Your Local Journal - December 15th, 2016

Thursday, December 15, 2016

VOL. 14 NO. 46

PHOTO BY CARMEN MARIE FABIO

A long way home

Inside

Kizito Musabimana stepped foot on Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Saturday, December 10, over two weeks after leaving his home in Toronto on an odyssey to raise awareness for sufferers of PTSD from the 1994 Rwandan genocide. See story on page 15.

“Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.” – Matsuo Basho

HOLIDAY HOURS

DE NOS CENTRES DE SERVICES December 24

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.*

December 25 to 27

CLOSED

December 28 to 30

REGULAR HOURS

December 31

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.*

January 1 to 3

CLOSED

January 4

REGULAR HOURS

Hudon’s Falcon Golf Course on the market

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Rigaud receives unique gift

5

Ericsson welcomed to Vaudreuil-Dorion

7

Pincourt raises truck traffic concerns

DAY-TO-DAY BANKING ANY TIME desjardins.com m.desjardins.com ATMS 1-800-CAISSES

Caisse de Vaudreuil-Soulanges

* Only the service centres at L’Île-Perrot, Coteau-du-Lac, Harwood and De la Gare (Vaudreuil-Dorion) will be open on December 24 and 31, 2016.

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PHOTO COURTESY OFFICE OF SOULANGES MNA LUCIE CHARLEBOIS

(Left to right): Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC Prefect and Très-St-Rédempteur Mayor Jean Lalonde; Commission scolaire des Trois-Lacs Director General Sophie Proulx; Soulanges MNA and Minister responsible for the Montérégie region, Lucie Charlebois; St. Lazare Mayor Robert Grimaudo, and l’école des Étriers principal Sébastien Bédard.

St. Lazare welcomes another school Since the beginning of the school year, more than 500 children have been able to attend the new école des Étriers in St. Lazare, inaugurated Tuesday, December 13, in the presence of the Minister responsible for the Montérégie region and MP for Soulanges, Lucie Charlebois.

“A school is the heart of a community, and also a place where one learns and thrives on personal and social levels. By making it possible to build this school, the government shows that it cares about the wellbeing of children and families as more and more of them settle in this city. This new modern, spacious, and very bright establishment will allow young people to live in a healthy, safe, and above all, very at-

HANDS-ON HELP FROM THÉRÈSE Baroni

CHEERFUL VOLUNTEER

tractive place,” said Charlebois.

This new building can accommodate a little more than 500 pupils, with its 21 classes, including three for preschool and 18 at the primary level. This project of a little more than $11 million from the Commission scolaire des Trois-Lacs was made thanks to government support of $10.2 million provided for in the Quebec Infrastructure Plan 2013-2023.

“Thanks to this new school, St. Lazare now has the space and the best conditions for children to have an enriching learning experience in an environment that is attractive and adapted to their learning. I am delighted for all families in the sector,” said Education Minister Sébastien Proulx.

IS C I N I L C U A E S É YOUR OPTO-R

G N I V MO

THE OPTO-RÉSEAU HUDSON CLINIC IS MERGING ITS OPERATIONS WITH THE BRAND-NEW OPTO-RÉSEAU ST-LAZARE CLINIC. In order to offer you longer hours of operations, an even more diverse choice of frames and better service, the members of our team will welcome you in our new space starting January 3, 2017.

Dr. Mélanie Beaulieu Dr Optometrist O Op

Dr. Yves Provost Optometrist

Isabelle Lalanne

Your file will be transferred to ensure that your vision and eye health are taken care of.

Optician

It will also be possible to have your file transferred to Île-Perrot, VaudreuilDorion or Rigaud’s Opto-Réseau clinics.

Cooperating in building the future

You can find our contact information at opto-reseau.com

Stephanie Woodger Certified assistant

Active volunteer for Vaudreuil-Soulanges Meals on Wheels at Soulanges Senior Centre, Saint-Polycarpe.

caissevaudreuilsoulanges.com 2

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 15, 2016

1767, ch. Ste-Angélique St-Lazare

450.455.8713

Dr. MÉLANIE BEAULIEU Dr. YVES PROVOST Dr. CATHERINE PELLERIN Dr. SYLVAIN TREMBLAY

Optometrists

PHOTO BY JAMES PARRY

Photographed in Hudson yesterday (December 14), Falcon Golf Club, designed by internationally-renowned golf course architects Graham Cooke & Associates, is up for sale while 2017 will be business as usual.

Falcon Golf Club up for sale at almost $16 million But business as usual at least throughout 2017, says spokesperson

James Parry and Carmen Marie Fabio Your Local Journal

Over 7 million square feet of land in Hudson for sale. An incredible opportunity for developers/investors. The price, $15,995,000 plus taxes.

So read the ad that appeared in The Montreal Gazette this past Saturday, December 10, placed by realtors Richard Beaumier and Pierre Larin of Profusion Reality Inc. in Westmount.

Your Local Journal has learned that the land in question is the 18hole Falcon Golf Club, a public course designed by top-ranked golf course architects Graham Cooke & Associates that opened in 2001 and which, since 2008 and according to the club’s website, has been owned by Hudson entrepreneur, Lou Lapointe, who has made a successful career of turning businesses into thriving and successful enterprises.

While Lapointe was unavailable for comment this week, YLJ has learned that while Falcon is in fact on the market, it will be business as usual from April throughout 2017 as is clearly specified in the contract with the real-

tors.

Said a spokesperson for the club, who asked to remain anonymous, “It is no secret that many golf courses throughout Canada and the United States are facing difficulties right now for many reasons. And for the past few years, there have been rumours that the Falcon was up for sale or had been sold.

“Nothing could be further from the truth. Mr. Lapointe has never officially put it up for sale and he is not aggressively doing so now. He is just exploring ideas and options and redevelopment of the land, or part of it, is one of those ideas.”

The spokesperson stressed, however, that the club will continue operating as is at least through 2017.

Though the ad says the land is “… an incredible opportunity for developers” Hudson Mayor Ed Prévost said the land is currently zoned as ‘recreational.’

“We’re not aware of any request for a zoning change but if there was to be some kind of a project to build houses around the golf course, it would require a zoning change,” said Prévost.

“Any development project would be

subject to certain hurdles.”

There are currently housing developments in the area and Prévost said another zoning change was recently requested by developer Daniel Rodrique for the Mayfair project with 4.7 housing units per hectare, including single-family homes and attached housing.

Prévost said the entire area including the Falcon Golf Course, Hudson’s Valleys, and Alstonvale housing development were originally zoned ‘green’ for agricultural use.

“Exceptions were made way back when and that’s how we have a golf course and the various housing developments.”

Thursday, December 15, 2016

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

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Photo of the week

EDITOR’S CORNER

No news is bad news The mandate of a weekly community newspaper is to bring residents up to date on what’s going on in the neighbourhoods they live in, with the leaders they elect, their vibrant arts and culture scene, and how their tax dollars are spent.

The platform extends beyond paper to include internet and social media as an extension to the readers, bringing breaking news stories whenever possible.

The news of a double homicide that occurred in our region December 1 was followed and updated as developments and details became available.

And of course a story of this magnitude warranted continued updates via electronic platforms.

A message we posted to a local Facebook group after suspects were named and arrested received criticism, indicating that we should show respect to the suspects’ families.

And while it’s indeed a tragedy that’s befallen both the victims and the suspects – as well as their extended families – it’s also our job to get the facts from the authorities and present them in an objective manner.

News that happens anywhere has a ripple-effect on the respective community. By not reporting it simply by virtue of it taking place in our own backyards and that it might be difficult for the suspects’ families would be a dereliction of our duty.

AWARD WINNING

PUBLISHER EMERITUS: PUBLISHER: EDITOR: JOURNALIST: COLUMNIST: OFFICE MANAGER: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: GRAPHIC DESIGNER: SALES COORDINATOR: ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS: CONTRIBUTORS:

JOSEPH BISSONNETTE MONIQUE BISSONNETTE CARMEN MARIE FABIO JOHN JANTAK JAMES PARRY JAMES ARMSTRONG NIKKI GIRARD RODNEY LORICA SABREENA MOHAMED KAREN SIMMONS TARA FITZGERALD ABBIE BENNETT JAMES ARMSTRONG JULES-PIERRE MALARTRE STEPHANIE O’HANLEY

PHOTO BY C.J. MAXWELL

Frequent contributor C.J. Maxwell caught this cheeky little guy (or gal) staring down into the sunroof of her car in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot. Do you have a photo taken in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region you’d like to submit as a Photo of the Week? Send it to editor@yourlocaljournal.ca. Due to the popularity of this feature, we’ve had many submissions and will feature them all on our website at www.yourlocaljournal.ca/ photo-of-the-week.

Dear Editor: editor@yourlocaljournal.ca Letter of thanks Dear Editor, It’s been a busy two weekends. The 2016 Lighting of the Lights Festival, Santa Claus Parade, and Breakfast with Santa are all in the history books and once again a deep debt of gratitude is owed to all the volunteers who played a critical role in the success of these events. To Jane Blais and the St. Thomas Choir, James Armstrong, and Frank Royle, thank you for an enchanting evening of caroling. To Kate who served up hot chocolate and candles, to Terri and Jodi for the bagpipes, and to the eight community organizations; Hudson Fine Crafts, Village Quilters, Palliative Care, As Kneaded, Cavagnal Scouts, Hudson Village Theatre, Hudson Film Society and Hudson Chamber Music Series, who decorated the ‘Community Woods,’ thank you.

To all those who volunteered their time and resources to decorate their floats and participate in the Santa Claus Parade, as well as to Elizabeth, Kiara, Jordan and Olivia, who helped out at the Post-Parade Party, thank you.

To the Rotary Club volunteers; Anita, David, Gilles, and Louis-Philippe who cooked, cleaned, ran around, and still had fun during Breakfast with Santa – what a treasure you are – thank you.

To our lovely elves, Olivia and Bella, and volunteers extraordinaire Molly and Sylvia and our red-carpet donation fairy, thank you.

To Steve Dubinsky and the Westwood Senior Band – thank you for entertaining us for a full hour. You were all fantastic.

A very special thank you to Santa, who gave us so much of his time both on Parade day and at the Breakfast. You are a kind and generous soul.

And lastly, to the Parks and Recreation staff who always get it done.

Thank you!

