a government plan to renovate the aging Cowansville courthouse.In 1991, then Liberal justice minister Gil Rémillard referred to the proposed facelift as a priority project that would begin in 1992.The $8,7 million project finally got the green light in the spring of 1994, and an official launching of the project was held in June.But in the fall of 1994 the Parti Québécois came to power and new justice minis- ter Paul Bégin called for a re-evaluation of the project.The extent of the renovations was scaled down and the price tag was dropped to $4,2 million.With only the parking lot completed, work on the site came to an abrupt halt and a new bid for tenders was called.During this time the court’s offices has been moved twice, finally ending up in a privately-owned building which once housed the local offices and garage of Transport Quebec.‘The old courthouse needs some space but it has it’s charms,” said Robert Brisbois, the lawyer representing the Bedford District Bar Association on the renovation issue.“It’s much better than pleading a case in a garage.” The Société Immobilière du Quebec, the body responsible for provincial government buildings, finally accepted a bid from Construction Chateau St-Marc to carry out the work, which was due to begin last September.The town of Cowansville even handed out the necessary permits to allow construction to go ahead.The problem?Justice Minister Bégin has to sign the contract before work can begin, which he hasn’t done yet.“The plan is on but there’s still no signed contract,” Lehoux said.“The problem is that the company guaranteed their price for three months, and now the guarantee is up.” Lehoux said his repeated demands to find out why Bégin hasn’t signed the contract has fallen on deaf ears.An£ with Brome-Missisquoi MNA Pierre Paradis sitting in opposition, he doesn’t have much influence with the ruling PQ.But Lehoux contends that See COURT : page 2 r i i i i jMgs / #1 in the World for Roast Beef Sandwiches AFTER 4 P.M.MEAL for 2 tor s789 + tax Inclûtes.; 2 sandwiches (Beef and Cheddar) 2 regular size French Fries and 2 regular size soft drinks 1 coupon/person.Valid until Dec.15, 1996.Cannot be combined with another offer THE GREAT CANADIAN FREE iWhen you buy one jGreat Canadian •Sandwich and one jregular size French fry iat regular price, {get a 2nd Great Canadian FREE v?1 coupon/person.Valid until Oec.15,1996.4hb Cannot be combined with another offer When you buy a “SUPER” Sandwich at the regular price, get a 2nd one tor 99* 1 coupon/person.Valid until Dec.15,1996 Cannot be combined with another offer WÆL.980 King East Sherbrooke The RECORD - Friday, November 29, 1996 - 2 The legislative crunch comes just before Christmas Ever wonder what your elected leaders are doing when they’re not busy making fools of themselves?they’re equally busy passing laws - some of them serious, some a bit silly.You don’t have to be an avid National Assembly watcher to know when the end of a legislative session is getting close.You just have to subscribe to the Quebec Official Publisher’s subscription service for legislation tabled in the Assembly’s Salon Bleu -that is, copies of each bill at every step in its official progress, from idea-land to the law of the land.Just as small birds start gathering in summer to fatten up and build strength for their collective trip south each fall, so do our elected deputies begin collecting legislation each autumn to pass before they fly south themselves.The crunch comes just before Christmas, when new laws fly like falling leaves.Every bill introduced this fall must find its way to the Assembly’s order paper twice more before the Assembly closes down for the holidays.Otherwise the Lieutenant Governor can’t sign them into law.Of course copies of every bill at every stage must make its way from the printing presses deep in the Assembly’s basement - at least that’s where they used to be - to subscribers like the Record.Some of the laws we get are fairly useful; others rather not.Anyway here are some of the latest batch, as received on Thursday: Bill 75 - An Act to amend the Act respecting collective agreement decrees.Sixteen pages, gobbledegook about what to do when unions and management can’t get along.Basically, if you can’t agree, decree.Bill 72 - An Act to amend the constituent Acts of the urban communities and other legislative provisions.Twenty-two pages “to abolish certain controls and grant new powers” to the urban communities of Montreal, Quebec City and Hull.The first two (not the Outaouais UC, though) will also soon be able to “allow bicycle paths to be used for various means of locomotion other than the bicycle.” Doesn’t that warm your heart?What do you suppose they’re thinking of - roller skates?Yes.Roller blades?Yes.Skateboards?Yes.Ski-boards or any other similar mode of locomotion?Yes.Donkey rides?No.Armored personnel carriers?No.Snowplows?No.Line-dancing?No no no - at least it’s not mentioned.An Act respecting the legal publicity of sole proprietorships, partnerships and legal persons and the Act respecting the Ministère de la Justice.Four pages, “To transfer to the registrar the responsibilities held by the clerk of the Superior Court as regards the registration of natural persons, partnerships and groups under the Act respecting the legal publicity of sole propri- etorships, partnerships and legal persons.” Of course - it’s