The record, 14 novembre 2006, mardi 14 novembre 2006

THE RECORD The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 Shermag's cost cutting reduces losses.See Page 2 75 cents + taxes PM#00400076K2 Tuesday, Novemrek 14, 2006 Picture Perfect Shutterbug Jacques Courtmumdie and his spouse Sylvie Dufresne show off some the artworks at the second annual “La notographie en Estne" exhibit, on display at Magog's Galerie des artistes du canton, at the Salle Mobüis (52 Laurier) and the Salle Jacques Boisvert (30 PIace du commenx) Open Wednesday to Sunday, W a m.to 5 p.m, to Dec.23.Mount Orford is worth more The uncertainly clouding Mount Orford's future has n’t had a negative effect on property values in Orford Township.In fact, effective jan.1, the average municipal roll evaluation for residential, commercial, agit cultural, and vacant property will climb by 74.2 per cent The Orford ski hill and golf course, with all buildings in eluded, will be worth $7.2 million, up from $6 million last year.This is good news for taxpayers across the province, as Please su Mmjou Taxi* on Page 2 Keeping Magog water safe Effective against algae?By joshua Bleser Magog As municipal water supplies become increasingly subject to harmful bacteria, algae, and other nxepycrawlies, the town of Magog is hoping a major investment an nounced Monday will keep residents' tap water safe "The current filtration system has been in place lor as long as Magog has had a municipal reservoir." said Mayor Man Poulin at a press conference to announce a $10million up grade at the des Pins street reservoir "flic new system will en sure we don’t fall victim to another Walkerton." Poulin noted, adding it’s also expected to be effective against blue-green afgae.which recently plagued lake Memphneniagng and near by Massawippi.Abandoning the did chlorine water treatment standard tor a new-fangled ionization system, simitar to the one already used by Sherbrooke, will also allow Magog to meet tougher new government norms.Magog provides drinking water for 16.000 people, includ ing some in Omerville and Magog Township.As Poulin explained.the timing of the modernization is bittersweet: The production slowdown at the former CS Brooks plant and Oly-mel's closing relieved the strain on the town's water supply, making it a good time for the projected overhaul.Poulin said the work should be done within two years The town will foot half the bill: the mayor said the major expense will be financed over IS years and "will not havr a big impact" on the budget because the town has been saving up for years.The remaining SS million will be split by the provincial and federal governments through the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.The fund was created in July 2005, and in its first phase it has allowed investments of mote than $576 million toward municipal water supply improvements across Quebec. rw**' «>*>**0, page 2 Tuesday, November 14, 2006 ^RECORD: Shermag’s cost cutting reduces losses Lost a big customer to bankruptcy Staff Struggling Sherbrooke furniture maker Shermag Inc.reduced losses by $1 million in this year’s second quarter, showing its cost cutting measures are yielding results, says the company’s CEO Jeff Casselman.The report, released Monday, stated the company recorded a $1.1 million loss in its second quarter (ending Sept.29).This was almost cut in half from its $2.1 million loss the same time last year.“The results are starting to show the importance of our transformation plan,” Casselman said during a conference call with market analysts.The new business plan includes increasing furniture imports and improving products created in Quebec.Earlier this year, the company also moved out of its main furniture warehouse and distribution centres in Sher- Magog Taxes: Cont'd from Page 1 the Quebec government prepares to cede the hill and golf course, as well as 85 hectares for development, to the Memphremagog MRC and launch a public call for tenders to name the future lessee.Hôtel Chéribourg saw its value nearly triple, from $3.2 million to $9 million, while many home-owners will also have a surprise at tax time: the value of residential properties in Orford Township climbed on average 61.7 per cent.Clarification Friday’s paper included a news story headlined “Big plans: Bishop's U hopes to become a provincewide anglo resource." The last sentence in that story was cut off, and should have read: “We’ve put this project on the table and it needs a lot more time to be completely fleshed out.” brooke, Victoriaville and St-Jean, in order to consolidate warehouse and shipping operations and cut costs at its new 350,000-square-foot facility in Lasalle.Casselman said the company wants sales of imported products to reach 35 per cent by year’s end.However, these gains have been offset, in part, by additional changes in the U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rate.A nine per cent de preciation in the U.S.dollar also resulted in a $3.3 million hit.The company also lost a $5 million customer to bankruptcy.