Laura McCaffrey Tourism, Culture & Communications Coordinator Town of Hudson

3100 Route Harwood, Suite 201, Vaudreuil-Dorion (QC) J7V 8P2 Tel: (450) 510-4007 • Fax: (450) 455-9769 email: admin@yourlocaljournal.ca / editor@yourlocaljournal.ca www.yourlocaljournal.ca

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YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Ethical dilemma Dear Editor, This was the gist of my message, as I said it (in

point form) at the Public Question Period of the Lester B. Pearson School Board Executive Committee Meeting held December 12, 2016.

I said: - Pearson chairperson says unkind things about board employees, administrators, and principals.

- They file charges with ethics commissioner claiming “abuse of power.”

- Ethics commissioner rules three times chairperson breached Code of Ethics.

- Chair uses taxpayers’ money to hire lawyer(s) to bully commissioners to remain silent regarding specifics of ethics scandal.

- Commissioners, who were voted in by hundreds of electors, vote unanimously to “move on” by supporting ethics violator: Pearson board chair.

- This is a warped democracy.

Commissioners were reminded that, contrary to Chair Suanne Stein Day’s assertions, commissioners have the right “to freedom of speech inherent in a commissioner’s function” (Quebec Education Act, Article 175.1).

Chris Eustace Pierrefonds Oil issues Dear Editor, No doubt June Kendall is still complimenting herself on her last daring protest (Your Local Journal, December 8, page 1). Protesting can be a useful tool when it makes sense. This time it is a waste of time! Canada has an export based economy, a big part of which is the export of energy! For some reason it’s in style for some to hurt Canada’s economy anyway possible! When I first discovered that for Canada’s Energy producers to be able to sell their products on the World Market, they had to sell at a discount because of a lack of infrastructure enabling them to get their products to market I was beside myself! Where else does this happen? Nowhere!

Continued on page 6

Rigaud gifted writer’s historic house James Armstrong Your Local Journal

The small house that was once the home of Québec writer and historian, Robert-Lionel Séguin, has been given to the Town of Rigaud by Madame Séguin Servant with the stipulation that the building must be moved from its current location. To that end, $50,000 was budgeted for 2017 for that project as announced at a special town council meeting held Monday, December 13.

“There may be room for it near the library,” said Mayor Hans Gruenwald Jr. when asked where the new location will be.

Born in Rigaud in 1920, RobertLionel Séguin devoted his life to the study of Québec history, in particular les habitants of the 17th and 18th centuries. Séguin died in 1982 leaving an immense collection of artifacts currently preserved at the Musée Québécois de Culture Populaire in Trois Rivières, Québec. Moving the building is scheduled for some time in 2017.

Rigaud Train Station Money was set aside in the budget for upkeep of the former Rigaud train station.

Shuttered for many years, it belongs to the town although the property where it is located does not.

“It has historic value and we need

PHOTO BY JAMES ARMSTRONG

The Town of Rigaud was recently gifted the small house that belonged to Québec writer and historian Robert-Lionel Séguin.

to find out the cost of repairing it and at the same time develop a mission for the building,” said the mayor. He suggested it could be used for various purposes including as a depot for a community garden or a resource centre for cyclists. Council authorized a

call for offers for repairs to the building. Council also accepted an offer to purchase two lots in Parc Industriel de la Coopérative by 100038080 Canada Inc. for $132,083.

2017 Rigaud Budget The 2017 budget forecasts a taxa-

tion rate of $0.721 per $100 of evaluation for residential property. That’s up $0.135 from the 2016 rate. The nonresidential 2017 rate is $1.2635 per $100 of evaluation.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Continued on page 8

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

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THE SOAPBOX CARMEN MARIE FABIO

Suck it up PHOTO COURTESY WESTWOOD SENIOR IDP

The installation of a central vacuum system during our last major renovation seemed like a great idea. Not having to lug a vacuum cleaner up and down the stairs worked for me and the fact that the giant canister of detritus, hidden away in the basement, only needed emptying every few months was a major selling point. Once or twice a year, my husband would fish out the Lego bricks, marbles, and loose change (and once a gym sock) that had made their way through the 15 feet or so of hose.

This was a far step up from the Eaton’s Viking brand metallic green canister vacuum I carted around from apartment to apartment for years as it was just too stubborn to die. It didn’t work exceptionally well but not bad enough to chuck it out. It didn’t store properly in any closet and I once broke my middle toe trying to jump over it.

This was replaced by a Sears Kenmore brand two-tone powder and midnight blue beast inherited from a family member who moved out of the country. It was my first vacuum that had an automatic retractable electric cord that sucked it up at lightning speed, turning the plug into a veritable weapon as it whipped and snaked its way back into the electric mothership.

The power-mate attachment with three level settings for different depths of carpeting (hey, it was a product of the 1970s) died when it sucked up the corner of a throw rug and tried to digest it.

Neither of these appliances could hold a candle to the beige and brick-red Electrolux of my youth that didn’t contain a single plastic component. The only near brush with death was when, as a kid, I thought it would be a good idea to vacuum up a glass of milk that had spilt onto the living-room carpet. That’s my near death experience, not the vacuum’s.

Central vac is a step on the evolutionary housework scale and when my son noticed recently that the machine was not picking up the dust bunnies and pine needles as well as it used to, he asked his dad to have a look.

Now nearing almost 10 years of age, I feared the worst and pessimistically invoking the Murphy’s Law train of thought, I figured a hefty repair bill would be in store right before Christmas.

Upon arriving home this week, hubby seemingly out of the blue instructed me to ask my son about a photo on his cell phone.

“What is it?” he challenged as I stared at the image that defied accurate description.

“Ambergris?” was my best guess.

“Nope.”

“Dryer lint?”

“Getting warmer.”

“Dog hair?”

“Oh, there’s dog hair in it, that’s for sure.”

I then realized what I was staring at was almost a year’s worth of compacted Doberman/German Shepherd and Jack Russell shedding punctuated with bits of chewed up tennis balls that vomited its way out of the central vac canister like Mentos dropped into a bottle of Diet Coke.

My husband said the amount of dog hair, once transferred into a garbage bag, weighed more than one of our dogs.

“Did you go through it for Leg-” “NO!” If there’s something good to be said for the traditional, albeit ugly, alien-looking geometric shapes on wheels that get dragged out of closets weekly to suck up life’s dregs, it’s that their very presence under our feet makes them impossible to ignore.

Students Evan Buddle and Mathieu St-Hilaire lend a hand at the November 26-27 annual Craft Fair in Hudson to help raise money for the IDP students’ upcoming trip to Honduras.

Letters

Continued from page 4 Are Canadians so stupid that they want to shoot themselves in the foot on behalf of people like June and her ideas on what should be? Energy producing companies are aware that leaky pipelines, etc. are not money makers.

That should send a signal to people like June. Pipelines have been crisscrossing Quebec and most of Canada safely since the Second World War! Just because June and Greenpeace think this is an outrage doesn’t make it so! Greenpeace is a for-profit corporation a business somewhat like others, but provides no useful products or services to the public, other than selfpromotion!

Enough of this stupidity, let’s get on with it and build a prosperous Canada for all!

I don’t want a cross burnt on my front lawn, please withhold my name.

International Development Project one step closer to reality Dear Editor, Last November 26 and 27, the annual Craft Fair was hosted at the Hudson Community Centre bringing the IDP students one step closer to helping the people of Honduras develop their community. Various artisans gathered with their creations in hopes for Christmas holiday sales. This event, organized by Susan Donnelly and supported by a group of Westwood Senior students, helps to raise funds for the International Development Project.

This project consists of a group of 12 Secondary V students volunteering in the small rural community of Planes de Ikake in northern Honduras. These

students will live with a local family, learn how to communicate when language is a barrier, work alongside the local people on a practical construction project, and adapt to simpler living conditions. The goal is for the students to be immersed in the local culture while volunteering their time.

The students became involved with IDP to learn about developing nations and enrich their experience by providing support and some basic necessities to the village.

As the project is approaching, the students have been taking on many fundraisers, this being one of their last and most successful to date. The students would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Susan Donnelly for organizing this event once again; and sincerely thank all the sponsors who contributed such wonderful gifts that were offered in the fundraising raffle.

Without their support, our students would have had a much more difficult time finding the necessary funds to carry out this inspiring and important project.

Our 2016 raffle donors were: Ace Matériaux, AIMIA (Aeroplan miles), David’s Tea, Centre Decor, Nicole Pomothy, Le Look Coiffure, Village Hairstyle, Sauvé’s, Penny Petz, Vivery Restaurant, Mon Village, Clarence & Cripps, Piscine & Spa Hudson, PC Grocery Store, Boston Pizza, McKibbons Pub, Ski Mont Rigaud, Global Pet Store, Tim Horton’s, Hom Yoga Centre, 30 Minute Hit Fitness, Brunet Pharmacy, Chez Maurice, Tutti Gourmet and Mlle Clifford English Tea & Flower Emporium. We would also like to acknowledge and express our sincere appreciation for the donations from the parents and friends of the IDP students as well as the donations from local artisans present at the Craft Fair.

Thank you to all for contributing to changing the lives of many people in Planes de Ikake, Honduras, as well as the lives of 12 local high school students.

Olivia Dumas Westwood Senior IDP member

BUON NATALE! Merci à tous mes clients et Meilleurs Voeux pour la Nouvelle Année!

Thank-you to all of my customers Best Wishes for the New Year!

Arnaldo Vincenzi

Tailor

450 458-4858

80 Cameron, Hudson

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YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Ericsson inaugurates new ICT facility in Vaudreuil-Dorion John Jantak Your Local Journal

Vaudreuil-Dorion Mayor Guy Pilon took centre stage and cut the red ceremonial ribbon that officially inaugurated the opening of Ericsson’s newest global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre during a ceremony at the facility last Thursday, December 8.

His Excellency Per Sjögren, the Swedish Ambassador to Canada; Peter Schiefke, Member of Parliament (MP) for Vaudreuil-Soulanges and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Youth); along with several Ericsson executives and employees also attended the proceedings.

For Pilon, the arrival of Ericsson and its commitment to build in VaudreuilDorion shows that the city is open to major corporate investments and hopes that Ericsson’s lead will entice other high-technology companies to consider building new facilities within the city’s expanding industrial park.

“I’m very happy,” Pilon told Your Local Journal. “It’s the conclusion of something special and the fact that Ericsson is here in Vaudreuil-Dorion with such a quality building is fantastic. Every mayor around the world dreams of accomplishing something like this.

“It has been very easy to work with Ericsson. They are professional and they did everything they were supposed to do. We’ll be looking forward to doing more business with them, that’s for sure,” added Pilon.

