Your Local Journal - December 21st, 2017

Wishing you a wonderful Holiday season and a very Happy New Year!

FROM YOUR LOCAL REAL ESTATE BROKERS Amelia Robinson & Dylan White 514.962.7751 | 514.816.1039

VOL. 15 NO. 46

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017

HUDSON, ST. LAZARE // VAUDREUIL-DORION, RIGAUD, PINCOURT, ÎLE-PERROT, N.D.I.P. & SAINTE-ANNE-DE-BELLEVUE

2017

The Year IN REVIEW

PHOTOS BY YOUR YYO O UR LOCAL JOURNAL STAFF

Your Local Journal takes a look back on the year 2017 and the stories that dened the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region over the last 12 months. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season.

. on � ca t va pen nex n s r o o is be ou tand l na ill nd s . ur s w 8 a the018 o l J ce 01 n 2 ca offi 5, 2 be o 18, o L r 1 ll y ur Ou ary wi uar o r Y nu e an Ja pap J

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the Old Year leaves. - Bill Vaughan

Raul Capela

Linda Noseworthy Burns

Lyndon Gallagher

Patsy Graham

Andrée Lavigne

Carl Poirier

Carol (LaRonde) McGarry

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Kevin Owen

Youri Rodrigue

Lucie Thifault

Lee Thompson

Wishing you all a Joyous Holiday Season and a most Prosperous and Healthy New Year.

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YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Jury Will Decide Belinda Pyle

Special Contributor

On December 18, lawyer Philip Schneider waived the preliminary inquiry of his client Jordan Xavier Taylor and chose instead trial by jury. Taylor pleaded not guilty to the allega�on that the car he was driving struck Tina Lyon Adams and Alique Remtulla-Langlois while they were jogging the evening of June 12, 2015. On January 19, 2018 trial proceedings will begin with a proforma to determine readiness of prosecu�on and defense for trial.

I won’t be able to run again.

I don’t know if you know this, but people can only have two, maybe three hip replacements in a lifeĆ&#x;me. – Tina Lyon Adams

The judge dismissed the handful of witnesses who were subpoenaed and ready to tesďż˝fy with their written statements. Lyon Adams was one of the witnesses and stated, “I am just happy it is moving forward.â€?

Lyon Adams sustained life-threatening injuries and con�nues to recover, over two years a�er the incident.

The leg brace over her clothes is a testament to her con�nued medical challenges.

Schneider is no stranger to the courtroom or to criminal cases involving drinking and driving. As a Dorvalbased criminal lawyer, an area of experďż˝se is aiding clients ďƒžght charges such as drinking and driving. When asked for a statement, Schneider said, “I haven’t let any client make a statement for 40 years and I’m not going to start now.â€?

Case history As previously reported in Your Local Journal, on Monday, June 15, 23-yearold Taylor had appeared at the Valleyďƒželd Courthouse where he was charged with 10 counts – ďƒžve for each vicďż˝m – of impaired driving, impaired driving causing bodily harm, having a blood alcohol level exceeding the legal limit, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and criminal negligence. He was held in custody for two days. “He’s been released on the condiďż˝on he doesn’t drive, doesn’t consume alcohol, lives at his address and gets permission from the court if he wants to change address, and not communicate with a list of witnesses except to prepare for his defense in the presence of his lawyer,â€? Schneider told assembled media at the ďż˝me. Crown prosecutor Catherine Sheitoyan had conďż˝nued to oppose bail ciďż˝ng the severity of the charges. Now reďż˝red Judge Michel Mercier rendered his decision on the bench without leaving to deliberate.

VicĆ&#x;m impact It has been a long road to recovery since June 2015 for Lyon Adams frought with setbacks. Holes in her bones caused by infecďż˝on had to be alleviated with bone marrow transplants. Damaged ligaments had to be replaced. Along with the right hip reinstallaďż˝on, she has two more surgeries scheduled for her leďż˝ leg that sďż˝ll requires a brace. “I won’t be able to run again,â€? said Adams. High impact acďż˝vity is out of the quesďż˝on for the young woman, now 22 years old. “I don’t know if you know this, but people can only have two, maybe three hip replacements in a lifeďż˝me,â€? she said. On the advice of her surgeon, she plans to make her

PHOTO BY BELINDA PYLE

Lawyer Philip Schneider (leĹŒ) with his client Jordan Taylor (right) and his mother preparing to enter the courtroom.

ďƒžrst one last as long as possible.

Staying focused When asked in a March, 2017 interview how she dealt with the stress and diďŹƒculty of her life, Adams told Your Local Journal that she learned early on in her recovery to stay focused. “I discovered that if I set a goal of accomplishing one thing in my day, it made me happy,â€? she said, adding, “It might

be something very simple, like making a phone call but as long as I got it done, I was happy.â€? Aďż˝ending physiotherapy three ďż˝mes per week is also a source of enjoyment. “I enjoy going because I can see improvement each ďż˝me.â€?

James Armstrong and Carmen Marie Fabio contributed to this arĆ&#x;cle.

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Thursday, December 21, 2017

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

3

EDITOR’S CORNER

Remembering Sad news arrived from Bri�sh Columbia this week that The Journal’s founding editor Pauline Naidoo passed away December 12 (see obituary on page 31). A wave of shock washed over me as a colleague delivered the sombre news while I was si�ng at my desk on a busy produc�on day. Not only was Pauline the loveliest person one would ever have the pleasure of knowing, but she was also a part of the quintet that got The Journal off the ground over 14 years ago. The realiza�on struck me that we lost two of the ve founding members this year. We also lost my Dad to cancer this past March, and I can state unequivocally that my Dad played a pivotal role in our success as well. When the chips were down, and we were being lambasted by opponents, my father never wavered in the certainty if one takes the high road, it may be a harder climb but worth the view. And without the exper�se and discipline Pauline brought to The Journal in those early days, we may not have known success in the way we did.

Many factors played in our favour that year, but when I received a phone call from Pauline informing me she was looking for a posi�on as an editor, the ball really got rolling. At this point I assembled our cast of characters which included my father who had previous experience in sales at the North Shore News and The Chronicle and had been a publisher for The Express in Ontario, my uncle Rod who had worked in sales for the Montreal Star years earlier, Sue, a former sales colleague who helped me get the newspaper up and running, and last but not least, Pauline. Our band of ve had to put up with a lot of opposi�on and bullying in those days, but that’s a column for another day. To Pauline and Dad, we here at the paper wish to offer you a heartfelt thank you for what you did for us and for The Journal. Without your talent, enlightened way of thinking and strength, we wouldn’t be the newspaper we are today. We miss you, oh, and 2017, you can go to blazes!

Guest Editorial by Monique BissonneƩe, Publisher

AWARD WINNING

PUBLISHER: EDITOR: JOURNALISTS: COLUMNIST: OFFICE MANAGER: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: SALES COORDINATOR: ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS: CONTRIBUTORS:

MONIQUE BISSONNETTE CARMEN MARIE FABIO JOHN JANTAK JAMES ARMSTRONG JAMES PARRY LAUREN MITCHELL NIKKI GIRARD SABREENA MOHAMED KAREN SIMMONS TARA FITZGERALD NICK ZACHARIAS JULES-PIERRE MALARTRE STEPHANIE O’HANLEY CJ MAXWELL

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

YourLocalJournalVS 4

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Photo of the year

CongratulaƟons to Johanne Syms of St. Lazare whose photo was chosen by Kia Regate Valleyeld as Your Local Journal’s Photo Of The Year. “I came across a quote that is quite ƫng to my picture. It is from Jonathan Rosen, an American writer. He says, ‘watching birds is a pleasure; seeing an owl is an event’. That is how I felt when I saw him!” said Syms when she heard the news.

Dear Editor: editor@yourlocaljournal.ca Hudson Angels Thank You Dear Editor, Our hear�elt thanks go out to all those organiza�ons and individuals who supported our cause during this fes�ve season.

Your collec�ve generosity has made it possible for us to supply a range of gi�s to a number of organiza�ons who in turn support many who are in need and deserve some much needed comfort, par�cularly at this �me of the year.

Specically your gi�s and nancial support have been used to bring happiness to the children of the CFAD organisa�on, Con�nuité Famille auprès des Détenues ( www.cfad.ca), the residents of Anne’s House and the residents of Nazareth House (www. nazarethcommunity.com), all located in downtown Montreal.

Without your support we would not be able to support these organiza�ons and so it is with great gra�tude that we thank you for your though�ulness at this �me.

We wish you all a fes�ve season lled with peace, love and good health.

Linnea and Marcus Owen and Avril Robinson, on behalf of many Angels in Hudson and the surrounding area.

Dear Editor, Once again this year the Hudson Christmas Cra� Fair was a huge success. Le Nichoir beneted from all proceeds this year, and also helped me run the show. On behalf of me and Susan Wylie of the Nichoir we would like to thank all the local businesses for their dona�ons: Main Kitchen, Clarence & Cripps, La Cache, Penny Petz, IGA, Village Hair Style, Cafe Campagne, Globe Pet, Chez Maurice, Tu� Gourmet, Brunet, Barn Owls, Mon Village, Mont Rigaud, Sauves, Centre Decor, and Vivery.

We would also like to thank the many people who gave dona�ons and their �me, to make this show successful.

Many Thanks Susan Donnelly Hudson

The QESBA and Parents Dear Editor, The Quebec English School Boards Associa�on (QESBA) doesn’t get it.

On December 11, the Associa�on’s president Jennifer Maccarone reportedly suggested a humanitarian clause in the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101) could be enacted to boost enrolment in English schools in Quebec.

Yet, on Feb. 16, 2017, then QESBA Execu�ve Director Marcus Tabachnick told the Official Languages Commi�ee, in O�awa: “... somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 students a�end Frenchlanguage school because that is what their parents chose.”

On the ma�er of what parents want, consider the latest news regarding school fees.

A few months ago Educa�on Minister Sébas�en Proulx mandated the French and English school board associa�ons, and parent groups, to come up with recommenda�ons by Dec. 15, to improve the way school fees parents are required to pay in Quebec schools.

The school board associa�ons refused to par�cipate in the exercise because they feared to incriminate themselves.

At a press conference, on December 11, French parents were alone when they submi�ed their recommenda�ons to the Educa�on Minister.

It seems English parents preferred to listen to the very poor advice of the QESBA, which is a master at dispensing misinforma�on to promote their economic interests.

I believe it would do well for English parents to scrap this $1,000,000 organiza�on, reinvest their money into their English classrooms and align themselves with the French parents, who are on our side.

Chris Eustace Pierrefonds, QC From Apathy to OpƟmism Dear Editor, A recent le�er public to the editor again ques�oned the legi�macy of a Mayor re-elected “despite the fact that two thirds voted against him”.

ConƟnued on page 9

Vaudreuil-Dorion 2018 budget reveals maximum $10 residential tax hike for average household John Jantak

Your Local Journal

Vaudreuil-Dorion residents living in an average household will see their property taxes rise by a maximum of $10 despite a 4.4 per cent increase in its opera�ng expenses as the city presented and adopted its 2018 budget during a special council session on Monday, December 18.

Residen�al property tax rates will increase 0.9 per cent. The residen�al property tax mill rate will rise from $0.6131 to $0.6186 for every $100 of municipal evalua�on. Water taxes will remain unchanged at $275.

