Moving tribute for Valleyfield's
Serge Marcil

An estimated 1,200 mourners filled Valleyfield's
Sainte-Cécile Basilica-Cathedral for last Saturday's tribute
to former Quebec cabinet minister and federal MP Serge Marcil,
who died in the January 12
Haiti earthquake.
(Photo courtesy Cogeco Television)
Sainte-Cécile Basilica-Cathedral in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield
may never have been as full as it was last Saturday for the funeral
of Serge Marcil.
Victim of the Haiti earthquake, the body of the former provincial
cabinet minister and federal MP was found in the rubble of the
Hotel Montana. He had arrived only hours before the earthquake
to lend his expertise to an engineering project in his capacity
as vice-president of Groupe SM International.
Many high-profile politicians were in attendance to pay homage
to Marcil, including Quebec vice-premier Nathalie Normandeau,
federal Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff and Liberal MP Stéphane
Dion.
The ceremony, presided by Monseigneur Luc Cyr, bishop of Valleyfield,
was marked by a touching tribute from Marcil's son Olivier, currently
an advisor in the office of Quebec premier Jean Charest.
The mayor of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Denis Lapointe, as well
as former premier Daniel Johnson Jr., under whom Marcil had served,
also paid special tribute.
"What we experienced today is very special in the annals
of Valleyfield," said journalist Daniel Grenier.
According to some estimates there were more than 1,200 people
inside the cathedral.
Ile Perrot mayors
launch united
hospital campaign

L'Ile Perrot mayor Marc Roy, Notre-Dame-de-l'Ile-Perrot's
Marie-Claude Nichols, Pincourt mayor Yvan Cardinal, CSSS board
of directors vice president Normand Brasseur and Terrasse-Vaudreuil
mayor Manon Trudel.
(Gazette, Cindy Penny)
by Cindy Penny
PINCOURT - History was made Friday as the four Ile
Perrot mayors joined forces to mobilize their citizens to lobby
for a much-needed regional hospital in Vaudreuil-Soulanges.
Marie-Claude Nichols of Notre-Dame-de-I'Ile Perrot, Manon Trudel
of Terrasse- Vaudreuil, Marc Roy of Ile Perrot, and Yvan Cardinal
of Pincourt launched their 'Let's work together to build' campaign,
calling on citizens of the four municipalities to fill in a form
sent out with the annual tax statement, signifying their support
for a full-service hospital.
They can then drop it into clearly identified boxes in town halls,
municipal libraries and community centres, where the results
will be tallied and forwarded to provincial health and social
affairs minister Yves Bolduc.
In fact it was Bolduc himself who first hinted that Quebec might
consider a request for a 200-bed regional hospital. The health
minister had been meeting with the Centre de santé et
de services sociaux de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (CSSS-VS) to discuss
funding for an ambulatory care centre as part of a regional CSSS
health complex.
Cardinal, president of the CSSS until he resigned to run for
the Pincourt mayoralty, warned that the hospital isn't a sure
thing unless our communities join in transmitting a sense of
urgency. The Vaudreuil-Soulanges Health Care Foundation is the
model for the level of co-operation required, he noted during
Friday night's Happening.
Vaudreuil-Soulanges is one of the most underserviced regions
in the province, with one family doctor for 2,368 inhabitants,
said Normand Brasseur, vice-president of the CSSS-VS.
"We have no choice but to act," he told last week's
news conference. "We can't catch up...we need an establishment
and the staff to respond to the immediate needs of the population."
According to figures released Jan. 1, the MRC's total population
is now nearing 135,000, with growth expected to bring that number
to 180,000 by 2016. Residents have the choice of three ERs -
the Lakeshore General, Valleyfield's Centre hospitalier le Suroît
Hawkesbury General. Wait times vary, but all three hospitals
are often overloaded.
Although the Charest cabinet is receptive to the idea of a 200-bed
regional hospital in the fast-growing off-island region, Vaudreuil
MNA Yvon Marcoux and Soulanges MNA Lucie Charlebois both stress
the need for a popular citizens's movement if the project is
to succeed.
The hospital will cost an estimated $150 million to build and
$100 million a year to operate.
The tax-bill mailing is the latest attempt to get local town
councils and organizations involved in the lobbying campaign.
A CSSS signature petition gathered some 25,000 names, but many
of the 23 Vaudreuil-Soulanges municipalities have yet to adopt
a resolution calling on Quebec for a regional hospital.
