The record, 12 février 2014, mercredi 12 février 2014

Federal budget highligW^^ THE 17 FEV, 2014 àge3 VOICE OF THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS SINCE 1897 Former Gaiter to lead Ontario Lacrosse squad Sports - Page 10 75 CENTS + TAXES PM#0040007682 Wednesday, February 12, 2014 Sutton Legion commander found guilty of poppy fund theft Magog honours Football champs COURTESY N m\ fan sarrass «fen Thursday, Feb.6, a civic reception was held at Magog Town Hall in honour of the Magog Griffon football team, which won the Silver Ball trophy in the Senior Metropolitan Senior Football League for the second straight year.Magog Mayor Vicky May Hamm was on hand to congratulate Griffon co-president Alain Milette, team Captain Dominic Biron and the team’s players, who were invited to sign the Town’s ‘Golden Book.’ On the photo, Mayor Hamm, surrounded by the Magog Griffon players, team Captain Dominic Biron (No.73), Griffon co-presidents Alain Milette and Benoit Morin.Emilie Claire Barlow By Gordon Lambie Ronald Caswell, Commander of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Yamaska District #7, has been found guilty in small claims court of misappropriating over $5,000 from the Sutton Legion’s poppy funds during his tenure as president.The judgment, issued Jan.24, came as a small victory to the membership of the Sutton branch, who have been petitioning for Caswell’s expulsion from the legion since early 2013 as a result of growing proof that he never deposited several installments of funds raised into the legion’s accounts.“He openly lied to the legion membership,” said a senior Legion representative from Sutton who asked not to be named, “we’re never going to see the money, but we’re not after the money, we’re after a judgment against him.” The position of the Sutton legion is that over the time Caswell served as President, he was actively pocketing money meant for legion coffers, including money from the annual poppy campaign which is specifically reserved for support of veterans and key programs.The representative from Sutton stated that the evidence for the past president’s theft from the general funds, which he estimated at $20-30,000 each year, is purely circumstantial, but said that the poppy funds were so well documented that the crime was clear.“It’s almost impossible to prove fraud,” the legion member said, “but in the case of the poppy fund, each time you went into a place of business or opened a poppy container to count it, it has to be done with three people counting it, because it is cash, and everyone has to sign for that.They counted, they made up the deposit slip, and then they handed the money to Ronald Caswell; they physically handed it to him for deposit.None of the deposits were made, except one.” No records were available for 2009 or 2011, but between 2010 and 2012, the legion was able to assemble a claim of $5,554.14 against their former president.According to the court documents, Caswell never appeared to defend himself at the Cowansville courthouse, despite having countersued for Cont’d on page 4 returns By Gordon Lambie Canadian Songstress Emilie Claire Barlow is returning to the townships for the third time as a part of the tour for her most recent album Seule ce Soir, her first to be produced entirely in French.Barlow has a history of including songs in French on her albums, but said that this newest album was part of a quest to improve and develop her French skills.“As a singer.I’ve always loved languages,” Barlow shared, “I’m fascinated with what the voice is capable of.” The singer explained that she also records music in Brazilian Portuguese, and has engaged in voice acting for television programs such as Sailor Moon.She expressed a fondness for the experience of testing out new sounds.“In French you are required to make different shapes with your mouth to make the necessary sounds,” she continued, “they are sounds we don’t have in English.” She called French an, “extremely musical language,” and said that it was the romantic lyrics of French repertoire songs that first drew her to want to per- to Centennial form in the language.Through her past experiences with performing in French, she has been through Quebec before, and she said that the new tour is providing her with great opportunities to reconnect with venues and audiences.“I’ve been very fortunate to be able to do quite a bit of touring in Quebec,''” Barlow said, “ and so we find ourselves now returning to some of these theatres, and it’s great.” This most recent album.Seule ce Soir, was released in 2012, and was meant to be a compilation of all songs that the singer had previously recorded in French.In the process of creating that compilation, however, Barlow related that she felt herself wanting to reinvent and rerecord many of the pieces.“I’m not a composer, I’m an interpreter of song,” Barlow related.“My whole creative process is to take a song that people may be very familiar with and to deconstruct it and reimagine it in an interesting nr surprising way.” In looking at the French songs she had recorded in the past, Barlow said that she felt many of them had evolved, in her mind, beyond the original tonight recordings, through the way that they had been played in live performance.“The songs evolve, sometimes the arrangements evolve, and sometimes your comprehension of the song really evolves,” she explained.“I really wanted to have another try at these, I think every artist feels that way at some point.” So, with the addition of seven or eight new songs, Barlow reinvented the album oyer the course of eight months, eventually producing an album that won her first Juno Award.“It’s exceeded my expectations in every way,” Barlow said, of the album.Asked what’s coming up in the future, the musician speculated at another studio album, but said that more imminently she has a special iTunes LP set to be released in March, as well as an intensive French course coming up in France during one of her tour breaks.Not surprisingly, she identified continuing to learn French as one of her greatest personal goals.With regard to the show tonight in Centennial Theatre, Barlow said to expect a mix of repertoire and new songs, Cont’d on page 3 Page 2 Wednesday, February 12, 2014 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com 1 he Record The Record e-edition There for you 24-hours-a-day 7-days-a-week.Wherever you are.Access the full edition of The Sherbrooke Record as well as special editions and archives.Renew or take a new 12-month print subscription and get a 12-month online subscription for an additional $5 or purchase the online edition only for $55.