Mark Henderson, Ericsson Canada President and CEO, said the company scouted numerous sites worldwide to find a suitable location for its third global ICT centre before VaudreuilDorion was chosen as the best option.

“This facility is truly a milestone for Ericsson Canada,” said Henderson.

“After an exhaustive search of over 30 candidate sites as to where we would construct the ICT centre – the other

two sites are in Sweden – this location in Vaudreuil-Dorion was chosen.”

Henderson thanked the city, the developer Divco, the Government of Québec, Hydro-Québec and Ericsson personnel for their roles in the project. “You can imagine when you walk through the tech space how important it is to have efficient and economical power in a facility like this. We have a great partnership with Hydro-Québec and always have the support of the Government of Québec,” said Henderson.

Ericsson has been in Canada for 63 years, employs over 3,500 personnel, and has become consistently one of the top 10 research companies in the country over the years. “When it comes to investment by a foreign multi-national in Canada, Ericsson is the third largest having invested over $5 billion in innovation over the past 10 years,” said Henderson.

Pilon practiced his language skills when he warmly welcomed Ambassador Sjögren to Vaudreuil-Dorion in Swedish. Sjögren praised the solid relationship between Sweden and Canada, noting that the Prime Ministers of both nations met in Montreal in September and there was dialogue between the respective Ministers of Trade, Industry and Infrastructure.

“Relations between Sweden and Canada are historically excellent,” said Sjögren. “In all areas we have a close political dialogue and cooperation between our governments and I see growing trade and economic links.

There are more than over 100 Swedish RESTAURANT  BAKERY December 24 Christmas Eve Party $21.95 p.p.

December 31 New Year’s Eve Party $39.95 p.p.

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PHOTO BY JOHN JANTAK

Vaudreuil-Dorion Mayor Guy Pilon addresses attendees at the offi cial inauguration of Ericsson’s newest global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Vaudreuil-Dorion last Thursday, December 8.

companies in Canada employing approximately 35,000 Canadians and the level in investment in Canada is over $3 billion a year.”

Sjögren also anticipates there will be more trade between both countries after the European Union (EU) recently ratified the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) that will

remove restrictive trade barriers between Canada and the EU. The Vaudreuil-Dorion Ericsson ICT centre, which covers 20,000 square metres, is the third ICT centre to be inaugurated and follows the opening of Global ICT centres in Linköping, Sweden in September 2014, and Rosersberg, Sweden in January 2016.

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MARANDA WRITES VINCENT MARANDA

Returning goods purchased after Christmas Q. Are stores required to have in place refund or exchange policies after Christmas, and are consumers protected?

A. Retail stores set their own refund policies.

Some stores don’t allow refunds or exchanges.

For others, it depends on the items you purchase.

Don’t look for a particular section of law that deals with this subject. There is nothing about brick and mortar stores having to refund shoppers in the Consumer Protection Act. No law forces these retailers to refund or exchange goods purchased.

You enter into a commercial contract when you purchase from a retailer, by pressing ‘ok’ as witnessed by the Interac machine. When you do that a successful closing has just occurred. Why would lawmakers interfere with this valid commercial contract?

It’s different if the store, at its discretion, indicates by a sign on a wall, on the back of a receipt or just having in place a return policy, that goods can be returned. Then that wording becomes a part of your contract.

There are reasons explaining why some storeowners are reluctant in adopting a refund policy. Fraud on returns includes a wide range of con-jobs, like customers stealing products and attempting to return them. Think of clients who buy goods with the intention of using them once, say a stereo system for a cottage party, only to return them back for cash.

When storeowners accept refunds, that concerned look on their face may result from apprehending such potential scams, while they carefully check, ask questions airport-security style, on why the goods are being returned, name, address, and everything else.

It’s also costly for the merchant and ultimately the consumer. Such items are often not resold, meaning stores take a loss. This increases cost and leads to higher prices for consumers.

However consumers do have legal rights in some circumstances and justifiably so.

If you purchased a defective product, the merchant who sold it has obligations, regardless of any refund policy. The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) stipulates that goods must withstand normal use for a reasonable length of time. The merchant must then either repair the product, exchange it, or provide a refund Should your vendor not comply with taking back defective goods, those less inclined to go to court may explore another way of administering as much justice as one desires, by writing to the Office de la protection du consommateur. This is interesting because the number of letters that are received by them along with the reasons are open to public viewing at the following website: www.opc.gouv.qc.ca/en/information-merchant/ Any sorry company you enter the name of, if being publicly whipped, will appear on the screen for your viewing pleasure or displeasure.

Some of the confusion on returns may come from the fact that certain contracts may be cancelled under certain conditions under the CPA. For example, you may cancel a purchase made by phone, internet, or by mail without charge and within a short period of time if the merchant breaches certain commitments, such as not respecting delivery deadlines or providing a contract with mandatory information.

Contracts for goods sold by itinerant merchants are another category of contracts cancellable within 10 days. This may be because of itinerant merchants who put undue pressure on consumers when they invade a house with an endless checklist of positive things to say about a product. Or from the back of a truck or on the street.

Bottom line: brick and mortar stores have no obligation to accept returned goods unless they agree to it at the time of the sale. Just like with any other commercial contract this is negotiable.

Please send your legal questions to editor@yourlocaljournal.ca.

Website of law office: vmaranda.com 8

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Rigaud

Continued from page 5 “There is an increase because of the work we have to do on the sewage treatment plant,” said Mayor Hans Gruenwald Jr. in an interview on late Wednesday afternoon.

Rates for recycling and garbage collection have gone down for 2017.

The base residential rate is $112.25 per residence with a savings of $3.31 over the previous year. Nonresidential rates are set at $142.13 per unit down from the 2016 rate by $20.43. Recycling pickup rates for both residential and commercial is $47.82 per residence or unit as opposed to $52.52 for 2016. The reduction in rates are due to a new arrangement with a not-for-profit recycling company in Lachute.

“This is something that was organized with the Municipalité Régionale de Comté Vaudreuil-Soulanges (MRC-VS) for all the county,” said Councillor Édith de Haerne in an interview on Wednesday.

The tariffs for mandatory septic system cleaning, however, have seen an increase for the coming year. Costs depend upon the type

of system installation such as a Bionest or Premier Tech ultra-violet system.

Overall municipal income from all sources including property tax is pegged at $13,183,063 for 2017, an increase of $603,827 from the previous year. The three-year capital expenditure plan earmarks $220,000 for drilling new potable-water wells and $57,520 for updating pumping stations.

Investment in infrastructure for Parc Industriel du Docteur-OscarGendron is set at $1,500,000 for 2017 with an additional $1 million in 2018 and 2019. Streets and sidewalks are budgeted for repair over the next three years and Édifice Paul-Brasseur will be renovated for $52,220. Complete details of the budget will be published in a special edition of the municipal bulletin in the near future.

In other business, a minor derogation request to enlarge a garage located at 104 rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste Est was granted by council in spite of the recommendation by the Comité Consultatif d’Urbanisme (CCU) that it be rejected. Councillor Yannick Sauvé called for an individual vote on accepting the request and it was passed.

Our Focus...Your News

Property taxes increase 0.5 per cent for Vaudreuil-Dorion homeowners John Jantak

the people in my territory are happy with the result because we know we can continue to do good things for the citizens. With the money we’ve invested in everything, we just want to make sure even though people are paying tax, they are getting something back for their money,” said Pilon.

“I think they get a lot for their money and they deserve it,” he added.

“They decided to come here to Vaudreuil-Dorion. We decided to develop our industrial and commercial sectors and now we’re seeing a lot of positive results.”

Pilon said that while the city rigorously controls its spending, it will continue with initiatives that contribute to improving the quality of life for its citizens, including expanding and interconnecting its network of bike paths on Boulevard de la Cité des Jeunes and St. Charles Avenue as part of its 201718-19 triennial capital expenditure program.

Two bicycle and pedestrian bridges across the Quinchien River are also in the works for 2017 – one on White Street and a second that will connect Rue Émile-Bouchard link Rue des Nénuphars – as part of the city’s bike path initiative.

The city also plans to expand its environmental footprint and provide residents with easier internet access to information on its website.

“We will continue to invest in tree planting and next year, we will begin establishing community gardens in some areas of the city. And at the beginning of the year, we will unveil our new website which will be much more current and user-friendly,” said Pilon.

The complete budget and triennial

Your Local Journal

Residential property taxes in Vaudreuil-Dorion will increase an average of 0.5 per cent next year it was announced during a presentation of the city’s 2017 municipal budget that was adopted at a special council meeting on Monday, December 12.

For homeowners, the 0.5 per cent increase represents an average hike of $9 for a house evaluated at $309,000, said Marco Pilon, the city’s Treasurer and Director of Finances who presented the budget to about 25 residents in the council chamber.

The city also reduced by $2 the amount of money taxpayers will contribute to city’s water filtration and sewage treatment plants which reduces the overall tax increase to $7 for 2017.

“I’m very proud and happy about it,” Pilon told Your Local Journal. “Each year it’s a bit nerve-wracking when we present the numbers. It’s a bit like waiting for the results from an exam.

“We have a taxation rate of 0.5 per cent, but if you reduce that by $2 for the filtration plant, the actual increase is between 0.31 and 0.36 per cent. We’re using less of our surplus to achieve our goals. The fact is that we see good results from our planning,” Pilon added.

The residential property tax mill rate, the amount of municipal tax charged for each $100 of valuation, was also decreased to $0.60 in 2017 from $0.61131 cents in 2016. The city’s overall operating budget for 2017 is pegged at just over $72 million, about $3.3 million more than in 2016.

“I’m very proud of my city and my city council is very proud and I’m sure

PHOTO BY JOHN JANTAK

Marco Pilon, Vaudreuil-Dorion Treasurer and Director of Finances, presents the city 2017 budget at a special council session on December 12 that will see residential property taxes rise 0.5 per cent.

plan are available on the VaudreuilDorion website at http://www.ville.

vaudreuil-dorion.qc.ca/la-ville/budgets-et-rapports-financiers.html.

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PARRYWINKLE JAMES PARRY Sheesh, to think that as of today, Thursday, December 15, Christmas Eve is just nine days away. Where has this past year PHOTO BY gone?

Seems MAURICE JEFFERIES like only yesterday that we were taking our tree down in the house and here we are already putting it up again.