For comments or additional information write to: hopital.csssvs
@rrsss16.gouv.qc.ca
Macaulay Farm fate
to go to
public consult

One of the town's options is to take ownership
of the Macaulay barn and outbuildings.
Before that can happen, council will schedule a public consultation
to discuss possible uses.
(Gazette, Jim Duff)
HUDSON - In an unprecedented move by the Town Planning
Advisory Committee and council, concerned citizens will get the
chance to speak out on the fate of the Macaulay Farm complex
sometime in March. No date has been set.
The consultation resolution was adopted by council Monday night
after mayor Michael Elliott fueled the debate with his own opinion.
"I don't feel tremendously strong about the barn,"
he said. "It's been left to deteriorate...it's in a sad
state. If I had my druthers, I'd tear it down."
If the town did take ownership, he wouldn't know what to do with
it. "We'd still be stuck for the money to fix it, and to
what end? More traffic isn't ideal for that area."
The estate of the late Herb Norris has presented the Town Planning
Advisory Committee with a dilemma in the form of a plan to subdivide
what remains of the former experimental farm into 15 residential
lots.
To fulfill the mandatory 10 percent greenspace requirement, the
estate's representative John Norris is offering the town three
choices:
· Take over ownership and responsibility for the 85-year-old
barn and outbuildings and the land they stand on;
· Take the 10 percent in land elsewhere, allowing the
farm complex to be demolished and developed;
· Take the cash value of the 10 percent greenspace requirement
and free up more lots.
On Jan. 14, the TPAC recommended that consideration be given
to Norris's subdivision plan only after council holds a public
consultation to explore the financial and legal options.
The TPAC also urged the town to ask the owner to seek a legal
opinion on the town's liability if the barn and outbuildings
were acquired by the town, explore various preservation options
and work out the exact value of the cash equivalent.
In the meantime, the TPAC wants to see the buildings barricaded
and no-trespassing signs posted.
The TPAC meeting heard from Hudson Historical Society past president
Kevin O'Donnell and Hudson fire prevention officer Antoine Hêtu.
O'Donnell stressed the availability of funding for large-building
recycling projects in other municipalities and asked that no
decision be made until after the HHS elects a new executive at
its Feb. 8 AGM. "In other jurisdictions, these places have
tremendous significance."
Hêtu, noting the broken windows and general deterioration
of the structure, warned that firefighters would have no choice
but to let it burn.
Long after Monday's meeting had ended, groups continued the debate.
"We could be standing here years from now, regretting not
saving the barn the way we regret not having bought Sandy Beach,"
O'Donnell said at one point. It's more than just a herd of Holsteins...it's
a shrine."
"If it was Joey Davidson's barn, it would be worth saving,"
Elliott countered. "It was built during the French regime.
The Macaulay barn isn't that old or that famous."
Borrowing bylaw covers
Allan Cottage move
by Jim Duff
HUDSON - The town proposes to borrow $195,000 to move
and renovate Allan Cottage, the circa 1870 home at 527 Main.
The loan would cover the cost of moving the structure to a new
foundation some 150 feet west of its current location and updating
the heating and electrical systems, mayor Michael Elliott told
Monday's February council meeting.
Short-term plans call for the creation of four municipal offices
and a 24 by 25-foot conference room, but Elliott said the town
has the option of selling it for a substantial profit.
"The town bought it in 1957 for $15,000...$3,000 down and
$103 a month. It's zoned commercial and we're moving it onto
its own lot," he explained. "I figure we could get
$500,000 for it."
Elliott vehemently opposed the previous administration's proposal
to demolish the house and use the space to build a new firehall
and public works complex for an estimated $4.5 million.
"The house is in excellent structural shape," he said.
"The beams are all pegged and mortised. On one of the beams,
we found the names of three girls born and raised in that house."
Because the names were upside down, the theory is that the girls
wrote them there when the floorboards upstairs were lifted in
order to install electricity in the house - in 1915.
Elliott reassured residents concerned about rumours the town
was planning to turn Maple into an access road for fire and emergency
vehicles and tear down the building currently being used by Le
Pont/Bridging.
"That was a suggestion of the old council," he said.
"I assure you it's not under discussion...even if the fire
station was built, we wouldn't want it coming out on Maple."
As for cutting trees to move the cottage, Elliott said a single
eight-inch ash might have to come down, along with a ragged line
of cedars. The town will take "extra precautions" to
protect the massive walnut tree in the back yard of the Hudson
Museum next door, he vowed.