^ ' .Record subscription rates ' 1 year print: $120.6 month print: $63.3 month print: $32.12 month web only: $55.1 month web only: $4.99 Applicable taxes are added to above amounts.' Web subscribers have access to the daily Record as well as archives and special editions.Subscribing is as easy as 1,2,3 when you go to www.awsom.ca Click Subscribe.Choose newspa- ¦ per.Complete form and wait for an email activating your online subscription., V: Weather i.J J / TODAY: ' SUNNY # % > 4 / t / s-s' J ¦ME HIGH OF -8 LOW OF-24 THURSDAY.MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS HIGH OF-4 LOW OF-12 FRIDAY: CLOUDY, FLURRIES HIGH OF-4 LOW OF-8 SATURDAY: PERIODS OF SNOW HIGH OF-5 LOW OF-6 SUNDAY: CLOUDY, FLURRIES HIGH OF -9 LOW OF-17 Keeping in Touch ToWM/Hipper/ Who cares for the caregivers?Caregivers are people who provide unpaid care for a family member, friend or partner impaired by illness or disease.They take on many responsibilities from administrating medications and liaising between medical staff to managing the household chores and finances.Who they are and why we need to pay attention to them is the focus of the next free videoconference from the Community Health Education program (CHEP) on Wednesday, February 19 from 10 a.m.to noon.The interactive health education session titled “Who cares for the caregivers?” will increase your awareness about the experience of unpaid caregivers, who make important contributions, both economically and socially, but often at the expense of their own health and well-being.Offered by Townshippers’ Association, at the following Community Learning Centre (CLC) partners, Memphremagog CLC (at Princess Elizabeth Elementary School, 120 Bellevue St.W.Magog): Eaton Valley CLC (Pope Memorial Elementary School, 523 Stokes ST.Bury); and the Richmond and Region CLC (Richmond Regional High School, 375 Armstrong St.).If you would like more information about this videoconference or about the upcoming event on March 26 about “Care giving stress and anxiety” then please contact Shannon Keenan, sk@townshippers.qc.ca or Debbie Bishop, db@townshippers.qc.ca at Town-shippers’ Association, 819-566-5717 (toll free: 1-866-566-5717) Income tax service is back Spring is just around the corner - and so is income tax season! Soon everyone will be receiving T4, OAS, and CPP slips.Now all we have to do is figure out what — 1 j COURTESY COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM ¦ jjggqi" SuSSu The Community Health Education Program (CHEP) team will discuss “Who cares for the caregivers?” at the next free videoconference.Townshippers' Association will host the session on February 19 with partnering Community Learning Centres in Bury, Magog, Richmond.to do with them! Filing federal and provincial income taxes qualifies you to receive GST and Solidarity payments, as well as family allowance payments.For some people, filing their income taxes is a pretty easy procedure, but for many it can be a daunting process.To help.Revenue Canada and Revenue Quebec established Volunteer Tax Preparation Clinics.Townshippers’ Association has been offering this service in its Sherbrooke (Lennoxville) office for the past nine years.Thanks to the hard work of a number of dedicated volunteers, close to 200 people (students, low income, pensioners, and social assistance) came to see us last year.The tax clinic is back but there are some important requirements to note.In order to qualify for the clinic, the maximum amount an individual can earn is $20,000, for couples or a single parent with one child it is $26,000 and the amount increases up to $2,000 for each additional child.Effective this year, income taxes will be accepted by appointment only.This is due to the high volume of people need- ing the service.Making an appointment ensures that the coordinator will be there to accept your papers and to get the necessary information for filing your taxes.Even if you wish to file electronically, we need your signature on a form.If you come in without an appointment you will be required to come back with your taxes.To make an appointment, contact the Association’s Information and Referral $ervice at 819-566-2182, if there is no answer, please leave a message, or email info@townshippers.qc.ca.Those who do not qualify for the tax clinic but need help finding a service can contact Revenue Canada at 1-800-267-6999.For more information on Townshippers’ Association and our activities, keep reading this weekly Keeping in Touch column in The Record and visit us on Twitter ©Townshippers, Facebook and our website www.townshippers.qc.ca.Connect with Townshippers’ offices in $herbrooke at 100 - 257 Queen $t.819-566-5717, toll free: 1-866-566-5717 or Lac-Brome at 3-584 Knowlton Rd, 450-242-4421, toll free: 1-877-242-4421.Ben by Daniel Shelton p” HA! MIGUEL'S /WAKING A VALENTINE'S CARP VF0RA6IRU!___^ f I AM NOT MAKING IT FOR A GIRL.' ITS FUR MY TEACHER (7.Si ES A WOMAWj The Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Wednesday, February 12, 2014 Page 3 OCAL “Our technology enables significant time savings while reducing losses, among other things, because it locates the exact origin of problems.” Sherbrooke company offers new technology for maple producers SHERBROOKE 1NNOPOLE i : Htv ^ .'¦ .Sherbrooke Innopole IMS Josée Fortin fl to r), congratulates ÉrabliTEK, CEO Martin Chicoine, as Sherbrooke Innopole Financial Analyst Danye Desrochers looks on.The young Sherbrooke company has developed a digital maple production monitoring system it intends to market to North America’s maple producers.Sherbrooke A young Sherbrooke technical information company has developed a new way of managing Maple syrup production.