The gleaner, 31 mars 1993, Cahier 1

[" ( ) TEL.: 829-2367 LEAN ER JEAN-PAUL LALIBERTE PHARMACIST POUNDED IN 1863 .TEL.: 264-5364 4 BRIDGE STREET, ORMSTOWN, QUE.QCNA K \u201cLes Galeries d'Ormstown\u201d Lin CO 2.ww OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK of Crcutavons AJRQ THE Also available in commercial version Antilles Automobiles 649 Chemin Larocque 371-5563 Valleyfield, Qué.COVERING HUNTINGDON, ORMSTOWN, HEMMINGFORD, HOWICK, CHATEAUGUAY, FRANKLIN, ST-ANICET, STE-BARDE, VALLEYFIELD AND SURROUNDINGS 130th YEAR J 16 pages 52 cents Tiss Valley school board, hospital facing budget cuts unalarmed BMH and PSBCV plan to maintain services as Quebec announces massive funding chop Huntingdon, Que.Wednesday, March 31, 1993 - Ross Craig of the Australia Concession, Riverfield, harnessed up 14 year-old Clyde and took a bunch of youngsters to the sugarbush last weekend to relive the old days of syrup-making.After collecting the sap, they took it to neighbor John Rainforth\u2019s shanty for boiling.(Photo: VIF) Local maple syrup season looks to be short and sweet April conditions will tell story on quantity edly a sweeter than usual season \u2014awholepercentagepointhigher, to 3.25.This extra sugar content might make up for any predicted reduction in volume or shortness of season, which began as it did in 1992, at the end of March.\u201cThe say syrup-makers who were steaming up the Valley air this past week.Producers across the Valley boiled up their first sap runstarting last Wednesday, in what is report- Valerie Furcall THE GLEANER The yield is down, the season is latestarting, butsap\u2019salotsweeter, so producers might end up O.K., ONE GALLON OF tv à \u201d sai quality is good,\u201d said producers PURE MAPLE SYRUP Lo \u201cboth up on Covey Hill and lower It takes four maple trees at least 40 years old, growing in down.20 the sugarbush to yield enough sap in six weeks to produce Variables one gallon of maple syrup.It takes a gathering crew to go to the sugarbush daily during March and April to collect the dripping sap and haul i it to the sugarhouse.It takes 40 gallons of sap, boiled down in the evaporator, to \u2018Higher up on the hill in the Franklin area, the warm nights are affecting syrup color, Jeff Blair said.And the volume of sap for Judith Taylor THE GLEANER Last week\u2019s announcement of provincial budget cuts affecting the departments of health and education, as well as freezing public servants\u2019 wages, were greeted with relative equanimity by at least two Chateauguay Valley institutions.Keith Fitzpatrick, director- general of the Protestant School Board of Chateauguay Valley, and Guy Rho, D-G of Ormstown\u2019s Barrie Memorial hospital, the only acute-care facility in the MRC du- Haut-St-Laurent, told The Gleaner that neither feels his institution\u2019s services to the public will be seriously affected by the cuts.In the case of the Barrie, the financial year just drawing to a close sees the hospital without an operating deficit, and entering the new financial period with acertain degree of flexibility due to increased allocations foractive geriatric care.In addition, strong community support means the hospital can buy better equipment, thus saving on repair and maintenance costs within the operating budget, he said.\u201cThe way thingslookrightnow, we shouldn\u2019t have to:cut any ser- + vices to the public,\u201d Rho told The Gleaner on Tuesday.\u201cThings will be tighter, and we will try to operate as economically as possible, butoverall, patientsshould receive the same care.\u201d $145.4million willbe cut fromthe provincial health care budget.Education On the education front, provincial cuts of $103.6 million \u201cwill not have any impact on our spectal programs, such as the recently- announced Voie Technologique,\u201d Keith Fitzpatrick said late last week.\u2018But there will be a five per cent cut in all expenses other than teachers\u2019 salaries.This definitely means our buying power will be reduced, though if our enrolment goes up next year, wecouldend up with the same money as this year.