“In general,” Casselman said, “it’s a tough business industry out there.” The company has been downsizing its work force in the Eastern Townships for months.Last month, some 90 people, about half of the total number of employees in its Disraeli plant, were laid off.Reports also circulated the factory may shut down completely in December.Shermag employs more than 1,500 and is a manufacturer and importer with its own cutting rights, sawmill, veneer plant, manufacturing operations and global sourcing divisions.Mane Man COURTESY Optometrist Dr.Hector Tremblay was ncmed an honorary member of the Coaticook Lions Club (here being presented by Lions president Vincent Brochu) in thanks for all his volunteer work.One of the club’s projects sends used eyeglasses to poorer countries.Thousands of pairs are recuperated throughout the Townships by local Lions clubs, which send the booty to Coaticook.The glasses are washed and their strength is categorized by a group of volunteers headed by Tremblay.He leaves for the Philippines this week, carrying some 2,000 pairs in a suitcase.And he has another trip scheduled for December, to South America.Weather Today: Rain.Wind becoming 20 km/h late in the day.High 12.Wednesday: Cloudy.Low 8.High 12.Thursday: Cloudyjgth 40 per cent chance of showers.Low 9.High 16.Friday: Showers.Low 13.High Ben by Daniel Shelton I S OH WELL.NO SENSE IN LCTTlNGAPeRFeaiY GOOD PILE Of LEAVES GO TO WASTE/ » mmm • !¦ THt ¦¦ RECORD Tuesday, November 14, 2006 page 3 It’s all about the economy Estates General to count welders — or their lack By Maurice Crossfield Granby v » Wien the focus of the Estates % / General on the Creation of \l \i a New Administrative Re-?* gion is on economic devel- opment, everything old will be new again, the co-presidents say.“The economy affects many other aspects from the other forums,” said Mario Gariepy.Health, education, the social economy, the environment, tourism — all are affected, and have an effect on, economic development.“In education we have a need for a trained workforce, like for example in welding,” said Jean-Guy Hébert.“There has been a lack of welders in this area for years.” For Gariepy, sitting at the head of the forum on the issue is a natural extension of the 11 years he spent at the Centre Local de Développement de la Haute-Yamaska.Though he works today as an accountant, he said the issue is one that interests him greatly.“While 1 do not hide that I have a preference for the creation of a new region, I am not here to say this is the way it should be," he said.“As a region can we give ourselves the tools we need to develop the economy of the region.” “We want to have the most lively, active region possible to meet the challenges of the future," said Hébert, co-owner of Rona hardware storès in Granby and St-Hyacinthe (and a former owner of stores in Knowlton, Cowansville, Bedford and Farnham).Because of the overlap with previously discussed issues, part of the morning will look at what has already been covered.The afternoon will feature workshops looking at the most important challenges facing the region, and how to face them.Gariepy said that on several occasions he has witnessed the effect of having regional decisions made in Longueuil.Those decisions often failed to take into account the different nature of the proposed administrative region between Montérégie and Estrie.made up of Brome-Missisquoi, Haute-Yamaska, Acton and Rouville.One such issue: The creation of a dedicated north—south highway through the region.It would link the area to Autoroute 20 and the Eastern Townships Autoroute, and provide easier access to the U.S.“But their (the Montérégie's) priorities are elsewhere,” Gariepy said.“It is certain that our north — south road network needs to be improved.It needs to be part of a national plan." “We are a region that is close to the border, and with a higher concentration of anglophones," said Hébert.“So we must look at this and see if there is a way to use this to develop the region." With 30 per cent of the region’s workers making a living in the industrial sector, the future of the workforce will be a hot topic of discussion.Lower-end, lower paying manufacturing jobs are being threatened by competition elsewhere, while at the same time many older workers are nearing retirement.Overshadowing it all is the issue of /.coukiiny Jean-Guy Hébert (left) wonders how anglophones cun help, Mario Gariepy wants training.being able to provide decent paying jobs.Gariepy noted that the Granby industrial park is the largest in all of the Montérégie.“We need to find interesting challenges and paying jobs," Gariepy said.“If we don't have the jobs, people won't come." The Estates General hearing on economic development takes place on Wednesday.Nov.22 at the Salle Croque Mitane at Ski Bromont.To register to take part go to www.grandeurnature.info, or contact Chantal Gareau at 450-372-9152.No pussyfooting around PQ win means separation, says Boisclair By Brion Robinson Sherbrooke If the Parti Québécois wins the next provincial election, it will take measures to separate from Canada the following day, promises Parti Québécois leader André Boisclair.