Hudson St. Paddy's Parade March 13
by Jim Duff
Hudson will turn green Saturday, March 13 as Cunningham's
Pub holds the first ever St. Patrick's Parade in town.
Council approved the application at Monday night's meeting.
"It'll be as big if not bigger than the Santa Claus Parade,
said Cunningham's Jason Allan. He claims to have commitments
from the Hudson Fire Department and a dozen local businesses
to be part of the parade.
· · ·
Phil Avis wants to turn the Sunday, May 30 British Car Show into
a two-day event and he's asking for the town's support.
Sponsored by the Hudson Antique Car Klub, the show fills St.
Thomas Park with British cars of all vintages and pedigrees,
drawing car enthusiasts and their friends from as far away as
Ottawa and Quebec City.
"I encourage the local business community to help us expand
the show into a weekend with something for everyone," Avis
told council. "There's tremendous interest."
· · ·
Local merchants Mike Poirier and Katie Shaar are pressuring the
town to take action to counter the loss of business among local
merchants by hiring a marketing coordinator. Letters from Poirier
and Shaar were tabled at Monday's meeting, and councillor Tim
Snow, who represents the downtown core, said both are concerned
about what he said is a continuing economic downturn.
"Some businesses are losing money for the first time,"
said Snow. "We don't want to lose them."
During the second question period, Marcus Owen voiced his concern
about hiring more full-time employees and suggested council should
consider hiring people on contract.
Snow said the town has already suggested that merchants sign
a contract with a consultant who specializes in getting grants.
"He takes 20 percent of whatever you get," said Snow.
"If he doesn't deliver, he doesn't get paid."
Aloes: Town remiss in duty
Aloes Investments founder Ivor McLeod has a vision for Saddlebrook
that includes a road between Sandmere and Yearling, says Aloes
Investments partner Michael Laventure.
"Ivor has always had a vision as far as Saddlebrook and
the other developments we've done," Laventure said. "He's
wanted ponds, roads done in a certain way, projects completed.
Often not for maximum financial benefit, but because he has a
certain vision of what he wants and he feels that Sandmere and
Yearling should be connected."
So any suggestion of a land trade would be a tough sell, he added.
"That's not to say I'm closed to something, but the amount
of hassle I'd have to go through...it would have to be something
that was worth my while," Laventure told the Hudson/St.
Lazare Gazette. "My big problem is that all those lots have
been sold and I would have a huge problem cancelling sales and
moving everything."
Subdivision plans for the Dunes Lake Road development already
call for more than 60 percent of the 40-arpent site being turned
over to the town as a conservation area, Laventure claims. (The
town sets the number at 35 percent.)
The plans call for Dunes Lake Road to run from Sandmere to Yearling,
curving along the eastern edge of the lake to include a parking
area. To preserve the eco-corridor described in the 2007 Genivar
audit, agreement was reached among Aloes, the Sustainable Development,
Environment and Parks ministry, and the town to connect Bordelais
Bog to Dunes Lake via a one-lot greenspace.
Daniel Leblanc, regional director of the Sustainable Development,
Environment and Parks ministry, confirmed the proposal has MDDEP's
approval.
The only reason the project hasn't gone ahead before now was
because the town had insisted that the water hookup be via both
Sandmere and a privately owned stretch of Yearling to prevent
a dead end. To satisfy the town's demand, Aloes would have had
to buy part of Yearling from Développements Simi owner
Pierre Loiselle for $160,000.
Laventure doesn't see why he should shoulder the cost. "I
don't feel like buying a road for $160,000 and giving it to the
town for $1."
The town has been remiss in its responsibility by not handling
this issue, he added. "The road was built 17 years ago.
There are houses on it now that cannot get building permits for
any extensions. If a house burned down there and you wanted to
rebuild it, you wouldn't be able to get a building permit....it's
not on a public road.
"If they want to add to their house, they cannot. If you
have an empty lot and you want to build, you can't get a permit.
"What would happen if the water line broke on that part
of Yearling owned by Loiselle? Who would fix it? I have yet to
get a straight answer from the town."
Laventure agrees the town could expropriate, but St. Lazare would
have to pay market value plus compensation to those who have
already bought under the assumption they would be building there.
He contests Genivar's claim the area is environmentally sensitive.
"Dunes Lake was an old sandpit used by H. J. O'Connell to
supply sand for the highway. It wasn't a lake until I dug it
down for three years. The environment department said it was
ecologically sensitive. I said it wasn't environmentally sensitive
when it was a sandpit.