\u201d MONDAY, APRIL 12.Easter break.EASTER HOLIDAY The Gleaner office will be CLOSED on Easter \u2018The office will be open all day Good Friday, April 9.DEADLINE for all display and classified advertising will be 5 p.m.FRIDAY, APRIL 9, We wish all our readers and advertisers a pleasant He feels that the teacher-sur- plus situation which the Board has maintained overrecent yearscould help to lessen the impact of the cuts, by spreading it our over a longer period.In addition, Fitzpatrick said, individual school have \u201cconsiderable discretion within a certain framework\u201d to make the most efficient use of funds.\u201cEach school has a per capita grant to cover such things as texts, special personnel, and maintenance,\u201d he said.\u201cThese arcas will have to examined closely.\u201d Unlike the hospitals, the school board's financial year co-incides with the school calendar.so budget planning for next year is only beginning at the PSBCV.thistime of yearis lower.\u201cThere is Quebec Finance Minister still lots of time for a big year, Daniel Johnson has said that ; especially if the temperatures drop a \" down at night to below freezing,\u201d ÿ Wes 1, fra 5 4 2 3 p i gen oF Bh a 7 concentrate the sweet sap water into one gallon of maple syrup.It takes a four-foot log, sawed, split, dried and burned in ri © Jl SL NE he added.The season is missing the combination of frosty nights with warm days that is needed to bring on the really big runs which keep producers boiling around the clock.This will likely happen in the first week of April, Howick-area pro- See MAPLE page 3 the raging fire in the arch under the evaporator for each ; gallon of syrup produced.A I takes the whole syrupmaker\u2019s family to continually fire the arch, operate the evaporator and sterilize, filter, grade and pack each gallon of syrup.So - if you had to tap the trees, haul the sap, cut the wood, stoke the fires and pack the syrup to comply with the nation\u2019s strictly enforced maple law, how much would you ask for a gallon of pure maple syrup?Sent in by Jean Furcall People at work Friendly expertise offered by new CLSC phone service | Information, advice on medical and other problems fs - Judith Taylor | THE GLEANER It\u2019s not easy to be sick, but not sick enough to head for the hospital.Or to have a family problem | and not know where to turn.You know that the doctor may not be able to answer your call right away.Perhaps you're not | even sure your family doctor is the right one to talk to \u2014 there are so many specialists now -\u2014 or maybe you feel your problem may not even be serious enough to warrant a doctor\u2019s attention.You don\u2019t want to waste anyone's time, butt is certainly bothering you a lot.Maybe you just need some information about basic home care or first aid, or services which may be available elsewhere, for your- Daytime \u2018 RE vrac robberies reported A Howick-area residence on Rte.203 was robbed of $600 in electronic units, between noon and 4 p.m.March 26.A house in St-Urbain on Grande Ligne was robbed of several thousand dollars worth of electronics March 25.A couple presently vacationing in Florida are coming home to find their house robbed of its TV and VCR, as well as being trashed in a search for more goods.Other than a single robbery, Huntingdon Sureté reporta \u201cquiet weekend\u201d.A green, 4,000-watts Coleman generator was stolen during daylight hours from a garage of a Lost Nation Rd.resident of Hinchinbrooke March 25.Reportedly, the owner was away for only a brief time.Check-ups An American citizen was arrested Saturday night and charged with \u201cDriving-while-Impaired.\u201d Unable to pay bail, he was de- See POLICE page 6 Elen Cameron, 14, and dogs Toby and Polly last Friday amid ruins of their cattle barn, destroyed by fire on March 23.In the background, an excavator clears away debris.(Photo: VF.) Ormstown fire involved hundreds of local people Camerons will rebuild barns, milkhouse declared total loss in March 23 blaze One week after adisastrous fire destroyed their bams, Lachlan (Butch) and Carolyn Cameron are thinking positive, planning for the future, and marvelling at neighborliness which just doesn\u2019t stop.Their nearly 120 head of Holsteins, which survived the March 23 blaze due to quick action by the Camerons and their neighbors, are billetted out on four or five farms as far away as Howick.