The record, 25 janvier 2001, jeudi 25 janvier 2001

THE The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 -gj| MNA Bernard Brodeur.‘It's not the mark of a future leader of a province to insult all Canadians.' PQshould not be running zoos: Brodeur THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2001 65 CENTS MAURICE CROSSFIELD After concentrating their first efforts on cooling the propane supply for the barn's heating system, the firefighters wasted no time in controlling the blaze.By Maurice Crossfield About 4000 day-old ducklings perished in a barn fire at the Brome Lake Duck Farm Wednesday morning.At about 4:20 a.m.the Brome Lake Volunteer Fire Department was called to the Centre Road duck farm, where one of the dozen barns had caught fire.Spotting the barn’s propane heating system the first efforts of the firefighters were focused on preventing an explosion.“I would say 30 minutes later we had everything under control," said Brome Lake fire chief Pierre Laplante.He said the firefighters initially thought they would have to call in more departments for help.But before long it became obvious that outside help wasn’t necessary.The fire completely destroyed about half of the 400-foot long barn.Damages are estimated at $400,000.Brome Lake Ducks production manager Renfred Tracy said some 4000 day-old ducklings had just been moved into that section of the barn the day before.They were all killed.Security around the duck barns was tight Wednesday, with reporters and photographers allowed onto the scene one at a time.Tracy explained that a biological protection program is in place to prevent the spread of disease.“There are always risks when you’re dealing with livestock, be it cattle, ducks or chickens," he said.“Our objective here is to grow healthy ducks." An indication of how delicate that balance can be occurred in May 1999, when a lab discovered traces of the Newcastle virus at one of the Brome Lake Ducks feeder farms.Potentially disastrous for the Canadian poultry industry, the farms were quarantined until further tests showed no evidence of the virus.The virus was finally linked to a contamination of one of the outside labs that did the testing, and not- the farm itself.Tracy said the effect of the fire will be felt in seven weeks, the time when the ducks would have been sent to the abattoir for processing.Brome Lake Ducks processes about 6000 ducks a day, or about 1.5 million per year.“The demand for duck is high right now, and we’re sold out,” he said.“We need every duck we can get.We didn’t need this.” Tracy said the loss won’t affect any of the about 100 people that work at the farm.He said he’s anxious to get things straightened out with the insurance company so the farm can rebuild as quickly as possible.Tracy noted that seven years ago this week, on Jan.19, one of the farm’s barns collapsed under the weight of accumulated snow.The Quebec Police Force has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.QPF spokesman Const.Serge Dubord said so far there has been nothing to indicate the fire was intentionally set.By René Bruemmer As a federalist and a Liberal MNA with a zoo in his riding, Bernard Brodeur said deputy premier Bernard Landry’s inflammatory remarks and reftisal of federal government funding for Quebec City’s zoo and aquarium was an affront on several different levels.“It’s not the mark of a future leader of a province to insult all Canadians,” Brodeur said yesterday of the man expected to succeed Lucien Bouchard as premier of Quebec.“But above the insult, the idea of funding public enterprises like these puts into question the mission of the government.” SEE ZOO, PAGE 4 Fire ravages Brome Lake Duck Farm barn; 4,000 ducklings die page 2 Thursday, January 25, 2001 ¦ THE mi Record Range of achievements is vast The sub-zero temperature of last Sunday kept me indoors.It gave me time to write some overdue correspondence; read a few chapters of an interesting book; watch the figure skating and Global Awards on television.An uneventful day.I looked up momentarily from my reading and watched my companion rocking and crocheting beautiful small squares of lace that will be added to the tablecloth she is making for one of our daughters.Her fingers were busy hooking and turning the yam in her agile hands.The movement of her eyes and brief smiles at the corner of her mouth told me that her thoughts were flitting among the personages of her world.I am sure the smiles were brought on by her thoughts of her children and grandchildren.A frown briefly crossed her brow.It was probably provoked from her thinking about a friend whose marriage had recently gone on the rocks, and who had telephoned only an hour ago.I returned to my novel before she could catch me peeking at her.I thought of my own grandmother who used to silently sway in her rocking chair with her busy gnarled hands knitting or crocheting something.She too was probably reminiscing about the many people in her well occupied mental world.I-remember grandma as a corpulent, imposing person, with a soft, or harsh voice depending on the circumstance.She always wore an apron made from flour bags over her long ample dress except when she sat down.The sound of the Coo-coo-clock would cause her to look up from her crocheting, to make sure there was time to continue before she put on her apron again to do some chore.In contrast, my companion was wearing denim shorts over leotards.Just before lunch, she had spryly danced to Shania Twain’s “I feel like a woman,” when she heard it on the stereo and raised the volume.I enjoy watching her dance alone gyrating to the rhythm of the music.She’s a “hep” grandmother all right! What a difference between these two women who were about the same age but in a different eras?Two television shows held my attention.One was the professional figure skating championship between the United States and the World.Canada was one of the countries in the world group.Our Canadian Kurt Browning topped performances by the sensual Katerina Witt, an energetic and sexy Philippe Candelero and a powerful performance by Suryna Bonaly.Browning’s performance was expressive, moving and flawless.There is no doubt that the results given to his presentation by the judges won the event for the World group.Quite