“Our challenge isn’t holding * referendum but attaining sovereignty,” he said.Boisclair, the leader of Quebec’s separatist party and a former provincial environment minister, joined some 700 people in Windsor Sunday to support the Johnson riding’s Parti Québécois member of the National Assembly, Claude Boucher.Other rally participants included Bloc Québécois members of Parliament France Bonsant and André Bellavance, Windsor Mayor Malcolm Wheeler and Saint-Denis-de-Brompton Mayor Mike Doyle.Boisclair said Quebecers are proud to be different and deserve the right to govern themselves.“We have just as much right to set our selves apart as other Canadians," he said, noting Quebecers have the ability to compete in global markets and economies.“In Quebec,” he said, “we have as much brain power as anywhere else in the world." Boisclair noted the province’s schools and educational facilities are world renowned.But the separatist leader said an independent Quebec’s future depends on investment from its citizens.Reinvesting helps create opportunities, he said, noting Quebecers can't depend on the federal government.Boisclair listed off failed federal initiatives, such as not yet increasing equalization payments among the provinces.(The $10.9 billion federal transfer program allows all provinces, regardless of their ability to raise revenue, to provide roughly comparable service levels.) Boisclair also commented on the federal Conservative government’s failure to recognize its commitments to the Kyoto Accord.Canada promised to cut emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels by 2008-2012; instead, emissions under the Liberals rose 27 per cent.The Conservatives have since dropped any plans of reaching Kyoto targets and have set a new goal of cutting 2003 emissions levels by at least 45 per cent in 44 years.Boisclair also criticized Quebec Liberal Premier Jean Charest for not putting Quebec’s interests first.“Jean Charest is the first premier to not make any constitutional demands on behalf of Quebec," he said.“He came to power with no plan." Boisclair said Quebec sovereignty isn’t about “planting a flag’ and staking a claim, but doing what’s best for Quebec.Police seek disappearing driver The Granby Police are seeking a driver who hit a pedestrian at the intersection of Mountain and Principale last week, on Nov.9 at about 6 p.m.The female driver then tried to help the victim, even taking them to a medical clinic on Denison St, then left.The Granby Police now want to speak with the motorist to get her version of what happened.Anyone with information about this driver is asked to contact Sgt.Jocelyn Roy of t he Granby Police at 450*776-8333, extension 612.Calls are confidential.- Were you born in the USA but residing in the Canadian border area?- Are you American or Canadian?- Dual citizenship?- Mandatory passport at the customs?The rules are changing! Come get free information concerning these problems at the Stanstead Town Hall Tuesday, November 14 at 7 p.m.1945 Belvedere south, Suite 203, Sherbrooke (Quebec) J1H 5Y3, TV*1.: (819) 347-2608 An invitation frnm your Mr Franc.Bonaant for Compton—StAMtrad page 4 Tuesday, November 14, 2006 RECORD: Remembering in Richmond ‘Reveille’ and ‘Last Post’ By Claudia Villemaire Richmond The Royal Canadian Legion, Richmond’s Branch 15, once again visited both St.Francis Elementary and Richmond Regional High schools, as well as conducting Remembrance Day ceremonies at the memorial monument in South Durham.Last week’s outings included a complete memorial service at the Wales Home for seniors, the traditional, full-dress veterans’ banquet, church parade Sunday and finally, the annual parade and laying of wreaths at the cenotaph in Memorial Park here.Each school presents special songs and readings with the music club at St.Francis under the direction of Keith Whittall and a skit at Richmond high, this year depicting a prisoner-of-war camp scene complete with prisoners decrying their treatment and a squad of “German” guards whose approach and abuse promised much worse.At South Durham, a large group of elementary students watched in silence as ‘Réveille’ and ‘Last Post' melodies rang out and tradi tional prayers were recited.party and more than 30 legion members formed the framework of a ceremony that was echoed around the world.Sunday, hundreds turned out once again, in spite of a drop in temperature and a chilly breeze, to gather and observe honour guards at the cenotaph and the presentation of wreaths by many organizations, groups and individuals.Service pins were also part of special presentations by Branch 15 — including a 60-year pin to Lyla Beattie, a 50-year pin to one of few remaining veterans of the invasion of Normandy, Bruno Lavoie, now over 90 years old and confined to his home due to recent illness.Isabel