(A few young cattle had to be put down later due to smoke inhalation.) This week the milking herd was set to move into Jim McCaffrey\u2019s bam at the other end of the Outardes Road, following last Friday's herd dispersal auction there.On the 160 year-old Cameron farm, clean-up operations are going strong, with the emphasis on disposing of the wreckage in environmentally safe ways.School Board names new head of finance self or someone in your family, But you don\u2019t know who to call.Just worrying about all the pos- siblealtematives could preventyou from acting at all to fix the problem, and that would really be too bad.: New program Now you canpick up the phone, relax and talk things over with Diane Reed at the Huntingdon CLSC, She is there to help with just this sort of problem.Since early March, she has been doing what the CLSC has been meant to doall along \u2014 acting as afirst-linc The Protestant School Board of Chateauguay Valley has named a new Director of Finance toreplace Darrell Lang.The new director is Jean-Luc Emond, a Brossard resident who brings to the Board 20 years of experience in public and private sector management.Diane Reed with one of 13 volumes of nursing information which she keeps close to hand at the Huntingdon CLSC.(Photo: JT.) contact for people who need help Holder of a B.Comm.and close to completing a C.G.A., Emond has worked for the Town of Mount Royal, the City of Westmount, and several large firms before accepting his current position with Central Security B.P.G.Inc.He has specialized in the areas See BOARD page 6 but don't know just what kind or how to get it.Reed is an R.N.who has lived in Ormstown for 15 years and See CLSC page 8 1993 Farm Supplement Issue \u201cThe hay and straw can be buried, along with any other biodegradable stuff, but we\u2019ll have to have the other things hauled away to a landfill,\u201d Carolyn said last Friday.Meals appear A water line has now been rigged up, but Carolyn said that since Tuesday any laundry had been picked up and taken to be washed by neighbors, and \u201cmeals just keep appearing\u201d.\u201cIt\u2019s absolutely fantastic,\u201d she said of the help the tamily has received from the community.The fire broke out shortly after 8 a.m.on Tuesday March 23, in or nearamilk pump in the milk house which occupied the corner segment of the L-shaped barn complex, part of which was over 100 years old.Flames spread incredibly fast into the hay bam parallel to the Outardes Road and the stable behind it.From there the fire moved See FIRE page 8 New library opens in Dundee April 3 The \u201clittle municipality that could\u201d \u2014 have its own library, that is \u2014 is an apt description for Dundee, which will open its new municipal library on Saturday April 3 at 11 a.m.Municipal councillor Geraldine Gray and Library Committee head Denise Léger are looking forward to welcoming potential users to the library, which offers a total of 1,600 books, both French and English, fiction and non-fiction, for adults and children.\u201cThere are novels to suit many tastes, as well as reference books on gardening, child-rearing, geography, religion, and other subjects,\u201d Gray told The Gleaner.Membershipis free toall Dundee residents.In town hall The library is located upstairs in the Town Hall, and its equipment includes a counter purchased re- See DUNDEE page 6 Down Valley lanes Inside this week's Gleaner: Provincial Affairs column CVR basketballers to provinclals Page 5 March Madness, school news Page 3 Page 8 Page 6 2 \u2014 THE GLEANER \u2014 MARCH 31, 1993 This and That in Town IF THE WEEKEND WEATHER \u2014 wasn't enough to convince you that spring is making a rapid end run around the Valley, then Tales of Robins will just have todo it.The Rockburn area leads off, with two separate reports.One came from Pearl and Lawrence Carrigan, who spotted a pair of redbreasts close to Rte.202 on Sunday.We don't know if they were the same birds as those Marilyn and Bill Magnussen of the Rockburn Sideroad near Anderson\u2019s Corners saw in their backyard on the weekend.YOUR EDITOR \u2014 tried to get in on the act