Bringing up from the basement boxes full of twinkling lights - some of which are definitely not twinkling anymore but, hey, what’s new? - decorations, tinsel, ribbons, wrappings, and all of the festive treasures that my beautiful Sunshine and I have collected over the years. And what good memories they conjure up.

We have the sparkling ornaments - still in their original boxes - that Mireille and her Mom hung on their tree when she was just a little girl, and today more precious to us than gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The special decorations that we have bought in our travels around the world. And the hand-made angel that we have treasured ever since receiving it as a gift from the daughter of my beloved late sister, Kathleen.

And then there is the golden garland that we have always hung and always festooned with hand-written Christmas cards picked up at the Post Office here in Hudson on Oakland Street from friends and business acquaintances alike. Truth be told, it has definitely been trimmed in recent years as ever-more e-mail cards arrive on our ‘puter. Often with several other recipients’ names attached just so that you know that you are also in the loop and that the sender didn’t want you to be felt forgotten.

And, of course - lest you accuse me of being an old bah humbug - there is

PHOTO COURTESY PURE ART FOUNDATION

One of the six beautiful cards, illustrated by Sebastian McKinnon and with a short story written by his brother Liam, that are now on sale at Pure Art in Hudson with all proceeds going to their One School for All initiative in Peru. (See more photos on our Facebook page).

10

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Just a sign of the times, I guess. And, for better or worse, we have to get used to it! And which is why I so enjoy at this festive time of year some oldfashioned traditions that, for decades, have become part and parcel of our celebrations here in our little hamlet by the lake.

Beginning this week with a tradition first launched in Como at St. Mary’s Parish Hall 35 years ago

by Frank Cobbett. Namely, the St. Mary’s Family Carol Sing. But more about that later.

--------------100 YEARS YOUNG AT HEART Right now, let’s step back in time to a century ago and this past Saturday, December 10, at that very same hall when a very special lady celebrated a very special birthday with friends from throughout the region in fine fettle. Her 100th to be exact!

And her name? Helen Russell. Affectionately known as Aunt Helen to hundreds who have come to know and love her over the years as the niece of Gerdy Goudron, founder of Gerdy’s Rescues & Adoptions, an animal rescue organization that has provided countless families throughout the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region with adopted cats and dogs that might otherwise have been put down. It was quite a party dear readers! And for the full story, check out page 11.

--------------KEEPING THE LIGHT SHINING Speaking of Christmas cards - as I was earlier - and just in time for the season’s first major snowfall this week, I’m delighted to report that Pure Art’s annual Christmas card collection is now in the store at 422 Main Road.

Titled The Lightkeeper and with six different cards, it comes as the fourth instalment in the Moon’s Daughter series.

Again with a beautiful short story written by Liam McKinnon about reigniting hope for each other, and the world, enchanting illustrations by his brother, Sebastian, and with 100 per cent of the proceeds directed to the Pure Art Foundation’s One School for All initiative in Peru, they are truly breathtakingly beautiful. We are even planning on framing a couple to enjoy year-round.

Moreover, they are made even more poignant this year, as Ben - the late brother of Sebastien, Liam, Sam and Renault - and known by his parents Robert and Brigitte, family, and friends as The Lightkeeper - passed away earlier this year.

Thanks to generous sponsors involved in the printing of the cards which sell for just $10 a pack - all the money will be going to help sponsor the education of over 300 youngsters in the Amazon city of Pucallpa. Including providing them with schoolbooks, uniforms, and all the materials

Thursday, December 15, 2016

PHOTO BY JAMES PARRY

While awaiting the official presentation and sharing in a long tradition at this time of year, the Hudson War Memorial Library presented very welcome cheques to 12 local worthwhile causes and charitable organizations on Wednesday, December 14, With some 40 cents of every dollar raised at the library’s thrift shop below, affectionately known to regulars as the Bunker, making it possible. More details in this column next week. Meanwhile, check out more photos on our Facebook page.

they require for a good education that so many Canadians, let’s be honest, just take for granted.

So if you would like to help keep the light shining while making some recipients very happy, pop by the store or go online at www.pureart.ca/ blogs/blog. The McKinnons and the kids in Peru will love you for it!

--------------MEET PHILLY RACCOON - Also at the store this Saturday, December 17, and for the very same cause, will be local author Philip Oldfield, who will be signing and selling all three of his books including The Chronicles of Philly Raccoon which, he says, takes a humourous look at his terminal neurological condition.

For Philip, who lives in Rigaud, has what is known as Multiple System Atrophy which has been discovered to be caused by prions - similar to Mad Cow Disease - within the last year. All the proceeds will be going to the Pure Art Foundation’s Peru 2017 projects and Philip will be there from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As to why a raccoon is the central character in the book, Philip told me, “When I lived in Hudson, we had a family of raccoons in our back garden and, one day, I came face to face with one. We kind of stared at each other, out of curiosity more than anything else, and became instant friends.”

Laughed Philip, “Let’s face it, why not a raccoon? They are curious, intelligent, mischievous, and bold. It was very easy for me, because of my somewhat unusual character, to see my situation through the eyes of a raccoon.” And what can one possibly add to that?

--------------THE BELLS ARE RINGING - And now back to St. Mary’s at 273 Main Road where this Saturday, December 17, the spotlight will be on the Turtle Pond Lane Gang, Together Ensemble, and James Armstrong and his minstrel friends as well as everyone

attending the traditional Carol Sing at 4 p.m..

This is really one of the fun events of the festive season folks, as everyone is invited to take along their biggest or loudest bells and ring them throughout the hour or so of carol singing conducted by inimitable emcee, Frank Royle. Accompanied by such diverse instruments as keyboards, guitars, drums, coronet, mandolin, bass, violins, and even melodeon which, I learned, is actually a button accordion played by Michael Elliott.

What’s more, there’s absolutely no charge whatsoever although freewill donations are always welcome. Oh yes, you will also be invited to eat as many gingerbread cookies as you like, compliments of St. Mary’s famous gingerbread baker, Elizabeth Dempsey. And sherry will be served to the adults, and apple juice to the youngsters. And I do believe that Santa will be dropping by to join in the fun.

I’ll be there with bells on. Well, carrying one at least. How about you?

--------------CRETINOUS MORONS - Meanwhile, would love to use a big bell to knock some sense into the cretinous morons who this week dug under the snow to unplug a beautiful illuminated Christmas display in the garden of an elderly Hudson resident plunging it into darkness.

Her caregivers had installed it to bring some joy into her life at this very special time of year and the plugs were carefully wrapped in white plastic bags and were certainly not visible from the road. The good news is that it is now back up and lit for not only the homeowner, but all who pass, to enjoy.

Hope the idiots who did it get what’s coming to them this holiday season. Namely, nothing!

And that’s a wrap!

E-mail: creation@videotron.ca

Helen Russell of Gerdy’s Rescues & Adoptions fame turns 100 years young With emotional party at St. Mary’s Church Hall on Saturday, December 10 James Parry Your Local Journal

The day she was born in 1916, Helen Russell had something in common with the glamorous, sexy Hollywood silent screen actresses of that year.

They didn’t talk and neither did she.

Back then a woman’s life expectancy was 47, they did not have the right to vote, swimsuits covered their bodies from neck to knee, and only eight per cent of Canadian homes had telephones. As a child, her parents played 78 rpm vinyl records on their Victrola and she listened to the hits of the day such as Oh How She Could Yacki Hacki

PHOTO BY JAMES PARRY

Just before cutting the big birthday cake, Gerdy Goudron, founder of Gerdy’s Rescues and Adoptions, shares a quiet moment with her beloved Aunt Helen on the occasion of her 100th birthday at St. Mary’s Parish Hall in Como on December 10.

Wichi Wachi Woo and There’s a Trick in Pickin a Chick Chick Chicken.

Those are just some of the factual blasts from the past that were shared at an emotional 100th birthday party where Aunt Helen - as she is known by all who know Gerdy Goudron of Gerdy’s Rescues and Adoptions - was fêted in style.

Complete with messages of congratulations from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Canada’s Governor General David Johnston, a sumptuous potluck supper, a big birthday cake, and a rose individually presented by each of the over 50 guests who were there to pay tribute to this very special lady.

Born in Griffintown, Pointe St. Charles, she never married, choosing instead to put her life on hold and care for her sister’s four children. Her first job was working in the mail room of the corporate offices of a chain of fiveand-dime stores spread across Canada. She would go on to become a payroll manager for the entire chain. Later on, she volunteered as the right-hand lady of Gerdy, along with other volunteers, helping place abandoned cats and dogs with loving families throughout Montreal and the West Island.

In a humorous but heartfelt tribute paid at the party by Hudsonite Frank Hicks and obviously speaking for all there, Russell was described as an amazing woman. “Amazing because you have put up with Gerdy for more years than most people consider possible,” he said to spontaneous applause. “Amazing because you have lived through two World Wars, 17 presidents, and 20 prime ministers, most of whom are not with us anymore.

“And amazing because, despite the

many hardships life has sent your way, you have never lost your faith in mankind, your love of humanity, and your devotion to family and God’s loving creatures. You have touched the hearts of all here tonight.”

In proposing a toast to Russell, before she got up for a few steps on the dance floor, Hicks added, “Helen, may all your problems be small, all your blessings great, and may all the love, devotion, kindness, and generosity you have given others throughout your wonderful life be returned to you a hundred fold.”

Amid laughter and cheers, there wasn’t a dry eye in the hall.

(See more photos on our Facebook page.)

PHOTO BY JAMES PARRY

A framed message of congratulations to Helen Russell from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was displayed along with several others at her brilliant birthday bash.

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11

Pincourt concerned about Vaudreuil Rapids reconfiguration Town also announces tax freeze for all property owners

PHOTO BY JOHN JANTAK

Pincourt council adopted a resolution that calls on Infrastructure Canada, the provincial Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Fight against Climate Change, to coordinate work to reconfigure the Vaudreuil Rapids in the next two years to minimize possible traffic, noise and dust problems.

John Jantak Your Local Journal

A resolution was adopted at the regular Pincourt council meeting December 13 calling on the federal and provincial governments to review plans for reconfiguring the Vaudreuil Rapids to minimize the potential negative impact that the construction project may have on the community and residents

living close to the Ottawa River shoreline, just south of the Highway 20 overpass.

The proposed reconfiguration was first announced November 20 at the Vaudreuil-Dorion council meeting where Mayor Guy Pilon said the project at Sabourin Park next to Harwood Boulevard will involve stocking fish in the reconfigured rapids as compensa-

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tion for the expected loss of fish habitat along the St. Lawrence River where the new Champlain Bridge will be built.