Rigorous nancial management The $75,258,109 budget total is almost $3.2 million more than last year’s amount, but its impact remains below the consumer price index, even though three per cent of the increase in total expenses is solely a�ributed to the cost of implemen�ng a new food waste collec�on program in 2018 and higher snow removal fees, said Marco Pilon, the city’s Treasurer and Director of Finances during the presenta�on.

Other irreducible expenditures include remunera�on, public transit, public security and waste collec�on, which amount to $65 million for 2018

and represents 85 per cent of the city’s total expenses, Pilon added.

“Despite these signicant expenses, we are able to keep taxes at a reasonable rate thanks to our rigorous management of public nances. I say it every year, but it’s the absolute truth – our ci�zens enjoy countless services as well as cultural and recrea�onal ac�vi�es that are the envy of many other ci�es,” said Mayor Guy Pilon.

Higher revenues Mayor Pilon added the town increased its revenue again this year and tackled major infrastructure upgrades during his previous administra�on which will help to offset any major rise in expenses in the near future.

“Our new water ltra�on plant is now up and running and will enable us to tackle the demand in coming years.

It will also improve the quality of wastewater being discharged into the O�awa River. We have to realize that a city our size needs to invest in the services it provides directly to ci�zens,” said Pilon.

2018 projects The city will con�nue to ini�ate projects in 2018 aimed at improving the life of its ci�zens. Among the many planned projects will be the introduc�on of rst responder services to help deal with emergency situa�ons. “This is some-

PHOTO BY JOHN JANTAK

Vaudreuil-Dorion Treasurer and Director of Finances Marco Pilon presented the city’s 2018 budget during a special council session on Monday, December 18.

thing we’ve been eager to have within our territory for many years. Now that we have permanent full-�me reghters, the �ming could not be be�er to implement this service,” said Pilon.

New bike paths and pedestrian connec�ons are also on the agenda including two new gateways over the Quinchien River. The rst bike/pedestrian connec�on will be on Rue White.

The bridge was closed in 2016 to vehicle traffic for safety reasons. The sec-

ond connec�on will be near rue ÉmileBouchard which will connect to rue des Nénuphars.

The city will also create an organizing commi�ee next year to prepare for the 25th anniversary of the merger of Vaudreuil and Dorion which will be celebrated in 2019. Plans are also expected to go forward with the construc�on of the new city hall and expansion of the municipal library, said Pilon.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

5

THE SOAPBOX CARMEN MARIE FABIO

Queen of denial Cogni�ve dissonance, I’ve recently learned, is dened as the mental conict that occurs when beliefs or assump�ons are contradicted by new informa�on. Coined by psychologist Leon Fes�nger in the late 1950s, he showed that most people prefer to conserve their current understanding of their world by rejec�ng or avoiding new informa�on. Otherwise known as denial. And the danger – or the beauty – of denial is that one o�en doesn’t realize they’re even in denial. Because that would be, like, acknowledging, as opposed to denying.

So I found myself for most of the last few years as my le� eye began to slowly weaken and deteriorate. My right eye was doing all the work while the le� would o�en just wander off and do its own thing. In my defense, I did see an optometrist about it ve or so years ago and even though he agreed it was really cool, he said very li�le could be done for it. Maybe he was just speaking in terms of glasses. I took him at his word and rather than get a second opinion, I basically just worked around it.

Now, if denial has an adversary, it’s a smart-mouthed kid who has no concept of discre�on. Or, in my case, three of them.

“Your le� eye is wonky,” they’d observe, on more than one occasion. In public. Loudly. And if they were no�cing it, I knew that other people were no�cing it as well but were too polite to say anything. Besides a nely honed sense of denial, it was pride kicking in that nally had me bring the issue up to my family doctor and was referred to the office of someone who actually can x what was, in my case, called intermi�ent Vpa�ern inferior oblique overac�on exotropia. Or, in layman’s terms, wonky.

The “Are you s�ll driving?” ques�on was worded sternly enough for me to realize the situa�on wasn’t likely to just improve on its own – which some�mes can happen with denial. (Example – turning up the radio when your car’s engine makes a funny noise).

The doctor then directed me to his website which described the various types of strabismus and their respec�ve surgical interven�ons in detail. There’s even video footage of the procedure which I opted not to watch a�er seeing my husband’s face and hearing the noises he made while viewing it. I choose to refer to that as self-protec�on, not denial.

I wasn’t so much in denial to not understand that ‘fas�ng from midnight’ before surgery means no morning cup of tea though I really wasn’t happy about it....Savages.

But I was in for a shock when the nice lady at the admi�ng desk said I was there for surgery on both eyes.

“No!” I insisted. “Just the le� one!”

Apparently, I’d been told all this beforehand, along with the descrip�on of how the sutures in my eye would be adjusted post-op once the anesthe�c wore off. Honestly, if I’d really digested it all beforehand, I probably wouldn’t have gone through with any of it.

Now that it’s all over and done with, I’ve watched the video and wholeheartedly agree with my decision not to have watched it earlier.

I’m thankful for the work of Dr. Michael Flanders, his office assistant Laurie, and all the staff at the Montreal General Hospital Day Surgery unit, for everyone at Your Local Journal who rallied to help put these last two issues to bed and, especially, to my eldest son who welcomed me back home post-op with a steaming cup of tea.

Happy holidays, I’m looking forward, with two eyes, to 2018.

6

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Ste. Anne’s inaugurates plaque to commemorate bond with Kahnawake

PHOTO BY JOHN JANTAK

Ste. Anne de Bellevue Councillor Ryan Young (le�), Akwesasne Chief Joe Lazore, JacquesCar�er Liberal MNA and Minister responsible for Indian Affairs, Geoff Kelley, Mayor Paola Hawa, and Tree Canada President Michael Rosen inaugurate a plaque at Kelso Park in honour of the Kahnawake Mohawk Na�on on Thursday, December 14.

John Jantak

Your Local Journal

A plaque in honour of the Kahnawake Mohawk Na�on was inaugurated at Kelso Park in Ste. Anne de Bellevue on Thursday, December 14.

The event was a�ended by Geoff Kelley, the provincial Jacques-Car�er Liberal MNA and Minister responsible for Na�ve Affairs, Ste. Anne’s Mayor Paola Hawa, Councillor Ryan Young, Tree Canada President Michael Rosen and Akwesasne Chief Joe Lazore on behalf of Kahnawake Grand Chief Joe Norton who was unable to a�end the event.

The commemora�on took place in front of a white pine that was planted in May 2005 to symbolize the bond between Kahnawake and Ste. Anne’s, said

Hawa. The white pine is also considered as the Great Tree of Peace by the Mohawk people.

“BeauƟful iniƟaƟve” “It’s a beau�ful ini�a�ve. It respects and represents our history. Ste. Anne’s has a very long history of interac�on with the Mohawk people who were some of the rst inhabitants of this area.

It’s a beau�ful thing to look back and see now that we’re paying homage to them before we forget,” Hawa told Your Local Journal.

Chief Lazore said it was a great feeling to have been invited to par�cipate in the inaugura�on. “It’s awesome. It’s good rela�onship and partnership building.

It’s my rst �me here. I didn’t know this tree was planted here.

ConƟnued on page 11

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YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

7

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YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Your Local Journal

Ci�zens who were affected by the unprecedented record-se�ng spring�me ooding in May can apply for two new programs being offered by the Municipalité Régionale de Comté (MRC) de Vaudreuil-Soulanges to help vic�ms s�ll in distress as a result of the tragedy. The ini�a�ves were presented during a press conference at MRC headquarters in Vaudreuil-Dorion last Thursday, December 14.

Psychosocial support For the rst �me, the MRC and Fonda�on du Centre hospitalier VaudreuilSoulanges (FCHVS) announced that a por�on of the money raised by the Fonda�on during the Salon des vins will be donated to the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de la MontérégieOuest (CISSS) for psychosocial support to ood vic�ms.

The FCHVS will contribute 50 per cent of its net revenue from the Salon des Vins that was held on May 17. “We are happy to announce that we will be contribu�ng $36,800 to the MRC and CISSS to ensure the most equitable and efficient distribu�on of these funds as soon as possible,” said founda�on President Denis Lapointe.

PHOTO BY JOHN JANTAK

Patrick Bousez, MRC Prefect and Mayor of Rivière-BeaudeƩe, announced two new nancial assistance programs in cooperaƟon with local community groups to help ood vicƟms.

Food vouchers In another ini�a�ve, the MRC along with Moisson Sud-Ouest announced they will be distribu�ng 147 vouchers valued at $100 each from money collected during a fund-raising campaign to help ood vic�ms buy groceries during the holiday season.

ConƟnued on page 11

Letters

Continued from page 4 I responded to this ques�on in my “Points to Ponder” le�er, but perhaps it requires repea�ng: “we don’t base our elec�ons on who the electorate “didn’t vote for”, that would be like focusing on the fact that 66% “didn’t vote for” Mme. Jolicoeur and 72% “didn’t vote for” M. Lambert. In our elec�on 63% didn’t vote for Mayor Grimaudo, so the least amount of voters were against him, that’s why he won. This is a ridiculous way of looking at any elec�on, and to state that the vision of duly elected winner has “no legi�macy” is an an�-democra�c statement to make.

Although voter apathy is an issue, let’s not give too much a�en�on to those who give no a�en�on to vo�ng.

Today’s electorate, via social media, and 24/7 news is the most well informed in history and know their vote counts. In this Town, Council is in constant communica�on with their electorate via monthly mee�ngs, consulta�ons, email, social media, and face to face, so it can’t be any lack of connec�on, since the connec�on is there for those who want it.

As for not “seeing” your councillor, I invite everyone to come to monthly meetings, or join a commi�ee. All councillors are always available, for those who truly want to connect. As for the idea that the needs of local promoters and entrepreneurs are foremost on Councils minds, again aside from such a statement being “insul�ng” to Council, those thoughts may be those of a few cynical misinformed people who may have watched too many B movies, but I don’t believe that an informed ci�zen would share that opinion.

Overall, we spend too much �me trying to analyze why someone chooses not to vote, it is simply a personal choice. No one, can state why someone didn’t vote, maybe it was the weather, or they were too busy, or not interested in poli�cs, or simply happy with present mayor, and it is simply false to assume that those who didn’t vote were all “against” the vision of the winner. In fact it is more likely that those who didn’t vote actually supported the incumbent, in that those who are against the incumbent are usually more vocal and mo�vated.

As for the candidate’s promises being dull, or ordinary, on the contrary, I found

them quite interes�ng and diverse. I did take issue with some of the outlandish and unsubstan�ated claims of a few candidates; however that misinforma�on did lead to greater a�en�on to the elec�on.

To state that candidates, do anything they can to seek re-elec�on, is not only false and cynical, but based on the nancial benets of the job, only those with a true voca�on for public service benet need and do apply for the job. I do agree however that the Councillors are voted to make decisions, otherwise, we should abolish Council and simply have referendums on all issues big or small, but that is inefficient and imprac�cal. Council is there to decide, and I’m sure Council will con�nue to have public consulta�ons (I believe this council has already had 2 in as many months), so to say, decisions are made without consulta�on is simply false.

