La source, 13 octobre 1999, Cahier 1

[" \u201cEs THE 137* YEAR TEL.: 264-5364 FAX: 264-9521 St-Anicet woman freed in Educador A 26-year-old St-Anicet woman was released unharmed last Friday after being held hostage for a month by anonymous kidnappers in Ecuador.Sabine Roblain was expected to return to Canada this week after recovering from the ordeal, according to Canadian embassy officials in Quito.Her parents, landed immigrants originally from Belgium, live on St-Anicet\u2019s Ch.Riviere LaGuerre.Roblain was working with a non-profit aid group in Ecuador when she was kidnapped, along with 11 other people, seven of them Edmonton oil workers.One of the victims was released September 26, and two others were released along with Roblain.While she is physically well, the woman is spending some time recovering from the emotional strain of her ordeal before returning home, officials said.LEARN COVERING HUNTINGDON, ORMSTOWN, HEMMINGFORD, HOWICK, CHATEAUGUAY, FRANKLIN, ST-ANICET, STE-BARBE, VALLEYFIELD AND SURROUNDINGS FOUNDED IN 1883 2 Sau Wednesday, October 13, 1999 24 pages .87* i& ey 0 Der\u201d He a 100 years in Ormstown The Ormstown branch of the Im Bank of Commerce marks its 100th birthday this month.At its fo in 1899, it was part of the Eastern Townships Bank.A special reception was held October 6, with local mayors H.Merson and M.Himbeault-Greig joined by MNA André à and representatives of the CIBC office.Historic photos are on display in the building, which was con- (Photo: HT) ar Huntingdon firemen spent a busy Friday at three local schools as schoolchildren Les trapatisns Richard ) ) General Contractor TEL: ER (8 A.BQ #2782-1628-28 visited the \u201csmoke house\u201d which toured the Valley for Fire Prevention Week.The visits, sponsored by the Groupe Commerciale Insurance and the Lions and ranklin/ included stops in Ormstown, F St-Antoine, St-Louis-de- , Howick, Gonzague and Huntingdon.Shown here are Grade 3 pupils at Huntingdon (Photo: VF) Site of Athelstan butter factory is contaminated with mercury (Gleaner staff) Mercury pollution dating from the 1970s means that a project to resuscitate Athelstan\u2019s historic butter factory as a community museum is now on hold, pending a clean-up at the site.And before that clean-up can happen, a Quebec environmental program helping finance decontamination must be altered to include rural as well as urban areas.Environment department representatives have said amendments to the existing program should be introduced in the National Assembly this fall.The mercury contamination occurred during the 1970s when Tremus Industries, a company headed by Ed McGovern, rented the premises and set up shop recovering mercury from old thermometers.A few years later, McGovern skipped town leaving his taxes unpaid.(The same company also ran a film-burning operation at on the Gowan Road, reclaiming silver and other metals from film emulsions, cameras and X-rays.) The sale of the property earlier this year by the municipality of Hinchinbrooke to a co-operative led by social activist Marianne Roy has ground to a halt, because only a municipality can apply for benefits under the aid program, which would pay 50 per cent of the cost of cleaning up the site.An additional 20 per cent could follow upon proof that reclaiming the site would be of economic benefit to the community, M Roy said.Athelstan\u2019s historic butter factory: contaminated and ihelstany See FACTORY page 2 (Photo: HT) Construction & Renovations of all kinds RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL Licensed member of he § year guarantee new JEAN-PAUL LALIBERTE PHARMACIST 4 BRIDGE STREET, ORMSTOWN, QUE.