The project will also affect neighbouring Pincourt, directly across the Ottawa River from the park, because the portion of the waterway that runs close to the town’s shoreline will also have to be reconfigured, said Town Manager Michel Perrier.

“Infrastructure Canada is going to build some banks in the river in between Pincourt and VaudreuilDorion,” Perrier told Your Local Journal. “We’re going to be affected as well because they’ll be working on both sides of the river.”

Aside from leaving a waterway for boats to avoid the rapids, the project will involve carting 16,000 truckloads of material that will be put into the river to build the rapids, said Perrier.

The material will then be transported to the construction site by barges.

Perrier anticipates the steady stream of truck traffic over the next two years could cause chaos for motorists who commute along Highway 20, and noise and dust problems for residents.

The first phase of construction is set to begin early next summer and continue until late October. A second phase to complete the work is scheduled for 2018.

“We’ve got nothing against the project because it’s meant to preserve the fish stock but it’s going to impact Pincourt, Vaudreuil-Dorion and especially the traffic circulation on Highway 20,” Perrier said.

The town has sent letters to Infrastructure Canada, the provincial Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Fight against Climate Change, expressing their concerns and to request

that the respective government bodies coordinate the work in a way that will minimize any possible inconvenience.

Tax freeze Pincourt has invoked a tax freeze which includes all applicable service taxes for all property owners as the town officially adopted its 2017 budget during a special council session on December 14.

The only exception is a minimal adjustment to the special tax for the debt of the Régie de l’eau de l’Île-Perrot which will add an average of one dollar to tax bills for a home evaluated at $247,650, raising the average bill from $2,445 in 2016 to $2,446 next year.

The 2017 tax freeze comes one year after property taxes were lowered in the 2016 budget. The freeze represents efforts made by the town to minimize next year’s increase as much as possible even though next year’s budget rose $341,400 to $21,065,100, an increase of 1.65 per cent from 2016.

“Despite the increase, which is relatively minimal, the tax increase didn’t follow suit,” said Mayor Yvan Cardinal. “That’s because of the arrival of new residents and businesses, which increased the town’s tax base for the benefit of all its citizens.”

“With the rise in the cost of living determined to be 0.099 per cent for 2017 according to the Montreal consumer price index, our challenge was to prepare a budget that would entail an equivalent or smaller increase for taxpayers,” said Town Manager Michel Perrier. “Following town council’s instructions, town management came through with flying colours.”

Complete budget details are available on the town’s website at http://www.villepincourt.qc.ca/en/ news/88/2017-tax-bill.

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(Left) Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Mayor Paola Hawa shown here with AJOI Director General Benoit Langevin. Since 2007, AJOI’s aim is to increase youths’ quality of life and to break denial surrounding poverty in the West Island. Its mission is to establish and maintain street outreach work intervention services for youth aged 12 to 25 years old on the territory of the West Island.

AJOI partners with Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue to address homelessness Benoit Langevin Special contributor

In December of 2016, the non-profit organization Action Jeunesse de l’Ouest de l’Île (AJOI) learned that they will join with the city of Sainte-Anne-deBellevue (SADB) in the fight against homelessness.

The city will contract AJOI for a 24-month project called SADB Outreachwork, which aims to provide support to homeless residents or to those at risk of becoming homeless in the city of SADB. Thanks to the council of SADB, AJOI will receive the funds necessary to complete their goal of reducing and preventing homelessness in SADB. AJOI has been working since 2007 to fight homelessness in the West Island.

Following an increase in incidents of homelessness, we began a research project in partnership with the City of Montréal as well as the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). The research showed that West Island youth face a real issue when it comes to finding affordable housing.

Different faces of homelessness (from chronic homelessness to couch-

surfing) were identified. This investment will be applied to directly support the population identified in this research, namely: young adults who sleep in their cars or in parks, those who prostitute themselves as a strategy to find housing, and those who resort to crime in order to have access to housing.

In 2015/2016, AJOI intervened in 347 cases of housing-related and/or accommodation issues in its territory.

In the past two years, we have intervened in 205 cases of homelessness.

This funding will go directly towards reaching people in precarious living conditions of SADB. With this new partnership, we will be able to offer a greater presence in public spaces, as well as provide support, information and awareness in order to guide them in their life plan.

For more information on AJOI’s services, please contact Benoit Langevin, co-founder and general director at 15632 boul. Gouin Ouest, Montréal, QC H9H 1C4.

Telephone (514) 675-4450, by email at benoitlangevin@ajoi.info or on the website www.ajoi.info.

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The English Gardener Pining for the perfect mini Christmas tree?

James Parry Your Local Journal

With all that kerfuffle in the news recently about Montreal’s giant ugly Christmas tree - there PHOTO BY GREG JONES again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder – I thought we might check out a much smaller one this week that always pops up at this

time of year in garden centres, supermarkets, and big-box stores just in time for Christmas. And just perfect for use indoors throughout the festive season and, if treated right, for years to come.

It’s the Norfolk Island species. In Latin, Araucaria heterophylla. They are living trees, cute to say the least and, despite their name and looking for all the world like a mini pine, they are not true pines at all. But rather, more akin to an Orchid or Gardenia

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when it comes to their growing habits and need for tender loving care.

So once the holidays are over, what do you do with them? Chuck them out for garbage collection or throw them on the compost? Not at all, for they do make for wonderful houseplants.

The first thing to remember, however, is that being a tropical plant they do need high humidity throughout the cold winter months. And a simple trick is to place the pot in a pebble tray constantly containing a little water or by misting with a spritzer at least once a week.

It’s also important that it gets enough light for several hours a day often to be found when placed near a south-facing window, although they can also tolerate full indirect, bright light as well.

When it comes to watering, this only needs to be done when the top of the soil dries out. And don’t be particularly worried if some of the bottom branches are turning a shade of brown.

This is completely normal. However, if it starts turning brown further up or all over, it means that your plant is either being overwatered, underwatered, or just not getting enough light. And remember to fertilize come spring and fall.

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sults. After all, what have you got to lose? Of course, some people might ask, “Why bother?” thinking that it is a bit too sparse for a traditional-looking Christmas tree. But hey, Charlie Brown loved it, And the laugh will be on them next time they visit your home and see your beautiful Norfolk Pine in all its glory!

Until next time!

E-mail: creation@videotron.ca

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Epic journey to raise awareness of Rwandan genocide PTSD Carmen Marie Fabio editor@yourlocaljournal.ca

Kizito Musabimana spent his 34th birthday somewhere along Highway 401 between his starting point in Toronto on his sojourn east.

“I’m walking to Montreal to raise awareness of the psychological wounds of war,” he told Your Local Journal as he set foot on the most western tip of the Island of Montreal on Saturday morning, December 10, a little over two weeks after his departure, and walking on to Montreal’s Town Hall for a Monday morning meeting with Frantz Benjamin, Président du conseil de l’administration de Montréal.

In Canada since the age of 12 – first arriving in Montreal then moving to Toronto – the Rwandan native recounts his personal battles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“I was born in Rwanda and lived through the genocide against the Tutsis,” said Musabimana, recounting how most of his mother’s family members were slaughtered during the conflict that claimed up to 1 million victims in a period of less than 100 days.

“Going through that and seeing my friends dead, images of massacres... all those things became overbearing over time.” Musabimana said for years, he and many other people in his community didn’t want to talk about their experiences and memories.

“When I turned about 25, the memories began coming back.”

In order to function, Musabimana said he turned to drugs and alcohol.

“Those things didn’t work.”

He said he was lucky in reaching the next level in actually thinking about what he was going through and lamented that many in his community don’t get to do that.

He describes his trip as a ‘personal journey’ and, equipped with a selfie stick and electronic gear, is filming his walk with the hopes of making a future documentary film.

Members of his community have

PHOTO BY CARMEN MARIE FABIO

Originally from Rwanda, Kizito Musabimana left Toronto November 24 to walk to Montreal to help raise awareness of the psychological scars still felt by many in his community of the country’s 1994 massacre and hopes to secure funding to build a centre for the survivors.

helped to fund the project with the hopes of raising further awareness of the lingering aftereffects of the 1994 genocide.

“Most people won’t talk about it because there’s a stigma,” said Musabimana. “But when people open up, they all have a story.”

Moving away from Rwanda didn’t solve things and Musabimana said people, particularly the youth, felt stuck when they arrived in Canada.

“We can’t talk about it. Sometimes, even at the doctor’s office, we don’t disclose the information. And when we do, we get medication. There’s a conversation that needs to take place.”

He describes the trauma that occurred in the past often blocks those in his community from moving forward through life.

“My hope is that we can start looking at the dreams that we have and the things that we wanted to do when we came to Canada. We were looking for an opportunity to change our lives. I’m

hoping we can open those doors.”

Besides raising awareness to allow survivors who witnessed the horror of the genocide talk through some of their experiences, Musabimana said he’d also like to see a centre built in Montreal to provide professional counselling services to the Rwandan refugees in Canada.

Musabimana also wants to document the stories of healing. “We need to show people that Rwanda has come so far since 1994. That’s what the film is going to be about.”

Musabimana and his supporters are looking for financial backers for the film and, even if it doesn’t get made, the documentation of his odyssey will be part of his life’s collection of memories and another step in the healing process.

“Once this journey is done, I’m going back home to Rwanda for the first time in over 20 years,” he said. “It’s going to take going back home to allow these wounds to really heal. It’s a life-

time journey.”

Anyone who wants to contribute to Musabimana’s campaign can get more information on his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/IAMHomeAgain.

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YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

15

Discover your local businesses!

Medical research shows that Yoga Therapy can help common aliments

H~OM

H~OM YOGA HEALTH & WELLNESS

Promenade Hudson 3187 Harwood & Hwy 40 Ex#28 homyogacenter.com 450-732-1707 h-om@sympatico.ca

YogaWellness Centre

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H~OM

YogaWellness Centre

Helene Couvrette Special contributor

Research is documenting the effectiveness of yoga therapy for such conditions as back pain, multiple sclerosis, insomnia, cancer, heart disease, anxiety, and stress. Yoga has been shown to increase strength, flexibility, and balance; enhance immune function; lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels; and improve psychological well-being.

One of yoga’s most prominent effects is stress reduction which has been found to be a factor in conditions such as migraines, ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome, heart attacks, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Yoga also appears to diminish the side effects of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and other treatments, and may increase the odds of survival in cancer patients.