ÉrabliTEK has begun marketing its innovative system of computerized management after four years of research and development and promises improved performance through equipment optimization, by combining the functions of monitoring and remote control, as well as through statistical analysis.Founded in 2013, ÉrabliTEK and its promoters, Martin Chicoine and José Halée, have benefited from the support of Pro-Gestion Estrie.Financial assistance was also provided through Sherbrooke Innopole’s Emerging Entrepreneur Fund.So far, the project has required an investment of about $167,000.Technology developed by ÉrabliTEK includes modules for autonomous management of pumping stations and equipment rooms, monitoring modules for the pipe and leak management with a user-friendly interface for management and control.The complete system provides real-time monitoring of the sugar bush.The ÉrabliTEK system has many advantages for maple producers the company says.“Our system is revolutionizing the industry by allowing control of multiple factors affecting the efficiency and profitability of maple production,” says Chicoine.“Our technology enables significant time savings while reducing losses, among other things, because it locates the exact origin of problems.The interface that we designed is sim- ple to learn and easily accessible via the internet - we therefore have agreements with Internet service providers for a network to be accessible.The cost of the equipment is also very competitive,” added Chicoine.With these advantages, ÉrabliTEK hopes to take advantage of a very interesting technology window n Canada and the United States, where the maple industry is beginning to turn towards innovation.The global upward trend in consumption also adds to the growth potential of ÉrabliTEK.According to Gordon Har-ling.Director of Technological Sector Development for Sherbrooke Innopole, “Information Technology is necessary in the business world as a preferred avenue to take for innovation.Sherbrooke Innopole is proud to support companies like Sherbrooke’s ÉrabliTEK, which has combined its expertise in the maple industry with technology in the service of an industry that has to modernize.” The company intends gradually to enter markets in Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, and the northeastern US.Federal budget Finance Minister continues to ratchet in the iron corset Denis Coderre in Sherbrooke ¦ V.- GORDON LAMBIE Denis Coderre.The Canadian Press Ottawa The Conservative government continues to ratchet in the iron corset that will squeeze an eye-catching election-year surplus for the Canadian body politic.Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s 10th federal budget all but balances the books this fiscal year, leaving a negligible $2.9-bil-lion shortfall heading into the 2015-16 election year _ when Prime Minister Stephen Harper will go to the electorate sporting a surplus that could exceed $6 billion.Some highlights of the federal budget: _ The budget is close to balance, with a $2.9-billion deficit and a $3-billion contingency Cont’d from page 1 with an array of pop songs from the 60s.“I’m bringing four extremely talented musicians with me,” She shared.“There’s a great chem- fund._ Flaherty forecasts revenues of $276.3 billion and expenditures of $279.2 billion._ The government makes clear it will balance the budget next year by cutting program spending and reining in public service compensation costs._ The budget proposes to make retired federal public servants pay half the costs of their healthcare plan, up from a quarter now.This would raise annual payments for a retired individual to $550 from $261._ Adopting families will get a bigger tax break for expenses._ Higher excise taxes on tobacco will raise the price of a carton of 200 cigarettes by $4 and essentially end the discount on smokes sold at duty-free stores, by raising taxes there by $6 a carton.The increase will reap government $685 million in 2014-15.istry, it’s a really wonderful group who I’ve toured and recorded with.” Emilie-Claire Bar-low takes the stage at Centennial Theatre in Lennoxville at 8 p.m._ Excise taxes on tobacco will be tied to the Consumer Price Index and automatically adjusted every five years._ The government plans to bring in legislation to deal with unjustified cross-border price discrimination that sees Canadians pay more for goods._ Charities will be allowed to use computers to run their lotteries, offering major administrative savings._ World-class amateur athletes will get a break when it comes to calculating their available RRSP room._ $earch and rescue volunteers will get a tax credit similar to the one extended to volunteer firefighters in 2011._ Taxpayers will no longer have to apply for a GST-HST credit on their tax return.The Canada Revenue Agency will make the calculation automatically.tonight.Tickets, available from the Centennial box office (819-822-9692), are $29 for Adults, $23 for Seniors (60+) and $17 fors Student (30 and under with ID).By Gordon Lambie Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal, was in town Tuesday to meet with Sherbrooke Mayor Bernard Se-vigny and discuss possible partnership points between Quebec’s metropolis and the Queen of the Eastern Townships.At a luncheon held by the Sherbrooke Chamber of commerce, Coderre expressed support for Sherbrooke’s airport project, and offered some of his opinions on matters ranging from the city’s approach to pension plan debt to Sevigny’s proposed reform of city council and borough structure.See the full story in Thursday’s Record.Emilie Claire Barlow Page 4 Wednesday, February 12, 2014 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record ERM busts fugitive; takes down Danville meth lab Record Staff Sherbrooke Investigators from the Joint Regional Squad (ERM) of the Mauricie - Centre-du-Québec conducted an operation in the Estrie yesterday which led to the arrest of a long-sought drug dealer.Christian Bedard Jr, 36, was located Monday evening in a public place in Richmond.He has been wanted since a November 2012 operation that targeted another drug network.The 34 year old Cont’d from page 1 $7,000 in damages.The Judge ruled in favour of the Legion citing the claim as