\u201cLes Galeries d\u2019Ormstown\u201d OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK À =.CLD continues to contest MRC railway policy (Gleaner staff) A majority of the board of the Haut-St- Laurent\u2019s Local Development Centre want the MRC to reconsider its decision on the fate of local rail lines.At the September 28 meeting of the CLD board, the vote was nine of favor of, and four opposed to sending a letter to the Council of Mayors asking them to change their minds about returning the right-of-ways to the neighboring property- owners.The CLD also resolved to write to the Transport ministry requesting that the latter maintain the former rail lines as public property and that it start maintenance work on the strips of land as soon as possible.The motion was proposed by Michel Laurendeau and seconded by Cristina Corno.The CLD's move came as a response to two resolutions made at the August MRC meeting.The first rejected the recommendations of a special study group on the future of the rail lines which came out in favor of setting up a linear park and bicycle trail on the land.The second called for the government to amend its decree on the rail lines to allow the land along former CN line to revert to the adjacent property-owners.(HTT) Inside The Gleaner Wn cam RG ne Dog show judge o toOttawa.Page 3 St.John\u2019s Church marks anniversary.Page 7 U.P.A publishes new This and That.Page 2 Letters.Page 4 Births, Deaths .Page 6 Classified ads \u2026 .Page 10 structed in 1859.A visit at Ameublement Maheu LEUR Le Meubleur eu A LILI] front Er I) M Quality M Service M Competitive price 478, chemin St-Louls, St-Etilenne-de-Beauharnols (450) 429-4303 2 \u2014 THF GLEANER \u2014 OCTOBER 13 1999 LE SE EES it a he Ble lt aie oa This and That in Town ra ar SE inches) square.The box should be COMING UP \u2014 to the Thanksgiving weekend, we are doing this column a little early because of the holiday on Monday.EVEN BEFORE \u2014 last week's news story appeared about some local high school students littering in Town, we at The Gleaner had an example of at least one student setting a good example.A SMALL GROUP \u2014 of teen-aged cats lunch fairty on the ack steps of our premises.On Monday, one of them asked an employee here for the use of a broom to sweep up garbage, and proceeded to clean up under the eyes of her friends.The trash was bagged and taken inside by the employee, who said she found it re-assuring to realize that there are lots of responsible and public-spirited teens out , as well as a few trouble-makers.A REPORT \u2014 landed on our desk recently on the subject of participation by women on local municipal councils throughout the Montérégie, either as mayor or councillor.The figures deal with only three Haut-St-Laurent municipalities where elections are possible this fall: Hinchinbrooke, Huntingdon and Godmanchester.As of last April, when their statistics were compiled, none of the three had a female mayor or councillors, although we could name several other municipalities which do, most notably Ormstown and Havelock, each of which is led by a woman in the mayor's job.THE RATE \u2014 of female participation within the MRC as a whole, the re rt says, is 18.9 per cent of councillors and 13.3 per cent of mayors \u2014 neither the best nor the worst among the 15 MRCs compared.The Montérégie\u2019s highest ratio of female councillors is to be found in Champlain, with 31.1 per cent; while one of the mayors in Acton are women.ALL THIS \u2014 may provide food for thought for any women contemplating a new career in municipal politics.DEADLINE \u2014 for nominations for vacant council seats is this Friday, Oct.15.In next week\u2019s paper, we'll be able to give you the run-down on which municipalities will be having elections come November 7, and how many women have taken up the challenge to seek seats.NEW REGULATIONS \u2014 on the disposal of old paint and paint containers require any business dealing in paint or using a recognized paint trade-mark to offer a recycling service to its customers for old paint and containers.(Businesses can operate the recycling themselves or delegate an organization to do it on their behalf, they have the next six months to set up a program.) THE GOAL \u2014 of the new law is to reach a rate of recycling 75 per cent of all paint containers sold by the year 2008.In the short term, the objective is 25 per cent by 2002.IN HUNTINGDON \u2014 a Bowling Tournament to benefit the Haut-St-Laurent Community Development Corporation will be held at the Huntingdon Quillorama next weekend (October 16 and 17).Four-member teams can enter: for tickets call 829-4224.A | 1e) Yuriy : # : .Pro - = $500,000 project St-Anicet\u2019s historic h church is getting a major overhaul these days, with scaffolding rising more than 100 feet high inside the building, allowing skilled restorers to repair stained glass in the domed ceiling.The century-old church has also undergone extensive repairs to its stonework, entry and windows.The whole half-million-dollar project should be completed this month, says curé Clément Laurendean.THE C.LD.