too, but it backfired.What we thought was an especially large and plumpnight-crawler emerging into agarden-side puddle in Ormstown turned out on closer inspection (with glasses on this time) to be an old bent threaded bolt, thrown out with the ashes from the woodstove.Any misguided robin who bit down on that would have had a sore beak for his trouble.OLDER VALLEY RESIDENTS \u2014 are reminded of the annual general meeting of the Regional Committee of Retired and Pre-retired People of Huntingdon, to be held Tuesday April 13 at 7:30 p.m.at the Huntingdon CLSC, 220 Chateauguay St.Anybody whois interested is welcome to attend says president Fernand Daoust.A CARD PARTY \u2014 will be held at Brysonville Community Club outside Ormstown on Friday evening April 2.(J.M.) PLEASE REMEMBER \u2014 the Garage Sale at Ormstown Presbyterian Church, coming up on May 1.For information contact Bert Pilon (829-2850) or Jean McEwen (829- 2704).(JM) IN HEMMINGFORD \u2014 \u201cSparks\u201d, the pre-Brownie group for five-year-old girls will start up again Friday April 2.This is the youngest age group in the Guiding movement.If you have an eligible little girl and are interested, you may call Ann Decaen at 247-3408 for more information.(F.E.) FILTRATION PLANT SLUDGE \u2014 does not seem like an appealing subject, but the Société montérégienne de développement (SMD) has awarded $3,750 for a study on possible agricultural use of this by-product of the City of Chateauguay water treatment plant.HYDRO_QUEBEC \u2014 in Valleyfield reports that this region\u2019s participation rate in last year\u2019s EcoKilo survey was an amazing 46 per cent, almost double the original objective of 25 per cent.The survey showed that the most significant use of electricity was in the areas of home heating, water heaters, refrigerators, and \u2014 perhaps surprisingly \u2014 swimming pool filters.Recommendations most frequently made to consumers include placing an insulated cover on the hot water tank; drying laundry outdoors when possible; lowering the thermostat; unplugging extra refrigerators and freezers; installing a reduced-flow shower head.AN IMPORTANT MEETING \u2014 on changes to the land management plan for the MRC des Jardins-de-Napierville willbe held Saturday April 17 at the St-Michel Community Hall.Advance registrations for the day-long workshop sessions must be made before Monday April 5.If numbers warrant, some sessions will be held in English.(See ad elsewhere).Three little Ayrshires all in a row: triplets born in Havelock last week.(Photo: D.Sabetta) Ayrshire triplets born in Havelock by Darleen Sabetta Havelock Correspondent Yes, it\u2019s true - Havelock can boast triplet Ayrshire calves, and all are doing fine! The calves were born March 25 at Braebank Farm, Registered Ayrshires, on Covey Hill Road in Havelock and are owned by Ross Douglas Whyte.Dr.Keliv Rewbotham of the Ormstown Veterinary Clinic had been called in to assist with the delivery, and was quite surprised herself to see the multiple birth.It\u2019s an unusual event and o RO) os I I A tS Ts rs %-® PRE-SEASON a RS T0 QQ 8) \u201c= =r APRIL 30th * TRACTORS \u2018 * TILLERS + MOWERS, ETC.WITHIN 15 MILE RADIUS OF ORMSTOWN GUARANTEED FOR REASONABLE PRICES AND ESTIMATES GIVEN IF REQUIRED to have triplets born, but even more rare for them to survive.The dam of these two heifer calves and one bull calf was Braebank Whitey, and their sire Covey Farms Vitality Reliable.The grandmother of the three calves was also a twin, It's interesting to note that the heifer calves have the number 7 patterned on their foreheads, but one is correctly positioned and the other is backwards.Everyone is very pleased with the health of the calves and proud of the new additions.UNTIL WE WILL PICK-UP DELIVER FREE ALL ALL WORK PARTS and REPAIRS.To all makes of lawntractors, tillers, mowers, brushcutters, chain saws, trimmers.«3 MECHANICS TO SERVE YOU - » FREE PICK-UP IN A 15 MILE RADIUS » NEA! ALLAN'S CORNER J.T.SPORT 2468 RTE.133, ORMSTOWN, P.QUE.