The autonomic nervous system has two branches: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which work in conjunction and control the function of the heart, liver, intestines, and other internal organs.

When the SNS is stimulated, stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol initiate a series of changes in the body including raising blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels.

These changes create the «fight-orflight» response. In contrast the parasympathetic system stimulates the restorative functions; «rest and digest.»

Yoga practices including quiet asana, slow breathing, meditation and guided imagery, increase activation of the PNS and lead to mental relaxation.

More vigorous practices and breathing exercises actually activate the SNS. Research has found that more active practices followed by relaxing ones lead to deeper relaxation than relaxing practices alone.

The brain is constantly remodelling itself. Repeated thoughts and actions can rewire your brain, and the more you do something, the stronger those new networks become. The key to success in yoga is practice over a long period of time.

H~OM Yoga Centre offers free yoga for those in cancer treatment and approaches group classes geared towards educating awareness of healthy body movement, adapting each session to helping those who have issues such as hip, back, shoulder issues, stress, anxiety or depression... essentially creating classes that suit the students attending.

Founder of H~OM, Heleen Couvrette is a yoga therapist, and cofounder of Canada’s first International Yoga Therapeutic Symposium MISTY – Continued on page 17

A second location: 9265 Lacordaire, St-Leonard (ex Robertini Shoes)

Mo.-Fr. 10am-5pm If other hours required please contact us: 514-421-5891 1525 Hymus, Dorval, QC H9P 1J5 (1 min. from Hwy 40) www.mondobebe.com

Small Business...BIG Difference!

16

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 15, 2016

HERE’S MY CARD AUCTION HOUSE

AUCTION HOUSE

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Where’s Your Card? 450 510-4007 Yoga

Continued from page 16 (Montreal International Symposium on Therapeutic Yoga) which takes place in downtown Montreal and has brought medical and health professionals who use yoga as a therapy with their patients in their clinics or hospital settings and offer evidence-

based facts and practice tools for specific health issues.

Heleen has studied Pain Management for 10 years and holds a certificate in Advanced Pain Care. She is also Trauma informed trained including sexual trauma. She sees people privately as well as in group classes at H~OM Yoga Health Centre. She also offers a 200-hour registered Yoga Teacher Training certification pro-

gram for those who want to be certified yoga teachers.

Heleen Couvrette, E-RYT200, RYT500, Yoga Therapist Founder H~OM Yoga Wellness Centre, h-om@sympatico.ca, 450-7321707, homyogacenter.com Founder MISTY - Montreal International Symposium on Therapeutic Yoga, homyogaevents.com Thursday, December 15, 2016

VENTILATION

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

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P R O F E S S I O N A L D I R E C TO RY ACCOUNTANTS

ENGINEER

LIFE COACH

PHARMACIES

KARAVOLAS BOILY & TRIMARCHI CPA INC.

Peter Byrne, Consulting Engineer

Caroline Courey, M E M B E R I F C

Marilou Leduc

Taxes and Accounting 438 Main Road, Hudson Tel : 450-458-0406,

ATTORNEY

Aumais Chartrand

100 boul. Don Quichotte, bureau 12 L’Ile-Perrot, QC J7V 6C7 Ph: 514-425-2233 ext. 229 andreaumais@bellnet.ca

BOOKKEEPING

Shantiom Inc.

Bookkeeping Services. 10 years experience.

Proficient with Sage and Quickbooks.

514-969-3555

Bryan Todd, B. Comm (Acct.)

Business and Personal Accounting Services, Tax Preparations & Filings Ph. (514) 730-5966

DENTISTS

Building structural, foundation and waterproofing expertise, reports and expert testimony.

514 594 5140, peterbyrne@videotron.ca

The change you deserve!

450-853-0616 • courey@videotron.ca M O R E I N F O AT: www.courey.com

FAMILY MEDIATION/SOCIAL WORK

IMMIGRATION

Karine Joly, MSW, TS, Family Mediator

Brazolot Migration Group

Family mediation for couples separating/divorcing Counselling for individuals, couples, families Homologation of mandate report.

Vaudreuil-Dorion/Beaconsfield 450-218-1499 karine.joly@videotron.ca

HOME CARE NURSING

Nova Hudson

Nursing care, palliative care, cancer care, foot care, family support, volunteer services and adult day centre.

465 Main Rd, Hudson, Suite 202 (450) 458-5727 INVESTMENT ADVISOR

Jeffrey Quenneville

Investment Advisor Raymond James Ltd. Dr. Don Littner & Dr. Morty Baker 2870 Route Harwood, St-Lazare 472 Main Rd, Suite I, Hudson QC, J0P 1H0 Ph. (450) 458-5334 450.202.0999 Thursday, December 15, 2016 18 YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

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NOTARIES

Jean-Pierre Boyer

L.L., L., D.D.N. 1576 C Ste. Angélique, St. Lazare Ph. (450) 455-2323

ORTHODONTISTS Dr. Amy Archambault Dr. Paul Morton

Your Local Specialists in Orthodontics 3206, boul. de la Gare, Suite 160 Vaudreuil-Dorion (450)218-1892

JOIN THE PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

450-510-4007

admin@yourlocaljournal.ca

Affiliated BRUNET 1771 Ste. Angelique, St. Lazare Ph. (450) 424-9289

PSYCHOLOGIST

Sylvi Lafontaine

Psychologist 450.458.0944 sylvi.lafontaine@videotron.ca Bilingual Services • Cdn & US trained

drs. Martina Kleine-Beck Psychologist 514.265.1386 martinakb _ 58@ hotmail.com

PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Sandy Farrell, Davis Facilitator Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD & Learning disabilities can be corrected. www.dyslexiacorrection.ca (450) 458-4777

CLASSIFIEDS SECTIONS 100- For Sale 125- For Rent 150- Services

175- Wanted 200- Careers/Employment 225- Financial Services

View, submit & pay your ad online at www.yourlocaljournal.ca or e-mail: classifieds@yourlocaljournal.ca

450 510-4007

250- Real Estate Sale 275- Garage/Moving Sale 300- Miscellaneous

325- Autos for Sale $24.95 until it sells

350- Legal

1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks

$15 $20 $25

100 - FOR SALE

150 - SERVICES

150 - SERVICES

175 - WANTED

Dry Firewood. Stacking and kindling available. Very reasonable. Dan: 514-291-1068

Piano Tuning - Experienced local piano technician offering quality tunings and skillful repairs. Improve the sound and touch of your piano with hammer voicing and action regulation. Marc Lanthier 514770-7438 info@pianolanco.com

PIANO PIANO PIANO Fine tuning $88. Regulation, voicing, repairs, all makes and models, any condition, Grands and Upright pianos, keep your piano tuned, enjoy music. quebecpiano@gmail.com. Text or call 514-206-0449. Thank You! (170309)

Collector seeking older (pre 1960’s) Soft drink bottles and Soda advertising items from Montreal and this area; e.g. Leroux, Radio, Dorion, MacKimmie Lachute, Hawkesbury, etc. John 514-449-4969 or johncdufresne@gmail.com (161215)

Cleaning ladies wanted, experienced or not. Jobs available. We will teach you how to be a five-star cleaner with on-thejob training. Must be energetic, a perfectionist, possess a good work ethic. Leave message 450-458-0251 (161222)

Jacques Harvey Piano School. Experienced, qualified teacher offers piano lessons to beginners or advanced students. Children and adults are welcome. Call 450-455-1544.

SPECIAL - FIREWOOD: Dry firewood $80/cord (hardwood), minimum 6 cords (delivery included); 8 – 10 cords firewood (16 foot lengths) $500 per load (delivery included). 514-708-4518 (161215) Deluxe Frigidaire Gallery stove with warm-up drawer, paid $1800, asking $400; Gallery front load washer less than 2 years old, paid $800, asking $200; Frigidaire dryer new motor $150; Kenmore vacuum $75; in Hudson. Please call 450-458-4365 (170119) Blizzak WS80, 4 new winter tires on Dodge Caravan rims, size 215/70/R15 $300. Dunlop Graspic DS, 4 winter tires on Hyundai rims, size 195/60R/15 - $100.

514-946-1395 (161222) Side-by-side General Electric refrigerator with ice maker and water supply, Frigidaire stove and Westinghouse convection oven.

All are in good working condition. $650 for all three. 514-668-9718 (161215)

125 - FOR RENT BEAUTIFUL OFFICE SPACE available in Place Cameron (corner Cameron/Main) in downtown Hudson. 500 square feet of bright office space with many windows overlooking Main Road. Please call 514608-4958 or email placecameron.hudson@gmail.com (161215) OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT: Beautiful, modern, recently renovated upper floor office space available for rent in Hudson.

Available immediately, fully furnished.

Includes 5 offices and 1 large conference room. Please call Katherine or Annabel for inquiries at 450-458-0101 (161215) 4½ Condo for retirees for rent by owner, at luxurious Le Felix du Groupe Maurice in Vaudreuil-Dorion, a great rental opportunity at a lower price. Appliances included, possibility of other furniture. Indoor parking, pool, gym, restaurant, pharmacy, bank. $2520/month. 514-880-0221 (170119) Small house for rent in Hudson Village.

4½ rooms, available fully furnished or unfurnished, fireplace, large property. Immediate occupancy, by month or lease. 450458-4608 (161215)

150 - SERVICES Special needs caregiver (sitter) available. Over 15 years experience with children and adults. Available for day, evening and/or overnight. Excellent references.

For information please call 514-944-1932 and leave message with your phone number. Will get back to you asap. (170119) Nurses Aid / Housekeeper and Cook, available for home care. Have own car.

Can drive you for medical appointments/ treatments, hospital visits. Good references. Will work all shifts including weekends.

Call 450-202-1205 (161222) PROFESSIONAL PET PHOTOGRAPHER – Treat your four-legged friend to a personalized photo shoot in the comfort of your own home or any other location or setting that you choose. Steve Thomas 514-378-1211, email steve1602@gmail.com. Your pet will love you for it! (161222)

APPLE MAC SUPPORT since 1983 Variable Rates Initial Hour Free – Upgrades Troubleshooting Bootable Backups System Analysis & Advice terry@cloudbyteconsulting.com – www.cloudbyteconsulting.com 450-853-0534 Wolftech Inc. Since 2004.

PC/Laptop repair, sales and services.

Custom system builds. Software/hardware upgrades, virus - malware removal. Data recovery, network and internet troubleshooting. Pick-up or In-home service. Very competitive rates. Windows and other software tutorials.