perfectly clear.Bill 70 - An Act to amend the Hydro-Québec Act.Three pages, “to authorize Hydro-Québec to use accounting methods and practices generally accepted by regulatory bodies.” I would have thought they already did that, but apparently not.Bill 67 - An Act to establish an administrative review procedure for real estate assessment and to amend other legislative provisions.Sixteen pages to complicate the appeal process for municipal real-estate tax evaluations “to allow the parties to come to an agreement on alterations to be made to the assessment roll and the roll of rental values without having to involve the assessment review board.” Bill 65 - An Act to institute, under the Code of Civil Procedure,pre-hearing mediation in family law cases and to amend othe provisions of the Code.It’s only six pages but this is the little beauty all the lawyers are striking against.Maybe they should try meditation with two Ts instead.Bill 63 - An Act respecting semi-public companies in the municipal sector.Seventeen pages, restricts municipalities from managing police, fire and water departments through semi-public companies which may be created however for other reasons such as bylaw enforcement, property management and so on.Were you wondering why the list is going down instead of up?It was so I could save the next one for last: Bill 57 - An Act to amend the Act respecting fabriques and other legislative provisions.This is only an eight-pager and it’s mostly about pension plans for priests.But it also allows church wardens to maintain columbariums.This is a revival movement and the latest trend in dying -above-ground burial in rows, suitable for both ashes and full bodies.It seems to me we had these when I was a kid and we would play all day in the graveyard.They called them mausoleums then and therir iron doors would creak with rust when we looked inside.But if they were illegal, so were we.I guess I’ll never be Lieutenant Governor now.COURT: Continued from page one the justice ministry assured local officials that if they worked more closely with the Granby courthouse to keep operating costs down, they would get their renovation project.So what happens in a year and a half when the court’s lease at the old Transport Quebec office expires?Lehoux said he’s concerned that cases will end up being sent to Granby, spelling the end of a court in Cowansville.“The truth is, I’m sure they’ve thought about it,” Lehoux said.“We are very worried about the possibility of losing our courthouse.” During the last few years of wrangling, the justice ministry has also closed the Cowansville jail, which adjoins the courthouse.With the jail empty, the SIQ has since tried to sell the building, but with no luck.“Who wants to own a private prison?” Lehoux said.Early next week Lehoux will be meeting with members of the Groupe de concertation régionale de Brome-Missisquoi to discuss how the group will convince the government to get things going.He said the future of the court in Cowansville may depend on it.“We are going to have to do it ourselves,” Lehoux said.“Nobody is going to do it for Inside Ann Landers .16 Opinions .6 Births and Deaths .11 Entertainment .9 Classified .12-13-14-15 Farm and Business .7 Comics 17 Living .8 Crossword .15-16 Sports .18-19 Regional forecast Low High Sherbrooke CLOUDY -10 -1 Thetford CLOUDY -9 -1 Cowansville CLOUDY -9 0 Richmond CLOUDY -9 -1 Stanstead CLOUDY -9 0 Lac Megantic CLOUDY -10 -1 I JUST THINK THAT CAPTAIN PlCARP ON‘STAR TREK" IS SO SEXY/ PANlELl py Sum HE'S SO ATTRACTIVE-HOW HE HOLPS HIMSELF AND THE WAY HE SPEAKS/ r WELL, I FOR ONE PONT GET IT.I MEAN HE'S WELL INTO HIS FIFTIES, TOTALLY 6ALPANP- I KNOW/ JUST MY TYPE.' il m Record a division of Quebecor Communications Inc.2850 Delorme, Sherbrooke, Que.J1K 1A1 819-569-9511 819-569-9525 Fax: 819-569-3945 Member ABC, CARD, CDNA, NMB, QCNA Randy Kinnear, Publisher.819-569-9511 Susan C.Mastine, Community Rel.819-569-9511 Charles Bury, Exec.Editor .819-569-6345 Sharon McCully, Editor.819-569-6345 Dwane Wilkin, Chief Correspondent 819-569-6345 Alain Tétreault.Adv.Dir.819-569-9525 Richard Lessard, Prod.Mgr .819-569-9931 Departments Accounting.819-569-9511 Advertising.819-569-9525 Circulation .819-569-9528 Editorial .819-569-6345 Knowlton office .514-242-1188 Home & Mail subscriptions Canada: 1 year 104.00 6 months 52.00 3 months 26.00 GST 7.28 3.64 1.82 PST 7.23 3.62 1.81 total $118.51 $59.26 $29.63 Out of Quebec residents do not include PST.Rates for other services available on request.Back copies of The Record ordered one week after publication are available at $1.00 per copy.Established February 9, 1897, incorporating the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) and the Sherbrooke Examiner (est.1879).The Record is published daily Monday to Friday by The Record Division, Quebecor Communications Inc.Offices and plant located at 2850 Delorme Street, Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1K 1A1.Canadian Publications Mail Service Product Agreement No.0479675. The RECORD - Friday, November 29, 1996 - 3 Townships Sherbrooke man arrested in motorcyclist’s murder SHERBROOKE (MC) - A Sherbrooke man has been arrested and is facing charges in relation to the murder of a member of the Rock Machine motorcycle gang last summer.Luc Laine appeared in court in Quebec City Thursday afternoon to face charges of first degree murder in the