\u2014 is also offering a lun- .cheon conference on rural development on Wednesday Oct.20 at 30 Bridge St.in Ormstown.Guest speaker will be Julie Perreault from Quebec Rural Solidarity, whose talk in French will be followed by a bilingual discussion.Call the number above to register before October 19.IN VALLEYFIELD \u2014 St.Mark's Church will hold a Flea Market and Bake Sale, with refreshments available, on Saturday Oct.16 from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m.This is a fund-raiser to help pay for the church\u2019s new roof.LAST WEEK \u2014 we ran a photo of fitness instructor Caroline Halle with some children at St.Joseph\u2019s School pre-kindergarten.Somewhere along the line, the gremlins managed to change her first name to Catherine, for which we apologize.Registration for the course she is offering will be held this afternoon (Wednesday Oct.13) from 3:30 to 5 p.m.at the Hun n United Church.For more information see ad elsewhere.IN HEMMINGFORD \u2014 the Volunteer Firemen are holding their 31st annual Bean Supper and Dance this Saturday Oct.16 at the Hemmingford Golf Club.This event gives the population as a whole a great chance to come out and support the firemen.(FE) TRANSPORT-QUEBEC \u2014 is reminding rural residents about the rules for roadside mailboxes.Ideally, the ministry says, the front of a mailbox should measure about 100 mm (four INVITED TO VIEWSTHESNEWR2000 MODELS TINGDON ae.Sat EL.: 264-6163 « HUNTI nue E@® .moun the front of the property in such a way that it can be reached without affecting traffic when mail is being delivered or picked up.Mailboxes, as many of us know by bitter experience, are vulnerable to rampaging snow- blowers when they are placed too close to the road.AS WELL \u2014 there is the safety factor.Because the mailboxes are generally located on the public right-of-way, between the traffic lanes, which are the responsibility of Transport-Québec, and the utility poles for hydro or telephone lines, they must conform to the regulations which are meant to ensure public safety.ROAD WORK \u2014 to replace a culvert on Route 138 in St-Malachie d\u2019Ormstown is scheduled to begin October 18 (next Monday) and last until early December.Temporary traffic lights will control single-lane traffic around the work site.Contractor for the $387,000 project is Excavation et Béton Charly.OCTOBER \u2014 is Breast Cancer Month.Statistics Canada reports that 18,700 Canadian women will be diagnosed with the disease in 1999, including 5,400 from Quebec.Women aged 50 to 69 are being asked to join a screening program, which includes a free mammogram every two ted on a wooden post located at Large selection of Federal amunitions at competitive prices Aim right with Federal and Fantaprix ! Zhe best team for a successful hunt.Have a photo of your game taken at Fantaprix and get a chance to win, beautiful prices.We will give you a souvenir picture and a 1999 successful Successful hunt to all our hunters ! \u201c263 Jacques-Cartier, Valleyfie 17 ears.Women in their 40s can be referred by a doctor for a mammogram if there is a history of early breast cancer in the family.Examination by a doctor each year and monthly breast self-examination is recommended for all women.LAST WEEK'S AD \u2014 contained details about the October 16 Roast Beef Dinner at the Ormstown Presbyterian Church \u2014 check it for hours and prices.Also, there will be a pie-making bee for the upcoming Barrie Bazaar on Oct.19 at 9 a.m.at MacDougall Hall in Ormstown.