(514) 829-2597 NEXT MEETING \u2014 of the Quebec Family History Society will take place Tuesday April 13 at 7:30 p.m.at La Maison du Brasseur, 2901 St.Joseph in Lachine.Rev.Ralph J.Watson will speak about the subject of his book \u201cProtestants in Montreal \u2014 1760-1992\u201d.For additional information, contact Betty Chalmers at 738-6604.All are welcome.IN MALONE \u2014 the Continuing Education department of the North Country Community College is offering courses in Pre-hospital Pediatric Care (April 2-4) and Landscape Maintenance Tuesday evenings from April 6-27.For further information call the NCCC at (518) 483-4550.SPRING FASHION SHOW \u2014 to benefit Residence Elle (women\u2019s shelter in Ormstown), is planned at the Ormstown Recreation Centre this Friday evening, April 2, starting at 8 p.m.Imagine yourself with something new to wear.All welcome; please see ad for more info.ORMSTOWN SOCCER CLUB REGISTRATION \u2014 for youth born from 1978-87, takes place April 3 and 5 at the Ormstown Recreation Centre.For times and costs, please call M.Reddick at 829-2123.HOWICK UNITED CHURCH SPRING BONANZA \u2014 has been cancelled for this season.KEEP YOUR REFUNDABLE BOTTLES \u2014 for the Ormstown Scouting Movement, as the Group Committee has planned a bottle-drive fund-raiser for May 1.Beavers through Venturers will be canvassing for bottles.Please watch for the boys in uniform.ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING \u2014 of the Huntingdon Minor Hockey League is called for Tuesday, April 6, at 8 p.m.in the Arena.Parents are urged to attend.THE LUCKY HARVEST \u2014 project is looking for volunteers to help with lessons and other activities during the third year of their handicapped riding program.Anyone interested must be at least 14 years old, not afraid of horses, and enjoy helping people.Call Connie at 264-4257 for more information.DON'T FORGET \u2014 the Pot Luck supper marking the end of the March of Dimes campaign, to be held this Sunday April 4 at the Huntingdon Legion starting at 4 p.m.(See ad elsewhere.) THE EVERTON CO-OP \u2014is holding a conference on regional economic development next Monday evening April 5 at 7 p.m.at its Lambton St.office in Ormstown.Guest panellists will include René Desrochers, industrial commissioner on the Haut-St-Laurent economic development committee.All are welcome to join in the discussion.For information call Chantal Lalonde at \u201che Poem The Leadership Race We've heard that Brian gave up the ghost, It\u2019s something that people wanted most.Now that he\u2019s about to retire; On whom will we expend our ire?To some he was an inspiration.Others think.he ruined our nation.Paying the GST is rough, Some of his decisions were tough.Free Trade still has not got into gear, Most look on this agreement with fear, But the way that nations trade today.Free Trade for him, was the only way.He failed in his try to woo Quebec, Our constitution made him a wreck.In the polls he was not rated high, But we have to say.he gave it a try.Now a new leader will be elected, From whom much more will be expected, To give the Tories a new direction, Before they face the next election.Jean Charest is a name we know, And now he says he\u2019s ready to go.He is much too young some people say, Not to the people down Sherbrooke way.Barbara McDougall is out of the race.Michael Wilson has turned his face.Both find there are other things to do, And with politics they will be through.It could be a her, and not a him, There\u2019s a Ms.Campbell known as Kim.All the pundits say she\u2019s in the lead, And could be the one that will succeed.There are other names not quite well known, Whose hats in the ring have now been thrown, But we're sure that they all realize, There is not much chance to win the prize.In Ottawa, in the month of June, We will hear the Tories play their tune.We'll have to sit back, play wait and see, And let them choose their leader to be.To most folks anyone will be fine, As long as they don't.reelect Brian.Jon Proudfoot Ç Phil Norton (centre) chats with visitors to the photo show at the Havelock Town Hall, while fellow exhibitor Mark Fraser looks on at left.