an achievement Mr.Browning?The evening’s television treated us to the Global Awards in which A1 Pacino received a special Cecile B.De Mille award in honor of his astonishing career.Excerpts from many of his films, highlighting of course his role as The Godfather, were presented.Only the one film could have justified the award but the honor was for his fantastic acting career.Again, quite an achievement.Anyone who watched the presentations could not miss the beautiful Julia Roberts who won the best female acting award.She should have received a second trophy for the most beautiful actress at the gala.Her relatively short, but successful career, is another achievement worth mentioning.I wish a category for the most dedicated grandmother, mother and wife, was voted for at the Global Awards.It is my strong personal opinion that my companion would have won the trophy.Her life is an achievement.Our Man Thursday William Cox Bar code red I was in the mood for an iced tea yesterday, so 1 stepped into a convenience store.I grabbed a can and went to the check out.The guy picks it up and tries to scan the bar code on the side of the can.Now 1 don’t know a lot about bar codes, but this was a shiny silver can with beads of condensation on the side, so 1 wasn’t surprised when reading the bar code did not go well.After five minutes of unsuccessful scanning, the guy tries to read the 47-djgit number under the bar code and punch that into his computerized cash register.By this point, I’m ready to punch a couple of things in myself.We’ve been told that bar codes are to allow the store owner to track sales and control inventory.Don’t believe it.Bar codes are just the next phase in getting the cùstomer to do all the work.A hundred years ago, you’d step into a store, march up to the counter and ask the guy for an iced tea.He’d go get one from the storage area, hand it over and take your three cents.Now you actually step into the storage area yourself, rummage around until you find what you want, haul it up to the counter, stand in line behind a bunch of other customers who’ve done the same thing, and then stand there looking at your watch while Mr.Inventory Control runs a beam of spooky red light across something you’re planning to drink, in the hopes that if it scans properly, he’ll be able to charge you a $1.89 for three cents’ worth of iced tea.I guess when they called them convenience stores, I misunderstood whose convenience they were referring to.GARBAGE DAY Today is garbage day.I really enjoy standing at the front window and watching the garbage men take all that stuff away.Bags that smell bad, boxes that were cluttering up the garage, things that outlived their usefulness, evidence of projects that had gone horribly wrong.They throw it all into the truck and drive it away to somewhere 1 will never go.It’s a great feeling.A clean slate.A fresh start.The cleansing of garbage day.I wish I could do that with my brain.Take all the useless infor-mation and self-destructive thoughts and unpleasant memories out to the end of the driveway and watch somebody throw them into a truck and drive them away.Man, that would feel good.Of course I can’t throw out any of the junk in my mind.But I do recycle.PREPARING FOR LIFT-OFF If you have somewhere to go and are trying to decide what time you should leave to get there, you have to take a few things into consideration.For example, let’s say you need to be out the door at noon, here’s when you need to get ready: • If you’re going alone, start getting ready at 11:59.That allows you one minute to either comb your hair or find your hat.• If you’re going with your son, start getting ready at 11:30.That allows him time to get from his bed to the car.• If you’re going with your daughter, start getting ready at 9:30.That allows her time for three complete wardrobe changes and phone calls to friends who track her every move.• If you’re going with your wife, start getting ready at 7:30.That allows time for her to make the lists and do her hair and make-up, and time for you to come up with something for you to wear that passes inspection.• If you’re going with your wife and your son and your daughter, think seriously about handing them the car keys and faking an illness.Quote of the Day: “You actually can teach an old dog new tricks, but it’s smarter to teach a new dog old tricks.” North of Forty Red Green Weather Today: Cloudy with a few very light flurries in the morning.Clearing later on.High near minus 7.Friday: Variable cloudiness.Low near minus 14.High near minus 4.Saturday: Mostly cloudy and 40 per cent probability of some snow.Low near minus 14.High near minus 7.Sunday: Mostly cloudy and 30 per cent probability of some snow.Low near minus 14.High near minus 7.Ben by Daniel Shelton I MUST HAVE THIS PAINTING' TELL ME MAPAM, IS IT FOR SALE?f n teür WELL.ITS A PORTRAIT OF MV HUS0ANP-IRONT KNOW IF I FEEL RIGHT SELLING ITTOVDO.' PERHAPS Y0UC0ULP CONSIPERIT .THIS WAY.SUCH A BUNTING, IN ALL ITS SPIENPOR, IS ONLY BUTA REFLECTION, A MERE REPROPUCnON .OF REALITY' IN OTHER W0RPS, YOU STILL HAVE THE ’ORIGINAL*.' PONT REMINP ME Thursday, January 25, 2001 page 3 ¦ ¦¦THE— - RECORD Brodeur calls for tough new anti-gang legislation Staff Shefford MNA Bernard Brodeur is calling on Public Security Minister Serge Menard to crack down on outlaw biker gangs.“For several years now they have tried to impose their laws in the farmers fields, against bar owners and the population in general,” Brodeur wrote in a letter to the minister.Brodeur is calling for tough new antigang legislation to combat the problem.He noted a newspaper article in which Ménard said the Granby Police don’t have the means to deal with the biker problem in that city.Brodeur took that one step further, arguing that even the Quebec Po- lice Force doesn’t have the means or the manpower to deal with criminal gangs.“I am convinced that regional police forces with adequate resources can give the means to confront the menace of organized crime,” he wrote.