Christen also received her five-year pin.Both Beattie and Christen are residents at the Foyer Wales Home.Among others taking the salute after the ceremonies this year was Eddie Campbelton, veteran of a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp where he survived over three years.For all who participated in Sunday’s outing, a warming reception awaited them at the Legion, another of the popular traditions of Remembrance Day.CLAUDIA VILLEMAIRE Remembrance Day in Richmond.On Friday, Remembrance ceremonies began at the Wales Home just after 10:30 a.m., with two minutes of silence at 11 a.m.sharp.Once again, a full colour SAVE ON THE NEWSSTAND PRICE! HAVE RECORD delivered to your door SUBSCRIPTION RATES $36,46 for 3 months $71,79 for 6 months $136,74 for 1 year (theme price» include OST & GST) Name: Address: Postal Code: ____ Tel.No.: ___ Please mall with payment to: THE RECORD P.O.Box 1200 Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5L6 819-569-9528 • 450-242-1188 1-800-463-9525 SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Warmth in Sutton The wind blew warm, and on the faces of the remaining veterans in attendance at the Sutton Remembrance Day ceremony was a look of thoughtfulness.Trumpeter Jacobus VanDeventer from South Africa played ‘Reveille’ and Michael Darney, the Piper from Potton, offered up the Lament.Gloria Davis, president of the Sutton Branch of The Royal Canadian Legion, stood amongst the few remaining veterans and the dwindling legion members.Sutton fire chief Don Mireault stood with his little boy Corey and the onlookers were huddled together.Rev.Tim Smart asked the crowd to remember not only the veterans of past wars, but to take a moment and think of the soldiers who are currently in Afghanistan and other parts of the world.“Remember to bring peace into your homes and in your hearts and pray for peace on Earth," he said.At the very end of the ceremony, Dr.George La-Tourneau said, “ You are invited to come with us to the legion for a short church ceremony and those that want to stay with us may do so for lunch.A warm soup and some bread." •Alanna Fahey 4ÊÈÊk RECORD f Yves Robert /’ y Advertising Consultant v Sherbrooke - Magog - Stanstead V Jj Tel.: 819-569-9525 • 800-463-9525 .1 rr= * email: production@sherbrookerecord.com Peaceniks anger legion An Edmonton peace group which made headlines recently by distributing white “peace poppies” — angering Royal Canadian Legion with its own red poppy campaign — has won an award.Women in Black received the Salvos Prelorentzos Peace Award from the Edmonton chapter of Project Ploughshares, a peace and justice organization sponsored by the Canadian Council of Churches.“We’ve always given it to people who show a lot of integrity and do it because they think it’s the right thing tojdo,” said Melle Huizinga, award committee chairman for Project Ploughshares Edmonton.The award is named after a longtime member and former soldier who died in 1995.The loose alliance, of eight to 12 active participants, oppose violence either in the home, the street or warzones.The local chapter started after the United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan.Its fall sale-by-donation of white poppies incurred a public rebuke and a threat of legal action from the Royal Canadian Legion for allegedly infringing on its trademark red poppies.A law firm, acting on behalf of the legion, has sent a letter demanding Women in Black stop distributing white poppies.On the advice of a lawyer friend, Hartnagel declines comment on the issue.•CanWest News Service RECORD Tuesday, November 14, 2006 page S Briefs Baby saved Sherbrooke police officers took a few minutes off from their crimefighting duties yesterday to save a baby’s life.Just after noon, the cops received a call from panicking parents on Larocque Street whose four-month-old baby had stopped breathing.Arriving at the home before the paramedics, the officers revived the baby using CPR.When the ambulance arrived, the baby was taken to the Fleurimont CHUS for tests.Sherbrooke police spokesperson Martin Carrier said there are no indications of foul play.“It’s nice to have good news sometimes,” he said.No rabies in Cowansville It’s official: the rabies worry is over for the season.Last month’s 10-day animal trapping spree in the Cowansville area scooped up and vaccinated a mix of 388 cats, skunks and raccoons.And five samples from already dead raccoons were analyzed: Not one was a rabies carrier.“Since raccoon activity slows down during the winter, no more operations are planned for this season,” stated a press release from health authorities.This latest blitz started Oct.19 after a third raccoon with rabies was discovered over the summer in the Brome-Missisquoi MRC.It was within 5 km of Cowansville.Some sort of spring 2007 rabies control project is expected, according to the communique, although no details were released.