Let’s not focus on those who didn’t care to vote, but let’s celebrate those who did vote, those who ran for office regardless of whether they won or lost, those who a�end mee�ngs and ask ques�ons, and those who join committees and volunteer, and truly care about the town. Let’s be op�mis�c and work with the new council to con�nue to ensure openness and caring. This Council seems to want to be informed before making decisions, and is led by a Mayor who has been elected 3 �mes, and a veteran councillor, Pamela Tremblay, who is a straight forward, “calls it as she sees it” person, who knows the dossiers of the town inside and out. I am condent and op�mis�c that the present Council will con�nue to ensure that the best interest of the ci�zens is served, and if it leads to more voter turnout in the future, great, but regardless, they are doing what’s best for all ci�zens, whether they voted or not.

In closing, I very much have enjoyed reading and responding to various letters to the editor (or any wri�en or spoken words) that I feel have been misleading, or insul�ng, and will con�nue to do so whenever I feel a line is crossed. I believe a public le�er, requires a public response, (not a private one), and on that note, I want to publicly wish everyone Joyeuses Fetes, Happy Holidays, Health and Op�mism for the coming 4 years!

Cosimo La Rosa St. Lazare

Pre-school toddlers give gifts for those less fortunate this Christmas Two Hudson kindergartens share the warmth of caring for others James Parry

Your Local Journal

When it comes to the gi� of sharing and giving to those less fortunate over Christmas and the Holiday Season, it’s never too young to start. As was very evident in Hudson this week when youngsters at two pre-school kindergartens, with the full support of their families and staff, handed over their very own contribu�ons to two worthwhile causes.

Escorted by their teachers and all bundled up wearing yellow vests while linked and holding hands, infants and toddlers from the Garderie Entre Deux Montagnes, 33 Wharf Street, trudged their way through the snow to nearby IGA Hudson on Main Road to drop off non-perishable goods for Le Pont/ Bridging food bank and to be warmly welcomed by founder, Carol Laws.

Said Garderie director, Jonathan Lazare, “This is our second year now and the children have been looking forward to it for weeks. And the reason we do it is not just to help other youngsters and their parents who might be in need over the holidays and even a�er, but also to show them how important it is for them to think of others and not only themselves yearround.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHEILA WEIDMAN

The children of Centre Préscolaire Hudson were happy to celebrate with their Christmas project of Sharing and Caring. Collecting le�over Halloween candy, the children ll stockings cut and sewn by the parents and educators. This year over 400 stockings were given to the hospital for the children and staff.

Over at the Centre Préscolaire Hudson, located at Wyman Church, 513 Main Road, youngsters were equally happy to give with their Christmas project of Sharing and Caring.

ConƟnued on page 26

Thursday, December 14, 2017

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

9

SPCA Ouest de L’Île awarded Vaudreuil-Dorion animal control contract Jules-Pierre Malartre

Special Contributor

On Thursday, December 14, SPCA Ouest de L’Île announced it was awarded the contract for animal control for Vaudreuil-Dorion. France Lavoie, Director of Communica�ons for Vaudreuil-Dorion conrmed that SPCA Ouest had submitted the lowest bid and been awarded the city’s contract for animal control.

SPCA Ouest therefore takes over from Centre Canin du Suroît as of January 1, 2018. “It’s the rst �me SPCA Ouest bids for Vaudreuil-Dorion,” Guy Pilon, Mayor of Vaudreuil-Dorion commented.

“We are anxious to forward our exper�se to the community, in view of be�ering the animals’ way of life and the rela�on between humans and their pets,” SPCA Ouest posted on its Facebook page. The post went on to say SPCA Ouest was looking forward to the year ahead and thanked everyone for the trust being put in its team.

SPCA Ouest did not respond to Your Local Journal’s requests for comments.

During a 2015 interview, SPCA Ouest president Rémi Brazeau talked about the difficul�es organiza�ons like SPCA Ouest faced in bidding for municipal ani-

mal control contracts. “Municipali�es go for the lowest bidder,” Brazeau explained. “If [SPCA Ouest] accepts an animal, it gets sterilized and dewormed, it gets medica�on [if it is sick], and it goes into quaran�ne. Eventually, it goes into adop�on. That can cost—say, $500 per animal.”

“We had very good service from Centre Canin du Suroît,” Pilon stressed.

“Their number one mission was not to euthanize, but to nd homes for the dogs.” Pilon added that the city put clauses in its animal control contracts that control euthanasia, no ma�er what service provider the city retains. “I would be interested in nding out, but I don’t think there was much euthanasia over the past few years,” Pilon added.

Pilon acknowledges the ongoing coopera�on between the city and SPCA Ouest. “We awarded SPCA Ouest a grant for a micro-chipping program. We’ve been working with them for a certain �me already, and Mr. Brazeau took part in our panel, along with other stakeholders, to develop our dog bylaws,” Pilon explains.

Pilon men�oned that VaudreuilDorion does not intend to banish any dog breeds. “We are more interested in

YLJ FILE PHOTO/LAUREN MITCHELL

SPCA Ouest de L’Île is looking forward to sharing their exper�se and be�ering the way of life for animals in the Vaudreuil-Dorion area.

regula�ng the behaviour of animal owners,” he stressed. He feels that mindsets regarding pets have evolved. Pilon cites the recent arrival of a number of dogs in Quebec rescued from the Korean meat trade as a good example. “We just nished door-to-door visits of our residents, and I must say I have more cats and dogs in my city than actual people,”

Pilon said. “It’s not rare to see one or two pets per household. People love animals, and they take care of them. Pets are now prac�cally family members.”

I am sure SPCA Ouest will use people of the same level of competency [as Centre Canin du Suroît]. I think things will go well. I look forward to seeing how thing progress,” Pilon added.

Holiday relief for Île-aux-Tourtes bridge motorists James Armstrong

Your Local Journal

There will be a short holiday respite for motorists using the Île-auxTourtes bridge beginning Friday, December 22, 2017 un�l January 2, 2018 according to Media Rela�ons Coordinator for the Ministère des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l’Électrica�on des Transports (MTQ) Sarah Bensadoun. “There will be three lanes open eastbound in the direc�on of Montreal and two lanes open westbound toward VaudreuilDorion,” said Bensadoun on Tuesday, December 12. With ongoing repairs to the westbound side of the structure since late spring 2017, drivers crossing the bridge have been faced

with orange cones, concrete barriers marking temporary lane changes and daily traffic conges�on.

SupporƟng the bridge Bensadoun said repairs were being made to the pillars suppor�ng the bridge. The contract for the repair project, worth $8.5 million, began in June 2017 and is expected to be completed by spring 2018. Throughout the winter months, the actual work area and workers on the bridge are protected from the weather by a structure that looks similar to a temporary winter car shelter.

“We have been doing a lot of work since December of 2015,” she added no�ng it is an elderly structure and needs some love. According to the MTQ website, the bridge is the subject of a major project included in the 2016-2026 Québec Infrastructure Plan in the “projects under study” category.

PHOTO BY JAMES ARMSTRONG

On-going repair work on the Île-aux-Tourtes bridge combined with inclement weather and slippery road condi�ons lead to accidents and inevitable traffic jams including a jack-knifed tractor trailer accident on Tuesday, December 19 that closed eastbound lanes for several hours.

Background Built in 1966, the current span serves as a connec�on between the

f BUON NATALE! Best wishes for the New Year!

A special thank-you to everyone who was there to Arnal support me through a difficult time.

Arnaldo Vincenzi

- Tailor 80 Cameron, Hudson | 450-458-4858 10

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Island of Montreal and VaudreuilDorion for 83,000 daily users on Highway 40. It is composed of two successive structures totaling 1,962 metres in each direc�on. The western structure near Vaudreuil-Dorion is a prestressed beam type of structure and the eastern end is a reinforced concrete beam type. It has three lanes in both direc�ons when not under repair. Bensadoun encouraged motorists to consult Québec 511 for road network condi�ons on a 24/7 basis.

STORIES OF THE YEAR JANUARY

PHOTO BY RODNEY LORICA

Prime Minister JusƟn Trudeau visits Île-Perrot restaurant

James Armstrong Prime Minister Jus�n Trudeau made one of many appearances in our compara�vely small territory over the course of 2017, stopping rst in Île-Perrot’s Smoke Meat Pete restaurant in January for a meet-and-greet with the customers. For more 2017 sigh�ngs of Trudeau in Vaudreuil-Soulanges, see page 23.

Following a deadly shoo�ng that took the lives of ve members of a Quebec City mosque, Vaudreuil-Soulanges residents responded by hos�ng a candlelit vigil at Saint James’ Anglican Church in Hudson January 30 in a showing of solidarity with the Muslim community.

Islamic Cultural Centre of VaudreuilSoulanges member Nabil Rougui told Your Local Journal he was grateful for all the expressions of support including the bouquets of owers and notes of condolence le� at the door of the centre on Harwood Boulevard. A week a�er the shoo�ngs, the centre opened its doors to the public, welcoming the community members and elected officials into their centre for an open house.

MARCH

FEBRUARY PHOTO BY CARMEN MARIE FABIO

Animal rights’ protest Carmen Marie Fabio

PHOTO BY JAMES ARMSTRONG

Vaudreuil-Soulanges Islamic Cultural Centre opens its doors to the public following Quebec shooƟng James Armstrong

Kahnawake

Continued from page 6 It recognizes our way of life and keeps a good path going. I feel great about that,” said Lazore.

Special signicance For Young and Rosen who par�cipated in the tree plan�ng ceremony 12 years earlier, the event holds special meaning. “I go to the park o�en and know its signicance because I was there when it was planted. The plaque now states its signicance. It’s a demonstra�on of good will to our local indigenous community, Kahnawake. People from Kanehsatake will be happy to see it too,” said Young.

Rosen said he was honoured to be back on site to see how large the white pine had grown. White pines commonly grow more than 100 feet tall at full maturity. “Tree Canada has planted 82 million trees since 1992 but not all of them have as much signicance as the one today,” said Rosen.

“Thanks to Councillor Young, it was in the spirit of reconcilia�on to make sure they involved the people of Kahnawake.

This was tradi�onal Mohawk territory so we made sure they were involved in

A protest Friday, March 17, saw over 100 demonstrators taking a stand against the use and reported abuse of animals in a Baie d’Urfé medical testing facility. The ini�al protest, organized

by Robert Boisvert of the animal rights’ group 269life, was staged in response to video footage obtained by a technician working for Los Angeles-based animal rights’ group named Last Chance for Animals (LCA). A�er the footage was broadcast on the CTV inves�ga�ve journalism

2005. We provided the original grant for the plan�ng of this tree and many other trees within Ste. Anne’s. It speaks to the power of trees to bring people together,” Rosen added.

Spirit of reconciliaƟon For Kelley, the event is a con�nuing process undertaken by many municipali�es to reach out to the many diverse indigenous communi�es throughout the province to bring people together through a spirit of reconcilia�on.

“Reconcilia�on is a series of small but signicant gestures,” said Kelley. “Many municipali�es across Quebec are offering gestures by assigning recogni�on, respect and friendship agreements. Each one in and of itself is a small gesture but when you start to add them all together, what we’re trying to do is build respect and break down prejudices. Today’s event adds to that.”