HTTP://wolftech.ca service@wolftech.ca 514-923-5762 Paul’s Painting, small & large renovations. Call 514-900-5839 (161222) “MAN WITH A VAN” MOVING. Whole house.

Small moves, too! Quebec/Local/Ontario. Experienced/Equipped. Please leave a message 514-605-3868 MIKE THE MOVING MAN PROFESSIONAL RUSTPROOFING AT COMPETITIVE PRICES. 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE. CALL MARTY AUTO BODY IN HUDSON AT 450-458-1148 (161215) Local Experts in matters of Bankruptcy and Insolvency since 1994. First Consultation Free. Available Nights & Weekends. Solid reputation for Reliability, Honesty & Integrity in our field of Expertise. Blumer Lapointe Tull & Associes Syndics Inc. www.blumerlapointetull.com. 514 426 4994 Registered Gun Smith. Number one buyer of used guns in Quebec. 514-453-5018

Cleaning Services available weekly, biweekly or as needed. Attention to detail with a strong work ethic. Call for a free estimate. 450-458-8098 (161222) SINGING LESSONS. Private or SemiPrivate. In my home (St-Lazare). Sing the songs you love! Call Morgan. 514-6071308 References available.

Vacuum Cleaner. Sales and repair of all brands, 40 years in service (Electrolux, Filter Queen, Kenmore and Central Vac). Central Vac Electron with bag, hose, accessories $675. Other brands available from $329 and up. Repair and service of all central vacuum systems. Parts and bags (all makes). Small appliance repair. Carpet cleaner rental available.

Biodegradable cleaning supplies. Toilet paper $31.95/48 rolls. AspirateursHudson.com 67 McNaughten, Hudson, Quebec 450-458-7488 MEDIUM, PSYCHIC, SHAMAN, EXORCIST. Natural born gift. No cards or gimmicks.

Clairvoyance & guidance. Contact of deceased. Shamanic energy treatments for pain & disease. Removal of ghosts, spirits & demons from homes, offices & people.

Jarred Shaman Medium 514-621-6261 www.jarredshamanmedium.com (161215)

RENT-A-HANDYMAN! All projects big and small. Get that list of Things To Do done! Indoors and outdoors – no jobs too small. SENIOR DISCOUNTS! Time to hang those Christmas lights! 438-405-1891 (161215)

Handyman / Renovations. Reliable.

Over 25 years experience. NO JOB IS TOO SMALL. I do bathrooms, kitchens, ceramics, wood floors, plumbing, etc. Free estimate. Patrick 450-206-0588 (161222) Ivan’s Garbage Removal will remove renovation debris and junk from houses, sheds, garages, basements. Also old fences, decks and balconies. Available 7 days per week. Call: 514-804-8853 Handyman/Contractor, reliable, 20 years experience. Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, cement work/repairs, decks.

Structural experience. No job too big.

Discounts for future contracts. Derek 514898-4392 (170202)

¿Moving? All jobs. Reliable, reasonable, fully equipped. Local and Ontario, Mari- Local Handyman, change light and plumbtimes, USA. 35 yrs experience. Call Bill or Ryan ing fixtures; walkway, roof and deck shoveling; soffit ventilation work, aluminum and 514-457-2063. vinyl repairs, caulking around windows and doors, door hanging and handles; automoMoving Service, local, trailer rentals. tive repairs; equestrian experience, farm Call Colin: 514-850-9948 work. Good with animals. Gary 514-5025512 (161222)

Supplying the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Region

175 - WANTED $ Buy car for scrap. Running or not, 24/7. www.scrapvehicule.com Call 514-951-4203

CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS. Mystery writers may submit their best Police procedural whodunit short stories, between 6000 and 8000 words. Only one piece accepted. Current pay is $0.05/word for accepted stories with a $400 maximum. For additional information, Jean Bissonnette bissonnettejean7@gmail.com A Military Collector looking for medals, flags, swords, uniforms, documents, helmets, hats, all related war memorabilia WWI, WWII, Canadian/German or others.

Antiques, collectibles, aviation, nautical, coins, badges, maps, signs. Please contact Patrick 450-458-4319, patrick148@ca.inter. net, 2760A Côte St-Charles, St-Lazare, Reni Decors (161215) Family of five (no pets) is looking for a house to rent in or around Hudson. 3 - 4 bedrooms. 514-501-3197 (161215)

200 - CAREERS/EMPLOYMENT COUTURIÈRE demandée / Usine vêtements pour dames située à St-Clet. Temps plein. Équipe dynamique et environnement agréable. SEAMSTRESS position available / Ladieswear factory in St-Clet. Full time. Great team work! Experience sur/on Plain, Overlock & Coverstitch. Email CV à/to sylvienerondesign@gmail.com (161215)

250 - REAL ESTATE SALE Panoramic views, Covey Hill. 4 new box stall barn. Dressage ring, pasture, year round carpenter shop, 5 arpents, historic house, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, needs TLC, commute to Montreal 35 mins., $239,000.

Patrick Pietry, Royal LePage Extra Bkr. 450802-7200, 450-829-2653 (170119) Largest Cortland Apple Producer in Quebec, located in St. Antoine Abbé. 70,000 bushels, with buildings. 140 acres. Patrick Pietry, Royal LePage Extra Bkr. 450-802-7200 or 450-829-2653 (170119) Maple Bush, 8,000 taps, plus 200,000 board feet of Red Oak, in Havelock. 140 acres. Patrick Pietry, Royal LePage Extra Bkr. 450-802-7200 or 450-829-2653 (170119) Exceptionally large and spacious intergenerational waterfront home, 3 bedrooms upstairs and finished intergenerational apartment with private entrance with additional 3 bedrooms. Many updates, beautiful views of Lake St. Louis. Large balconies, pool, across from Quinn Farm. MLS# 10921315 Call 514-835-6762 (161222)

Our Focus...

Your News More Classifieds on page 20..

Thursday, December 15, 2016

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

19

CLASSIFIEDS SECTIONS 100- For Sale 125- For Rent 150- Services

175- Wanted 200- Careers/Employment 225- Financial Services

450 510-4007

250- Real Estate Sale 275- Garage/Moving Sale 300- Miscellaneous

325 - AUTOS FOR SALE

325 - AUTOS FOR SALE

Hyundai Accent 2002, 1.5, automatic, blue, winter tires, good winter car, $800.

450-458-7488

Chevrolet Malibu LS sedan 2013 top condition, 77,175 kms, OnStar feature, 2 sets of tires on rims with steel mags. $10,950. 450458-0527

BMW 325i, 2004, sport wagon, low mileage, 124,400km, metallic silver gray, fresh maintenance, very good condition. 4 winter tires.

Best offer. 450-458-7081

View, submit & pay your ad online at www.yourlocaljournal.ca or e-mail: classifieds@yourlocaljournal.ca

325- Autos for Sale $24.95 until it sells

350- Legal

MG Midget MkII 1964 Red. 120,700kms, 1098cc, 1 litre, 56Hp, 4 cylinder. Hard and soft top, 4 new tires, new battery and suspension blades, tape player. A pleasure to drive and in very good condition. Ready for summer. $10,500. 514-528-8703

2006 Mercedes CLS 500,Silver, never winter driven. 86,000 kms, very clean, $18,000 – negotiable. Call Ray: 514-668-9718.

2009 White Saturn Outlook, 8 passenger, 120,000kms, good condition, $9500. 438-8788587

325 - AUTOS FOR SALE

2008 Toyota Yaris hatchback, sky blue, fully equipped, automatic with only 28,570km, Mercedes CLK 320 - 1999 - Convertible, Sil- well maintained, winter/summer tires includ2002 Saturn SL1, 4 door sedan, 1.9L OHV ver. 208,000 KM. $6,900. Call 514-216-9217.

4 cylinder engine. Silver with charcoal ined. Elderly woman driven, asking $7000 or terior and CD radio. Winter tires installed, best offer. 514-697-4454 Ford Freestar minivan 2004, white, 4.2 lisummer tires available. 54,000km. Asking tres, 132,000kms, 5 door, 4 seater, rear tinted $2500. Repeat, 54,000km. 450-458-1321 windows, electric doors and windows, A/C, 1996 Honda Civic Si with multiple modifi1992 Lincoln 192,000 km. V-8 auto, fully rust proofed, good condition, new brakes cations: JDA B16A SIR II, cams, Exedy clutch, equipped, used for weddings, second owner, and discs, new spark plug wires, 4 winter tires, JDM ITR S80 LSD trans. w/short shift, urethane engine mounts, Sparco quick release steering electric roof. Invested $12,000. Must sell (ill- $2900. 450-458-7488 wheel, Sparco seats w/Willans 4 pt. harness, ness) $1250 Cash. 514-453-7468 Neuspeed sport springs w/Koni front shocks, frt/rear strut bars, stainless brake lines and 200 - CAREERS/EMPLOYMENT much more. $6500 or best offer. 514-979-1603

SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT HUDSON YACHT CLUB BOTH MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Applications for employment for the 2017 season are now being accepted for the following departments: • • • • • • •

GATE/SECURITY (retirees encouraged) MAINTENANCE (in-house & grounds) HOUSE CLEANER BAR (bartenders, waiters, busboys/girls) CANTEEN/BBQ (cooks, grill cooks, service staff ) PLAYGROUND (animators) POOL (manager, lifeguards, instructors): Must have National, AWSI/WSI Certification • * JUNIOR SAILING (instructors) • * SENIOR SAILING (boatswain) * PROOF OF COURSES COMPLETED MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION

APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CLUB OFFICE AND AT www.hudsonyachtclub.com (under Contact/Employment Opportunities)

HUDSON YACHT CLUB C/O THE MANAGER 10 YACHT CLUB ROAD HUDSON, QUEBEC J0P 1H0 TEL: 450-458-5326 FAX: 450-458-5141 EMAIL: margaret@hudsonyachtclub.com PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO JANUARY 31ST, 2017

N.B. • ONLY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED. YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

$15 $20 $25

BMW 550I 2007 Mint shape, New tires/ brakes all around, fresh maintenance. Second owner sale, 173,000kms. $9950. Fully equipped. View on Kijiji. Call 514-742-2779

2010 Volkswagen Tiguan Comfortline, 4-motion, Automatic. Panoramic sunroof, carrier support bars. 17” mags plus 16” winter mags. 163,000 kms. Fully serviced, top condition, new front brakes.

White gold with tan interior. $10,800.