(JM) AN EXHIBITION \u2014 next weekend at the Valleyfield Shopping Centre will ture some of the items found durin September clean-up of part of the St- Charles River, organized by the ZIP environmental group.You might be surprised what can be found at the bottom of a river, organizers say! (JT) Maism Dallas WESTERN war 170 boul.Mgr.Langlois, Valleyild 377-0222 265 boul St-Jean-Baptist, Chilsauguay 082-8222 WELCOME TO DANCERS! .4 comes close.Get it all.powerful ! New Holland equipment, reliable performance you can trust and, now, an even more affordable price.Check out Value Bonanza deals with retail financing as low as 0% APR* on new eligible ag tractors, hay and forage equipment and skid-steer loaders.Other attractive finance plans are also available.And don\u2019t miss our Parts Specials ! These savings opportunities only last until October 31@ 1999.Trust the New Holland difference.Nothing else \"Financing available to qualified buyers through New Holland (Canada) Credit Company.on e retail contract date of October 15, 1999 with a suggested list price on : New model TS100 Peel drive Ag tractor with cab of $68,341 (package code B100C5/100/01).Buyer provides a $13,668.28 down payment and finances the balance of $54,672.72 at 0% APR.There will be 24 equal monthly payments of $2,278.03 with payments beginning November 15, 1999.The total amoun t paid is $68,341.00 which includes finance charges of $0.00.@eurouno LES EQUIPEMENTS BONENBERG inc.43 ROUTE 202, HUNTINGDON TÉL: (450) 264-6673 \u2014 a LA = MS ee re \u2014 \u2014 Valerie Furcall THE GLEANER In the world of canine breed and beauty shows, Rockburn\u2019s Charlie Lunn is one of the people the contestants hope to impress.Rockburn dog judge Charlie Lunn with his special pet, a German Schnauzer named Esau.(Photo: VF) He and his wife Mary have been raising purebred dogs since 1965; for the t 14 years Charlie has been a certi- ied all-breeds\u2019 judge, experienced about what characteristics to look for in any of the more than 100 breeds recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club.This November in Ottawa, he will be one of a nine-member international panel of judges doing the honors at Canada\u2019s Show of Shows, where only dogs which have won a best of show throughout 1999 may compete for supreme recognition.This is his third invitation to the prestigious \u201cShow,\u201d a formal affair, with dog handlers attired in evening gowns and tuxedos.The finer points There are specific standards for each breed, but among the general points judges look for in a dog are its movement, color of eyes, mouth and tongue, coat condition and animation in the showring.The marking checklist also includes assuring that a male has two Factory needs clean-up.from page 1 Letter lost Hinchinbrooke municipal secretary- treasurer Kevin Neal told The Gleaner that the most recent letter from the Environment department on the subject of the contamination had been received a couple of years ago, but was lost during the ice storm of January 1998.In 1995, the municipality was asked to bar- ncade the site, and two years later, a clean-up of the surrounding property led to testing for the presence of mercury.Roy and her associates wanted to convert the former co-operative butter factory into a co-operative museum.They agreed to pay $12,000 for the property, but their hopes of rebuilding the derelict old building have disappeared with the @ FAMILI-PRIX Jean-Paul Laliberté, proprietor December 18th e®1999 @° news of the contamination.Architects have been hired to create a new structure which would preserve the spirit of the original, which was built by a group of local dairy producers in 1873 to be used as Canada's first co-operative butter factory.During the past summer, a pair of local students launched a historical research project, interviewing several descendants of the original founders.Plans call for the museum to serve as a center for conserving local economic, social and cultural history of the Chateauguay Valley, and a site for exhibits, conferences, displays and meetings of local history buffs.(HT/JT) Buy and leave your coupon for the drawing e October 23rd e November 6th ALSO 4 DRAWINGS OF $200 * November 20th * December 4th JEAN-PAUL LALIBERTE PHARMACIST 829-2367 4 BRIDGE STREET, ORMSTOWN NE.TE RE Re Rockburn\u2019s international dog-show judge uses discretion in \u201chands-on\u201d evaluation testicles.