“Unfortunately the debate and the means to do so are nothing but the object of future debates while our citizens suffer now from an under-protection that is unacceptable in a democracy.” Brodeur said an investment in personnel and money is needed to deal with the problem.He said inaction in light of re cent events is the equivalent to a lack of desire to provide the public with the peace it has a right to.Pot grower turns himself in Staff A Montreal man who is believed to have been using a Sutton garage to grow marijuana will appear in court in Granby today to be formally charged.Michel Lambert, 35, turned himself in to the Brome-Missisquoi detachment Tuesday.After being questioned by police he was brought before a justice of the peace in Cowansville and charged with cultivating marijuana.Lambert was supposed to appear before a criminal court judge to be formally charged and for a bail hearing Wednesday.That appearance was finally delayed until today.At about 3 a.m.Saturday morning, firefighters were called to a garage on Mt.Echo Road.After putting out the flames the firefighters and police discovered 7600 seedling pot plants and 315 mature plants.Police estimate the street value at around $4 million.Lambert, who has no previous criminal record, is believed to have rented the 24-foot-by-24-foot garage.Briefs Bedard handed another jail sentence Martin Bédard has had another couple of months added to his jail time.Last week Bédard, 26, was sen-j tenced to six months in jail for breaking the conditions of his bail and threatening his ex-girlfriend.Throughout that hearing Bédard distinguished himself by leering at his ex-girlfriend and laughing.With a lengthy criminal record already behind him, Bédard had been in court on Jan.3 to face charges that he threatened his former lover.Afterwards he threatened her again, right in the courtroom.He later showed up drunk to meet his parole officer.Monday Bédard pleaded guilty to charges of assault, extortion and breaking the conditions of his bail.Crown prosecutor Karyn Goulet referred to Bédard as a time bomb, about to reach the point of no return.In the end Quebec Court judge Donald Bissonnette sentenced Bédard to eight months in jail, to be served concurrently with his present six- month sentence.Depressed man vandalizes Milan church Staff Aman is now in a psychiatric ward in Sherbrooke after he vandalized a church in Milan Tuesday afternoon.The 39-year-old man broke open the door of the Catholic church on St-Joseph Street in Milan around 4 p.m.He then proceeded to smash several windows and statues.Quebec Police Force spokesman Const.Serge Dubord said the man also splashed naptha around the church, though he later said he had no intention of setting the building on fire.Dubord said police apprehended the man and took him to hospital in Lake Megantic.From there he was transferred to the psychiatric unit of the Centre Universitaire de la Santé de l’Estrie.Police say the man was suffering from a severe depression.Registry on zoning for Brome Lake theatre-community centre Feb.9 Staff The future of a joint community centre and theatre project will depend on the results of a registry to be held in Brome Lake on Feb.9.The registry concerns a proposed change in zoning for an 11-acre property on Mt.Echo Road presently being considered for the $1.6 million project.For the project to go ahead the property must be rezoned first.The zoning change was granted by the Brome Lake council at the monthly meeting in Dec.Following the standard procedure, the registry will give residents a chance to react.If 29 people from the RA-13 zone and the four neighboring zones sign the registry, the zoning change could be ei- ther withdrawn or put to a referendum.In all some 187 households in zones RA-13, RC-3, RB-2, RC-4, and RA-19 are eligible to sign the register.The registry will be open on Friday, Feb.9 between 9 a.m.and 7 p.m.Five minutes after the registry closes, the results will be announced.The idea of a combined community centre and theatre has been in discussion for a couple of years now.A public meeting last February gave the committee formed to study the project the clear message that the Lion’s Park was not a suitable location.In the fall the committee came back with the idea of using the Mt.Echo Road property, which is closer to Knowlton’s downtown.Just because the markets have their ups and downs doesn't mean your portfolio should.Just ask Merrill Lynch.We can provide you with a personalized plan to help you choose appropriate investment vehicles to achieve your goals without exposing your savings to undue risk.We will create a portfolio that is financially sound and evaluate your circumstances as market conditions change.Alain Gilbert, Adm.A., Pi.Fin.Financial Advisor Denise Dudos, PI.Fin.Financial Advisor 3000 King Street West, Suite 100 Sherbrooke, Quebec J1L 1Y7 Sherbrooke (819) 573-6021 Lennoxville (819) 573-6010 Merrill Lynch Canada Inc.Member - CIPF Alain Gilbert, AdnuA., PL Fin.Financial Advisor Denise Dudos, PL Fin.Financial Advisor Merrill Lynch page 4 Thursday, January 25, 2001 — THE ¦ RECORD MNA Brodeur proposes ET-US highway Thoroughfare would extend from Drummondville to Burlington By René Bruemmer If Shefford MNA Bernard Brodeur gets his way, there may one day be a multi-lane highway stretching from Drummondville, through Granby and Cowansville, and down Burlington, Vt.way.But the MNA warns that even if the proposition were accepted it would still be several years before the new highway sees the light of day.The idea has been kicking around for several years.Brodeur suggested a pared-down version of the plan, linking Granby and Drummondville, during his electoral campaign in 1994, but the idea died a few months after he was elected.The passing of a new law last December in the National Assembly al- lowing the government to pair up with private business on projects could open the road to the new autoroute, Brodeur says.“Granby and the region are already very well served from the east and west by Autoroute 10, linking it to Montreal and Sherbrooke," Brodeur said.