The plaque is wri�en in English, French and Mohawk in order to pay tribute to members of the Mohawk Na�on who study at John Abbo� College and McGill University in Ste. Anne’s. The inaugura�on is part of a larger project to raise awareness about signicant historical events in Ste. Anne’s by installing interpreta�on plaques throughout the city.

program W5, showing mistreatment of pigs, dogs, and monkeys at the Interna�onal Toxicology Research (ITR) Laboratories in Baie d’Urfé, hundreds of people assembled across the street.

Interviewed during the March 17 protest, ITR Senior Vice President Gine�e Bain told Your Local Journal, “We have been in touch with the CCAC, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Wildlife Protec�on Agency. They were in our facility immediately a�er the W5 report.” Bain said she was as shocked as the protesters to see the footage.

Tina Adams regains mobility James Armstrong A�er a June, 2015 hit-and-run accident that le� her with mul�ple severe injuries, Hudson resident Tina Adams nally was able to resume walking this year a�er December, 2016 hip replacement surgery. Her life changed when she was struck by a car operated by an inebriated driver that le� the then 21-yearold with serious mobility challenges and neurological damage. The accident put Adams’ pursuit of a career in Police Technology on indenite hold but she now uses the experience to speak to students about the dangers of drinking and driving.

MRC

Continued from page 8 The food bank provides support to families and individuals in need throughout the region.

“We’re available to help at all �mes, whether in the daily life of our ci�zens or during emergency situa�ons such as the spring oods. Our aim is to give hope to families in the region who have been affected by food insecurity,” said Julie Bergevin, Director General of Moisson Sud-Ouest.

To obtain a voucher, vic�ms must provide proof of residence and apply directly at MRC headquarters located at 280 Harwood Blvd from Monday to Thursday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Fridays between 8:30 a.m. and noon.

Regional relief effort Patrick Bousez, MRC Prefect and May-

PHOTO BY JAMES ARMSTRONG

Update: Following an appearance at the Valleyeld Courthouse December 18, 2017 Jordan Taylor pled not guilty to the allegaƟon that he struck Tina Lyon Adams and Alique Remtulla-Langlois while they were jogging the evening of June 12, 2015. Taylor and his lawyer Philip Schneider opted for a trial by jury scheduled for mid-January 2018.

SOTY conƟnued on page 14

or of Rivière-Beaude�e, said the MRC has been working with various community groups since the beginning of the disaster to provide as much assistance as possible. He also noted that all 23 MRC municipali�es pitched in throughout the relief effort.

“Today is a great day. A lot of people are s�ll having trouble because of the ooding. This is one of the reasons we started collec�ng money when the disaster happened and now it’s �me to share it with our ci�zens. It’s �me for them to get a bit more relief. We did our best and we will con�nue to help our ci�zens for as long as we can,” Bousez told Your Local Journal.

“I am proud of this gesture of solidarity on behalf of our community. I am convinced the services that will be made possible with these addi�onal funds will be helpful to the ood vic�ms,” added Bousez.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

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11

PARRYWINKLE JAMES PARRY With Christmas Day now just four days away if you are reading this on Thursday, December 21 and our last un�l our next issue of Your Local Journal out on January 18, let’s go a bit silly this week. And talk Panto! More specically about Hudson’s very own locally produced pantomime, Camelot, double cast, now on stage at Hudson Village Theatre through January 7, and PHOTO BY the only one of its kind with an extended run in MAURICE JEFFERIES Quebec if indeed not throughout all of Canada.

--------------COME A LOT FOR CAMELOT - Together with my beau�ful Sunshine, partook in the official opening night. And, along with virtually everyone else in the audience, we booed. Unrestrained and very vociferously. But only when the baddies were on stage. For when the heroes and heroines appeared, we cheered loudly encouraging them on their quest to ensure that by the end of the evening and against all odds love conquered all.

Of course, as with any Panto - developed partly from the 16th century commedia dell’arte of Italy and other European and Bri�sh stage tradi�ons, such as 17th-century masques and music hall - there’s always a lot of odd stuff going on in such produc�ons. Men playing women. Women playing men. Bad puns, the badder the be�er. Dancing and singing, some�mes in step and in key. And a whole ra� of zany goings-on with a cast of characters that boggle the mind. Ah, but you go�a love it!

And not just because of all the hard work that goes into staging such a produc�on on the part of so many volunteers aged from youngsters to seniors and for months leading up to when the curtain rises.

Which, for the rst �me ever at HVT I do believe, actually did on this occasion. But because it is always laugh-lled community theatre at its best that the whole family can enjoy.

In this year’s produc�on, directed by Steve Walters, there is so much to enjoy. From the opening act to the grand nale. Sets by Jean Claude Olivier are stupendous. Costumes by Karen Pearce are fantabulous. And as for the cast and crew, well I do believe that King Arthur would have knighted them all!

For more info and reserva�ons, call the Box Office at (450) 4585361 or go to www.hudsonvillagetheatre.ca. Laugh yourself silly and see photos on YLJ’s Facebook page.

--------------CAROLS WITH A TWIST - And to close my last column of 2017, thought you might get a kick out of the following which, according to YLJ wag, Jane Kirkwood, actually happened. Or there again perhaps not. Apparently, earlier this week, a frenzied young man ran into a pet shop in Vaudreuil-Dorion looking for an unusual gi� for his wife, The shop owner suggested a parrot, named Chet which, he claimed, could sing famous Christmas carols. This seemed like the perfect gi� and so the young man asked excitedly, “How do I get him to sing?”

“Simply hold a lighted match under his feet,” replied the owner who then did so under the parrot’s le� foot. Well, Chet began to sing.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells. The shop owner then held another match under the parrot’s right foot. Chet’s tune changed, and the air was suddenly lled with Silent Night, Holy Night...

Well apparently the young man was so impressed that he promptly paid and ran home as fast as he could with Chet under his arm. When his beloved saw her gi�, she was overwhelmed. “How beau�ful!” she exclaimed. “Can he talk?”

“No,” her hubby replied. “But he can sing. Let me show you.” At which point he whipped out his lighter and placed it under Chet’s le� foot as he had been shown and Chet crooned Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells.

He then moved the lighter to Chet’s right foot and out came Silent Night, Holy Night.

His wife, her face lled with curiosity, then asked, “What if we held the lighter between his legs?” Her husband, eager to please her, replied, “I’ve no idea but let’s try it.” So together they held the lighter between Chet’s legs. Chet twisted his face, cleared his throat, and the li�le parrot sang out loudly like it was the performance of his life. Are you ready for it?

Chet’s nuts roasƟng on an open re…

And on that note, I bow out un�l our next issue on January 18.

And, from my Sunshine and I, a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all.

And that’s a wrap!

E-mail: crea�on@videotron.ca

12

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

PHOTO BY MADELEINE LANGLOIS

New execu�ve director of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Pallia�ve Care Residence, Jean-François Thibert, (centre) was welcomed by some of the staff and many volunteers on his rst day at work on Monday, December 18, as well as by outgoing interim execu�ve director, Anne Lauzon (to his le� in photo). The nurses were elsewhere in the Residence preparing for the arrival of a new pa�ent.

New executive director at Vaudreuil-Soulanges Palliative Care Residence James Parry

Your Local Journal

On his rst official day in the office at the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Pallia�ve Care Residence in Hudson this week, new Execu�ve Director Jean-François Thibert admits he was not really prepared for the recep�on he received.

“It was simply overwhelming and all of it posi�ve,” he told Your Local Journal. “I met separately with the nurses, staff, and many of the volunteers and it was so heartwarming to see that we are really on the same team and determined to con�nue the wonderful work and excellent quality of care that the dynamic people here have been doing for the community for the past seven years. Like me, they are all passionate about what they do and they all love people and life itself un�l the very end.”

Added Thibert, who comes to the post with 25 years’ experience in business management including being general manager of private seniors’ residences and serving on the organizing commi�ee of the Finale des Jeux du Québec, “I have always believed it important that one not only communicates with one’s team, but also listens to them with respect, and involve them in what is going on. And this is something I fully intend to do as we move ahead into 2018.”

Added Anne Lauzon, interim execu�ve director for the past three months

and whose specic mandate was to nd her full-�me successor as well as oversee and lead all the teams during the transi�on period, “The Residence is certainly in good hands with JeanFrançois. He is denitely a team player.

And it has been an honour working with that team since October. Indeed, it has been an experience that I will remember all my life.”

The Residence is certainly in good hands with Jean-François. He is denitely a team player. And it has been an honour working with that team since October. Indeed, it has been an experience that I will remember all my life.

- Anne Lauzon

Currently, the Residence is looking forward to again hos�ng its major fundraiser, Happening 2018, on Saturday, January 27, star�ng at 5.30 p.m. at the Pavillon sur le lac du Château Vaudreuil in Vaudreuil-Dorion with a spectacular show by Florence K and under the honorary presidency of Isabelle Salvas, Execu�ve Director of Promutuel Assurance.

Tickets are $250, with a $100 income tax receipt, and for reserva�ons or further info, call Monique Bourbonnais at (450) 424-1085 or Barbara Firth at (450) 202-2202.

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YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

13

STORIES OF THE YEAR way to the West Island. Thousands of people were displaced from homes that o�en were in the family for genera�ons.

The province and individual municipali�es are s�ll tabula�ng the nal price tag as they scramble to update ood zone informa�on and guidelines in concert with the reality of climate change. See more ood coverage on page 8.

APRIL

PHOTO BY JAMES ARMSTRONG

PHOTO BY JOHN JANTAK

Spring Ɵme ooding

John Jantak Undoubtedly the story of the year, the 2017 oods that rst breached the Town of Rigaud slowly creeped into communi�es from Vaudreuil-Soulanges all the

CAQ Leader François Legault visits Your Local Journal

Carmen Marie Fabio Coali�on Avenir Québec (CAQ) leader François Legault reached out to Anglophones in the region - eight months before the Bonjour/Hi asco – by discussing his party’s pla�orm at our offices, ci�ng his focus on economy and educa�on

rather than Quebec sovereignty. Some of his opinions were at odds with his Liberal counterpart Soulanges MNA Lucie Charlebois, par�cularly his asser�on the Liberals take the Anglo vote for granted.

Legault also advocated for star�ng kids in school at the age of four and iden�fying kids with special needs no later than age three. His party proposes cu�ng 20,000 provincial government jobs over a period of four years and injec�ng the money back into the middle class.

Reec�ng the region’s status as being the second-fastest growing riding in the en�re country, the organiza�on represen�ng the 23 towns that make up Vaudreuil-Soulanges moved from their Vaudreuil-Dorion loca�on on Saint-Charles Avenue to new facili�es on Harwood Boulevard. The structure houses the MRC offices, Municipal Court, and as of June 1, the Centre Locale de Développement (CLD) moved into the top oor of the three-storey building.

PHOTO BY JOHN JANTAK

Subsidies for Chaline Valley landslide work

John Jantak

PHOTO BY CARMEN MARIE FABIO

New digs for Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC

Carmen Marie Fabio

Soulanges provincial MNA Lucie Charlebois officially announced the awarding of a $5.9 million subsidy to the Town of St. Lazare for work to recongure and stabilize the land and shoreline along the Quinchien River in Chaline Valley during a press conference with municipal officials on Monday, April 3.