\u201cThat\u2019s a hands-on job and when judging guard-dogs, ! have to evaluate and score the animal based solely on visual assessment, as these breeds would bite if touched,\u201d he explained.The object of shows is to improve breeding lines.A top show dog may be worth from $10,000 to $50,000, while a \u201cpet-quality\u201d puppy purchased from a reputable breeder starts upwards of $600, according to Lunn, who now raises German Schnauzers.The Lunns started their dog business with a female St.Bernard.Later they achieved a coveted distinction of having bred and raised an outstanding male: \u201cAmbassadeur,\u201d which in one year (1973) won 24 \u201cbest of shows.\u201d That was an all-time breed record, Charlie Lunn believes.Next came Newfoundlands, Pyrenes and now Schnauzers.Lunn has judged five times in Australia, and has been invited to shows in Holland, Columbia and Argentina, and reguarly officiates in Canada and the United States.Great Story time for kids to start on Friday A free Story Time for preschool-aged children is set to start Friday, Oct.13 at the local Community Learning Centre at 24 Lake St.in Huntingdon.This Family Literacy program, animated by April Donnelly-Arthur, is offered from 10 a.m.to noon on Fridays for 10 weeks through the generosity of the Literacy Partners of Quebec, which provided a $1,400 grant and materials.A parent or adult guardian must accompany and stay with the children, who will also enjoy related activities such as music, crafts, finger-plays.Interested parents are asked to register with Nancy Weed at (450)-373-5411; space is limited and it\u2019s \u201cfirst come, first served,\u201d she said.(VF) : \u201d Po eek \u2014 Rann 4a Fem & bu re trame A licence for you (a hunting licence won't do) a 000 uns 0.\" va 8 8 You need a Firearms Act licence or valid FAC to possess and register your firearms.A registration certificate for your firearm + enregiatrement de l'ont à bou Remember to safely store your firearm.For more information, application forms and assistance filling them out, call 1 800 731-4000 or visit our Web site at www.cfc-ccaf.ge.ca Firearm safety is everyone's concem.Canada \u2014 6661 £1 WAS0LO0 \u2014 YANVATO FHL \u20ac ie LB Over the weekend we stop at the local spring for some of the t water anywhere.We took home eight four-litre plastic bottles, which will last us several weeks.Often there is a line-up at the spring, and many le take much more water than our 32 litres.And this process has been going on for many years, without anyone worrying too much about it.Now, we're beginning to get nervous, precisely because no one really knows just how much water lies under the surface of our Valley.And even if we did know, how could we make that figure meaningful?A recent Canadian Press report quotes a specialist who said that if you leave a garden hose running 24 hours a day, you will use 2.4 million litres of water in a year.But how much is 2.4 million litres \u2014 how many bathtubs-full?How many swimming pools?It's hard to visualize.And how much water, for instance, would a golf course use in a year to keep its fairways and greens in good condition?Across Canada commercial water-bot- ters have permits to take about 30 billion litres of water without paying anything for it.They make some $200 million annually exporting it.Only one province, British Columbia, charges these businesses a user fee.The rest get it free, just like we consumers do.And now we're hearing about possible bulk exports of surface water from lakes and rivers, an area in which there is currently no controlling legislation.Will we soon find ourselves giving away the store without even taking inventory?FROM GLEANER ARCHIVES.120 years ago September 25, 1879 [Continued from last week \u2014 STAGES AND STAGE DRIVERS) \u2026 Once more we take our seats with fear and trembling, and the descendant of the worthy O'Neills of Celtic Lore is prevatled upon to take the lines and guide us through our difficulties.We jog slowly but surely on, the early moring bours growing still darkerm til we reach a lonesome, awesome place between two woods where, to our utter disgust, our candle burns out.We are now so completely in the dark that even the tails of the horses are not visible.A balt is called.Baby, astonished by the stoppage of the rocking motion, wakes up, takes a sudden spasm of fear and lustily bawls bis objections; the tender-bearted ladies indulging in such exclamations as \u201cpoor little dear,\u201d \u201csweet little pet,\u201d \u201chush a bye,\u201d etc.An elderly matron