well founded based on the evidence available.The suit was filed in October of 2013 as an attempt to reschedule a hearing on the theft with the Legion’s Quebec command.The Sutton Legion had undertaken proceedings within the Legion itself in order to try to have Caswell expelled in July and on July 16, a tribunal of local commanders ruled just that.Caswell appealed the decision, however, and when the Quebec command sat to hear the appeal.It was discovered that the recording of the initial hearing was blank.That being the case, a new hearing was scheduled, but the date set fell on thanksgiving weekend, which meant that many of those involved in the original hearing were unable to attend.According to Norman Shelton, President of the Quebec Command, Legion bylaws state that as soon as someone involved in a hearing is involved in legal proceedings outside the legion, that hearing is put on hold until the legal affairs are dealt with.“That’s one of the hearings I want to get done and over with,” Shelton said, “I wish they hadn’t decided to take him to court.” woman who was with him was also arrested for being an accessory after the fact.A search conducted later at a residence in Danville led police to confirm the presence of a drug production facility that could prove to be a metham-phetamine lab.A 57 year old man on the scene as the police arrived was also placed under arrest.A team of police specialized in dismantling chemicals laboratories was on site in coordination with Health The Provincial President said that no action would be taken at all until the Legion establishes its own ruling, and that the judgment of the court had no bearing on the Legion’s decision.He also pointed out that, should the Provincial Command rule that Caswell be expelled, he still has a right to appeal to the Legion’s Dominion Command, the national level.“When’s something’s very, very serious like that, you don’t just use one committee,” Shelton said.The court ruling has caused other Legion members in Sutton to question the mysterious disappearance of a painting.Entitled “The Battle of Rourke’s Drift, Zululand, South Africa, 22nd January 1879.” The painting had been gifted to the Legion in 1947 and mysteriously disappeared during the tenure of Caswell.Despite the filing of a police report at the time, the painting remained mysteriously absent until a chance meeting between current Sutton president Terry O’Regan and a Lac-Brome antiques-dealer revealed that the painting had been sold for more than $3,000.“We’ve got a pretty good idea of what happened and who did what to who,” O’Regan said, “but until something is proven we’d prefer not to point any fin- Canada to ensure that the operation was safe for all involved.The operation was carried out with the participation of forty police officers, investigators from Granby Estrie ERMs, several specialized police units of the Sûreté du Québec, as well as police from the des Sources and Val St-François MRCs.The ERM Mauricie - Centre-du -Québec is composed of officers from the Sûreté du Québec Trois-Rivières Police, and the RCMP.gets.” The Sutton President explained that once he had the information about the painting from the antiques-dealer, the painting was tracked to the website of Bonham’s Auction House in England, where there is a record of its sale for £4,000 (CA$7,245) in 2011.“I can say that it did disappear under mysterious circumstances,” O’Regan added, saying that he didn’t feel completely comfortable calling it a theft, but that the Surete de Quebec are investigating.“It’s one of those things where we wonder if it’s worth all the time and money to get it back.” Despite the impression of the antiques-dealer that the transaction was a legitimate dealing with the Legion, and the claim to that effect on the Bonham’s website, the funds from the sale never made it to the Legion’s accounts.While the allegations on the part of Legion members go on, however, the Provincial President says that his hands have once again been tied in terms of moving the discussion within the legion forward, as Caswell has returned to the court to make a claim that he was never informed of the date of trial and was, therefore, unfairly judged due to an inability to present his defence.No sign yet of Marc Patenaude Magog Police have had no luck in locating Marc Patenaude, a 56-year old Magog resident who has been missing since Dec.9.“In recent weeks, we have checked and rechecked things,” says Memphrem-agog Police spokesperson Paul Tear.“But we’ve found nothing.” Patenaude left two letters to his family before disappearing on Dec.9, in which he stated his desire to end his life.He has not been seen since.His car, a pale gray Jetta with license plate E53 ACT has also disappeared without a trace.Police have conducted extensive searches around a telecommunications tower in $te-Catherine-de-Hatley that relayed a message from Patenaude’s cell phone on the day he disappeared.In order to ensure that the police in the rest of Quebec are on the lookout, Memphremagog Police have re-issued a message recalling the disappearance.“We are still asking for the public’s help,” Tear says.“So far, we have not had much to work on.We’re asking people to be vigilant.” Police believe Patenaude may have carried out his wish to kill himself but, in the absence of a body, continue to hope for the best.Police step up lake surveillance Record Staff Sherbrooke Police will be stepping up their enforcement of laws regarding Little Lake Magog following numerous complaints of bad behaviour on the lake this winter.The complaints centre on excessive speed by mountain bikers, snowmobil-ers, and motocross riders.In addition, general complaints about excessive noise, the violation of safety regulations, municipal bylaws, and the Criminal Code.Those who use the lake can expect to see an increased police presence on the lake in the coming weeks in an attempt to curb these infractions.Read all about it -Two decades of headlines compiled into 2 books The Record has scanned and digitized original copies of the front pages of our newspaper from the turn of the century.Legion commander found guilty Read about the efforts and sacrifices of two World Wars, the Depression, fires, floods, crime and punishment.More than that, the pages are a testament to the builders and leaders whose names grace our street signs and institutions.The Record was a driving force behind the formation of boards of trade, a watchdog over town councils, a lead advocate for the extension of the railway to local communities and a vigilant protector of the region’s natural resources.VUJCDVMJ 111 Our goal today is to print volumes in segments highlighting the most important stories of each decade.