SOTY conƟnued on page 15

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YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

STORIES OF THE YEAR “I’m very pleased to announce the nancial agreement that was made between the provincial Ministry of Public Security and St. Lazare,” said Charlebois. “This partnership will protect 90 residences, 1.7 kilometres of municipal roads, and one bridge. These families will also get peace of mind regarding the safety of their homes and loved ones.”

The nancial assistance comes from the green fund which is a part of the provincial 2013-2020 Climate Change AcƟon Plan. This agreement allows work to be done which will help prevent landslides from occurring on the banks of the Quinchien River. According to Charlebois, by late 2018 all the work in the eld will nally begin.

sector of Ste. Anne’s was adopted represenƟng the city’s urban development plan. At least three developers opposed to the nalized PPU presented briefs outlining their opposiƟon to the revised plan including Développement immobilier Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (DISAB) and Groupe immobilier Grilli. Mayor Paola Hawa and council stood their ground and despite a legal challenge launched in July by DISAB, mayor and council said they wouldn’t be ‘bullied’ into making changes. Development in the area will be permiƩed but limited to three storeys.

JUNE

a special tribute at Ste. Anne’s Hospital to recognize its 100th anniversary June 22. The hospital, which was transferred from federal to provincial jurisdicƟon in April 2016, has become an integral part of the CIUSSS as a geriatric facility for the general populaƟon while sƟll providing specialized care and services for veterans. “Our histories are inextricably linked,” said Ste. Anne’s Mayor Paola Hawa. “A decision that was made in 1917 basically forged our municipality for 100 years. Ste. Anne’s is all about veterans, their stories and how they shaped our community.”

PHOTO BY JAMES ARMSTRONG

Carmen Marie Fabio Catherine Haulard, who was hired in August 2013 following the departure of former DG Louise Léger-Villandré SOTY conƟnued on page 16

Hudson wins wrongful dismissal suit

MAY

PHOTO BY CARMEN MARIE FABIO

PHOTO BY JOHN JANTAK

Ste. Anne’s northern sector John Jantak Following months of work, the nal revised Programme parƟculier d’urbanisme (PPU) for the northern

Ste. Anne’s Hospital 100th John Jantak A decision made more than a century ago to temporarily locate a military hospital in Ste. Anne de Bellevue to treat wounded soldiers from World War I and which eventually became a permanent veterans’ facility was marked with

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YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

15

STORIES OF THE YEAR (who was later arrested and convicted for fraud and breach of trust a�er misappropria�ng $1.1 million from the town coffers), was suspended for two weeks in February, 2015 following what Mayor Ed Prévost described as a fallingout between Haulard and Labour Rela�ons Consultant Judy Sheehan who was hired to help council renego�ate the labour rela�ons agreement with the unionized employees of the town.

Following her unpaid suspension, Haulard did not return to her posi�on then brought her case before Quebec’s Commission des rela�ons du travail last November. Judge Mylène Alder ruled in favour of the town nding no unlawful interference by council. The case is es�mated to have cost the town just under $200,000 in legal fees.

overbilling for Sûreté du Québec (SQ) police services within the Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC prompted Vaudreuil-Dorion council to propose a resolu�on that requests the provincial government to review and make changes to the overbilling prac�ces. When individual municipal police departments were disbanded by the provincial government and the SQ was mandated to provide police services for the en�re MRC, Vaudreuil-Dorion Mayor Guy Pilon said the original contribu�on was set at 50 per cent. Over the years the amount of the contribu�on increased to 80 per cent, 100 per cent and now stands at 112 per cent, an amount that Pilon feels is unjus�ed.

funds to residents throughout the Montérégie region. The announcement was made by provincial MNAs Lucie Charlebois (Soulanges) and Marie-Claude Nichols (Vaudreuil). Charlebois said the aid is being provided to reassure affected homeowners that the government is aware of the issue and is commi�ed to helping affected residents. For St. Lazare residents, the amount pegged for the community by the province is $171,000, an amount that will be matched by the town, for a total of $342,000, said Mayor Robert Grimaudo.

building with connec�ons to sanita�on facili�es, potable water, and electricity will be constructed behind the water treatment plant on Wharf Road. Crewmembers will have their own wharf installed east of the abandoned municipal wharf with a vehicle parking space nearby. Parking space for crewmembers is allocated at the back of the Jack Layton parking lot. The federal government will be funding the en�re project with a proposed opening in April, 2018.

SEPTEMBER

AUGUST

JULY PHOTO COURTESY LYNN SERRE

PHOTO BY JAMES ARMSTRONG

PHOTO BY JOHN JANTAK

PHOTO BY CARMEN MARIE FABIO

Vaudreuil-Dorion conƟnues to demand review of SQ overbilling John Jantak In an ongoing story, the con�nued

Homeowners with foundaƟon problems to receive nancial aid John Jantak Residents with faulty founda�ons will be able to qualify for nancial assistance a�er the provincial government announced it will provide $1.85 million in

Hudson Community Baptist Church Wishes you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday Services at 10:30 a.m.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

3141 Côte St-Charles, St-Lazare, QC 450-485-1945 www.hudsonbaptist.ca 16

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Hudson chosen for OƩawa River search and rescue staƟon

Stringent by-law enforcement demanded aŌer dog killed in Ste. Anne’s

James Armstrong

John Jantak

Hudson town council approved the installa�on of a Nau�cal Rescue Sta�on in the town by the federal government under the jurisdic�on of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard Inshore Rescue Boat Service Program (IRB Service). An 800 square-foot

A Ste. Anne de Bellevue resident demanded the city enforce its dog by-laws more vigorously a�er their family pet was mauled and killed by another large aggressive dog in the north sector of the city in September.

SOTY conƟnued on page 18

During the Holidays our thoughts turn to those who have made our success possible, and in this spirit, the staff and management at L’Etoile de Rigaud sincerely say thank you!

Best wishes for the

Holiday Season and Happy New Year!

FULLY LICENSED

RESTAURANT IS CLOSED DECEMBER 25TH.

110 STJEAN BAPTISTE, RIGAUD 4504510841 Thursday, December 21, 2017

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

17

STORIES OF THE YEAR Lynn Serre, 49, and her 15-year-old daughter were walking their small fouryear-old cockapoo along Rue Meloche when the large dog reportedly managed to break free from its handler, an elderly woman who may have had difficulty controlling the dog, as it was being led into the house. The dog then immediately ran to the curb and began a�acking ‘Ozzy’. Though immediately transported to a veterinarian, Ozzy died from the severity of his injuries. The owner of the a�acking dog, who described the event as an unfortunate accident, was ned by the town.

The potholes, bumps, cracks, and broken asphalt that comprised Route Harwood between Highway 40 and Highway 20 disappeared in a long-awaited paving project. Vaudreuil MNA Marie-Claude Nichols made the announcement, saying it was a pleasure to deliver such good news. Vaudreuil-Dorion’s Mayor Guy Pilon summed it up by singing, “I feel good!”

The total cost of the project was $4,317,691 with the town taking responsibility for 50 per cent of the cost.

Nichols said the 8.9 kilometres of newly paved road will ensure the safety of drivers and is part of the Rehabilita�on of Local Roads Network Program, an accelerated investment in the local road network.

PHOTO BY CÉLINE PILON

Hollywood in Hudson Céline Pilon

PHOTO BY JAMES ARMSTRONG

Repaving of Vaudreuil-Dorion’s notorious Route Harwood James Armstrong

Filming of The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair, a mystery novel wri�en by young Swiss author Joël Dicker and starring Patrick Dempsey was lmed partly in Hudson into early October. The Grey’s Anatomy actor, known as ‘McDreamy’ on the show stars in the 10part series, describing it as absolutely intriguing, well carried-out and cap�vating. The story, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, features a successful writer, Marcus Goldman, in search of inspira�on for his next book. He meets with his college professor, Harry Quebert (played

by Dempsey) when the body of a young girl is found, 33 years a�er her disappearance. Quebert being accused of the murder, Marcus tries to uncover the truth. The inves�ga�on will become the subject of his novel.

The 10-part series will air on cable networks in 2018.

old, were released into their natural habitat of the Raque�e River in Rigaud on Thursday, September 7. The hatchlings, a vulnerable species each about the size of a Canadian two dollar coin, took to the water in a ma�er of minutes and hid under a protec�ve log. They were released by Guylaine Nadeau from Service d’Interven�on Animale Rive Nord, a non-prot organiza�on that provides an interven�on service for wildlife in urban areas of Quebec.

Life for the two young turtles began with the tragic end of their mother’s life.

“She was found on the road in this area and her condi�on wasn’t good,” recounted Nadeau. The adult female turtle had sustained serious injuries that were infected. “We were unable to save her, but as she died, she laid two eggs.”

The eggs gestated in an incubator un�l they hatched.

Mapping a safe road home for Northern Map Turtles James Armstrong PHOTO BY JAMES ARMSTRONG

Not the biggest story of the year but arguably one of the cutest. Two �ny Northern Map Turtles, barely ve days

SOTY con�nued on page 19

Happy Chanukah &

...

One card d a thousan ! gift ideas

Merry Christmas To all of our customers.

Coming in 2018

Mobile Auto Detailing Let us shine and protect your vehicle.

• Wax and polish • Scratch and Dent removal • RustprooĆng • Windshield repair • Protective Film • WeatherTech® Diamond Dealer

Than ky for you ou r busines s!

Holiday Gift cards available

18

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

STORIES OF THE YEAR the province also contribute to slowing the process.

OCTOBER

the value of the building) there was no tax, for the rest, around $150 million, there was a reduc�on of 50 per cent decreasing over ve years.” Even with the deal in place, Pilon said the town recouped $1.2 million in taxa�on revenue last year.

St. Lazare responds to leaked document over managers’ salaries PHOTO BY JAMES ARMSTRONG

Carmen Marie Fabio

Vaudreuil-Dorion water woes James Armstrong Enjoying a glass full of cold, fresh, safe water from the faucet will remain a dream for residents in three areas of Vaudreuil-Dorion un�l 2018. That was the news from the city of Vaudreuil-Dorion to the people living in the Hudson Acres, Tree Farm and Ritchie sectors that have been affected by water woes for years. According to the le�er, work that was originally es�mated to begin before the end of 2017 is now slated for the spring or early summer of 2018. The lack of potable water began in October 2013 when a Boil Water Advisory was issued.

“The main problem is the amount of �me it takes for certain (Quebec) government ministries to give us approval,” said Mayor Guy Pilon regarding the delays in the project. According to the mayor, regula�ons recently put in place by

PHOTO BY JOHN JANTAK

Surprise closure of Ericsson’s Vaudreuil-Dorion facility aŌer less than a year

St. Lazare Mayor Robert Grimaudo said he was “absolutely disgusted” fol-

lowing news that a working document disclosing the salaries of town employees, including over�me, between 2013 and 2015 had been leaked from a councillor and made the rounds on social media. The social media post includes 18 of the employees’ names and cumula�ve salaries, and Grimaudo said the salary informa�on on each posi�on – without the names – would have been granted through an access to informa�on had the request been made.

The social media feedback elicited comments that were both suppor�ve and incredulous of the salaries.