"The fish in it, we took out of Chevrier's sandpit,"
Laventure concluded. Aloes continues to maintain the forest and
trail, and clean up the garbage around the lake. "Everything
in there, we did."
St-Louis pitched land trade
Mayoral candidate and former District 4 councillor Michel
St-Louis says he pitched the idea of a land switch to developer
Michael Laventure with the goal of preserving the greenspace
between Dunes Lake and the Bordelais Bog.
St-Louis said last week he had been approached by a group of
residents concerned that Aloes Investments was going ahead with
plans to build some 19 homes on a new street, Dunes Lake Road,
running between Sandmere and Yearling.
The proposed subdivision would be located on one of six Category
1 sites named in the February, 2007 Genivar wetland audit as
ecologically significant, containing many of the same at-risk
species that won the bog its conservation-area status in 2004.
Some three months prior to last November's municipal election,
St-Louis says he asked Laventure if he and Aloes Investments
partner Ivor MacLeod would consider accepting a piece of land
south of Ste. Angélique in exchange for the roughly 40-acre
woodlot.
St-Louis says he was thinking of a parcel off Ste. Angélique
suitable for the construction of 75-80 condos and townhouses.
According to St-Louis, Laventure said he might be open to further
discussion.
Laventure confirmed the idea of a land trade "had been brought
up, but never seriously."
Last week, St-Louis said a land switch might still be the only
solution, but wondered whether St. Lazare residents will agree
to pay to acquire and maintain an area used by a relatively small
number of residents. "We were ready to save it, but at what
price? If people come there to swim, we'll need a lifeguard,
a fence and public parking." JD
Consultative committees:
St. Lazare: Kary appeals for citizen input

Town manager Lucie Gendron swears in Pierre Kary
as mayor. New ethics code
would govern politicians, civil servants.
(Gazette, Jim Duff)
by Nathalie Blais
ST. LAZARE - Mayor Pierre Kary is resurrecting the
municipality's moribund environment consultative committee and
creating public security, recreation, and commercial revitalization
committees in order to seek citizen input on future town policy.
At the forefront will be an ethics committee, to be chaired by
Kary himself, with a mandate to draft a code of ethics for councillors.
"Establishing a code of ethics was part of my mandate given
to me by the citizens," he said in a Jan. 27 message to
citizens.
"The goal is that councillors be made to act in the collective
interest - no behind-the-scenes negotiations," Kary told
the Hudson/St. Lazare Gazette.
None of the recommendations from any of the committees is legally
binding until they're voted on by council.
Kary said the impetus for a code of ethics comes from Bill 48,
adopted by the Quebec legislature last November. The bill promotes
social justice, integrity, honesty, honour, prudence in the pursuit
of the public interest, and respect among MNAs, public servants
and citizens.
District 2 councillor Nathalie Richard supports a code of ethics,
calling it an official document against which councillors can
be measured. "The main objective is no back room deals...everything
on the table," says Richard.
Richard and Jean-Pierre Giguère will sit on the public
security committee; environment will be led by Pierre Kary and
Jean-Claude Gauthier; recreation by Gilbert Arsenault and Nathalie
Richard; and commercial revitalization by Michel Lambert and
Pierre Kary.
Provincial legislation provides for councillors to be paid $100
per preparatory meeting, up to 16 meetings a year, including
committees.
Each of the five committees will be made up of two members of
council, two town employees and two citizens. "All applications
will be considered, except those that represent a conflict of
interest in the way of personal gain," the mayor added.
"Councillors will bring orientation and vision to the process,
town employees bring knowledge of town regulations and procedure
to the table, and the citizens bring their views, their opinions,
their right to be heard."
However, Kary refused to commit to making committee minutes public.
"Not everything discussed at these meetings will be of a
public nature," he said. "What we can make public,
we will."
The committees have the support of District 3 councillor Brigitte
Asselin who, along with District 4 councillor Michel Lambert,
is excluded from Kary's Shared Vision caucus meetings. "I
am in agreement with Kary's position on consultations with third
parties, promoters or pressure groups, and councillors,"
Asselin said last week.
But Asselin is adamant that minutes should be made public and
doesn't think two citizens are enough representation from the
community.
"The meetings should be [a matter of] of public record,
especially if the aim is to increase transparency."
With the exception of the ethics committee, committees will begin
meeting in March, once all applications have been considered
and members assigned.
"The ethics committee has been delayed to September because
a lot of homework has to be done on the topic," says Kary.
"The timetable is not set in stone, but many legal possibilities
need to be researched."