(Photo: D.Sabetta) Havelock photo snow features local talent by Darleen Sabetta Franklin Correspondent If you were fortunate enough to see the photo exhibit on March 11, 12and 13 (Sunday had to be cancelled due to bad weather) at the Town Hall in Havelock, put on by Philip Norton and Mark Fraser, you would have seen many excellent photographs of both our area and points beyond.One special visitor to the exhibition was M.P.Jean-Guy Hudon who has always made an effort to attend the events put on in the Town Hall, and who has also been a strong supporter ofthe Havelock Community Center.The laminated photographs were an excellent assortment of quiet rural scenes, wildlife in repose, interesting scenes of Montreal landmarks and architecture, panoramic views, spectacular sunsets and people justbeing themselves.Mark, whose family resides in the Franklin area, lives in Montreal to be closer to his other interest, Project Renaissance: Mark's photographs depict a side of Montreal which few of us reflect on: creative documentary art.Mark works exclusively in black-and- white and processes his own films and prints.Phil is well known in the Chateauguay Valley through his photocards and because he worked for the Gleaner for almost 10 years.Phil is from Mars, PA., where he began his photography career and his work is a mixture of artistic and journalistic styles.His subjects are of rural life, scenes and people we can identify with.Phil worksexclusively in colour, shooting mostly Kodachrome slides.Alsoondisplay during the photo showing were nu- sou merous photo greeting cards, the photo album of Covey Hill and its surrounding area showing the younger years, and a photo album of some of Phil\u2019s unframed photographs.Playing throughout the showing were music cassettes from Project Ren aissance.There were also laminated photographs of arca landmarks done by David Buchow whose unique 4X 5 style gives his photos a very high definition.He wasn\u2019t available for comment, but his style and use of natural light make his photographs extraordinary.Viewers were treated to cheese and crackers, coffee orapple wine made by Mark.This was an excellent viewing showcasing local talent and diversity of styles.Phil and Mark were very pleased with the turnout to the art show and it is hoped we will see more of this type of show at the Town Hall.wi L.Lavigne named The Bloc Québécois recently named Laurent Lavigne as its official candidate in Beauharnois- Salaberry Riding.| He joins Liberal Linda Julien on the list of declared contestants for the next federal election.The Progressive Conservatives have not yet named a potential replacement for retiring incumbent M.P.Jean-Guy Hudon.Lavigne spoke to about 60 supporters in Valleyfield on a snowy Sunday.March 14.Bloc party leader Lucien Bouchard was prevented from attending by bad weather.In his acceptance speech, Lavigne accused Liberal leader Jean Chrétien of \u201csacrificing Quebec to gain the favor of English Canada\u201d.Brian Mulroney, he said, has presided over a financial débacle which has left the country with a $400 billion deficit.The Bloc Québécois candidate said that the failure of candidate for Bloc LAURENT LAVIGNE the Meech Lake and Charlottetown accords \u2018\u201chave proved withoutadoubt\u201d that the Canadian federation has reached a dead end.He wants to go to Ottawa in order to defend Quebec sovereignty: \u201cThe arrival of the Bloc Québécois on the federal scene is an important step in the slow but steady affirmation of the Quebec people,\u201d he said.Our postal heritage Confederation brought with it grand new schemes for the development of Canada\u2019s transportation system.At the top of the list: a railway to span the continent.With the completion of the CPR, the era of railway mail delivery began in earnest.A special Railway Mail Service Branch was soon established to administer a nation-wide system of travelling mail cars.NEARLY NEW CARS back extended 1992 OLDS CIERA- 4 dr.1992 OLDS CIERA ST-WAG.1992 CHEV.LUMINA 4 dr.1992 GEO METRO 4 dr.hatch 1992 CHEV.ASTRO VAN 1992 CHEV.1/2 ton pick-up 1991 CHEV.CORSICA .USED CARS ~~ 4, ci) 1989 CIERA 4 dr.1992 GEO METRO 2 dr.1990 TOYOTA COROLLA G.T.S.1989 CHEV.CELEBRITY 1989 OLDS.CALAIS 1989 DODGE SHADOW 1987 NISSAN, 2 dr.1987 TOYOTA 2 dr.USED TRUCKS 1986 DODGE 3/4 pick-up Six clubs participated 13 at the Ormstown Recreation Centre.Winners in each level proceed to the regional competition A youth who finished fi François Charette.