• Volume 1 is from 1911-1920 • Volume 2 is from 1921-1930.Only a limited number of the bound 10” x 13” editions have been printed and are for sale for only $25.each plus taxes ($28.75).Drop by our office at 1195 Galt St.East, Sherbrooke and pick them up.For more information call 819-569-9528 or email us at billing@sherbrookerecord.com Semi takes down TBL Hydro pole Lac-Brome A semi- trailer truck severed a Hydro -Québec pole Monday morning on Route 104 in Lac-Brome.The driver of the truck did not suffer any injuries, but the incident caused considerable traffic disruption.“The truck missed a curve and struck the Hydro-Québec pole,” said $ûreté du Québec spokesman, Sergeant Aurélie Guindon.The accident occurred around 8:30 a.m.on Route 104 in Lac-Brome, near Highway 139.“He didn’t adapt his driving to the road conditions,” Guindon says.A Hydro- Quebec team was quickly on me scene to replace the pole. The Record nevvsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Wednesday, February 12, 2014 Page 5 Five arrested for drunk driving in Brome-Missisquoi Record Staff At 4 a.m.Friday, police received notice of a vehicle having left the road on J-J Bertrand Blvd.in Cowansville.Upon the arrival of police, the two occupants fled on foot.One was quickly located on Bell Street, hiding between two sheds.“The second was found in the hallway of a building on Bell Street,” says SQ.spokesperson Sergeant Aurélie Guindon.The investigation allowed police to ascertain which of the two was driving at the time of the accident.“A 24-year old man from L’Ange-Gardien was arrested for driving while impaired by alcohol.after failing a breathalyzer,” Guindon said.The man’s driver’s license was suspended for a period of 90 days and he will face criminal charges at a later date.The passenger received a $1,264 fine along with four demerit points because he committed an act likely to endanger the safety of others.“The investigation revealed that he grabbed the steering wheel and made a sharp turn and that is what sent the car into the ditch,” Guindon added.On Saturday, around 2 a.m., a drunk driver lost control of the wheel and ended up upside down in a ditch in Brome Lake.The driver, a woman in her twenties, was taken to hospital where a blood sample was taken.She could be charged with driving while impaired In Bedford, police arrested a man in his twenties who was in a parking lot and had custody and control of a vehicle.He failed the breathalyzer after being brought to the police station.On Saturday night, a man in his thirties hit a parked car on Caroline Street in Cowansville before fleeing.“His vehicle was quickly located in the parking lot of the bowling alley in Cowansville, because he had obvious damage connected to the collision,” says Guindon.Placed under arrest for driving while impaired by alcohol and drugs, the 31-year old man refused to submit to a breathalyzer test.Meanwhile police also seized twenty grams of cannabis found on the suspect.Finally, a resident of Brome was stopped while driving on Church Street in Cowansville, not far from the beach area.“The police used the approved screening device (ADA) because they had reason to believe the man had consumed alcohol.The results allowed them to proceed to arrest him for driving while impaired,” Guindon said.The man subsequently submitted to a breathalyzer test, which he failed.He will appear at a later date to face charges.Brome-Missisquoi takes action to fight child neglect: Conference held in Town of Brome Lake Town of Brome Lake On Feb.7, more than 76 representatives from local schools, community groups, municipalities, health care and youth protection services sat down together at the Centre Lac-Brome to take a hard look at the problem of child neglect in Brome-Missisquoi.The conference was jointly hosted by Lac-Brome Recreation and Community Services, the CSSS La Pommeraie and the Centre jeunesse Montérégie, and led by a team of presenters from Better Together, a new multidisciplinary project intended to tackle child neglect at the community level.Across the province, 23 per cent of reports made to youth protection services (Centres jeunesse) relate to cases of child neglect, and the rate of reported child neglect in Brome-Mis-siquoi is higher than the Montérégie average.The English-speaking community may be particularly vulnerable: although Anglophones represent only 24 per cent of the population in Brome- Mis-siquoi, they account for 50 per cent of the Centre jeunesse’s caseload on the same territory.For parents struggling to meet the needs of their children, poverty and social isola- COURTESY PHOTO •M " IV1 •Km# t iü I : ay: X ' , A giiiSlifi : /: .• .jfiis#’,; if - m *3 Representatives from local schools, community groups, municipalities, health care and youth protection services sat down together at the Centre Lac-Brome to take a hard look at the problem of child neglect in Brome-Missisquoi.tion only exacerbate the situation.While professional intervention is important, community-leaders, teachers and daycare workers, coaches and volunteers, neighbours and friends all have a role in supporting parents and protecting chil- dren.According to Town of Brome Lake’s Family Resource Person, Joanne Nowak, “Part of our goal is to present a realistic picture of the situation here in Brome Missiquoi and to learn about some of the very complex issues involved in child neglect.At the same time, we want participants to leave with a sense of empowerment and with the knowledge that there are things we can do together which will make a real difference.” For more information about the Better Together project or about support for families in Town of Brome Lake, please contact Lac-Brome Recreation and Community Services at 450-242-2020 or visit the website www.ville.lac-brome .qc.ca/loisirs.Source: Hannah Williams, Lac Brome Recreation and Community Services.Mégantic business condo openings delayed Sherbrooke Originally planned for the end of February, the new Papineau business complex in Lac- Mégantic will not be ready until at least the beginning of April and perhaps longer than that, according to the president of the local Chamber of Commerce.