“But the route up into Central Quebec and down to the United States is more difficult,” due to the lack of a large thoroughfare.Creating a new highway could open the door to expanded industrial and tourist traffic through the corridor, creating millions of dollars in increased revenue for all regions involved, Brodeur said.The industrial parks in Acton Vale and Valcourt would also benefit.The proposed route would extend from Drummondville in the north, connecting with Highway 55, then run southeast through Granby, Bromont and Cowansville before extending along the western edge of Lake Champlain to hook up with Highway 87 in the U.S., which runs down into Burlington.To cover the costs of construction, toll booths could be put in place for a set amount of time - 20 years, for instance - until the private sector and the government had recouped their investments, Brodeur suggested.Once the highway was paid off, it would become the property of the province.At this point Brodeur is only testing the waters to see if there’s interest in the affected regions.He’s contacting local development bureaus and the regional municipalities of Brome-Mis-sisquoi, Haute-Yamaska and Drummondville, and says thus far re- Zoo: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The Parti Québécois should concern itself with health care and education, and leave tourism-based enterprises to the private sector, the Shefford MNA said.Landry caused a stir Tuesday, saying the Quebec government was refusing an $18-million grant for renovations to the Quebec City zoo and aquarium and instead increasing the proposed provincial funding from $20 million to $38 million.The PQ refused because the federal government stipulated the institutions would have to post bilingual signs and fly the Canadian flag for 40 years, Landry said.Further stoking the flames, Landry referred to the Canadian flag as a “red rag” and called federal Unity Minister Stéphane Dion “the most detested politician in the history of Quebec.” “We are not for sale,” Landry is reported to have said.“Quebec has no intention of selling itself on the street for some scraps of red rag or for any other reasons.” Landry later said his comments were meant to portray the flag as a matador’s red cape inciting a bull to charge, and that he had the “greatest respect” for the Canadian flag, but by then the damage had been done.Landry made the front pages of Canada’s national newspapers and Quebec dailies under “the flag is a red rag” headlines.On the issue of the flag, Shefford MNA Brodeur said he was under the impression that “Quebec was still in Canada, and when you give $18 million, I think you should have the right to ask to be seen.” In any case, he said, institutions shouldn’t “need a government grant to show the flag of Canada.” Brodeur said the PQ’s refusal of bilingual signs was an indication of their narrow mindedness.action has been favourable.If enough interest is expressed, Brodeur will ask for a feasibility study to determine the costs, possible route and potential profits of a new highway in the region.Even if the plan is accepted, it will probably take between 10 and 15 years before the highway is constructed.Estimates for the costs vary between $65 million and $100 million.“But it's a project that will definitely have major economic impacts for the region,” he said.“It’s a more certain investment than putting your money into a government-run zoo, for example.” “For those who have travelled out of Quebec, they may have noticed that at tourist attractions in the U.S., for example, signs are posted in English, French, German, Spanish, in all sorts of languages.In the tourism sector, you have to welcome the people from everywhere.” But more important than the issue of nationalism is the question of how the PQis choosing to spend taxpayers’ money, Brodeur said.“Investments in the public sector, such as zoos or aquariums or ski hills, are not the mission of a government.Quebecers should be asking what they’re paying into.I think we pay taxes to invest in health care and education - this is the true mission of a government.” The Quebec City zoo was losing close to $1 million a year back in 1994 when the Liberals tried to put it up for sale, Brodeur said.The PQput a stop to the sale to take control of it again, but since then it has seen little profit, he said.In comparison, the private and profitable Granby Zoo, which receives little in the way of government funding, is an example of what can be achieved if the private sector runs tourist attractions, Brodeur said.He suggested Quebec would see a better return on its investment by funding profitable, privately run enterprises such as the zoo in his riding.The PQ’s failed attempt to run the Mont Sainte Anne ski hill is another example of the results when a government tries to run enterprises, he said.“That’s what happens when you try to run a place with civil servants, and you have to pay ticket-takers $15 an hour.” He scoffed at the PQ’s assertion the investment would pay for itself in tourism revenues and increased employment.“I’ve heard that a hundred times.If it’s true, why doesn’t the government just invest $20 billion in these types of things, and then in a few years we’d never have to pay taxes again?” Celebrating Women’s Day March 8 The Record pays tribute to the women of the Townships with a special supplement on March 8, International Women’s Day, featuring articles on women from a variety of fields} Readers are invited to send in photos and stories about the winning women in their lives.Tell us about women who’ve inspired you and made an impact on your life.Mothers, sisters, friends or colleagues - share what makes these women special with others.Mail or e-mail a photo and a paragraph of not more than 150 words, along with $15 and a stamped, self-addressed en- ) velope, to The Record in Sherbrooke or Knowlton.Deadline is March 1.All women submitted will be eligible to win prizes and The Record will also send them a one-month subscription or add a month onto their current subscription.AnENiiON business owners! Recognize the women in your workplace by placing an ad in our special edition.Call our advertising ( i department at (819) 569-9525 for ad rates.Subscription Coupon Name of Woman: Address:________ (Town & Postal Code: Telephone No.:_____ Current Subscriber?Yes No ¦ THE» RECORD ».Thursday, January 25, 2001 page 5 Danville gearing up for packed Ice Festival weekend STEPHEN MCDOUGALL/ m' W »v; Michel Lecours, Danville director general Guy Huot, naturalist and Burbank Pond promoter Diane Labonte, photographer and naturalist Bertrand Turcotte, head of Corridor Verts By Stephen McDougall Special to The Record Danville In an effort to promote local tourism and get nature lovers out of their snow-covered homes this winter, the town of Danville will combine its 21st annual Ice Carnival, the Mack Sennett Festival and a three-day, televised snowmobile run for the Feb.2 weekend.