$250,000 moment

A memorable moment at last Friday's Vaudreuil-Soulanges
Health Care Foundation Happening: president Sylvie Crevier with
Harden Management's Bill Harden, surrounded by his sons, donates
$250,000 toward the palliative care residence due to open in
September. The glitzy gala at the Chateau Vaudreuil featured
a bilingual program emceed by Foundation director Richard Mainville
and Roland Schulz and silent and live autions of many treasures
and experiences - vintage wines, amazing holiday excursions and
a necklace designed especially for the event. The evening, under
the honorary patronage of Viviane Quane, was a who's who of Vaudreuil-Soulanges
personalities.
Stink clears Westwood Senior
Westwood High students got an early start to the weekend last
Friday after a leak in one of the older septic tanks filled the
school with a foul odour.
As the smell got stronger, school principal Alana Leroux decided
to send everyone outside for some fresh air. An announcement
was made for students to take what they needed and evacuate the
school.
After being outside for about 15 minutes, students were moved
into the gymansium and told that school was ending early that
day. Buses took them to the junior campus where they were then
able to catch their regular bus home.
The problem was fixed over the weekend and school resumed Monday
morning. - SW
Hudson area gets its first synagogue

Rabbi Nochum and Malki Labkowski with 18-month-old
Mendi and seven-week-old Ita.
(Gazette, Jim Duff)
by Elaine Steinberg
ST. LAZARE - Prior to this past December, the closest
Jewish community centre for families living off island was in
Kirkland. With the arrival in December of the Chabad Jewish Community
Centre on Côte St. Charles, that has changed.
I have lived in the Hudson area since 1974. In fact, I brought
up two children on the Cote Road, just two doors past where the
new Chabad Centre is located. In the 70s, I dreamed of being
able to buy a bagel at Poirier's. It came to pass. Never could
I have imagined having a synagogue within walking distance, but
that, too, came to pass when Chabad Lubavitch Organization sent
Rabbi Nachum Labkowski and his young family to our area in response
to an invitation from residents.
I am thrilled at the arrival of the Rabbi because I believe the
Chabad philosophy is appropriate to our area. Why do I say that?
For the past twenty years I have been a member of the MTC, a
Chabad Centre in Montreal. I love it. It beats any of my previous
synagogue experiences: Modern Orthodox, Conservative, even Reform
at one point. I wanted to have the option to decide on the degree
of involvement my religion played in my life. Reform and Conservative
had its obvious limits. Modern Orthodox expected me to be Orthodox.
Although Chabad is Orthodox, my Rabbi had no expectations of
me; never did he point a finger. Chabad is the only Orthodox
group which is inclusive of all Jews.
Also, over the years I have come to know many Chabad Rabbis and
their wives, the Rebbetzins. I feel they make themselves more
available and are closer to their congregants than other Rabbis
I have known. Their home is always open; an extra chair can always
be squeezed in at their holiday table and the day is never too
long for another shared moment. The warm atmosphere of a Chabad
House/Centre is closer to what I remember of my grandparents'
home. Imagine belonging to a synagogue where every Shabbat, after
services, the congregation has a lunch a kiddish
together. That is a Chabad custom. Imagine a Chanukah or Purim
party or any celebration a fabrengen with a feast
of food, wine, stories, song and laughter. Again, that is Chabad.
Chabad is a Hasidic movement; Hasidism is founded on joy, not
fire and brimstone.
Last Rosh Shoshanna (the Jewish New Year), Rabbi Labkowski held
services at Auberge du Rigaud. After services, Rebbetzin Malki
Labkowski served a Kosher home-cooked festival meal to forty
people. I was not there but those who were tell me that by any
stretch of the imagination, this feat was a miracle and
delicious. That is Chabad.
Born in France and with family and friends still living there,
Rabbi Labkowski is fluently bilingual. He tells a story of being
sent by Rabbi Ben Toli, the head Rabbi of the Congo, under armed
guards to Abidjan, in the French-speaking Ivory Coast. His mission
was to bring a Kosher High Holiday service to about fifteen travelling
businessmen in the area. I guess Rigaud was an easy assignment!
Much is being planned at the JCC, with synagogue services, adult
educational programs, a Jewish Women's circle, speakers and Bar/Bat
mitzvah training. On Sunday, Feb. 28, for the joyous holiday
of Purim there will be a Wild West Purim Party with a food feast,
fun activities and a reading of Esther's scroll the Migella.