“Reinforcement of active monitoring in the sector along the American border will continue.The territory under surveillance includes the MRC de Brome-Missisquoi, the municipalities of St-Alphonse, Ange-Gardien and Bromont, as well as the municipalities in the Montérégie and the Eastern Townships along the U.S.border.” Farmers should consult a vet about whether livestock should be vaccinated, and all pet cats and dogs should get a shot, according to health authorities.Coaticook blood drive Héma-Québec will hold a blood donor clinic in Coaticook today, Tuesday.It will be at the Elie-Carrier Community Centre (464 Merrill St.) from 10:30 a.m.to 8:30 p.m.Good supper A Sherbrooke job training centre pulled in some $7,000 thanks to its fifth annual fundraising supper.The Fondation du Centre de formation professionnelle 24-Juin served 113 people at its Oct 27 meal, according to a press release.The food was cooked and served by students taking various cooking and restaurant training courses.A book in 20 days Local author self-publishes By Claudia Villemaire Richmond After numerous attempts to find a publisher for her poems and short stories, Laurie Hannan has finally self-published her first full-length novel.The Gamble, a story of the life and times of a young wife and mother, explores the inner thoughts of a woman who finds herself alone with her two children.Keeping heart and soul together proves a challenge in Hannan’s novel — which she managed to write in just 20 days.“Mom looked after my own two boys while I shut out the world and wrote this book,” she explained.Hannan launched her novel last Saturday at Richmond’s Papeterie 2000.“It’s almost a dream come true for me.1 submitted so many poems and short stories to so many publishers, this was almost a last effort for me,” she explained.“Yes, it has explicit scenes of love and romance described in the story.It’s not recommended for children I don’t think.But no, I don’t care for the Harlequin type stories and this is definitely not like them at all.” Hannan, in real life, is an English teacher at Richmond Regional High School.Her roots are deep in this region, where the family still farms the land of her ancestors.Her home is in Melbourne where she lives with her husband and two children.¦ n ai mi a viu.i MAiHii/a irki'sia indi vr Laurie Hannan launched her first book, a romance novel called The Gamble, last Saturday.2006 0~+ Ox 09 IO I ! ¦ *.i M STEP-UP BONDS FIXED-RATE BONDS STOCK INDEX BONDS SECURU BONDS DISCOUNT BONDS SAVINGS BONDS SAVINGS FLEXI-PLUS PERIODIC SAVINGS PLAN EPARGNE PLACEMENTS QUEBEC YOUR SAVINGS GUARANTEED 100% 1 800 463-5229 I www.epq.gouv.qc.ca Québec Cl Cl Cl Cl page 6 Tuesday, November 14, 2006 ' ¦¦ THF.¦ i - RECORD Community Forum Lf.ttfrs to the Editor Big box takes over Magog wetland Dear editor I doubt any were surprised to read in Friday’s paper that Wal Mart has gotten the nod from the provincial government to complete its project “Magog Wal-Mart gets green light”).It would be good to know what the store is changing to protect the “low value wetland” that was the cause of the stoppage in July.Funny term — “low value wetland” — if you read anything about the environment and the connectedness of all life you quickly learn that there is nothing “low" about the value of any wetland.Has this one been lost to the big box?Pix Bun Magog Ban firewood instead of asbestos Dear editor I would like to refute Jason Foster’s contentions that chrysotile asbestos should be banned or be the subject of importation controls as a dangerous substance under the Rotterdam Convention (“Why asbestos hasn’t been banned outright: ’The answer lies in the narrow self-interest of a dying, regionally concentrated industry’”, Nov.7 Record).Chrysotile or white asbestos, produced by Canada, is by far the least dangerous kind of asbestos.In fact, the biopersistance of chrysotile in the lungs is lower than that of cellulose (wood fibre).Should we ban fire wood?The only way Fibres, be they cellulose, chrysotile, aramid or other, can affect the health of individuals is via the respiratory tract.Over 95 per cent of chrysotile produced in the world today is used in fibre cement products where it is encapsulated in a matrix of cement.The fabrication of these products is not a mom and pop operation but done in large factories under controlled conditions by introducing chrysotile fibre into a wet mix.The fibre cement products made with chrysotile and locally produced cement provide durable, quality products at reasonable prices ideally suited for hot countries.Chrysotile cement pipes, roofing materials and cladding (which won’t rot and are not eaten by termites) improve the life of people across the world.Any remaining health risk to citizens of the world is from friable asbestos of all types already in place.