“This way we have something for everyone while at the same time pooling our resources,” said Guy Huot, a birdwatcher and organizer of the snowmobile run.“We want to show that this area of Quebec is worth visiting in summer and in winter.” Huot said the event will not just promote Danville, but surrounding towns such as Asbestos, St.Adrien, Wotton, Richmond and Victoriaville.“This will be an opportunity for towns from three Municipal Regional Councils, Asbestos, Val St-François and Arthabaska, to show off what they have to visitors.” Key to attracting visitors will be the snowmobile run, which will be filmed by RDS, the Quebec cable sports channel.The run actually starts Feb.1 when members of Le Patriash and Esquimaux clubs will travel to Danville from Richmond along the Corridors Verts-Tran-sCanada Trail.On Feb.2, members of the Alleghanish club from Victoriaville will travel to Danville on the same trail.On Saturday, Feb.3, 15 members from the three clubs will make a 100-kilometre trek to Mount Ham, the area’s highest mountain and lookout point near St.Adrien.The run will pass through the towns of Warwick, Kingsey-Falls, Wotton, St-Camille and Trois Lacs.Huot said the $10,000 price tag for the RDS program is being partially raised locally through the local tourist groups and businesses.It is scheduled for broadcast on Feb.18.“With the broadcast, we hope to encourage local tourism in the winter,” said Huot.Birdwatchers spotted 40 types of birds.“That the Trans-Canada trail and other paths in the area can be used by snowmobilers in winter just as much as by cyclists in the summer.“And a trip to Mount Ham, which stands for High Altitude Mountain, is something everybody should try.” Huot also hopes the publicity will help his pet project, that of making Danville’s Burbank Pond into a nature center.An avid naturalist and author, Huot said citings by local members of the Eastern Townships Bird Watchers’ Club in December showed up to 40 types of birds have visited and nested at the pond.Since it was made into a sanctuary for birds in 1989, the pond has attracted numerous species, most of them migratory.“Every year, we see more types of birds, and that means more bird watchers are interested in coming here,” he said.“The logical next step is to set up a permanent facility for nature lovers.I will make sure the pond’s success is included in the RDS program.” On Saturday afternoon, Feb.3, Huot will also screen a recent National Film board production “Une colline chez les hommes” about a bird sanctuary at Mount Rigaud.That will be followed by a presentation by Huot on birdwatching at Burbank Pond.On Sunday, Huot will organize a guided tour of the pond to explain why a growing number of birds are attracted to the area.Another feature during the festivities will be the screening of several films by and about Mack Sennett, the famed Hollywood silent-film producer who was born and raised in and around the Danville area.On Friday evening, Feb.2, at 7:30 p.m.documentaries on Sennett’s life and work by filmmakers Jean Chabot and Pierre Pageau will be shown at the Mon-signeur Thibeault community centre.On Sunday afternoon, Feb.4, at 2 p.m., cinema professor Pierre Marcoux will present more works by Sennett at the centre.The Sennett festival, which was a local success two years ago, has been scaled down this year due to the cold climate.Last year’s festival saw few people attend the day long screenings and activities because of continuous low sub-zero weather.Martine Satre, past organizer of the event, said local volunteers are discussing a larger festival in future years that might include working with Hollywood film societies and historic groups.“We have to rethink the concept of the festival before we can think of attracting a larger crowd, including people from Hollywood,” she said Tuesday.“We need a credible presentation that they would want to see.We need to have special themes that are well planned and presented.It should not be done quickly.You don’t get a second chance with Hollywood.” Other activities during the weekend at the community centre include toboggan runs, a magic show, a free Saturday night supper with the country and western band “Concorde” and a teen dance with the hip-hip group The Revelation on Sunday.Meanwhile, the Danville Curling club will be holding its annual tournament, and the dart throwers can practice their style at the Danville Legion tournament.For more details, call Guy Huot at 839-1489 or Rejean Gagnon at 839-1079.The grasshopper Québec«« Placements Québec and the bonus.Business hours: Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m.to 8 p.m., and For the Québec City Saturdays during January and February, from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m.region, call 521-5229.1 800 463-5229 # -T00% j the tenth year C.75% J the first year including 1% interest bonus for new RRSP funds www.placementsqc.gouv.qc.ca " 1 .-¦¦¦THE' page 6 Thursday, January 25, 2001 Community Forum Record Editorial That’s a lot of bull, all right Deputy Premier Bernard Landry is backtracking fast.He is currently telling every reporter who’ll listen that when he called the Canadian flag ‘a piece of red rag’ this week, he was referring to the flag waved by a matador in front of a bull.That’s a lot of bull, all right.The incident that sparked such passionate prose from this hardliner was Ottawa’s insistence that certain conditions be placed on $18 million in federal funding that was to be granted for major renovations to the Quebec City zoo and aquarium.As a funding partner in this project, the Canadian government wanted the Canadian flag to fly over the two sites and assurance that all signs will be bilingual.This is what Landry is rejecting?Perhaps it would be appropriate to fly the Canadian flag as well as the Quebec flag on a project that receives $18 million in funding instead of giving Ottawa the finger.And the fact that he doesn’t want the signs to be bilingual illustrates the kind of exclusionary attitude that will ultimately destroy Quebec.Anglophones