death of Rock Machine member Gilles Fournier last July 13.Lainé was one of five arrested in raids across Quebec by the Wolverine anti-gang squad Wednesday in relation to the murder.Others charged Thursday included Danny Lizotte who will face one count of involuntary manslaughter, Stéphane Alain and André Vigneault each charged with first-degree murder, and Roger Gendron who was charged with being an accomplice after the fact.Quebec City Police spokeswoman Cst.Darie Bertrand said the suspects were seen beating Fournier at a Quebec City bar on the night of July 13.Fournier’s decomposing body was found near the town of Frampton Sept.27.Tests later determined that he was in fact killed sometime on or around July 13.Bertrand said the five were not Hell’s Angels members, but were associated with the gang.At the time of the murder, the Hell’s Angels were engaged in a bloody gang war with the Rock Machine, which centered around control of the Quebec cocaine trade.Scream scares nervous robber SHERBROOKE - A woman’s scream was all it took to make a robber change his mind in the town of La Guadeloupe, a picturesque community about 80 kilometres east of Sherbrooke.According to Quebec Police Force spokesman Cst.Serge Dubord, a man entered a general store Wednesday STRIKE:— Continued from page one gymnasium in Bishop’s sportsplex at 1 p.m.They were asked to show their vote by standing or remaining seated.When asked who was against the strike, all the students stood up to vote no.When asked who was for the strike, no one moved, and the students started cheering.Yuri Lessard, a first-year creative arts major, is one of the many students who was against the walk-out.“It’s crazy,” he said.“Everybody else had their protests two weeks ago, and now they want us to strike two weeks before exams?Maybe later, but not now.It’s because of that stupid petition.I vote no.” The school schedule has already been altered due to a two-day student walkout Nov.13 and 14, held to protest tuition fee hikes and cuts to provincial loans and bursaries.The fall term has been extended from Dec.10 to Dec.12, and many exams will have to be written in the night on 14th Avenue in the tiny village not far from Courcelles.Pulling out a knife, the man demanded that the store clerk put up her hands.As he was reaching for the money in the cash register the woman began to scream loudly calling for the police.The startled man dropped the evenings and on week ends to make up for the lost time.Gerry Cutting, campus director at Champlain College, explained the possible repercussions of a strike to the students before the vote was held.“If we have a walk-out of just one day, it means that we will not be able to complete the fall semester until Jan.1997,” Cutting said.“There is just no time this semester to make it up.That means that we will have to start a week earlier than normal in January to make up for missed classes and makeup exams.It is not my job to try and influence you, but it is my responsibility to explain the consequences.” The students were upbeat before the referendum.Some tried to start a wave going in the bleachers, while shouting “Non.” After the vote, they left the gymnasium smiling and laughing.Some students were concerned that the public nature of the vote may have scared some potential yes voters money and fled the store.Dubord said the robbery attempt was unsuccessful.Police will now try to pick up the man for attempted armed robbery.“It’s actually kind of funny,” he said.“I guess he was a little too nervous.” from standing to vote.Christina Young, Academic vice-president of the Champlain College students’ association, agreed that it wasn’t the best way to obtain a count, “I know it should have been done by private ballot,” Young said.“But the student association just doesn’t have the time to do it that way.The vote became basically meaningless once Marois announced the tuition fee freeze.I think even the people who signed the petition probably changed their minds.In any case, the overwhelming majority shows that the outcome would have been against the walkout anyway.” The earlier walkout was a protest against tuition fee increases and cuts to the provincial loans and bursary program.Marois later promised that there would be no tuition hikes during the current PQ mandate, but she still plans to cut $35 million from student financial aid.In Brief Identification card for children SHERBROOKE - For the third consecutive year, Sherbrooke municipal police and students from the police technology school in cooperation with McDonald’s Restaurant on King East, are organizing l’Opération Passeport-Enfant on Sunday, Dec.1st, 1996.The event will take place between 9 a.m.and 4 p.m.at the McDonald’s Restaurant at 975 King East in Sherbrooke.Children 12 years and under and their parents are invited to come in and complete a passport.This identification card will contain pertinent information about the child, including his or her photo, a physical description and fingerprints.This passport will be given free of charge to parents.Those who already have a passport may come in and have it updated.There will also be lots of fun and surprizes for the kids.Christmas candles for Caritas SHERBROOKE - Townshippers can support Caritas’ Christmas Campaign for Peace by purchasing Christmas candles this weekend.For $3, volunteers from the campaign will give you two