(Spraying structures with asbestos for fire-proofing has been discontinued since the 1970s.) Banning or imposing controls over the importation of chrysotile (which would be the equivalent of banning with the red tape involved) would not improve the health of the world’s population.It would simply deprive them of a very useful fibre which they can mix with locally produced cement to improve their standard of living.Raynald Paré President - PROChrysotile Thetford Mines More, please Dear editor, I would like to ask why there is so little news from this area?I noticed that a garage in Compton burnt and you had a picture and a write up about it (“Compton fire", Oct.6).About one week later a garage in East Angus burnt to the ground and not even a small mention of this fire.This fire in East Angus was on Saturday, Oct.14.1 would like to see more news from this area.Judith Statton Bury ¦¦THF, in RECORD P.0.Box 1200 Sherbrooke JIH 516 or 1195 Gilt E.Sherbrooke JIG 117 Fax:819-5693945 e-MAJl: newsroom@sherbrookereeord.com Website: wwwsheibrookerecord.com Randy Kinnkar Publisher .(819) S694S11 Eleanor Brown Editor .(819) 5696345 Nelson Afonso Corrksp.Editor .(819) 569-634S Richard Lessard Prod.Mgr.(819) 569-9931 Serge Gagnon Chief Pressman .(819) 5694931 Francine Thibault Prod.Sliperv.(819) 569-4856 DEPARTMENTS Accounting .(819)5694511 Advertising .(819)569-9525 Circulation .(819)5694528 Newsroom .(819)5696345 Knowlton office 88-A Lakeside.Knowlton.Quebec, JOE 1V0 Tel: (450)242-1188 Fax:(450)243-5155 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS GST PST TOTAL Canada: 1 year 120.00 7.20 9.54 $136.74 6 MONTHS 63.00 3.78 5.01 $71.79 3 MONTHS 32.00 1.92 2.54 $36.46 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 (bunded on February 7,1897, and acquired the Sheibrooke Examiner (est.1879) in 1905 and the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) in 1908.The Record is published by Glacier Ventures International Corp.PM#0040007682 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to The Record, 1195 Galt East.Sherbrooke.QC JIG 1Y7 Member ABC.CARD, CNA.QCN A Demanding answers Deadly C.Difficile partly created by over prescribing doctors More questions than answers surround the C.Difficile bul-letins in the daily news.What we don’t know can be said with greater certainty than what we do.With 11 deaths attributed to the bacteria among 22 patients at a St.Hyacinthe hospital, Quebec Health Minister Phillippe Couillard has ordered a coroner’s inquest to investigate.A study, initiated by Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke doctor Jacques Pepin produced a report that caught many, including Couillard, by surprise.The study looked at patients admitted to hospital in Quebec in 2003 and 2004: Ultimately, a mind-stopping total of 2,000 deaths were attributed to Clostridium Difficile-associated disease (CDAD) as a result of the hyper virulent strain that had silently spread in the province’s hospitals.The toll of mortality and extended hospital stays was reported higher in Quebec than in other provinces.This was later said to be attributable to the over prescribing of antibiotics.With all prescriptions officially recorded, there could be no denying the accuracy of the evidence.Medical literature is ripe with the history of the dangers of the indiscriminate use of antibiotics.One U.S.study concluded that over $500 million is spent annually on just one condition — ear infection — for which the drugs don’t work.Recognizing that antibiotics can be life saving in some cases, health authorities are beginning to admit that they can also cause problems that are worse than the original disease.Other drugs are problematic, too: Anti reflex drugs that can reduce digestive acids may be allowing the C.Difficile bacteria to survive and proliferate.The human intestine has a delicate ecology.Certain bugs help digest food, produce vitamins and maintain a balance of organisms that prevent harmful bacteria and yeasts from multiplying.Antibiotics upset this balance, opening the door for opportunistic conditions including parasitic infection, loss of minerals through diarrhea, and inflammation of the gut.The C.Difficile bacteria that was previously controlled and causing no harm can then dominate with pathogenic intensity.Dr.Couillard attempted to reassure the public with the news that a dramatic drop of CDAD infections has been realized.It would be more helpful to tell us just how many patients are still dying each month from nosocomial (or hospital acquired) infections.Patients might want to rethink elective surgery.Better still, what measures have been implemented to restrain doctors from continuing to over prescribe?Fears that C.Difficile would migrate from hospitals into the community remain anecdotal.All the warnings about hand washing and stricter housekeeping in hospitals fall short of confronting the undeniable involvement of prescription drugs.Long ago at a medical seminar, we were surprised to hear that 40 per cent of hospital infections were the result of intravenous tubes.Good hygiene to combat infectious disease is not news, serving at times only as a distraction from the real culprit.Antiseptic soaps that were immediately seized upon as a preventive measure by a worried public, turned out to be part of the problem.The soap can upset the natural