produces a produces a peppermint and after be contendedly falls off to sleep again.Charlie starts off for some unknown point 60 years ago Jor a piece of more candle, the rest of us taking advantage of the dead balr, as the rain was pouring in torrents, to shut down the curtains and compose ourselves for nap, only to be wakened up in balf an hour to find that Charlie bas returned without the candle.But the early daum beginning to chase away the dark shadows, on we go, and under the good guidance of the O'Neill, as the morning brightens the pace improves.Fears of bears and wolves leave with the night shadows, and despite a beavy thunderstorm, we eventually arrive at Huntingdon (8 miles from Port Lewis as the crow flies 15 miles round the road), at a quarter past six, thus occupying 5 3/4 bours to make the journey which, if the Plank road were good, shoudl be done in 1 1/4 bours, fatiqued, shook to pieces, and utterly unfit for any active duties for the day.Can no remedy be speedily found?\u2014 H.[The end] October 11, 1939 AS HUNTINGDON EXPERIENCES A BUILDING BOOM Huntingdon is experiencing one of the greatest building booms in its history at the present time and many men are being employed as numerous buildings are rushed to completion.\u2014 the edition to the Huntingdon Woolen Mills, a plant for dyeing and bleaching of wool used and will cover more than 14,000 feet of space.The largest project is that of the Huntingdon Academy where men are working by day and under floodlight.The new bome of the Huntingdon Gleaner Inc, when completed will be one of the most modern of printing offices in rural Canada.There is the residence of Douglas Fortune on Prince St.and Lea Leaby prepared to erect a new dwelling on Cemetery 30 years ago St.Also, the duplex of Joe Laframboise being completed while nearby two bouses are being built by John Patterson.HOSPITAL AT ORMSTOWN The appointment of a Medical Board for the Barrie Memorial hospital is expected to take place this month.Work is steadily progressing on the hospital and this week men are busily engaged in painting the walls of the building.A number of donations have been received in the way of pillows and more donations of various kinds are expected.Various branches of the Women's Institutes have signified their intention of aiding the hospital in what way they can and sbowers bave will be beld for the purpose of collecting such necessi- Hes as canned fruit, dishes, etc.October 8, 1969 VALLEY TEACHER TAKES NEW POST An Ormstown man who bas belped guide local teachers through contract negotiations bas been named to the Superior Council of Education.Jack Jobnson, a mathematics teacher at CVR, is a past president of the Protestant Chateauguay Valley Teachers\u2019 Association.FOOTBALLERS FOILED IN FIRST FIELD TEST Interschool football came to CVR and the local high school was trimmed 26-6 by Lindsay Place.Four bundred spectators watched CVR slowly crumble.CVR scored its onlypoints on an end run by Jean Damé.Quarterback Mike Soly ran the CVR attack.BOY BREAKS JAIL A slippery young lad, a native of Huntingdon, capped an elusive career by out of Huntingdon's municipal cells.HUNTINGDON APPLE CROP CALLED \u201cBEST IN QUEBEC\u201d The quality of the apple crop being barvested in Huntingdon County is the best in the province, accordin to the president of William Beattie & Son of Hemmingford.On the other band, the volume is down from last year.H'DON TROTTER OUTPACES VISITORS Five bundred fans sat trackside in Huntingdon for the Harmess Horseman's Club Jirst sulky races since Huntingdon Fair week.Twenty-seven trotters in eight seats were topped by a horse owned and driven by Sh erman Robb, in 2:10:2 to post the fastest time.$400 made up winners\u2019 purses.Horse blankets were donated by Lawrence Provost and Blue Gas Propoane.PUBLICATION MAIL REGISTRATION NO.08070 U.S.REG.NO.USPS 580-300 PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT CHATEAUGAY, NEW YORK, 12920 Postmaster: 4 \u2014 THE GLEANER \u2014 OCTOBER 13 1999 * published by THE HUNTINGDON GLEANER (1985) LTEE- Local Subscription $32.00/year; Out of Area $39.50/ear, QCNA : Please send address change to P.O.Box 217 Chateaugey, N.Y, 12920-0217 GENERAL MANAGER; ANDRE CASTAGNIER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: JUDITH TAYLOR EDITORIAL STAFF: VALERIE FURCALL, HUGUES THEORET becoming the first person in two years to break [VF] L E A N E R Audit Bureau Lo]! - : of Greulations G 66 Chiteauguay St., Huntingdon, Guebec JOS 1HO ;, : Tel.: (450) 264-5364 © Fax: (450) 264-9521 Nw YOUR WEEKLY NEWSPAPER AZIZ U.S.A.