They are in the midst of establishing a Hebrew School and
they're open to any ideas. For more information, visit their
website, www.Jewishstlazare.com, or call 450-458-2530.
No Impact Man is a persuasive message

David Willis was one of 75 attendees who participated
in a live video conference with
Colin Beaven after watching his film No Impact Man.
(Shane Kelley photo)
by Shane Kelley
Colin Beavan calls himself a guilty liberal who was fed up
with his own complaints about the ills of the environment, while
doing nothing to lessen his own footprint on the world. In November
2006, Beaven, his wife, their two-year-old daughter and their
four-year-old dog went off the grid while living in the middle
of New York City. They began what many considered an extreme
lifestyle experiment of "doing without" to see if they
could leave no impact on the environment for an entire year.
Said Beaven, "I wanted to find out if it was possible that
I could find myself a happier person by leaving no impact on
the environment." After the year-long experiment, Colin's
answer was a resounding "Yes!"
Last Wednesday night, Go Green Hudson hosted a screening of the
documentary No Impact Man at the Hudson Community Centre. Approximately
75 people enjoyed the enlightening and humorous adventure of
Colin and his family's year of living like "pioneers"
in their Fifth Avenue Manhattan apartment. After the film, the
event's host, Go Green Hudson, launched a live Skype video conference
with Colin at home in New York and invited guests to talk to
him directly to learn more about his experience and explore ideas
on ways to reduce our own impact on the environment.
Beaven said he and his family started by "cutting out taxis,
garbage, throwaway coffee cups, eliminating foreign tomatoes
in January, bottled water from France, AC in the dead of August,
and new clothing from who knows where." The biggest test
was during the last six months of the project when they lived
in their fourth floor apartment without electricity. Beaven said
he found many advantages to this new lifestyle and "saved
money, lost weight, gained energy, improved my health, spent
more quality time with my family and friends, renewewed my relationship
with my wife, discovered an overall sense of freedom, and learned
that, yes, sometimes less is more."
I went to the event with the intention of staying just long enough
to take a few photographs not because I'm not interested
in the environment which I am but because I had a
large stack of work waiting for me. But after listening to Colin
for a few minutes, I realized this was too remarkable to miss
and stayed until the end. One of my favourite parts was watching
Beaven, his wife and toddler washing their laundry in a bathtub
of cold water by stomping on it like a harvest of grapes. What
really caught my attention was learning how many positive changes
we can all easily make to help the environment. What was most
inspirational, was watching Colin and his family spend a lot
of quality time with each other and their friends. No music,
no television, no electric lights, but lots of joyful laughter,
creating memories of an adventure they will never forget.
Colin says one of his main messages is that lots of people are
finding that by living environmentally, they are actually improving
the quality of their life.
To try out the No Impact lifestyle, visit Colin's blog for support,
instructions and inspiration (www.noimpactman.typepad.com) and
his main blog for more about No Impact Man himself (www.colinbeavan.com).
Analysis
LBPSB teachers adjusting to French competency shift
by Nathalie Blais
Teachers are understandably nervous in light of the Lester
B. Pearson School Board's goal of raising the level of French-language
competency among its graduates.
Raising the bar on the quantity and quality of French at the
high school level could mean imposing French language training
on teachers hired to teach in English.
Adopted by the Council of Commissioners at the 2010-2011 Major
School Change (MSC) consultation last December, the changes will
see French language requirements at the secondary level increase
to 50 percent in Cycle II by September, 2011. The long-term intention
is to maintain the initiative into Cycle III.
Most agree the implementation process will be gradual, depending
on collective agreements, availability of teachers in each school,
and loss of staff to retirement or a move out of the school board.
"We are currently at 33 percent French instruction,"
says Westwood Junior principal Hans Bulow. "The art teacher
will be retiring next year. It might be an opportunity to replace
her with a bilingual teacher to bring us up to 40 percent."
LBPSB vice-chair Angela Nolet shares Bulow's view. "There
are teachers retiring every year," says Nolet. "Relying
on attrition to make room for teachers with qualifying French
language skill should be a reasonable expectation."
The reality is that schools have little control over how fast
the new French language requirements will be met. It all depends
on how many qualified teachers are available to teach. "We
can't force a teacher to teach in French, no more than we can
ask a math teacher to teach English," says Bulow.
"Our primary concern is job security. No teachers in tenured
positions will be impacted," Pearson Teachers Union (PTU)
head John Donnelly told the Hudson/St. Lazare Gazette. "It
says nothing for those hired on contract.