internal chemical balance — possibly contributing to mutated bacteria becoming a superbug.Patients are well situated to check on all medical personnel entering their rooms.Are they all either in uniform or sporting freshly laundered lab coats?Uniforms and scrubs, by their very nature, are changed daily.Lab coats are not.Do all staff wash their hands on entering the room?Of the 11 deceased in St.Hyacinthe, had the age group changed?Did visiting family or staff members contract the illness?Had they all been previously treated with antibiotics?The public deserves sound information to deal with the threat of C.Difficile that will not wait for the conclusions of a coroner’s inquest.Viewpoint Ivy Weir Tell us what you’re thinking! The Record welcomes letters to the editor.By e-mail: newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com By fax: 819-569-3945 or 450-243-5155 By post: 1195 Galt E„ Sherbrooke.JIG 1Y7 ¦¦ THF ¦¦ RECORD Tuesday, November 14, 2006 page 7 Our School’s Page -nur t er .r ;y O.XR u N • »n J>.y_«e HI msn / COURTESY Heroes’ Memorial Wow! Over $6,000 raised again at Heroes' Memorial in Cowansville! The annual Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research is part of the school’s heritage.On Monday, Oct.2 the 200-plus students of Heroes’ Memorial Elementary School ran in the schoolyard for the Terry Fox Run.In the past Terry’s mom has been to visit the school, as has a cancer researcher, and Peter Shemera, the provincial director of the Terry Fox Run.More than 53 students brought in $50 or more and several brought in over $100.All the money raised went to cancer research.Teachers and administration covered the books and t-shirts given to the top fund-raisers for this excellent cause.The students from St-Léon ran on the Thursday, Sept.28, and the English and French side of Massey-Vanier ran in the rain on Friday, Sept.29.Putting all the schools together, the collected number of runners made the Cowansville area one of the largest runs in the province of Quebec, even though we participated on separate days.What a great supporting community! The members of the Royal Canadian Legion, branch No.99, donated $100, as did the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the same branch.The Legion is an active supporter of projects done at Heroes’ Memorial.Our school is named after the war heroes of World Wars I and II, and now the legacy of Terry Fox is part of our heritage.At a wrap-up assembly held after the run, members of the Legion and parents came to share in the success ICT GROUP IS EXPANDING! ICT Group Inc (www.ictgroup.com) is a globally integrated supplier of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions.We operate over 50 centres in 10 countries with more than 4000 employees in Canada.We are pleased to announce that we are exploring the Sherbrooke area as a potential site for a new Bilingual Inbound Customer Service Centre?When operational, this new site will employ over 200 Inbound Customer Service Agents.If you have customer service experience and basic PC skills we want to speak with you! We can offer you: • Many opportunities for advancement as we establish and expand our centre • Paid training • Competitive hourly wages • Regular wage increases • Vacation entitlement in first year • Health care benefits • Company funded RRSP • Weekly pay • Bonuses and compensation based on performance All you need: • Basic computer skills • Capable of working flexible hours • Good customer service skills • A great attitude and eager to work! Please call our Recruiting Hot Line at 1-800-681-0451 between 8 am and 8 pm Monday through Friday and you will be connected to one of our friendly staff who will guide you through the application process.Email - sherbrooke@ictgroup.com For more information on ICT Group Inc.please visit www.ictgroup.com of our run.The school total was $6,830.94! And that was just from over two hundred students.In the years since the Terry Fox Run has been held at Heroes' Memori- al the grand total is now well over consider it an honour to be part of a $50,000.Cancer affects many of us, future that one day will see cancer as and together with the spirit of Terry a disease only encountered in history Fox, the students of Heroes' Memorial books. page 8 THE RECORD Tuesday, November 14, 2006 Rémi-Martin Crépeau Associate Advisor, CIM INVESTMENT ADVISOR Groupe Crépeau RBC Dominion Securities How to turn $50,000 into $1 million We often hear stories of people losing their money in the stock market.These stories leave us afraid of investing and puzzled on how to accumulate wealth for our future.When you take the time to study the past trends you understand that investing is not about going after the quick score by gambling on a hot stock.For the Groupe Crépeau, investing in the stock market is about accumulating savings into conservative investments and eventually living off the gains and income.Your best ally to make big bucks in the stock market is time.The longer you stay invested