* 1985 CHEV.S-10, pick-up HUNTINGDON MOTORS INC, LEERY HUNTINGDON * TEL.: 264-6163 ntense chess in the district Optimist clubs\u2019 chess tournament March pril 17 in St-Amable.Brian Leslie (right), a Huntingdon rst in his level, took on a spectator, chess enthusiast = PARTI SR WONG Four Evry V°4 e piche = BAG Nr Services.DÉPANNEUR PROPRIO FILS INC.ANGLE BOUCHETTE ET WELLIGTON, 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HUNTINGDON, P QUE.- TEL.: 264-5396 1d ve at QCNA Assemblage Provincial Affairs THE GLEANER \u2014 MARCH 31,1993 \u20143 with Dorothy Guinan \u2018 QUEBEC CITY \u2014 The firstsignof spring was March 24, when thegovernment tabled Quebec's 1993-94 spending estimates in the National Assembly.Treasury Board President Daniel Johnson was in the legislature saying there will be cuts, cuts, cuts in all departments \u2014 including health and education \u2014 while outside the sun was shining, birds were singing and pedestrians had shed their winter coats despite the snow that still covered the ground.Maybe this annual ritual is strategically timed to coincide with the departure of winter, when many Que- becersare feverish with glee.Wage freeze However it\u2019s doubtful spring fever cushioned the blow for Quebec's 340,000 civil servants, nurses, teachers and provincial police, considering 39 per cent of the government's $1.4 billion savings plan is the result of a two-year wage freeze.Without reductions, the government's spending would have grown 4.5 per cent compared to the 0.9 per cent Johnson projected, bringing this year\u2019s total to $41.087 billion.Johnson suggested creating a bonus system for public employees, boosting the salaries of those who increase their productivity level by one percent.Giving up two-and-a-half days of vacation, or having more students perclassroom could achieve this goal.Do more with less Whether or not unions accept the proposal, Johnson expects all departments to do more with less.The Health Department and medicare board must work with $12.74 billion - $145.4 million less than last year.Health Minister Marc- Yvan Coté said he has no plans to reduce services or close hospital beds, but would like doctors tocut $50 million in medicare coverage - through fewer routine tests and plastic surgery, for example.Less than 24 hours later, while health administrators were still digesting the news, a provincial task force on emergency-room overcrowding recommended cutting hospital operating budgets by 0.5 per cent for six months at institutions where overcrowding is a problem.Coté appeared to favor Our postal heritage Early European couriers atfirstused thetransportation methods perfected by the Indians - the birch bark canoe andtravelon footalong well- worn portage trails.One of the most frequently travelled routes was the 627-miles Temiscouata Trail from Quebec City to Louisbourg, the French fort on the southeastern shore of what isnow known as Cape Breton Island.Leaving Quebec, the courier paddled his canoe across 37 miles of mountains and swamps.He then paddled a total of 280 miles across Lake Temiscouata and down the Madawaska and Saint John rivers.From there they crossed the Bay of Fundy to Annapolis, walked to Windsor and Halifax and finally sailed to Louisbourg, A one-way trip took about 14 days.the report, which urged the minister to announce his intentions before April 1, and to start imposing the penalties October 1.Waiting on stretchers While most of the 59 hospitals surveyed between 1990 and 1992 improved, 37 per cent deteriorated, with many patients in hallways - some on stretchers - stuck waiting for hours.The 10 emergency wards showing the greatest deterioration \u2014 where the number of 48-hour stays increased \u2014 include: Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Hôtel-Dieu de Montreal, Lakeshore, CHUL, Jewish General, Lachine General, CHRM, Santa Cabrini, Ste.Jeanne d\u2019Arc and Royal Victoria.Education cuts The Education Department will get $5.8 billion this year - down $103.6 million.School board officials say the severed budget will affect each student, and mean fewer textbooks, reference books, computer software, guidance councillors and