"Even in absence of permanency, English instructors hired
on contract were at least assured there [would] be demand for
English teachers prior to the MSC resolution," he added.
" Opportunity for teachers not qualified to teach in French
is rapidly diminishing."
The PTU is currently in preliminary talks with the LBPSB to develop
French competency tests that will determine if a teacher is qualified
to teach in French.
"If a teacher presently teaching in English says he/she
can handle teaching a French class, then we'll have to decide
if a competency test is needed," says Donnelly, adding the
decisions will be made on a case by case basis. Teachers educated
in French will likely not be required to take the test.
"We are working with the PTU to institute a French language
competency certification program," says LBPSB chairman Marcus
Tabachnick. Although there's no set timetable, he confirmed the
LBPSB is stepping up recruiting from French universities. Other
initiatives to increase both the quality and quantity of French
include establishing guiding principles for the teaching of French
as a second language, and professional development activities
for teachers.
Currently there is no French Immersion model at the secondary
level. In addition to the English program, each school has its
own form of Enriched and/or Immersion program in place. The amount
of French a student might be exposed to largely depends on the
school of choice. The new MSC ruling will ensure students will
receive at minimum 50 percent of instruction in French across
the board.
The only two courses exempt from the new language requirements
are math and English. Everything else is open for discussion
and each school is to look at instituting the 50 percent minimum
through a combination of offerings including ethics, science,
history, geography, drama, gym, and art.
"We may decide to split the curriculum of one course into
half-French, half-English," Bulow says. "We may decide
to give students options by offering [blocks of] French and English
classes per subject and cap the English classes." Plans
will have to meet school council and governing board approval
before implementation.
His one big concern is that too much focus will be on language,
rather than on the subject being taught. "I'm concerned
about the kids who have a tough time with language as it is,"
Bulow adds. "How will the introduction of more French affect
them?"
Donnelly believes the changes will be slow-moving, with the 2011
deadline giving everyone plenty of time to adjust. His priority
right now is mergers and closures on the West Island. "We
are in the midst of school visits to inform teachers of process
and rights."
Legion News
Talk about great music. A small but appreciative crowd was
on hand last Friday to be entertained by Hudson's finest musicians.
There's nothing else to say except thanks to all of the musicians
on hand. They ranged in age from mid-30s to 92. Dennis Connolly
at 92, never took a break from his drum playing. Cheers Dennis.
This all followed dinner prepared by Joan, Marge and Sharon who
has graciously joined the team. The next dinner is chicken which
will be served on the Feb. 12. RSVP 450-458-4882.
Jim Markham came up with the idea of having a stick only spiel
and this event will be played over the next two Mondays winding
up with a pot luck lunch. Jim has been very creative with new
events. He has done a remarkable job as liaison of the Hardy
Rocks.
It is nice to see Mike Sheppard back on the ice after a few weeks
off. His magical laughter is a welcome sound at the club.
The winter carnival cash spiel is on this Saturday. Sign up sheets
are up the the Legion hall. Anyone is welcome to play in this
carnival event.
A belated Happy Birthday to Barbie who celebrated her ?0th last
Thursday.
Lest We Forget
Water intake impact study presented
Hudson fire prevention officer Antoine Hêtu
with fire-prevention calendar: Educate yourself.
This Saturday afternoon, bring your five iron down to the
Chunky Skunky Ice Golf Club in the bay opposite Quarry Point
to raise money for Haitian disaster relief. Organized by Erin
Metcalfe and Grahame Dorcas, the tournament takes place from
noon until 4 p.m., or until everyone plays through.
The six-hole course set up by Derek Halbert, John Coutts and
Al Rothdram is maintained by a pool of volunteers.
"The Quarry Point Open will be in fine form with glistening
greens and frosted fairways," says Metcalfe. "To use
the course, we will ask for a donation whatever they can
afford to give we hope people will be generous. All the
money we raise will go to the Red Cross."
If you're not into golf, there's ice fishing as well as hot dogs,
soft drinks, hot chocolate, and other refreshments, and raffle
tickets for some great prizes.
"It was something I thought up Friday after watching footage
of these poor innocent children suffering while my two girls
were happily playing," says Metcalfe. "Grahame and
I talked about it Friday night, and Saturday he went to play
ice golf, and as soon as he said others were keen I set up the
Facebook page."