SOTY conƟnued on page 20

Carmen Marie Fabio Only 10 months a�er the ribboncu�ng and inaugura�on of Ericsson’s 40,000 square-metre, $1.3 billion global Informa�on and Communica�on Technology (ICT) in Vaudreuil-Dorion, the telecommunica�ons giant announced it was closing the specialized facility leading to the loss of approximately 50 jobs.

Pilon said there was never a guarantee that the Swedish-based organiza�on would commit to a minimum amount of �me in the city.

“The only guarantee was a tax reduc�on over a ve-year period,” Pilon said.

“For the rst $100 million (taxa�on on

Wishing you a happy & safe holiday season!

ARE YOU A CAREGIVER? Are you taking care of someone 65 years of age and over who is sick or who has lost their independence? Are you worried about the health of a loved one? If so, you are most likely a natural caregiver. This task can be positive and rewarding, but is also dif¿cult and exhausting.

Following is a list of activities for January 2018: Art Workshop: Friday, January 12th, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Location: Parrainage Civique de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (36-A, Ave. St-Charles, Vaudreuil-Dorion) “Take Care of You” Day: Saturday, January 13th, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Location: Parrainage Civique de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (36-A, Ave. St-Charles, Vaudreuil-Dorion) Topic: Discover board games with La Ribouldingue Simply Men: Monday, January 15th, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Location: Tim Horton’s (420, Harwood Blvd., Vaudreuil-Dorion) Topic: Creating a group of male caregivers who organize their own activities!

Vaudreuil Support Group: Friday, January 19th, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Location: Société Alzheimer du Suroît (100 Harwood Blvd., Vaudreuil-Dorion) Topic: Adjusting to change Soulanges Support Group: Thursday, January 25th, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Location: Centre Communautaire des Aînés de Soulanges (12 Curé Cholet, Saint-Polycarpe) Topic : Adjusting to Change Coffee Talk: Monday, January 29th, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Location: Ben & Florentine (101, Boul. Cardinal-Léger, Pincourt) Conference: Wednesday, January 31st, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Location: Parrainage Civique de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (36-A, Ave. St-Charles, Vaudreuil-Dorion) Topic: Income Tax Individual Follow-up: On request. Based on the availability of the social worker.

Location: Parrainage Civique de Vaudreuil-Soulanges or at home, according to your needs.

Contact us to register:

Natalia Westphal, Social Worker 36-A, Avenue Saint-Charles, Vaudreuil-Dorion (Québec) J7V 2K5 Tél. : 450 455-8986 # 225 www.parrainageciviquevs.ca

Kids under 10 eat FREE! Dec. 24th thru Jan. 7th inclusive Kids breakfast includes: 2 pancakes or 2 french toast, choice of ham, bacon or sausage. Served with fruits & orange juice. (*Photo for illustration purposes only)

1563 Ch. Ste-Angélique, Saint-Lazare 500 Av. St-Charles, Vaudreuil-Dorion

FREE Kids Breakfast FREE Kids Breakfast 2 pancakes or french toast, choice of ham, bacon or sausage. Served with fruits & orange juice.

2 pancakes or french toast, choice of ham, bacon or sausage. Served with fruits & orange juice.

(*Children 10 and under. Valid from Dec. 24th thru Jan 7th inclusive.

Upon presentation of coupon.)

Limit 1 child per paying adult.

(*Children 10 and under. Valid from Dec. 24th thru Jan 7th inclusive.

Upon presentation of coupon.)

Limit 1 child per paying adult.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

19

STORIES OF THE YEAR

PHOTO BY JAMES ARMSTRONG

In a communiqué released by Town of St. Lazare Communica�ons Director Geneviève Hamel, the amounts are claried as follows. “The informa�on you see is each manager’s 2015 annual salary. The other columns are the 2013, 2014, 2015 combined hours of over�me worked during the year plus vaca�on hours managers did not have a chance to take plus sick days not used during each respec�ve year.” Directors’ pay scales are determined by collec�ve agreement and Grimaudo said they’re on par, if not lower, than other towns with a comparable popula�on size of about 20,000.

for the posi�on of area mayor began, in some cases, in 2016 and the four year race picked up its usual, somewhat fran�c momentum as we grew closer to municipal elec�on day in the VaudreuilSoulanges region.

It was no surprise that some mayors resumed their respec�ve posi�ons by acclama�on, but in some cases, there was shock upon learning some long�me poli�cians would not be returning.

Former Île-Perrot Mayor Marc Roy lost

LBPSB Chair Suanne Stein Day resigns

NOVEMBER

Carmen Marie Fabio

Municipal ElecƟons

Following the announcement made April 27 that she would take an extended leave of absence from her posi�on as Chair of the Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB), Suanne Stein Day in-

Carmen Marie Fabio The specula�on on who would run

From my family to yours, best wishes for the Holiday Season.

Peter Schiefke,

MP for Vaudreuil-Soulanges Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister for Youth

www.PeterSchiefke.ca 223 Avenue Saint-Charles Peter.Schiefke@parl.gc.ca Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC 450 . 510 . 2305 J7V 2L6 20

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

his 20-year seat at the town’s helm to poli�cal newcomer Pierre Séguin, noted ar�st and co-organizer of the successful annual Fes�val de la S.O.U.PE. Former Très-Saint-Rédempteur Mayor Jean A. Lalonde also served two years as Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC Prefect, a posi�on he forfeited a�er losing his mayor’s seat to former Councillor Julie Lemieux who made history as Canada’s rst transgendered mayor.

Former Vaudreuil-Soulanges NDP Member of Parliament Jamie Nicholls stepped into municipal poli�cs handily winning his seat in Hudson and Guy Pilon beat challenger Pierre Séguin (not the same one in Île-Perrot) to return to his fourth term in office.

Many returning mayors easily beat their compe�tors but in some cases, the voter turnout was remarkably low, reec�ng either ci�zen sa�sfac�on or apathy.

All the players are now se�led, or rese�led, in place and we’re off to observe and report on another four-year ride.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

/PeterSchiefkeLiberal @Peter_Schiefke @PeterSchiefke

PHOTO BY CARMEN MARIE FABIO

formed the board’s Council of Commissioners November 6 of her resigna�on, effec�ve immediately.

At the November 28, 2016 LBPSB Council of Commissioners’ monthly mee�ng in Dorval, Stein Day revealed she was the councillor named in a report made by Ethics Commissioner Vincent Guida. Her breaches stemmed from a le�er wri�en by a group of board and staff members that cited “not showing respec�ul behaviour to colleagues” and “spreading salacious gossip about colleagues involving sex and misappropriated funds.”

She responded, sta�ng, “I did not commit any wrongdoing, legally or morally. It was just a ma�er of understanding be�er my role (as chair) and my dealings with administra�on.”

Stein Day said her resigna�on is not related to the Ethics Commissioner’s ndings. Commissioner Noel Burke took over the role of Chair in November.

SOTY conƟnued on page 21

STORIES OF THE YEAR crowding and wai�ng �mes at hospital emergency rooms.

sufficient evidence is provided, the pair faces two charges under sec�on 235 of the Canadian Criminal Code - rst degree murder and murder using a prohibited rearm and will face a trial by jury.

PHOTO BY JOHN JANTAK

Vaudreuil-Dorion super-clinic will open in 2018 John Jantak Following Health Minister Gaétan Barre�e’s April 2016 pledge to build 50 super-clinics across the province, a two-storey super-clinic will be built at 2555 rue Dutrisac in Vaudreuil-Dorion and open in fall 2018. Centre medical des Trois-Lacs will provide a wide range of services and be accessible to all Vaudreuil-Soulanges residents. The agreement to proceed with the project was made about one month ago during the municipal elec�on campaign, Mayor Guy Pilon said. Non-emergency cases will be treated at the super-clinic. This will help to ease the strain on the region’s two main hospitals – Hôpital-duSuroît in Salaberry-de-Valley and Lakeshore General Hospital in Pointe-Claire.

The 50 super clinics throughout Quebec are intended to help ease over-

PHOTO BY CARMEN MARIE FABIO

Preliminary inquiry set for Vaudreuil-Dorion double homicide Carmen Marie Fabio A nine-day preliminary inquiry is scheduled to begin May 14, 2018 to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with the rst degree murder trial of Les Cèdres residents Richard Hunt and Mélanie Bine�e of Coteau-duLac. Their appearance in the Valleyeld Courthouse November 27 before Judge Marie-Chantal Doucet comes almost a year to the day a�er the shoo�ng deaths of 45-year-old Joseph Fluet and 38-yearold Steven Lamarsh in a wooded area on Montée Alstonvale in Vaudreuil-Dorion.

The inquiry is expected to hear from close to 20 witnesses including civilians, police, and crime scene inves�gators. If

PHOTO COURTESY FACEBOOK

QuesƟons arise over SPCA Ouest de l’Île requests for donaƟons Jules-Pierre Malartre SPCA Ouest de l’Île came under re over a series of posts and comments made on the shelter’s Facebook page regarding a fundraiser to save a ki�en.

According to the fundraising page and a November 9 post on SPCA Ouest’s Facebook page, the two-month-old kitten named Travis needed to have its le� hind leg amputated. The fundraising page explained a previous a�empt to x the leg had failed due to the ki�en’s rambunc�ous nature which aggravated the injury and resulted in a diagnosis requiring amputa�on. A November 12 post said a total of $600 had already been raised to help pay for the surgery.

While some supporters made dona�ons, other people alleged SPCA Ouest ignored and deleted ques�ons, comments, and offers of alterna�ve solu�ons that were posted on the shelter’s Facebook page. One person alleged they offered to adopt and have Travis treated by their own veterinarian, but that SPCA Ouest refused and deleted the offer from the page.

Your Local Journal reached out to SPCA Ouest for comments, but Execu�ve Vice-President of Opera�ons Jack Bedakelian replied, “I have le� this in the capable hands of the team and expect that an update on Travis’ status will be posted very soon.” Earlier this year during an interview with Your Local Journal, Bedakelian requested to be SPCA Ouest’s sole media contact. However, Bedakelian would not reply to numerous addi�onal requests for comments on the allega�ons made regarding the Travis fundraiser.

SOTY conƟnued on page 22

During the holiday season, enjoy precious moments with those who are near and dear to you, and take the time to recharge in order to greet the New Year with optimism and determination.

To the citizens of the beautiful riding of Vaudreuil, happy holidays and may your wishes come true in 2018.

Happy Holidays!

Thursday, December 21, 2017

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

21

STORIES OF THE YEAR

REGISTRATION FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITES - WINTER 2018

On November 22, SPCA Ouest posted a new communiquĂŠ on its Facebook page thanking all donors and informing them Travis has had the surgery and was recovering.

Though posts were made requesting photos and informa�on, as of press �me, there have been no subsequent updates on the ki�en.

DECEMBER On Thursday, January 11th, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

At the Community Centre ͞ϭϯϏϭ ZĆľÄ&#x17E; Ä&#x161;Ćľ Ĺ˝Ĺ?Ć?Íż Consult the booklet Í&#x;DÇ&#x2021; Ä?Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ˝Ĺ?Ä?Ä&#x17E; ĨŽĆ&#x152; Ä&#x201A;Ĺś Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ć&#x;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E; ĹŻĹ?ĨÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ć&#x161;Ç&#x2021;ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Í&#x; Ç&#x20AC;Ĺ?ĹŻĹŻÄ&#x17E;Í&#x2DC;Ć?Ä&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹśĆ&#x161;ͲůÄ&#x201A;Ç&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Í&#x2DC;Ć&#x2039;Ä?Í&#x2DC;Ä?Ä&#x201A;ÍŹÄ&#x17E;Ŝ͏Ĺ?ĹśĆ?Ä?Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ć&#x2030;Ć&#x;ŽŜĆ?