candles.Caritas, which survives mainly on donations and activities such as this one, hopes to raise $50,000 through the sale.On Friday, Nov.29, Caritas will be selling their candles at the Provigo on the corner of Belvédère and McManamy in Sherbrooke; on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, they will also be available at Place Belvédère, Galeries 4 Saisons, the Provigo at Promenades King, as well as at Terrasses Rock Forest.And from Thursday to Sunday next week, the candles will be available at the Canadian Tire on the corner of King and Jacques-Cartier.Boucher in Brazil WINDSOR - Johnson MNA and Regional Secretary for the Estrie region, Claude Boucher, will leave for Brazil on Sunday to participate in a preliminary meeting to prepare for the Parliamentary conference of the Americas which will be held in Quebec next September.According to Boucher, the conference’s goal is to permit discussion on the social, economic, cultural, legislative and political impact of the continental integration of the Americas.Boucher already made a recent economic mission to Brazil Aug.28 to Sept.4, where he undertook negotiations with the Brazilian government.Boucher believes that this second meeting will be very important for the success of the upcoming Quebec conference.Charest claims Liberal support QUEBEC (CP) Conservative Leader Jean Charest said Wednesday he’s got the support of most Quebec Liberals after meeting with provincial Liberal Leader Daniel Johnson.“Have you got the total support of the Quebec Liberal party?” reporters asked him as he left the meeting.“I have about 75 per cent,” he responded.The Conservatives have only two seats in the House of Commons.Charest is the sole Tory in Parliament from Quebec.Charest said there are 30,000 Conservative party members in the province.Following the meeting with Johnson, Charest said he was confident his party would do better in the next election.“I doubt that 75 per cent of federal Liberals in Quebec support Jean Chretien,” he said.There has been tension between the federal and provincial Liberals since the No side led by Johnson narrowly won last year’s referendum.Charest said his party will avoid being squeezed between the governing federal Liberals and the Bloc Québécois, who hold most of the Quebec seats.Beach Forecast 1 900 565-4000 Only 95 $ per minute Environment Environnement Canada Canada 1*1 Cuba Florida Mexico Dominican Republic Townships 4 - The RECORD - Friday, November 29, 1996 Tom Matthews receives distinguished service award By Roman Solonysznyj SHERBROOKE - In the world of Quebec education where many others have lost their heads, Tom Matthews has steadfastly hung on to his.The Director of Educational Services of the Eastern Townships School Board was presented the Distinguished Service Award of the Quebec Association of School Administrators at a ceremony held in Montreal Nov.14.“I have to give credit to the whole administration.We’ve been working together for about 20 years and it’s really been a team effort,” Matthews said.Matthews supervises the operations of 13 schools without the benefit of assistants while still managing to lend a sympathetic ear to other employees.“He’s a good listener,” said John Retchless, a Magog school principal.“ He also has an uncanny ability to gauge John Retchless and Barbara Matthews congratulate Tom Matthews on receiving top educators award.whether you’re offering advice or just venting your spleen.” Over the years, the native of North Hatley has been involved in instituting several important and innovative programs.At the ETSB, Matthews was instrumental in establishing the French as a Second Language program which was subsequently adopted by many other boards around the province.Matthews and the ETSB staff continue to fine-tune the program and have succeeded in keeping it fresh.Matthews’ role on the Small Schools Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Education helped sensitize government bureaucrats to problems faced by off-island school boards.Matthews also felt strongly about training teachers so that they may adapt easily into the Townships’ work environment.In a school board where teachers are often asked to cover a wide variety of subject material, an important link between education programs at Bishop’s University and the ETSB needed to be established.Matthews was responsible for co-ordinating such a program where prospective educators and administrators could be taught the appropriate skills.Retchless thinks one of the reasons behind Matthews’ effectiveness is that he’s been able to follow many of his staff s careers’ as they’ve moved through the ranks.As a result, he’s been able to follow their progress as professionals as well as become a close friend to many of them.He’s a great boss to work for,” Retchless said.Stamping out abuse Groups unveil calendar of services and programs for Memphremagog seniors \ : If .m ¦' .-'I :¦ ’ .