“We would have thought it would advance faster than that,” said Pascal Hallé.“There is still a lot of work to do.This is no less disturbing than before the holi- days.” The business condominium is expected to host at least 18 businesses from the devastated downtown core of the town.The list of businesses slated to reopen this spring is not yet firmly established.Those who concluded rental offers before signing their lease and proceeded with the development of their locale still have to fulfill the Public Safety technical requirements, which provides financial assistance for relocation and the devel- opment of a viable business plan.These requirements can be expensive, Hallé says.The problem is that “after seven months of business interruption, we are not capable of taking financial risks,” he says.Hallé is in the process of relocating his pool and indoor golf centre as well as a bar in one of the new condos.Megantic Region Chamber of Commerce Director-General Emmanuelle Frenette says the Chamber is sparing no effort to speed up the resumption of nor- mal business activities in the devastated town.Acting as an intermediary between the town, which owns the condos, business people, the Société d’aide au développement de la collectivité (SADC), the Centre local de développement du Granit (CLD), and Public Security, analysts are also very busy.“They are overwhelmed,” she says.Commerce Lac-Mégantic is still ironing out a promotional strategy to build an event around the opening of shops in the spring. Page 6 Wednesday, February 12, 2014 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record :i-r< ¦ will come to their senses before electing nee’s Front National to majority status, at c version thinking A return to darkness Mike McDevitt As the Quebec National Assembly resumes its activities.Quebec politics appears ready to take a direction from which there is no return and which will entrench the generally-held opinion that the province is backward, self-centred, and childish for a long, long time to come.As talk swirls around the possibility of a spring election, the minority Parti-Québécois seems poised to secure a majority should it occur, and that result will place the province alongside France, Russia, and the Southern American states as a hotbed of intolerance, arrogance, ad xenophobic fear.Quebec’s Minister for the Destruction of Democratic Institutions, who has become the voice of intolerance in the current debate over Quebec’s infamous ‘Charter of Values,’ recently banned the use of the above words in testimony before the charade that impersonates public consultation in Quebec’s distinctive political climate.He did so to spare the feelings of the arrogant, intolerant xénophobes whose sense of outrage has been so alarmed by the presence in their midsts of those who don’t look or sound like them.We all know them - the couple from the Saguenay that was so shocked that people practice Islam in Islamic countries, the prominent cultural icon who heroically claimed she would rather die than be treated by a visibly Muslim doctor, and former Language Fiihreuse Louise Beaudoin, who proudly proclaimed that “multiculturalism is not a Quebec value.” She’s right, apparently, and therein lies the rub.Sadly, all three of these exemplify what Quebec francophones seem pre- pared to accept as representative of the image they want to project to the world.This is a broad statement, of course, but with a majority of francophones prepared, if current polls can be believed, to hand the reins of unfettered power to a political party whose only success in over a year of government has been to announce to the world that we are a bunch of ignorant rubes, a different conclusion is difficult to arrive at.It would be nice to be able to say that an election, if called, would not be about the nefarious Charter and its humiliating assault on religious freedom.An economy that is plunging headlong into crisis, for example, might be something an election might look at.With meaningful employment, investment, and confidence heading into the toilet, one could expect a reasonably informed public to want to concentrate on that.With the Charbonneau Commission revealing publicly what every Quebecer already knew about the impossibly corrupt Quebec construction industry, one could also expect the focus to land on that.The connections among organized crime, unions, and political parties could be something one might expect a ‘Democratic Institutions’ Minister to be concerned about rather than whether a nurse is wearing a headscarf.First things first, it seems, depends on one’s perspective.That the PQ in its desperation, would pander to the worst in Quebecers is not surprising, given its self-appointed mandate to prove how badly treated Quebecers are by the evil federal government, but that they would abandon the facade of ‘progressiveness and openness’ for one of pure chauvinistic intolerance, should come as a surprise.From its beginning, the PQhas championed an inclusive ‘civic nationalism,’ with no ethnic component.Drunken rants by former Premiers Jacques Parizeau and Bernard Landry put the lie to that particular piece of self-delusion, but only recently has the party had the nerve to come out openly as the champion of conformity and the intolerance of difference.They have, in fact, donned the robes of the worst of the old Union Nationale in feeding off the fear and ignorance of the frightened and uniformed.H.L.Mencken once said, “Nobody ever -¦¦ TH K — RECORD 1195 Galt East, Sherbrooke, Quebec JIG 1Y7 Fax: 819-821-3179 e-mail: newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Website: wwm’.sherbrookerecord.com Sharon McCully Pubusher .