PHOTO BY JAMES ARMSTRONG

Hudson proposes prohibiĆ&#x;ng construcĆ&#x;on in 100-year ď&#x192;&#x;ood zone James Armstrong

ZÄ&#x17E;Ä?Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x161;ĹľÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;Í&#x2014; ϰϹϏͲϰώϰͲϴϏϏϏÍ&#x2022; Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x161;Í&#x2DC; ĎŽĎŽĎŹ

A sec�on of waterfront property in Hudson known as Sandy Beach and named by the developer/landowner the Pine Beach Project had its low and high points throughout 2017. By January, it

was clear that a proposal put together

by Hudson residents Bill Nash and Daniel Gau�er had been rejected by the developer, Nicanco Holdings Inc., owned by Hans-Karl Muhlegg.

In February, the developer made a public presentaďż˝on of the proposed project to the town. The project takes in the area bounded by the Canadian Paciď&#x192;&#x17E;c Railway line, Beach Road, the Lake of Two Mountains and Quarry Point. In a negoďż˝ated agreement between the town and the developer in April, the town gained access to more beach area and the planned buildings originally close to the beach were moved back.

At the same ďż˝me, the developer agreed to reduce the number of units from 306 to 256 units. Residents expressed their opposiďż˝on to the project during town council meeďż˝ngs throughout the year with council responding on various occasions that Hudson could not aďŹ&#x20AC;ord to purchase the land in quesďż˝on and that nothing was carved in stone regarding the actual construcďż˝on of the project.

The elecďż˝on of new mayor and council in November brought a renewed sense of direcďż˝on in terms of development policy. Speciď&#x192;&#x17E;cally, council approved a zoning by-law amendment in December prohibiďż˝ng new construcďż˝on in the 100-year ď&#x192;&#x;ood zone. According to Mayor Jamie Nicholls, parts of the development will be aďŹ&#x20AC;ected by the zoning change.

Hudson LA COLLECTE DES ORDURES ET LES MATIĂ&#x2C6;RES RECYCLABLES DURANT LA PĂ&#x2030;RIODE DES FĂ&#x160;TES

2á&#x201A;&#x2C6;FHV &ORVHG

6DWXUGD\ 'HFHPEHU UG WR 7XHVGD\ -DQXDU\ QG LQFOXVLYHO\ For municipal situations that canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait for January 3rd: call 3-1-1 Community Centre: halls are opened if booked.

/LEUDU\

La collecte des ordures du lundi 25 dĂŠcembre est reportĂŠe au jeudi 28 dĂŠcembre et la collecte des ordures du lundi 1 janvier est reportĂŠe au jeudi 4 janvier.

Les collectes de matières recyclables du 25 dÊcembre et 1er janvier sont reportÊes au 29 dÊcembre uniquement.

La collecte des dÊchets et des matières recyclables reviendra à son horaire normal le lundi 8 janvier.

December 24th to 26th: closed December 27th to December 29th: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

December 30th: from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

December 31st, January 1st and 2nd: closed

3DUF QDWXUH OHV )RUHVWLHUV GH 6DLQW /D]DUH Weather permiting, trails will be opened.

Check the conditions: lesforestiers.ville.saint-lazare.qc.ca

Schedule for reception chalet : December 25th: closed January 1st: closed Open everyday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

&ROOHFWLRQV

450-458-5347 ext. 201

Joyeuses FĂŞtes!

GARBAGE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION DURING THE HOLIDAYS The garbage collection of Monday December 25th will take place on Thursday, December 28th, and the garbage collection of Monday January 1st will take place on Thursday January 4th.

The recycling collection of Monday December 25th and January 1st will take place on Friday, December 29th ONLY. The garbage and recycling collection will return to its normal schedule on Monday January 8th 450-458-5347 ext. 201

Recycling on Tuesdays, December 26 and January 2 Cardboard on Tuesdays, January 2nd, details : ville.saint-lazare.qc.ca/en/recyclage Garbage on Wednesdays, December 27th and January 3rd Christmas trees must be by the curb on Monday, January 15th.

One single pick up spanning a 2-week period. th

Happy Holidays!

nd

,FH ULQNV DQG ULQJV

Dimanche/Sunday

Lundi/Monday

Mardi/Tuesday

Mercredi/Wednesday

Jeudi/Thursday

Vendredi/Friday

Samedi/Saturday

31 dĂŠc

1 janv

2 janv

3 janv

4 jjanv

5 janv

6 janv

7 janv

8 janv

24 dĂŠc

25 dĂŠc

Weather permitting, public works will get the ice ready.

Best wishes of health and prosperity!

Happy New Year!

22

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

26 dĂŠc

27 dĂŠc

28 dĂŠc

29 dĂŠc

30 dĂŠc

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

1 � PHOTO BY RODNEY LORICA

5 � PHOTO COURTESY ANTHONY FOLIOT

6 � PHOTO COURTESY DEBBIE GOLDSMITH 2 � PHOTO BY ADAM SCOTTI

7 � PHOTO BY JAMES ARMSTRONG 3 � PHOTO BY JAMES ARMSTRONG

4 � PHOTO COURTESY PETER SCHIEFKE

Considering the compara�vely small size of Vaudreuil-Soulanges to the rest of Canada, our Prime Minister made a surprising number of visits to the region over the past year.

1) An impromptu visit to Île-Perrot’s Smoke Meat Pete restaurant in January saw Trudeau chat with customers, shake hands, hold babies, and pose for a mul�tude of photos.

2) He was also spo�ed lending a hand to ll sandbags in Terrasse-Vaudreuil during the devasta�ng oods of the spring of 2017 and later in the summer at Montreal’s Gay Pride Parade.

3) Technically not in VaudreuilSoulanges but we got the photo anyways.

4) He passed by the offices of Vaudreuil-Soulanges MP Peter Schie�e to award the rst of four Sesqui Awards to Hudson resident Maxine Bredt, recognizing her years of nursing service in World War II and volunteer work in the community.

When he wasn’t in the region, Vaudreuil-Soulanges had a knack for seeking the Prime Minister out.

5) Former St. Lazare resident Anthony Foliot caught up with Trudeau in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories in February where the PM admired his giant castle con-

structed of snow and ice.

6) Current St. Lazare residents Diana Ma�ei and Debbie Goldsmith met up with Trudeau while on a tour of parliament with Peter Schie�e.

7) Your Local Journal was invited to attend the recent formal apology issued to the LGBTQ2 community November 28 in O�awa.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

The Lebaron Catering Co. is OPEN for the holidays for lunches and take home meals!

Warmest wishes to all of our customers for a

happy holiday season

from all of us at Lebaron Catering Co

Traiteur

LEBARON

Friday December 22 Saturday December 23 Sunday December 24 Open Noon – 5pm Closed December 25 December 26 – January 2 open Noon – 4pm

Catering Co.

New winter hours coming in January

Located at 447 rue Main, Hudson, Q, J0P1H0 Tel: 450-202-4470 • Cell: 514-538-1521 • www.lebaronbites.com Thursday, December 21, 2017

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

23

Pawsitively purrfect pets Make sure your furry friends enjoy the holidays safely C.J. Maxwell

Special contributor

So you’ve set up the tree, untangled the strings of lights, and dusted off the heirloom decora�ons. It’s that fes�ve �me of year again and while you’re busy infusing your house with Christmas spirit, take a moment to ensure your pets also get to enjoy the best of the holiday season without incurring any harm.

Cats are notorious for bringing down the Christmas tree at least once a season so a good sturdy base is in order. If he or she does manage to knock a few ornaments off, try and keep the fragile blown glass ones closer to the very top.

If the cat is s�ll able to reach them, concede defeat. The cat has won.

Tinsel looks lovely on the boughs of the evergreen and will also add that fes�ve touch to the li�er box but beware – it can be as deadly as a piece of string to a cat’s intes�nal tract if ingested leaving you with an unplanned – and costly – emergency veterinary visit on Christmas morning.

Many holiday themed plants are given as gi�s this �me of year and can present hazards if ingested. While Poinse�a is, contrary to popular belief, not toxic, its sap is irrita�ng to the mouth and throat so ea�ng large quan��es is

unlikely. Unless your pet is excessively stubborn.

According to PetMD.com, mistletoe berries can cause more damage due to the presence of phoratoxins, and as li�le as two holly berries eaten can inict signicant stomach problems.

The beau�ful Christmas Cactus resplendent with pink or white owers this �me of year is, fortunately, nontoxic but you probably s�ll don’t want your dog or cat munching on it – mostly because it only blooms once a year.

It’s also the �me of year for specialty foods that you don’t normally have around the house but while you’re allowed to indulge, pets won’t tolerate a rich diet of eggnog and shortbread, so don’t give in, no ma�er how intently the big glassy brown eyes stare at you.

Once the feast has subsided, dispose of your turkey carcass with care. Turkey bones are a big no-no for dogs as they have a tendency to splinter once they’ve been cooked, leading to all sorts of poten�al internal injuries. Same with sh bones and while it’s not a tradi�onal meal, some people do opt for seafood over fowl.

If you received the requisite box of Pot of Gold assorted chocolates that you don’t plan on re-gi�ing, keep them on a

Possumplace KennelsInc.

Owned and operated by Bill and Maria Markush

Possumplace is very excited to offer a GROOMER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM! Learn how to clip nails, brush out, trim and groom dogs. Commitment is 25 hours per week for 6 months.

This apprenticeship is FREE of charge!

We proudly serve the Montreal region straight through to Eastern Ontario! Always providing quality care for all your boarding and grooming needs. We boast a strong history of continuous operation for some 40 years and our solid commitment to the well-being of the pets in our care ensures safety, comfort and fun for all involved!

Possumplace Promise: “We promise pet owners full disclosure of all circumstances related to their pet’s stay with us. We will work with you to ensure the most positive experience for your pet, and the least worrisome separation for you.”

- Bill & Maria

450-451-5112 • www.possumplace.net 24

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

PHOTO COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK

high shelf, out of reach of Rover. While not as dangerous as mistletoe berries, it’s one of the most frequent causes of dog poisoning. If chocolate is ingested, give one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide for every 20 pounds of body weight to induce vomi�ng. This can easily be administered with a turkey baster that’ll probably also be close at hand this �me of year.

Apologies for further vilifying fruitcake but it can also be harmful to your pet due to the presence of currants

and raisins – same thing goes for fresh grapes.

Other foods to keep out of your pets’ dish include macadamia nuts that can cause weakness, fever, muscle spasms and the inability to walk. Most dogs recover on their own unless massive amounts of the nuts are consumed.

Lastly, don’t give your animals alcohol. Not only is it bad for them, they can’t tell the difference between a nice Chablis and dépanneur plonk.

Happy holidays.

Our Story

Our Services

Maria and I always had a passion for dogs and longed to leave our corporate lifestyle.