the more money you make.Take for example $10,000 invested in the Royal Bank's common stock in 1981.Today, this investment is worth about $400,000 if you reinvested all the dividends.Above all, your investment currently pays you an annual dividend of about $12,800.This is a yield of 128% a year on your initial investment.With this in mind you start by building yourself a $50,000 portfolio by investing in conservative recession-proof stocks with a record of rising earnings and dividends.Then you must remember that through the years there will be harder and easier times, but on the long run, conservatism will create solid growth.In the end it is realistic to think that you will reach the $1 million dollar mark within 20 to 25 years.RBC Dominion Securities Leading advisors for selective investors Lxroupeurépeau 455 King St.West, Suite 320, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 6E9 819-829-5535 RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate coprorate entities which are affiliated 'Member CIPF.® Registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada.Used under licence.RBC Dominion Securities is a registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada.Used under licence.© Copyright 2006.All rights reserved.ADVERTISING Why advertise Advertising increases conversions.Once prospective new customers are aware of the benefits of your product or service, the chances that they will switch to your offering increase significantly.1 Michel Duval RECORD 819-569-9525 1195 Galt St.East Sherbrooke (Quebec) e-mail: mduvalisherbrookerecord.com ASK A FISCALIST Q.I just sold my home which is situated on a 15 acre property.Since this is my principal residence, is the sale exempt of tax?A.Partly.The capital gain on your house and one-half hectare surrounding it is tax exempt.However, the rest of the property is subject to tax on capital gains.It is impodant to know the original cost of the house and any additions, as well as the split between the residence and the rest of the property on the current sale to correctly calculate and document the non-taxable portion of any gain.Geoffrey Webber, Dip Fisc, M.B.A.JRD JOLYRIENDEAU&DUKEca Ktxtmmi i*c.3490 Galt St.West, Sherbrooke J1H 5G9* Tel.: 819-566-2575 Fax: 819-566-2867 127 Principale St., Suite 105, Cowansville J2K 1J3 • Tel.: 450-263-4123 Fa»: 450-2634489 ‘Why do professionals advertise in RECORD They get resuits! i THE RECORD HEARING AID SPECIALIST Q.When my hearing aid is “squealing", it is because the volume is too high.True or False?A.False.When your aid “squeals", it means it needs to be adjusted or that it is broken.It is unnecessary to take time to identify the exact cause and solve the problem.Call us to make an appointment.731 Galt St.West, Suite 211 SHERBROOKE 819-569-9781 66 Court Street, Suite 207 GRANBY 450-372-1022 Stéphane Petit Audioprosthesist IE GROUPE FORGET AUWocaomtsisiK Auoortosiwssrc 1-800-OREILLE PHARMACIST Q.My medications never cost the same price.How does it work?(Part II) A.If you take covered medications, the price you pay on each drug can vary, but your monthly total is always the same.Also, prices are the same through the whole province of Quebec! The difference comes from the deductible.Each month, the deductible is applied to the 1st drug renewed, which varies each time.Then you pay a percentage of the drug cost (called co-insurance).For more information, call 1-800-561-9749 or go to www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca CHANTAL RICHARD PHARMACY 23 Notre-Dame W„ Stanstead • 819-876-5811 associated to Pj-Qp ^ Chantal Richard, Pharmacist REAL ESTATE Q.Is it normal that a house take several months to sell?A.Properties take longer to sell than they would in a large city or other provinces.For example the Real Estate market in Vancouver or Toronto cannot be compared to Sherbrooke.Try to make the price and property as attractive as possible.The season of the year is a very important issue.We know that Spring is more active than late Fall.However, there are always buyers looking year-round, so do not despair.The important thing is not to give up, keep the property clean and inviting, and be sure to keep walks clear of snow and ice.Turn on lights when people visit and make a warm atmosphere even in cold weather.Feel free to call me with your questions any time.Helen Labrecque Stiffen Groupe Sutton de TEstrie Courtier iminotMlier agree Helen Labrecque, Aft.Real Estate Agent 1650 King Street West, Suite 10 Sherbrooke Tel.: 819-562-8024 • 819-823-7474 email: hlabrecque@sutton.com ê M's Mi.TRAVEL We have been travelling the world for 34 years and know it well! Marthe Lecours President POITKM m VOYflQE DE L'ESTRIE (19601 INC 2339 Les Promenades King, Sherbrooke 819-563-7343 525 1st Avenue, Asbestos 819-879-7188 OueDoc Permit Holder Consult our professionals first Sena your questions to:The Record, P.O.Box 1200, Sherbrooke J1H 5L6 • Fax: 819-821-3179 • E-mail: production@sherbrookerecord.com mm — L1I1K Serving the greater Lennoxville area