(819) 569-9511 Daniel Coulombe News Editor.(819) 569-6345 Stephen Blake Corrf.sp.Editor.(819) 569-6345 Serge Gagnon Chief Pressman.(819) 569-9931 DEPARTMENTS Accounting.(819) 569-9511 Advertising .(819) 569-9525 Circulation .(819) 569-9528 Newsroom .(819) 569-6345 Knowlton office 5B Victoria Street, Knowlton, Quebec, JOE 1 VO Tel: (450) 242-1188 Fax: (450) 243-5155 PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS GST PST TOTAL Quebec: 1 YEAR 120.00 6.00 11.97 S 137.97 6 MONTHS 63.00 3.15 6.28 $72.43 3 MONTHS 32.00 1.60 3.19 S36.79 ON-LINE SUBSCRIPTIONS Quebec: 1 YEAR 55.00 2.75 5.49 $63.24 1 MONTH 4.99 0.25 0.50 $5.74 Rates for out of Quebec and 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 9, 1897, and acquired the Sherbrooke Examiner (est.1879) in 1905 and the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) in 1908.The Record is published by Alta Newspaper Group Limited Partnership.PM#0040007682 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to The Record.1195 Galt East, Sherbrooke, QC JIG 1Y7 Member abc.Card, cna, qcna went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people,” and the same could be said about Quebec's much vaunted openness.It is something we proclaim loudly to the world without, apparently, having any understanding of what tolerance means.According to the PQ Quebec tolerance means that Quebecers are willing to accept as one of their own anybody, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic origin as long as that person abandons them all upon entering Quebec’s magical territory.Of course they must speak a French much more flawless than the natives and constantly express their gratitude towards their generous hosts, but these are small prices to pay for the privilege of living among such welcoming people.One of the great themes of Quebec nationalist mythology is the grit and determination demonstrated by French-Canadians in resisting the pressures of modernization and liberalism.This, of course, was accomplished by creating a French-speaking, Catholic rural underclass completely dependent on the Church for its survival and its sense of self.This is why the crucifix is not a religious symbol in the province, but rather a ‘cultural’ one, which, of course makes it even more sacred.Having survived what is falsely portrayed as an attempt to ‘assimilate’ Quebec society into the greater North American reality, the PQ is ready to impose assimilation on all who deign to occupy its space.Resistance was noble for francophones, but medieval for those who fail to recognize the great honour being bestowed upon them for abandoning their deepest beliefs.They might even get a government job, after all, although one shouldn’t bet the family farm on that one.The Quebec economy is in the tank.If there is to be any hope of reversing this - without selling out to corporations even more than we already have - it lies in encouraging skilled, ambitious immigrants to keep on doing what they have always done - create jobs, pay taxes, and raise families.By targeting the very peo- ple we need with the insult that is the Charter, Quebec will be thumbing its nose at the very people it needs.But economic health is a small price to pay for civic uniformity, as far as the PQis concerned, as long as it leads to the cherished independence it has failed to sell with less hateful arguments.It would be nice to believe that Quebecers will come to their senses before electing what has become the Quebec version of France’s Front National to majority status, but this is probably wishful thinking.The Quebec Liberal Party, under new leader Philippe Couillard started off well, proclaiming it could never accept any such limitations on personal freedoms, but has since become unsure as the pathology of the grassroots became clearer.The CAQ literally fighting for its life, has denounced the Charter (sort of) and tries in vain to focus attention on the economic realities of a province heading for bankruptcy as its social services collapse, but is having little luck.The election will be about the Charter, the PQ will win, and the disgrace will set in.The PQhas always relied on the politics of division to achieve its self-serving ends, but it has never before had the nerve to discard its progressive self-delusion in favour of open ‘fear of the other.” (xenophobia in the rest of the world) and is willing to tap into the worst of our natures in order to secure its destructive tenure.Drainville, Marois, and Beaudoin, of course, are beyond redemption and will go to their graves believing that ’it isn’t xenophobia when we do it,’ and will proclaim to the world that the province is taking the lead in protecting women from themselves by imposing an acceptable dress code that insults their modesty, their convictions, and their honour.In the early 1960s, Quebec pulled itself out of the miasma that had marked the Grande Noirceur’ and into the shining light of the modern world.Fifty years later, we are discovering that there are scary things in the world, but if we just turn off the lights; they’ll be gone again.It’s a miracle.Magog parking study released Magog As part ot its preparation for revitalization of its downto.area, the Town of Magog has r< leased the main findings and recoil mendations contained in the repot issued as a result of the study of th town’s parking situation conducted b the Rues Principales Foundation in Jul and October of 2013.The study notes, “The analysis of th current situation shows that there i no acute shortage of parking downtown, contrary to perception.The public impression of a lack of space may very well result from the fact that parking can be scarce at certain times, including lunchtime and dinner during the tourist period.However, even on those occasions, several parking spaces remain available within a reasonable distance.” The study also reveals that occupancy, which is more intense in summer especially at mealtimes, tends to concentrate on street spaces rather than in the municipal parking lots.