514-714-7363

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1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks

Thursday, December 15, 2016

350 - LEGAL

AVIS DE DEMANDE DE CHANGEMENT DE NOM

Prenez avis que Abdelkrim-Khouna, dont l’adresse de domicile est le 379 rue de Verchères, Greenfield Park, Quebec, J4V 2B7, présentera au Directeur de l’état civil une demande pour changer son nom en celui de Abdelkrim Khouna Filali et pour changer son nom en celui RaniaKhouna et, en sa qualité de père, pour changer le nom de Rania-Khouna en celui de Rania Khouna Filali, dont l’adresse de domicile est le 379 rue de Verchères, Greenfield Park, Quebec, J4V 2B7 de Manal Khouna en celui de Manal Khouna Filali dont l’adresse de domicile est le 379 rue de Verchères, Greenfield Park, Quebec, J4V 2B7 Cet avis a été rempli et signé à Greenfield Park, le 5 décembre, 2016 par Abdelkrim-Khouna.

325 - AUTOS FOR SALE Honda Civic Reverb 2 door, silver, 2005, manual, A/C, 6 CD player, brakes, brake pads, discs and bearings done late 2015, 288,000kms, great little car. Recent oil change and transmission fluid. 4 winter tires – 2 years old, $1800, 514-261-7043 1997 Ford Cobra Mustang SVT. Good condition. Triple black. New clutch. New tires. New magnaflow mufflers. Asking price $9500.

514-996-6965 2009 VW Rabbit, 2.5 litre, gas, 5-speed manual transmission, black, heated seats and mirrors, AC, power windows, locks, mirrors, sunroof and fog lights. 130,000 km. $9,600 Call 514-886-1008 GMC 2006 Envoy, 4 x 4, good winter transport, well maintained, 256,000km, 4 winter tires and 2 spare winter tires, $3200. 514946-5854

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200 - CAREERS/EMPLOYMENT

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

To submit your “Things to See and Do”, send your information to editor@yourlocaljournal.ca before Tuesday noon. All announcements should include dates, times and addresses. Publishing priority will be given to free events, non-proϔit, and community based groups.

HUDSON If you like birds and live in the Hudson area, we have a great activity for you. On Tuesday, December 27, we are holding our 76th edition of the Hudson Christmas Bird Count. You can participate either in the field or in the warmth of your home counting the birds frequenting your feeders.

It’s a great fun day in the field and we have a gathering at the St. Hubert restaurant in Vaudreuil-Dorion following the event. To participate, please contact Jean Demers at cbchudson2@ gmail.com or by phone at (514) 6948240.

Hudson Physiotherapy and Pain Relief wants to help Le Pont/Bridging food bank stock its shelves this Christmas season. “We just want to use our status in the community to help those who are less fortunate,” says Dr. Nurhan Ecityan, physiotherapist and owner of the clinic. For the second consecutive year, up to December 22, present and former patients, and anyone in the community, is encouraged to bring $10 or more of non-perishable food items, and they will receive a free $10 hot/cold pack. This offer is open to anyone who makes a food donation and is not limited to patients. Hudson Physiotherapy and Pain Relief has been serving

the community for over 25 years. The clinic is located in the Hudson Medical Complex, at 465 Main Road, suite 203. Food donations are accepted during regular business hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays.

PINCOURT CASCA Vaudreuil-Dorion will be holding an adoption day Saturday, December 17, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., at Faubourg de l’Île Shopping Centre, 101 Cardinal-Léger Blvd. For information regarding our adoption days, contact cascavaudreuil@ outlook.com or visit www.cascaorg. ca. Please note that adoption fees are requested to help us with our vet bills and other costs associated with the wellbeing of the cats under our care.

STE. ANNE DE BELLEVUE ‘A Gift of Light, New Reflections on an Old Story’ is the 6th in a series of successful road shows given at Union Church. As with previous shows, it features a diverse selection of music and images in a highly integrated 90-minute presentation, including an 18-voice choir, soloists, and an instrumental ensemble. Come join us for an exciting and thought-provoking event, and experience this old and

YLJ FILE PHOTO/CARMEN MARIE FABIO

The 76th Annual Hudson Christmas Bird Count takes place Tuesday, December 27. See listing for more details.

familiar story in a new way. Saturday, December 17, 8 p.m., and Sunday, December 18, 2 p.m. Union Church, 24 Maple Street. Tickets $25. Part of the proceeds go to support displaced Syrian refugees. For info and reservations, contact Jan Langelier at (514) 453-7103 or langelier.jan@videotron. ca.

DivorceCare For anyone struggling with the effects of separation or divorce begins Tuesday, January 10,

7 p.m. Pre-registration required, $25 for materials. St. George’s Church, 23 Perrault Avenue. More info at (514) 457-6934 or www.divorcecare.org.

GriefShare 13 week seminar and support group for those going through loss and grief following the death of a loved one. Begins Tuesday, January 10, 7 p.m. Pre-registration required, $25 for materials. St. George’s Church, 23 Perrault Ave. More info at (514) 457-6934. www.griefshare.org.

Sweepings Maxine Perra Special contributor

We had two teams participate in the Debutante competition run at Montreal West at the end of November.

This is a Ladies Curling Association (LCA) competition for Evening Ladies, with five years and under curling experience. Our teams were Skip, Nadia Boismenu, Susanne Sonnel, Marian Kuiper, and Nicole Kennedy; Team #2 Brigitte Blais, Skip, Karen Simpson, Janet Russell, and Francine Chartrand. We will be hearing a lot from this group in the future. Some very fine shots were made. The LCA event for day curlers with five years and under Curling Experience was held this week at the Club. It is called the Tobin – Earle. We had eight teams participating this year and two of our teams

competed against each other for the Earle Trophy. Special guests from Ottawa from the Ladies Curling Association, District Two, were in attendance which is always a pleasure.

The winner of the Earle Silver Cup is Nadia Boismenu and her team of Suzanne Sonnel, Cynthia Luck, and Nicole Kennedy and the Runners-up are Brigitte Blais, Louise Aiken, Janet Russell, and Josée Belliveau.

The girls had their supporters and were very appreciative that fellow curlers came out to support them. Mr. C. made up some very clever signage!

We do have a Challenge trophy game coming up December 15 and will report on the results of this ongoing competition in the new year.

Until 2017, Happy Holidays and, of course, Good Curling.

Important Notice We hereby wish to inform you that, as of January 1, 2017, all the services of the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soualnges, including the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Regional Municipal Court, will be located at 280 Harwood Boulevard, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, J7V 1Y5.

Telephone numbers will remain unchanged: (450) 455-9480 for the Regional Municipal Court and (450) 455-5753 for the MRC. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information, by calling 450-455-5753, ext. 0.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

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Pawsitively purrfect pets

Foster volunteers urgently needed - winter is here Jules-Pierre Malartre Special contributor

Winter is especially harsh to stray animals and while a number of abandoned cats in our community try to weather the harsh season, many of them succumb to cold and hunger. A few lucky ones end up being rescued by volunteers who either find homes for them or provide them with some limited means of survival.

Christine Heidt, Anne Bochnig and Joëlle Panchyshyn are some of the few residents who have taken it upon themselves to help those cats.

“We are a small organization that runs a very effective program to reduce the overpopulation of abandoned cats through adoptions and trap/sterilize/release activities, all at our expense. But we cannot do it all alone, we need your help.

We rely on dedicated foster volunteers to open their homes to shelter and care

for these animals until we find suitable homes for them,” Christine says.

“We provide food, medication, examination, and prescription diet for the rescued cats,” Christine adds. Therefore, anyone interested in fostering a rescued cat does not have to shoulder any costs.

“All that we are missing are people willing to open their homes to cats rescued from the cold.”

“Our goal is to provide as many animals as possible with a second chance for a bright and healthy future. Please help us to keep them warm and healthy this winter,” Christine pleads.

Rescuing a cat off the street is no easy matter. First, the cat must be trapped.

Once the cat has been captured, it must be examined by a veterinarian, which is a costly process that Christine and her team assume fully without burdening any foster home with costs. In most likelihood, the cat will also need to be neutered. Ster-

ilization is the best method of controlling the excess pet population, whether the animal gets adopted or released back outside. Some cats revert back to a feral state after being abandoned for a certain period of time. For these cats, Christine and her team have few options: they must re-release the animal after having it neutered. Volunteers can also provide some limited form of shelter and nourishment throughout the year. Luckily, municipalities are becoming more open to the idea of providing help and support for what have become known as “community cat colonies” rather than using conventional methods of animal control that involve euthanasia and that do not address the root cause of the problem.

Old-school mentality of using animal control services is slowly making way for more evolved and humane methods of controlling stray cat populations, including adoption and neutering. The problem,

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Many homeless cats succumb to the harsh conditions of winter and volunteers who can provide temporary fostering, at no cost, are being sought.

after all, is not the cats, but the people who abandon them.

Despite popular belief, cats are not okay outside. Regardless of whatever protection their fur provides, domestic cats are ill-equipped to face winter conditions.

Christine, Anne and Joëlle are desperate for some help. While people can volunteer to help trap the cats or make donations to help the cause, there is a more immediate and urgent need for foster homes. Fostering a rescued cat is a worthwhile endeavour that is both fulfilling and rewarding. It is one of the best ways of helping a living being that has very little hope left.

The need to get cats out of the cold this winter is immediate. If you want to help, please contact Christine at (450) 458-8699 or Anne at (514) 777-6686.

Glengarry 347 Main St Alexandria, ON 613-525-0570 Glengarryvet.ca

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Thursday, December 15, 2016

Your Local Journal Weekly Newspaper www.yourlocaljournal.ca

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Thursday, December 15, 2016

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The good news...

For too long now, we have been bombarded with drama and our thoughts continuously feed on it. These dramas are, for the most part, true but they occupy a lot of space in the media and thus, putting aside the good things happening all around us. And yet, good news will make us happy, happy to see that there is good around us, happy for others. What saddens me is that sometimes, good news has to be supported ďŹ nancially in the media.

Here is my good news!

I truly believe that we are all fundamentally good. To open ourselves, reach out and help makes us happy. To try it is to adopt it. Most often, it is the simple gesture that changes everything; a smile, a greeting, opening a door, giving your place to someone, to be courteous. You might end up having some difficulties by helping someone but do not stop or it will continue to feed the drama. And what is important is that it is happening now. The present moment.

It is the good news I paid for myself and for you.

All the team at Malaket furniture wishes you a happy holiday season and mostly, health!

Nicolas Malaket

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 15, 2016