¦ ¦ ¦ pf.' \ » i Paul Martel, CISC Alfred-Desrosiers; Marcel Rancourt, CLSC Alfred Des Rochers ; Daniel Lareau, Centre de Jour; Louise Hébert, Carrefour du partage; Louise Bclec, CAB R.H.Richelieu, Annie Portier,Transport des Alentours; Alison Hammon, Citizen’s Advocacy; Marielle laçasse, Centre hospitalier et d'hébergement Memphremagog launched new directory of services to seniors in Memphremagog SHERBROOKE - The CLSC in Magog has released its sixth edition of a calendar for senior citizens but get your copy quick, there are only 2000 of them available.The 1997 calendar is produced by the Committee on services to seniors in the Memphremagog MRC and includes a telephone directory of important public services.The directory gives a brief description of the services offered to seniors.Income tax clinics, women’s centres, the Quebec Police Force and home nursing care are just a sample of the wide variety of phone numbers and addresses included in the directory put together by the Magog Caisse Populaire and the Francine Robert FamiliPrix Pharmacy.The directory information is completely bilingual.The Committee on Services to Seniors brings together representatives from the CLSC Alfred-Desrochers, La Providence Hospital and various volunteer groups.The handy calendar includes telephone numbers and addresses of the various facilites and services available to seniors in the region.It also includes important information on public and para-public programs of special interest to older residents.Since 1991 the committee has worked to oversee the delivery of services among different care givers.The calendar is free and is available at Caisse Populaire in Magog, Stanstead, Beebe, Rock Island, Saint-Catherine and Mansonville or the Francine Robert Famili-Prix Pharmacy at 100 Sainte-Patrice Est.in Magog.By Murielle Parkes Record Correspondent MANSONVILLE - A small group of seniors and others interested in curbing abuse of the elderly learned that a proper attitude, and knowledge of rights and resources, are all that’s needed to help put an end to violence.Vicky May Ham, who represents the Sherbrooke-based Sensibilisation contre la violence envers les ainé(e)s de l’Estrie, and Normand Gordon from the Quebec Association for the rights of the retired and pre-retired, have been touring the Townships as part of a two-year-old project that ends in March.At the request of Citizen Advocacy, the representatives were in Mansonville last Monday to demonstrate how believing in oneself and saying “no abuse” can make a difference.“The topic scares people,” noted Ham.“However, many people really have had rough experiences.” Moreover, not everyone realizes what constitutes abuse which can range from the obvious slaps, jostling, yelling, restraints, forced feeding, to the more subtle, such as age prejudice, forced signing of little-understood documents or lack of respect.“It is a situation which is all very common with one in four seniors victims.” Ham and Gordon went on to present a series of father-daughter skits to effectively demonstrate the four different forms of abuse: physical, social, financial and psychological.The first set illustrated an abusive pattern, at the core of which was the fragile selfesteem of a senior, combined with an abuser’s need to exert control.However, not all abuse is intentional, Ham noted.Sometimes abusers find themselves in a situation “where they are inadequately prepared, have little knowledge about the aging process as well as little experience, few skills and unknown resources.” It can all be too much.The profile of those likely to be victims of abuse usually includes passivity and obedience, a fear of bothering others, emotional dependence and lack of self-confidence.The second set provided “take-charge” endings to the previous skits and showed Gordon, this time as an assertive senior in control of his own life.He was making up his own mind, thank you! He would find help from an appropriate community organization’ to help him.And he no longer would permit his daughter to be the sole signatory of his affairs.Ham and Gordon agreed that many people don’t realize that a power-of-attorney can be taken back at any time.The team returns to the Town Hall next Monday evening, Dec.2 at 7:00 p.m. The RECORD - Friday, November 29, 1996 - 5 Townships North Hatley’s Yuletide Market continues each Saturday Photos and text by Bruce Patton > llill •.¦ .v Meghan Jensen, left, displays a package of freshly-made goat cheese prepared by her mother, Kevin Jensen, right.Christophe Brand, left, practises the art of dried flower arranging under the watchful eye of vendor, Marcelle Boiteux.' ' '' When not selling sourdough breads and donuts, Nils Bird entertains with guitar music.He is flanked by Raphael Lavoie-Brand, left, Christophe Brand, Sebastian Gallup and Clara Bird.NORTH HATLEY - A number of local artisans offer their handicrafts to the §ublic at the Farmers’ Yuletide Market in the North Hatley town hall each aturday between 10 am and noon.The event is overseen by the North Hatley Village Improvement Society.Shirley Haeberlin started the Farmers’ Market 18 years ago.Although many of the articles offered for sale have a definite Yuletide flavour, traditional foods and crafts are also available.The musical sounds of Christmas are noticeably absent, but are replaced by the soft sounds of an acoustic guitar being played on site.Baked goods, dried flowers, watercolours, custom-designed Christmas cards, homemade jams, stoneware and fresh goat cheese are among the delicacies from which to choose.The Farmers’ Yuletide Market will be in operation for the next four consecutive Saturdays.