$37.50 U.S., $55.00 Can.AJRQ Eu Aw 1T'S JUST THAT KID PROM THE FAUWAY COMMERCIAL.EVER SINCE THEY LET HM FLAY WITH Thelæ TRAINS, HE THINKS HE CAN TUN ANYTHING.Student litterin Hn rae wie id ss AR g in Town has nothing to do with language I read the article quoting M.André Morin, principal at Arthur Pigeon School, with interest and understanding.I agree with M.Morin\u2019s statement about not having a \u201cconcentration camp\u201d in his school.However, I do not believe, by reading the article in last week's paper, that M.Morin realizes who is complaining.I read the article several times and I failed to find a reason why he would mention that it is mainly English-speaking people who are complaining.The problem with children littering and causing problems is not an \u201cEnglish or French\u201d issue, it is a problem we have as a community and as a society.It seems that M.Morin does not understand that children in elementary schools are not permitted to go off the school grounds, so therefore it is logical that the problem during the lunch hour is caused y secondary students.I would therefore encourage M.Morin to please keep to the facts and instead of trying to place blame, maybe he could help work on a solution.Nobody enjoys seeing litter strewn all over our town, and that includes people who are both English and French.M.Pagé Huntingdon Young and old alike have role in giving town a better image With reference to the problems associated with the behavior of local students in Huntingdon, I do not have the solution, but I would most certainly not blame the \u201cEnglish\u201d or the \u201cyoung people\u201d; it would be too simple! Communication and respect for one another would be a good start.Like most of you, I am every day on the streets of our town and I have seen only one \u201cadult\u201d take the time to pick up the litter.(Thank you, Normand.) Young people do not usually get the mail, but have you noticed the condition of our post office?Maybe it would be time for each and every one of us to get busy making our town attractive and inviting to visitors, and let the \u201cyoung people\u201d take pride in helping us.The kids are pretty great if you take the time to know them \u2014 they are my favorite people.Lisette Stettler Huntingdon Preparedness \u201cjust in case\u201d is best strategy for Y2K bug There are all sorts of rumors going around about Y2K.It\u2019s difficult to know what's really going on and who's telling the truth about what.In cases like this, it's always a good rule of thumb to pre- are for a reality that exists somewhere in tween the extremes.For the Y2K millennium bug, the best advice I've heard is to prepare for the worst, while hoping that the worst won't happen and that there will only be minor glitches in power and food distribution systems.It is only common sense to be prepared at all times for any extreme circumstance that could affect you or the happiness and security of your family.This is a lesson we all learned during the 1998 ice \"Te re are many simple things that an individual, family, ca organization can do to ensure themselves against the consequences of extreme or good to have some non-perishable foods around, such as rice, beans, lentils, canned goods, jams, dried vegetables and fish, and meat products that can be stored without refrigeration.It is also good to have extra blankets and candl available for emergencies like power failures, along with some bottled water.Other good things to have around are batteries, flash-lights, and a small battery radio (even a solar or wind-up radio).If your home is entirely dependent upon electricity for heating, it is a good idea to keep in mind where you or your family could go to keep warm during an extended power failure, such as staying with friends or family who have nonelectrical heating or at an emergency shelter.Preparing for the possibility of emergencies is just plain smart. Js