lunch-time supervisors.The 155,000-member Centrale de l'Enseignement du Québec protested the cuts on March 26: it announced plans to drop out of the government's $42 million a year anti-dropout program.Another educational issue popped up the same week, but it had nothing to do with financing.Languageeligibility mix- up Traditionally school boards believed that all children were qualified for English schooling eligibility certificates as long as a parent had one.But there are two types of certificates, and now they're not so sure.The Lakeshore School Board recently learned that if a parent has a Canada- clause certificate, the gov- emment grants eligibility to children only if the parent's education was mostly in English.If the parent has a Bill 101 certificate, children are eligible regardless of the parent\u2019s language of schooling.\u201cUnder study\u201d Both Education Minister Lucienne Robillard and Claude Ryan, Minister responsible for language laws, are aware of the inconsistency, and their aides say the issue is being studied.If the government's current interpretation stands, hundreds of Quebecers have unknowingly given up their children\u2019srighttoan English education.Lets hope it\u2019s all a big mistake.: Slow convalescence Premier Robert Bourassa was watching all of this from the sidelines, reportedly working at home while recuperating from his second round of cancer treatments, whichis taking alittle longer than expected.In January, when the news of his illness became public, officials in Quebec City told reporters the premier would decide his political future in April.They later said it would be May, and now, it seems, nobody knows.The uncertainty has led people to wonder politely whether or not Bourassa will be stepping down this spring.It's not meant to be mean, it\u2019s just human nature \u2014 silence kindles speculation.i Showing how it used to be done, these youngsters collect sap from buckets and pour it into the collecting tank on the horse-drawn sleigh.Maple.from page 1 Howick-area producer Robbie Anderson said.The bulk of last year\u2019s syrup was made in April, he added.\u201cIt might be a short season, as the soft-maple buds in the Riverfield area are \u201cout\u201d.Syrup quality isexcellent this year, said Anderson, who is marking his 35th year of production.Having deep snow in the bush is keeping the sap in the lines cool, and the cold ground appears to be regulating the effects of above-freezing nighttime temperatures, he added.Sap to syrup There are a couple of ways to move the sap through the course before it ends up oozing over pancakes.Hitching up the family draft horse, Clyde, to the snow sleigh carrying a covered metal gathering tank, is the old-fashioned method Ross and Faye Craig of Howick-areachose, fortheir sons and friends to enjoy.Last Saturday a gang of Craigs and friends hurried after the horse-with-a mission, wading through the thigh-high snow to empty the buckets into the holding tank.\u201cWe doit for fun.Our boys really wanted to make some syrup of their own this year,\u201d Faye said.Horseshitchedtosleighs; excited kids bounding with pails of gathered sap through the snow-laden bush; breathing crystal-fresh spring airandinhaling wisps of steaming sap over a pop- ping-hot, wood fire in the shanty; the incomparable taste of sipping on finishing- pan syrup \u2014 that\u2019s the traditional picture that many cherish.There isalso the efficient, business-oriented way to produce the sweet-stuff.Ormstown-area producers, Jim and Robin Bryson and family, built anew, well equipped shanty ten years ago for their 3,000-tap.pipeline operation.Anauto- mated set-up, electricity powers the gauges which control the movement of sap through the pans, until is released as finished syrup.A procedure removes steam from the cooking sap, condenses it, and it is piped out as water.Bottom line Prices are holding, or have lowered from last year's, withan average given from $28 to $32 per four litres.ATHY | , \u20ac re sweet little touch, \u201c> \\ that\u2019s always a delight! æ ET LAA LH .by x @® 7 AFFORDABLE PRICES < CO uganne ORMSTOWN NX = Pharmacienne cp ilo te 829-2351 7 4 b WANN NN EN EN EN NAN AS A A 30 rue BRIDGE,