¦ _ Annette Brand, left, offers some homemade quiche to Catherine G.Lizotte of Hatley.Camille Bouskela samples some of the German and Norwegian Christmas cookies and waffles prepared by her parents, Philippe and Anette.Community I I Culture I • I Heritage I À • Ik.STRENGTHEN OUR LINKS Thank you! $20,000 pledged during phone-a-thons Support projects in the areas of youth & education, health & social services, arts, culture and heritage.Help us reach our goal of $60,000 Townshippers’ Foundation Name Address City_ Province Postal Code Tel.: Recor'd Mail to: 1945 Bélvèdere S #204 Ascot QC J1H 5Y3 6 - The RECORD - Friday, November 29, 1996 Opinions Farmers are people too After several meetings with upset farmers and Union des producteurs agricole (UPA) representatives, the Minister of Environment has agreed to set up a consultative committee to develop viable manure handling regulations.Normally, I find the government spends too much time and money studying, rather than doing, things.But this time, I think they must consult with the people these laws are going to affect.Maybe with all the areas affected having some input, the government can come up with something rational that will ensure the protection of everyone.“Reacting” to the squeaky wheel does not always solve the problem.Reacting without thinking the whole thing through often just compounds the problem.For example, it wasn’t long ago the government was insisting on manure pits when granting permits or loans for new installations.The first pits were cement tanks which had to be designed by an engineer in order to qualify for a grant, then the additional cost ate up the grant.These usually cracked in the first year or two.Then the ministry discovered that manure seals those cracks and thereby realized dirt sides with a certain percentage of clay would also work just as well, if not better, for a much lower cost.Once the farmer put out the money for the pit, he was then faced with another dilemma - how to empty the darn thing! More money needed to purchase different equipment to spread the manure.Now the government is thinking that maybe that wasn’t the best way to handle the problem - maybe composting is the way to go.Make up my mind! Most farmers, like most people in other businesses, try to do what is best for their welfare and others.Farmers are people, too, and they want good drinking water the same as anyone else.We don’t like the smell of manure either, but we put up with it a couple of weeks a year because the good far outweighs the bad.If manure did not smell (and they are doing some very promising research to reduce the pungent odor), we probably wouldn’t have all these ridiculous set-back regulations tacked to our “right to farm” by-law which, by the way, in this area would take out about half the land available for spreading manure.Where would we put the surplus?Spread it twice as thick where we can?The smell will still be there, folks! It seems the aim is a “No right to farm” rather than a “right of farm” bylaw.One of the biggest problem areas in farming comes from the pork industry and again I feel this is another case where the government went off half-cocked without thinking things through.A while back they were encouraging pig production expansion in a big way.With more pigs you have more manure and more smell.Nobody thought about the problem of density and the proximity of the public.These are areas where there is a heavy concentration of pork producers and just the ventilation from the barns keeps the nearby town smelling most of the time.I don’t feel it is right for people to move into a rural agricultural area because it is so beautiful and then discover that there’s the odd thing about farming that they don’t like and then try to close them down.And it is not right for the government to arbitrarily legislate without delving into all aspects.I often feel too many things are decided with only half the facts and here’s hoping that in the instance of manure management regulations, the pattern is changed with consultation, cooperation and respect for all parties involved.DIANA FRIZZLE Diana Frizzle operates the Larrymead Farm in Brome Lake with her husband, Larry.A RECENT STUD?C7N OBESITY SAYS THAT THE TV REMOTE CONTROL KEEPS PEOPLE ONTHE COUCH LONGER Government has no business in divorce Re: “Lawyers hit picket lines to protest forced mediation” by Roman Solonysznyj (The Record, Tuesday, Nov.26.) I am outraged by the changes being proposed by Justice Minister Paul Bégin to force couples to seek mediation before separating and/or divorcing.I can tell you from personal experience that divorce is already painful enough for everyone involved — parents and children alike — without inflicting the emotional anguish of having to relive or re-hash every single incident that led to the decision to separate or divorce — which no doubt would happen in a mediation session.The decision to end a marriage or common-law relationship is an extremely difficult one.Mr.Bégin obviously does not understand how much courage it takes simply to make that first call to Legal Aid and ask for advice.Imagine making that phone call and being sent instead to a mediator whose goal, I’m assuming, is to convince the couple to give it one more try or to make them doubt their decision by implying “Are you sure you want to do this?” A person does not turn to the legal system after an argument over whose turn it is to take out the garbage or after hubby or wife stayed out too late — “Bob stayed out until 3 a.m., and now I want a divorce.” No, a person turns