in the province, who are Quebecers and pay taxes to Quebec City, would appreciate bilingual signs at the Quebec City zoo.Landry doesn’t give a damn about us.Tourists from across the globe flock to Quebec every year and they would appreciate bilingual signs as well.Landry obviously doesn’t care about people who pour money into Quebec’s economy, thus helping it run smoothly and helping to create the winning conditions he needs for separation.Doesn’t he get that a strong Quebec economically and socially will give the PQ the best chance at separation?To top it off, the Quebec government - which means you and me - will pay for almost all of the $47 million zoo and aquarium project without help from Ottawa.By refusing Ottawa’s money, Landry is penalizing the people of Quebec.The funds Ottawa is offering is money that we as Quebecers have paid in taxes and he’s refusing to take it back to improve facilities that will benefit the people of Quebec.Is this the kind of nonsense we’ll have to put up with for the next few years?The man who has the best chance at becoming the next premier of Quebec displays a complete disregard for the country many of us are proud to be part of and tremendous disrespect for other Canadians.Many of us in Quebec have two flags - one is red and the other is blue and we can be proud of both of them.Unfortunately, the Fleur de lys can never be seen as simply the provincial flag of Quebec since it is now inextricably identified with a separatist government and the sovereignty cause.So the hardliners have taken that flag away from us.Now Landry wants to denigrate the only other flag we have left.I say No.Don’t attack our flag, buddy.Landry’s quote was, ‘Quebec has no intention of streetwalking for a piece of red rag or anything else’.We got a whiff of the bull, but where’s the matador?Now he’s saying he’ll have to choose his words more carefully.Maybe he should begin by showing more respect for other human beings in his province and in the country.Whatever one may say about Lucien Bouchard bringing the Quebec people to a hair of starting the process of separation, he had a lot of class and respect for people and he stood up against bigotry, even when he found it in his own party.In other parts of Canada, a politician who makes the kind of statements Landry has made has to pay dearly for it with loss of support.Not so in Quebec.The bigoted hardliners of the PQ — THE P.0.Box 1200 SherbrookeJIH 5L6 or 1195 Galt E, Sherbrooke JIG 1Y7 Fax; 819-569-3945 e-mail: newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Website: wwwsheibrookerecord.com Randy Kinnear Publisher .(819) 569-9511 Sharon McCully Editor .(819) 569-6345 Sunil Mahtani Corresp.Editor .(819) 569-6345 Richard Lessard Prod.Mcr.(819) 569-9931 Serge Gagnon Chief Pressman .(819) 5699931 Francine Thibault Prod.Superv.(819) 5694856 DEPARTMENTS Accounting .(819)5699511 Advertising .(819)5699525 Circulation.(819)5699528 Newsroom .(819)5696345 Knowlton office 88 Lakeside.Knowlton, Quebec, JOE 1V0 Tbl: (450) 242-1188 Fax: (450) 243-5155 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS GST PST TOTAL Canada: 1 year 114.40 8.01 9.18 S131.59 6 MONTHS 59.00 4.13 4.73 S67.86 3 MONTHS 30.00 2.10 2.41 S34.51 Out of Quebec residents do not include PST.Rates for other services available on request.The Record is published daily Monday to Friday.Back copies of The Record are available.The Record was founded on February 7.1897, and acquired the Sherbrooke Examiner (est.1879) in 1905 and the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) in 1908.The Record is published by UniMedia Company, a subsidiary of Hollinger Canadian Newspapers L.P.Canadian Publications Mail Service Product Agreement No.0479675.Member * ABC, CARD, CNA.QCNA who thought Bouchard was a pussycat have finally found their man in Landry.Landry says Quebecers ‘are a calm people’ and that Canada is inciting us.He is certainly not adopting the calm approach of his people.If Canadians were getting fed up with Bouchard, imagine what their reaction will be to Landry.How does he expect to get anywhere in his relations with Canada, anglophones, ethnic people, big money?How does he expect to get anywhere?If Landry doesn’t rethink the confrontational style he’s setting the precedent for in his relations with Canada, then all Quebecers will be the ultimate losers.SUNIL MAHTANI mm !mW* m Letter to the editor Mr.Lace delivered rain or shine Dear Editor, I wish to commend and thank the staff at the Record for their attention in the recent changeover in carriers.It took time for the new carrier to find our location.My phone calls were always answered with courtesy and copies did arrive.All seems to be fine now.Thank you Alison and Nancy.I would like to thank Mr.Earl Lace for the excellent service he provided for several years delivering the Record, in all kinds of weather.Our best wishes go out to him for a good recovery and return to health.Joan Norris Waterloo i THE ¦ ¦ .:i "I ." .¦ Thursday, January 25, 2001 page 7 And more letters.RECORD Letters to the editor Rather eat porridge Dear Editor, In response to your editorial regarding selections from the Record being on a web site.I wish to say that I am against having any part of the Record available on a web site - only by subscription.Anybody with any common sense would realize that our paper hangs on a thin, though loyal thread.Perhaps the advertisers reap some benefits from the Internet but there are other ways to find out who has died.Nobody is so destitute they can’t subscribe to our community daily paper.They can always cut back in some other way, i.e.buy less beer and fewer other non-essential items to save our Record.I would eat nothing but porridge for weeks so I could continue to subscribe.As for those who share the paper with others, please don’t complain when the Record no longer exists.It reminds me too much of people who seldom, if ever, attend or support the church and then are the first to lament when the doors are closed.Incidentally that M P mentioned in the editorial is beneath contempt.Marion Sutherland Danville My anglo life in Quebec is fabulous Dear Editor, Whoa! This guy in FLORIDA is saddened by the decline of MY life?! And apparently the lives of many of my friends and family?! Interestingly