“The highest demand is on Principale St.between Merry and Laurier streets because, in this area, businesses requiring longer-term parking - restaurants, Cont’d on page 9 The Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Wednesday, February 12, 2014 Page 7 in two years, made us feel of the world, who must also tea- —.Dear Miss Banks, wherever you are Dishpan Hands Dear Miss Banks, wherever you are, February 11 was your birthday! I remember because I’m good with dates, but also because there were only a few who followed you with as much impact in our years of education beyond those glorious years in grades five and six when you were there to lead us through the ins and outs of our tweens.In grade five, we were a split class.Seven grade fives and fourteen grade sixes, that is, eighteen girls and three boys.There were two Sonyas, two Nancys and two Karens in that class.You arrived a few weeks into the year, so the suspense had mounted for some time about who this new teacher was.You were just 23 years old, if memory serves me correctly.You wore flowing skirts and unusual jewelry.You smelled Coaticook celebrates winter this weekend For the 12th consecutive year, the Coaticook Winter Festival kicks off this weekend, Feb.15-16 at the Round Barn in Parc de la Gorge.Coaticook’s Fête des neiges attracts an average of 2,000 people each year.“These are much-anticipated events,” says park director Caroline Sage.“1 often get questions about when the event takes place.” Organizers are relying once again on sound family values in planning their programming and again this year will see the return of snow tubing, the street hockey tournament, snowshoeing, and sleigh and pony rides.Saturday evening, visitors can marvel at fireworks scheduled for 8:45, followed by a performance by rock group Temps mieux.“The singer was part of our summer program last year and his performances were really appreciated,” Sage says.Access to the site is free, but some activities, such as snow tubing, require an admission fee.The slide will be free, however, for children 15 and under living in the MRC of Coaticook from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.Saturday.Those wishing to leave their cars downtown will have access to a free shuttle to the Round Barn.The shuttle will depart every 30 minutes from noon to 4 p.m.and from 7 to 9 p.m.on the first day.On Sundays, buses will be on the roads from noon to four.The complete program of the Fête des neiges de Coaticook is available on the website at www.parcdelagorge.qc.ca good.There was a gypsy element about you, with your dramatic eyes and your terrific reading voice.You looked us in the eye, and I’m certain that everyone in our class that year, and in our grade six year that followed, felt that you truly saw us.Your approach with us was so true, and so much a part of the earth, that it was like you could see right into our souls.We couldn’t help but want to show them to you.You introduced us to Poe, Langston Flughes, Mr.Pignati (and we would think of you when we read about him again, in our later years of high school).You taught us something about letting the spirit move you, like when you started, and finished, Roald Dahl’s fantastic book The Twits in one day, because we were all so taken with the story.You also taught us something about limits, when you were stricken with a sore throat, or something along those lines, for a few days that followed.I remember that you had debilitating migraines.We wanted to save you from everything.We were protective, and territorial, to the point where we lost our minds when, in that grade six year, the other grade six class playfully kidnapped Luscious Lucille, the Amorous Ape, a stuffed animal we had bought you as a group.We demanded her safe return, and were not up for any funny ransom notes.We were a small, but mighty army, and although we felt quite powerless in so many ways, our thoughts lived in every cell of our beings.We were growing, and every new cell had you in it.Every day, we journaled.I have kept that book, the Hilroy spiral-bound notebook with the white sneakers with the blue stripes on the sides, full of embarrassing moments, and your incredible red script in response, rolling along the page with consistency, reaching out like the branches of the pines in a Group of Seven painting.You never once, in two years, made us feel dumb, or incapable, or anything but capable citizens of the world, who must also be responsible for themselves.We wanted to be responsible.We wanted to be intellectual gypsies too, contemplating everything that was happening between the lines.We were gobbling up life.We were bullying each other, confused and yet craving awakening.We were so hungry all of the time, in all senses of the word.There were seeds planted and growing, for all sorts of talents and gifts.The way you saw into us made us feel that bravery that only the best of teachers can instill, and all should aspire to.Next year, somehow, it will be thirty years since that first year.We could almost be parents to the young teacher you were then.The age gap has certainly closed in many ways.Among us now are so many offspring, it’s ridiculous.From those two classes, there’s probably somewhere around one hundred of them or so.Some of them have already completed high school, and are off on adventures of life beyond home.We are doctors, researchers, teachers, plumbers, youth workers, office managers, farmers, you name it.We have had our share of change, occasional roller coasters,,big change and big challenge.Your mark was like a loving brand, into those new cells and beyond, into our impressionable hearts and part of all of the confusion and goodness that growing up was.That was our first taste of a time that we didn’t want to end, an irreplaceable and fleeting era.Thank you for not just readying us, but steadying us, for the world.Thank you for the new eyes and for taking the precious time to adapt our perspective.We’re out in the world.Your impact lives on.HAPPY BIRTHDAY! enhancing minds all across town.II The more you read, the more you’ll know.Keep up to date with RECORD Subscribe today for our print or online paper! THE RECORD 819-569-9528 billing@sherbrookerecord.com Page 8 Wednesday, February 12, 2014 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com ! The Record ^ m*.mz.m~* m « ** ^ ** ^ ^ ^ ^ “ «S?^ ^ ^