to the legal system after they have given everything “one more try” or maybe 10 more tries, or 20.The government has absolutely no right to undermine the validi- ty or seriousness of this kind of decision, and that is precisely what I feel these changes will do.By the time a person calls Legal Aid, believe me, they have already agonized over every single aspect of ending the relationship — how they will manage financially, how the children will adjust, how certain they are that life alone will be better than life with a partner who can help out, and probably a million other things.By the time a person seeks legal advice, they have weighed the pros and cons and have still decided that divorce is unfortunately the only solution.It is simply not the time to throw new doubts into the mix when that person has finally found the courage and strength to be on his other own.Most ludicrous, however, is the fact that, after these proposed changes go through, a single mother earning $10,000 would no longer qualify for Legal Aid because she earns too much money.I currently earn just slightly over $10,000 a year, and I am hardly eating steak and caviar every night.There are daycare expenses, clothing for two growing kids, bus passes, groceries, unforeseen medical expenses, utilities — the list goes on and on.I can’t afford a $3.50 an hour babysitter; what the hell makes Mr.Bégin think I can afford a private lawyer?LINDA GALEAZZi Sherbrooke Potton report failed to tell whole story Dear Editor, In reference to your Nov.20 article, “CLSC public meeting in Mansonville,” I feel obliged to reply due to the lack of information that was surely inadvertently omitted by correspondent Murielle Parkes.Four hundred and two citizens signed a petition in six days, and this deserves a better description than, and I quote, “several residents recently signed a petition.” Further-more, this petition was not against the CLSC services, but against a municipal by-law to borrow $350,000 to spend on a new complex-type building in Mansonville.The petition was circulated because residents were misinformed about the reasons for this building.Questions were raised as to why the existing building used by the CLSC had not been considered, as $70,000 had already been invested in this building.Another question was why the school boards were not approached during the preliminary discussions between the CLSC and the municipality.There are also two other empty buildings in Mansonville that might serve the community needs as well.The article stated that the new building should not cost the taxpayers a cent.Yet it should be obvious that a ten-year lease with the CLSC at $35,000 a year will not cover the $350,000 loan plus interest, and the expenses to maintain this public building.An amount of $25,000 has already been spent on professional fees by the municipality for the preparation of specifications and plans for this building.It will cost the taxpayers.Relating again to this article and to a prior CLSC meeting on Nov.18, which I attended, no one said the CLSC “would not be able to keep its staff unless improvements were made to its premises soon.” In fact, it was mentioned the CLSC would not be able to keep its engagement to offer additional services to the town, unless space was made available to them.This does not imply the CLSC is leaving town.On a personal note, with all other expenses that the municipality has to absorb, such as the aqueduct project, the QPF expense of more than $300,000 and the sewer system, which cost $1 million, it is understandable that taxpayers are concerned when additional projects are tabled without consideration of existing and future expenditures.With all due respect to those administering our tax money, greater foresight and sounder longterm budget planning is essential now that the provincial government is transfering more and more of its own debt to the municipal level.A concerned citizen, CAROLINE BROWN Mansonville The RECORD - Friday, November 29, 1996 — 7 ______________ Farm and Business Bouchard decides to join Team Canada trade mission By Jack Branswell QUEBEC (CP) - Quebec plans to join the Team Canada trade mission to Asia in January - so it can promote sovereignty.Lucien Bouchard will “of course” raise the sovereignty issue, Deputy premier Bernard Landry said Thursday.“It is the duty of a Quebec premier - especially if he is from the Parti Québécois - to talk to other nations and people about exactly what we have in mind.” That’s likely to infuriate Prime Minister Jean Chrétien who likes trade missions to run smoothly and focus on business.Chrétien, the 10 premiers and the two territorial leaders and business representatives will visit South Korea, the Philippines and Thailand.Landry also said Bouchard would use the trip to boost Quebec’s economy.“If that can be of some help for employment in Quebec, Mr.Bouchard will go,” Landry said.Chrétien’s office had no immediate comment.Quebec passed up two previous Team Canada ventures.This will be Quebec’s first time on board and Landry is already attacking the trip.He said Ottawa shouldn't expect Quebec to ride around in a minivan with the premiers and territorial leaders while Chrétien is in a limousine.“It is bad symbolism,” said Landry.Quebec is looking for equal billing and doesn’t want to play a backup role to the federal government, he said.He then went on to suggest Canada is misrepresenting the trip because it is calling it a national trade mission.