enough, my life, here in the fabulous Eastern Townships is fabulous! I have a great job, and great family, and many of my great friends are returning to our small town to settle down, have families and work.Unfortunately the news sometimes conveys an image of anglo-Quebecers as down-trodden, suffering, when really most days are carried out just like any old day in Calgary, Penticton, Val d’Or, Ottawa, St.Malo, Elmsdale, Kincardine, Yellowknife, and other spots on the map - heck even Minneapolis or Shanghai! I go to work, drink a coffee and chat with the staff, go about my day, stop at the store for milk, gas up the car, read the paper, do the laundry, watch the X-Files, pet the cat, laugh with my best friend, give my time to Girl Guides, and all kinds of stuff you don’t really need me to explain to understand that I have a fairly ordinary, but full and rewarding, life.Certainly events such as the referendum, painted what could be viewed as a bleak picture, but hey, man, I’m LIVING the future of that picture, and it’s anything but bleak.For me, calling the corner store “the dépanneur”, eating “poutine”, growing up watching Mr.Dress-up AND Passe-Partout has meant that the life that I have here, because my parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and beyond, had the good sense to make Quebec home, is enriched by two languages and a culture that is unique and beautiful.Hey, of course it’s not always easy.Life isn’t supposed to be.Mr.Patrick Gilmore, of Coconut Creek, Florida, in a way, I’m tempted to thank you.Your words were so off from my experience as a Quebecer that you’ve made me remember, and profess, my pride in my province and country.To each his/her own.As for my ability and ambition, you just watch the contribution I, and other young Quebecers (anglo and francophones) make to Quebec and Canadian society! You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.Sheila Quinn Richmond, Quebec, Canada P.S.Record people -1 believe the flood gates are open! Best of luck! Townshippers’ learning more about communities Dear Editor Townshippers’ Association and the Eastern Townships CEDEC held a Community Outreach forum in Lac Brome on Jan.16, with the following objec- tives: -to better understand local community strengths, needs and issues that are important to the community; -to help build a strong network of concerned citizens with whom Town-shippers’ Association can maintain regular contact in order to communicate on relevant issues; -to gain a greater understanding of Townshippers’ Association and the CEDEC and the ways in which these organizations can work with you.We would like to thank the many residents of the Lac Brome area for attending this event.Despite the inclement weather conditions the event was an overwhelming success.We encourage all those who did not attend the event due to the weather or any other circumstance and anyone interested in this initiative to contact Townshippers’ Association or the Eastern Townships CEDEC at (450) 263-4422 or our new toll-free number, 1-866-566-5717.Detailed notes from the Community Outreach event and more information about Townshippers’ Association can be found at www.township-pers.qc.ca.The next Community Outreach event will be held in Sawyerville on Thursday, Feb.1, 2001.Please contact us if you would like further information or if you would like to attend this forum.A series of Community Outreach events will be held throughout the upcoming months in com- munities throughout the Eastern Townships.Please do not miss this opportunity to become involved in the building of our community, the Eastern Townships.Townshippers’ Association and Eastern Townships CEDEC are committed to exploring the strengths, needs and opportunities within local communities.Together we are building a framework for the development of a strong network of individuals and organizations within the Eastern Townships.Heather Keith-Ryan President, Townshippers’ Association John Buck, Chairperson, Eastern Townships CEDEC Gil Gilbert, Chair, Community Outreach Committee, Townshippers’ Association' The Record welcomes your letters to the editor.Share your views on the issues affecting Townshippers.Let off a little steam or send kudos to someone doing a great job.This page belongs to you.Please be sure to sign your name and provide a telephone number.o 'LU l/* ID Institutions to discover ! /¦' Bibliothèque municipale Éva-Senécal Galerie d'art du Centre culturel de l'Université de Sherbrooke Musée des beaux-arts de Sherbrooke Musée du Séminaire de Sherbrooke La Société d'histoire de Sherbrooke Agenda 1 Bibliothèque municipale Éva-Senécal (821-5597): Bijoux à faire soi-même, Monday Jan.29, 1:30 p.m.(kids 7 to 10 ).La Société d'histoire de Sherbrooke (821-540S): Activity: On grandit avec vous.Permanent exhibition Sherbrooke 1802-2002, deux siècles if histoire.• Musée des beaux-arts de Sherbrooke (821-2115): Dessins de la terre.From the Discovery of America to the Discovery of Lake Memphrémagog, till Jan.28.Mari et femme.L'oeuvre gravée de John J.A.Murphy et de Cécil Buller, from February 3.' Musée du Séminaire de Sherbrooke (564-3200): The exhibition 1,2,3.MATH! at the Centre d'exposition Léon-Marcotte, till April 8.Permanent exhibition at the Musée de la Tour.’ Galerie d'art du Centre culturel de l'Université de Sherbrooke (821-7742): 2500, boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke (Québec) J1K 2R1 Réseau Patrimoine et Muséologie de Sherbrooke http://rpm.ville.sherbroake.qc.ca page 8 Thursday, January 25, 2001 THE' Ground covers: big The short truth about ground covers It seems that we gardeners spend a good deal of our time trying to control weeds.We hoe, pull, poison and sometimes even burn them.In some areas I mulch thickly with newspaper and grass clippings, but it is always a battle every summer.Each method has its advantages and disadvantages in each situation.But there is a method of controlling weeds that many people never think of.In this method you carefully select plants that can spread to cover the ground and eventually out-compete the weeds.My first experience with ground cover happened a short time after starting my flower garden six years ago.Knowing little about growing flowers of any kind, I was quite surprised when in one