Local stores and other Hudsonites have been graciously donating
soft drinks and food to be sold the day of. People are bringing
out their barbecues and tents, while others promise to bring
their wallets. If you are interested in helping out in any way,
contact Erin Metcalfe at metcalfe.erin@gmail.com. If you can't
make it on Saturday, then please donate online. Donations can
be made at www.redcross.ca/helpnow.
Honda Ile Perrot thanks firefighters
VAUDREUIL-DORION - With a growing population that has
just topped 30,000, Vaudreuil-Dorion's water filtration plant
is being taxed to the max.
That's why the town is proposing to instal an additional water
intake pipe from Vaudreuil Bay to the filtration plant on the
Cité des Jeunes campus.
Before work can officially begin, Quebec's environmental protection
laws require the municipality to inform citizens of the work
required and the possible impact on the environment.
Engineers will present a study of the environmental impact of
the proposed intake tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 4 at the Opti-Centre
on Harwood Blvd, beginning at 7 p.m.
"We will submit to the people the main challenges of the
project and the measures that will be taken," said mayor
Guy Pilon. "This new intake is essential to our city's development.
Since this work will be done on both land and the river bottom,
an environmental assessment is necessary."
In the past few years, Vaudreuil-Dorion has expanded the water
filtration plant and built a larger reservoir. This latest project
would increase the maximum water intake and increase the amount
of water available to meet the future needs of the city. - SW
Ease access to English schools
LBPSB parents launch Bill 104 petition
by Nathalie Blais
The Lester B. Pearson School Board Central Parents' Committee
(CPC) is urging parents to sign an online petition pressuring
the Charest government to ease access to English public schools
in the wake of last October's Supreme Court ruling striking down
Bill 104.
The court ruled that Quebec's restrictions on English public
schooling violated both the provincial and federal charters and
gave Quebec a year to redraft the law to make it constitutionally
compliant.
"The petition has been forwarded to all governing boards
who in turn will hopefully send it out to all parents in the
English school board," Lori Derry, Vice Chair of the CPC,
told the Hudson/St. Lazare Gazette last week.
"We are just waiting to get feedback from the governing
boards before we start actively getting the word out," she
added.
Bill 104, a seven-year-old law passed by the previous Parti Québécois
government, closed a loophole whereby children ordinarily not
eligible for English public schooling would gain access by enrolling
in a non-subsidized private English school for one year.
The CPC fears the redrafted law will not favour giving the choice
to immigrants and francophone families who do not currently qualify
for the certificate of eligibility.
"We started the petition just last week," says Derry.
"We want as many francophone and immigrant families as possible
who are directly affected to sign the petition."
The petition comes at a time when the LBPSB is closing or merging
West Island schools. The board has lost 2,300 students since
2005, mainly to private schools.
The petition will be sent out to MNAs in the LBPSB district,
to the Minister of Education and to the Premier of Quebec.
To access the petition, go to www.ipetitions.com/petition/lbpsb.

Thieves profit from inaction, carelessness
Residential break-ins and thefts from unlocked vehicles continue
to top the list of crimes committed in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges
MRC - and the problem has become serious enough to come to the
attention of regional and municipal councils.
Monday's Hudson council meeting heard of a letter from the Vaudreuil-Soulanges
MRC urging the region's municipalities to warn their citizenry
to lock their vehicles, even in their own driveways. Again last
week, thieves found easy pickings in a vehicle left unlocked,
stealing various articles and small change.
One St. Lazare resident got a quick lesson in the dangers of
leaving his car idling with the keys in the ignition and the
doors unlocked when a joyrider hopped into the 2001 BMW 325i
and drove off with the car.
Hudson council is urging the SQ to publicize crime waves following
a series of residential break-ins committed by thieves who park
their getaway vehicles on one street, then burgle a house the
next street over. If you see a suspicious vehicle parked on your
street or in a driveway, call 911.
Burglars also broke into seven trailers in a Vaudreuil-Dorion
campground, stealing televisions and various other articles of
value.

Obituary

André Major
Passed away Jan. 31, 2010, after a short battle with cancer.
Loving husband of Linda Mackinnon and father of Christina, Julie,
Patrick and grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at
St. Thomas d'Aquinas, Hudson on Sat. Feb. 6 at 11 a.m. Condolences
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to
the Canadian Cancer Society in his name.
That
was Then
Town of Hudson firefighters in front of Allan Cottage,
circa 1960. The town bought Allan Cottage in 1957 for $15,000
and is only just getting around to moving it to a new lot 150
feet to the west. The move will make room for an expansion of
public works and the fire department as well as provide town
offices and a conference room.
(Hudson Gazette archives)
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