‘There isn’t even a national prime minister - there is a only a federal prime minister,” he said.“The word national only applies to the Quebec National Assembly (legislature) so they should say that to Asians.” Under former premier Jacques Parizeau, Quebec did not participate in the trade missions.The first one came soon after the Parti Québécois was elected in 1994 and Parizeau tried to send Landry, but Chrétien said the trip was for premiers only.The prospect of Bouchard pitching sovereignty in Asia v/ill likely spark a new round of Ottawa-Quebec squabbling because Chrétien has long maintained that Quebec’s economy is suffering from political uncertainty.Flight attendants will vote on proposal by Canadian Airlines By Ian Bailey RICHMOND, B.C.(CP) -One of two holdout unions stalling a plan to save Canadian Airlines International from bankruptcy agreed Thursday to let its members vote on a proposal for wage cuts.But the leader of the Canadian Union of Public Employees said she still wants changes to a proposal that Canadian’s boss says is beyond change.“What we’re working on now is to be in a position to go out and recommend something to our members, as opposed to recommending rejection,” Judy Darcy said Thursday.Darcy wants a deal that will protect flight attendants, some earning less than $30,000 a year, from wage rollbacks that the airline says are key to a complicated salvation plan.However, company president Kevin Benson has said flatly that negotiations are over and he expects the holdout unions to capitulate.He plans to take the restructuring proposal to creditors as is.Cash-poor CAI has been trying to get its six unions and three governments on side this week with a restructuring plan management hopes will fly with creditors.Benson ended talks early Thursday morning with CUPE and the Canadian Auto Workers still refusing to swallow wage cuts of up to eight per cent.Four of the six unions agreed last week to the plan, which calls for $35 million in wage cuts and $35 million in fuel tax cuts from the B.C., Alberta and federal governments over four years.Ottawa would give up $20 million, the Alberta government $8 million and the B.C.government $7 million.The proposal would also allow Canadian to postpone $30 million in loan repayments owed the three governments for up to 18 months.In addition, the airline needs $48 million in reduced service fees from AMR Corp., owner of American Airlines and a major investor in EAST ANGUS MEDICAL CLINIC — i Starting Decen NEW OPEN] CLINIC Monday to Friday 9 a.m.to noon 1 p.m.to 5 p.m.6 p.m.to 9 p.m.Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.to 2 p.m.I 161, Angus St.South | nber 1st, 1996 ING HOURS LABORATORY Blood Tests Tuesday and Thursday Morning 8:30 a.m.to 11:00 a.m.819) 832-2438 Canadian.Benson admitted early Thursday he’s rolling the dice on the carrier’s future.He’s betting all six unions will convert to his cause within a week.“I’m going to gamble on that,” Benson told a news conference early this morning.Place Brouillard 2700 King St.West Sherbrooke, Que.” Onlmdu p*f»-brtM Automod Audio Vitres D'autos was the winner of “The Young Entrepreneur of the Year" AstroStart Remote car starter and vehicle security system A.Jackson Noble, c.a.164-A Queen Street, Suite 1 Lennox ville, Quebec, JIM 1J9 (819) 346-0333 / Fax: (819) 346-0313 Accounting, Auditing Financial & 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Vrvict Quelvc Registration at adv ertising deadlines Prices are per jxTson.s unless otherwise stated.For specific i> liavel Service GlWh Scars ¦MBt Living Grandview Manor news During the peak fall foliage, residents of Grandview Manor were treated to several tours through some of the most scenic mountains and valleys of Southeastern Quebec, i.e., Brookbury, Bishopton, St.Camille, Wot-lonville, St.Adrien, past majestic Ham Mountain, St.Joseph-de-Ilam-Sud, Weeden Center and Gould.On route 257, they stopped at the McVelty-McKerry covered bridge, to look at the longest covered bridge in the Townships.The second “Leaf-peepers’” tour was through Johnville, Martinville, Compton, Coali-cook, where they stopped to sec the suspended footbridge over the Gorge, then on to St.Hdwidge, East Clifton, Sawyerville, stopped at the restaurant in Eaton Comer for coffee and a visit with Sylvia McComb.The residence was decorated for Thanksgiving.A sumptuous turkey dinner with all the trimmings was served to the residents.The residence was again decorated in keeping with the Hallowe’en season.On the evening of October 30th, Hallowe’en was celebrated by hosting a party for the staff’s children.Several of the residents dressed for the occasion.Activities included a costume parade to a scarey Hal- J-fçippy' Johnville y (hrisutas \ Mouth-wait rin"; Product A gastronomical adventure into fruity delicacies Raspberry Sirup.Raspberry Vinegar Raspberry Vinegar Dressing.Raspberry Jam.Blueberry Jam.Raspberry Juice Raspberry Iced Tea Desserts sure to excite your taste buds Pies.logs, cakes, buns, meringues, profiteroles, sorbets, home-made ice cream, frozen raspberries Surprint Basket* Very attractive gift ideas Decoratively packaged desserts, assorted flavors displayed in gift baskets.m This is Btispherru Paradise ¦Sumiuir or H iultr SHOP OPEN Daiiv 'A’lij;/" , v,, ^ M/N/)ays