section of garden, I found dozens of these little short, purple, white and yellow pansy type flowers growing everywhere.Soon, through the help of visitors, I learned that most people called them Johnny Jump Ups.What shocked me was that nearly everyone referred to my newfound treasures as weeds.These tiny plants were bright and cheerful; they served a good purpose, covering the bare areas between the other taller plants.They hurt no one; they only took the spaces that the grass and weeds would have taken over.My interest peaked.I just had to find out what their real name was.There was a reason they look like the larger pansy we all know and love - they belong to the same family of plants.Johnny Jump Ups are not weeds, but a type of viola.Like many varieties of ground covering plants, violas can become invasive, take over an area, annoy gardeners and quickly become regarded as weeds.A couple of years later a dark rich blue variety of viola showed up, compliments of my bird population.This plant was captivating with its silky petals which looked like velvet.It would begin blooming right through the snow in the spring and continue until late in the fall.I was hooked and wanted to know more about the different types of these flowering Nature’s Way Anna May Kinney NGRTHERN-CROWN Communications Internet IllebCommunications Web Development Web Design, Graphic Design ' Management Web Hostinq and Domain Registration J Computer Solutions Duron ' Intel Celeron, Intel PHI w.northern-crown, oom plants.Last summer I purchased seeds for pure white, black and pink and white ________________ violas and was ever so delighted when they bloomed.These short plants spread easily and quickly fill in wherever there are empty spaces.There are a few advantages to using ground cover to fight off weeds.By covering the ground with a carpet of vegetation, it prevents the germination of weed seeds.When established, it prevents the entrance of perennial weeds.It acts as an insulating cover for the soil, keeping it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.It protects the soil from erosion and water loss.This can be particularly useful on steep slopes.Ground cover can be very attractive, while many of the varieties offer flowers, which can be used in herbal teas or eaten in salads.Its thick, often bushy growth can provide habitat and cover for beneficial insects and other predators.And my favorite is that it is a living mulch that helps to build up humus levels in the soil.This will help your soil to improve year after year, instead of depleting it.The disadvantages of growing ground cover are minimal.Under favorable conditions, ground cover can grow fast and overrun your other flowering plants.It is important in some cases to do good housekeeping every fall, pulling out or transplanting the extras from areas that have become too dense.If you let the ground cover become too thick, it can compete with your other plants for food and water.Dense ground cover can provide a habitat for slugs, snails and other pests, but this problem is often kept under control by beneficial insects and the resident bird population.I have quite a few families of robins that visit the gardens after a rainfall and feel sure they are filling their little bellies on the slug population.It is recommended that ground cover should not be planted around any variety of plant that is especially susceptible to these threats.So long as the above factors are taken into account, it is possible to choose ground cover plants that will greatly reduce the work of weeding while they also benefit the other plants you want to grow.It is important to know that ground cover is not a quick fix, and only becomes effective in fighting weeds after CM r-v r-.m ai CM co ai aô is not always better 1 & 'A: *-*• SOT® RECORD ARCHIVES W$***!ti Ground cover can be very attractive, while many of the varieties offer flowers, which can be used in herbal teas or eaten in salads.Its thick, often bushy growth can provide habitat and cover for beneficial insects and other predators.if is not the W’W* pp*.,.WiS.t *** mmm it has been well established; this usually takes about three growing seasons.Young ground cover plants need to be set out in an area that has been cleared of perennial weeds and you will need to weed the area until they can spread easily by themselves.In our northern climate the best time to set ground cover out is springtime.It can be used in many different types of situations.A great use is as a companion for lilies, irises and bulbs.The ground cover creates the cool soil condition that helps these plants stay moist in hot weather and makes it easy for them to grow through their vegetation.Ground cover is very suitable around and under trees and shrubs, but may be most beneficial on steep slopes.Here the root system of the plants helps bind the soil, and together with the foliage helps prevent soil erosion.One must take greater care in selecting the types of ground cover plants you place around some perennials or they could compete so much as to hinder the perennials’ growth and expansion.On the whole, annuals and ground cover do not do well together and you should avoid mixing the two.Now that I have you interested in ground cover, you’ll be glad to know that there are over 250 species that can be used for this purpose.Next week, I will write about a few of the different types of plants you can choose from.Anna May Kinney maybe reached at amknaturesway@hotmail.com or visit Nature’s Way online at http://aradece.tri-.com this is your living room Chances are, if someone in your family has a heart attack, it will happen at home.Are you prepared! HEART AND STROKE fOUOATTON Learn CPR .the course of a lifetime I -888-HSF-INFO www.heartandstroko.ca Thursday, January 25, 2001 page 9 ¦«¦I THEM.RECORD Keeping track Record reader Rodney Derick of Farnham suggested we print these lists of important events for future reference.In the coming weeks, The Record will be printing further lists for those of you who want to clip them out and paste them on the wall or in a scrapbook for future reference.Please let us know what information would be beneficial to you and we will do our best to provide it.Sharon McCully Quebec elections since Confederation C/5 1 I & Liberals