In 1995 we seized on the opportunity to become business partners in what was then called Brighton Kennels.

In January 2000 our partners retired and Possumplace Kennels was born. Named after our first Golden Retriever Possum, assuring that long after we are gone, Possum’s memory will live on.

We offer customized services such as geriatric care and in-home boarding. “Uncle Bill’s Doggy Bus Ride” service is offered Monday through Friday mornings. We are equipped to administer medications, have 24 hour veterinary services on-call, and understand individual dietary requirements. We require that all boarders be up to date on the following vaccinations for cats: Rabies, Panleucopenia, Calici Virus and Rhinotracheitis. For dogs: Rabies, Basic (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza) and Leptospirosis.

Please contact your veterinarian to authorize the release of your pet’s vaccination records to us.

The Possumplace Experience Every boarding experience includes the following services and amenities: • Structured playtime in a grassy courtyard.

• Administration of medications; oral and topical.

• Administration of special diets.

• Regular grooming: brushings, nail clipping, ear cleaning + eye checks.

• Non-stressful, positive experiences only; we do not muzzle or force any service on our boarders.

• Regular supervision + human contact throughout the day.

Environment offered to our boarders: • Central air conditioning and heated indoor runs.

• Fully covered outdoor runs for each indoor run.

• All runs have blankets which are laundered daily.

• All indoor surfaces washed and sanitized daily.

• All outdoor runs and play-fields sanitized 3 times a day.

• All drinking water changed daily.

• Property is alarmed and monitored against break-ins and fire.

• On-site residency. Our boarders are never left alone.

We encourage socialization and play amongst our boarders and staff, however we do not train nor discipline our boarders.

• • • • • • • • •

Visit our website for rates

Daily Boarding – Dogs and cats Geriatric Boarding In-Home Boarding Bathing & Grooming Exercise & Playtime 30 Minute Swim Veterinary Services Feeding Pick-Up & Drop-Off

All our boarders are fed either Iams or Ukanuba with Uncle Bill’s renowned tailgate stew (included in board rate). If your pet requires a specific diet then we ask you to provide it and we will be happy to feed it.

Contact Us

1950 La Grande Montée, Chûte-à-Blondeau, ON, K0B 1BO possumplace@xplornet.ca Open 7 days a week – 9:30 am – 6:00 pm

Pawsitively purrfect pets Sweet Shyla Imagine living on the streets and being afraid of all humans..... Never having lived as a pet and afraid to approach any human.

Shyla, a chocolate Lab mix, is a northern dog who lived on the streets, ate garbage and was nally picked up by animal control. Since she has been with Rosie Animal Adop�on she is star�ng to come along.... star�ng to like to lie on a dog bed, star�ng to love the couch, star�ng to enjoy being touched, star�ng to be able to come through a door not wondering where her next meal will come from. This is Shyla. This is her new beginning and it is going to take some �me. This twoyear-old beau�ful girl weighs about 70 lbs and gets along well with other

dogs.

If you’re interested in adop�ng Shyla, please go to www.rosieanimaladop�on.ca and ll out the adop�on applica�on form.

Follow us on

@yourlocaljournal

Trust the experts closest to your pets

Affectionate and charming Tassy looking for a place to call home The beau�ful and charming Tassy is a female cat born on November 29, 2016. She is a tabby with short hair.

She is spayed, vaccinated and was treated against parasites. Tassy was part of a cat colony in Vaudreuil. Casca gave her a chance to blossom inside a home while it’s cold outside. Her foster home has found that she has quite the personality! She will know exactly how to charm you with her affec�on and her wet kisses! Who would have thought? We hope she nds a home with lots of love where she won’t miss anything again in her life.

To visit Tassy in her foster home in Pincourt or for more informa�on, don’t hesitate to communicate with 514-706-2287. You can also send us an email at cascavaudreuil@outlook.com Thank you!

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Thursday, December 21, 2017

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

25

HERE’S MY CARD AUCTION HOUSE

AUCTION HOUSE

BALLROOM

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Latin & Ballroom Dancing Singles & Couples Wedding Dance Routines Ages 5 and up Satisfaction Guaranteed!

Professional Auctioneer, Art & Antiques Expert

Quality Auction & Appraisal Services

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Serving Quebec and Ontario

Hudson Dance Centre, Hudson 514-568-7470 • info@alexsharov.com

DENTISTRY

DOORS & WINDOWS

COMPUTERS

CHIMNEY SWEEP 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE HUDSON/ST-LAZARE/RIGAUD AREA

(450)458-7691 LAWYER

Véronique Fischer L.L.M., Lawyer

novembre 2012 Utilisation du symbole du Barreau

Solving your personal and professional legal problems 405 rue Olympic, Hudson QC

T. (450) 458-7662

veronique.fischer@videotron.ca

LOCAL TRANSPORT

MOVING

PAINTING

MANAGEMENT SERVICES

514-802-2824

• PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • ESTATE SETTLEMENTS • ELDERCARE ASSISTANCE • BUSINESS MEETING MANAGEMENT

TREE SERVICE

736 Main Road, Hudson, QC J0P 1H0 Tel: (450) 458-7316 Fax: (450) 458-4763 e-mail: froyle@frank-royle.com www.frank-royle.com

RETIREMENT HOME

DANIEL

Maison des Anges Blancs

TREE SERVICES

Autonomous & Semi-Autonomous • Family Atmosphere • Stairlift • Country Surroundings • All Included.

- Felling FULLY INSURED - Pruning - Tending 25 years - Stump removal experience

Brenda Samson

71, CHEMIN HENRIPETIT, RIGAUD

4504515100 OR 5147785100

TREE SERVICE

)UHH HVWLPDWH

514-947-2797

VENTILATION

J.S. Maintenance Is your ventilation system in need of clening?

There is room for your card.

Call us

TALK TO THE EXPERTS!

(450) 510-4007

Also Carpet, Window & High-Pressure Cleaning and Water Damage Clean-Up

Fax: (450) 424-1055 Tel:(450) 458-3022 info@jsmaintenance.net www.jsmaintenance.net

Follow us on @yourlocaljournal

Pre-school

Continued from page 9 Explained Sheila Weidman, “Collec�ng le�over Halloween candy, they lled stockings cut and sewn by their parents, and this year we were able to deliver over 400 to the children and staff at The Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Jus�ne in Montreal, the largest mother and child centre in all of Canada.”

26

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

PHOTO BY JAMES PARRY

Carol Laws of Le Pont/Bridging food bank (third from right) together with IGA management and staff welcomed youngsters and their caregivers from Garderie Entre Deux Montagnes with their dona�ons to help those less fortunate over the fes�ve season.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

j

Thursday, December 21, 2017

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

27

28

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

2017 IN MEMORIAM Every year in every community, we welcome newborn babies into our homes and lives and, unfortunately, we’re also forced to say farewell to those who’ve touched our lives. Looking back at 2017, we remember those who’ve le� an indelible mark on our region.

Stuart McLean

PHOTO BY CARMEN MARIE FABIO

In July 2014, CBC storyteller extraordinaire Stuart McLean performed to a packed house at the Hudson Village Theatre with a promise to return at a future date. Stuart lost his ba�le with melanoma in February of this year but his stories, and his voice, stay with us.

Dr. June Irwin

PHOTO COURTESY ANN PETERSEN ANDERSON

Noted dermatologist Dr. June Irwin was a xture in Hudson, instrumental in the town’s ba�le against the widespread use of pes�cides. She made Canadian history when, in 2003, Hudson became the rst community in the

country to ban all non-essen�al pes�cides from residen�al and public spaces.

Known for her ‘innate stubbornness’ she le� a legacy of environmental ac�vism.

Dr. Irwin died in June at the age of 82.

Réjean Boyer

PHOTO BY JOHN JANTAK

Former Vaudreuil-Dorion Mayor Réjean Boyer was on a trip to Athens, Greece when he died in October.

Having previously worked as a journalist, teacher, and assistant director at l’École secondaire Vaudreuil un�l 2001, he worked on many committees to benet community life, most recently as a member of the Comité de citoyens pour l’hôpital du CSSS de Vaudreuil-Soulanges, pu�ng pressure on elected officials to commit to building a hospital in our region.

Ed Prévost

PHOTO BY CARMEN MARIE FABIO

H u d s o n ’s former Mayor Ed Prévost succumbed to his health ba�les October 10 at the age of 76.

Having had a long and successful career in the business world, he entered municipal poli�cs at the age of 72, winning the elec�on by a signicant margin. His four-year term came a�er a difficult period in the town’s history in dealing with the fallout of the legal proceedings against former Director General Louise Léger-Villandré for misappropria�on of municipal funds. His campaign mo�o was ‘Back to proud,’ and he was remembered by former Councillor Natalie Best as a man of integrity who was completely committed to his community.

Pauline Naidoo

Noted Hudson journalist and founding editor of Your Local Journal Pauline Naidoo succumbed to bladder cancer December 12

in Chemainus, Bri�sh Columbia. Pauline was the gentlest and most seless person who adored her family and took pride in her work for Your Local Journal. In fact, Pauline was so diligent she was busily typing away when an unexpected stream of water snaked its way past her computer cables. As she became aware of the situa�on, her rst reac�on was to ask if we had another computer for her to con�nue her work. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Joseph Bissonnette

PHOTO BY CARMEN MARIE FABIO

The hardest loss for us here at Your Local Journal was that of our former publisher Joseph Bissonne�e, jokester, good listener, and everyone’s ‘Dad.’ We remember, and miss, his humour and compassion and his innate ability to make you feel like you were the most important person in the room.

We lost Joe at the age of 75 but his presence is s�ll a part of every page of every edi�on.

Vegan Cooking for Everybody Jules-Pierre Malartre

Special Contributor

Welcome to my column on vegan cooking – and before you sigh and turn to the next page, let me put your mind at ease: this is not going to be one of those preachy features on how vegans are be�er than everyone else and how horrible it is to kill animals for consump�on. The goal of this column is to introduce you to the wide variety, wonderful tastes and many benets of vegan cooking. In other words, simply give it a try as you would any other types of cuisine, like Chinese or Italian cuisine.

Veganism is on the rise; it’s becoming more popular for a number of reasons – whether it is just a fad, a health trend or a lifestyle choice doesn’t really ma�er. What really ma�ers is that vegan cooking is tasty, and it can add quite a number of amazing dishes to your cooking repertoire.

In this rst column, I’d like to dispel the number one myth about vegan cuisine. We’ve all heard it: Vegan food is bland. It’s interes�ng to note that most of the people I’ve talked to who cling to that myth have never

even tried a vegan dish (if you don’t count salad). Some people s�ll believe that vegans basically only have two things to work with: vegetables and tofu. “How many �mes a week can you eat a salad?” jokes Zaf Koty

It was all about rice and tofu, but it’s exciƟng to cook vegan now. You can take almost any recipe and do a real good vegan version.

– Gwen Giberson

it’s not just about nutri�on. “There is a preset condi�oning that if you have meat on your plate, you have a full meal. People have to stop looking for meat there,” Gwen explains.

For Andrew Infan�no of vegan restaurant Copper Branch in PointeClaire, the secret is all in the prepara�on and the ingredients. “It’s essen�ally the right mix of avours, and we were able to create some really amazing tas�ng food.” Andrew men-

PHOTO COURTESY DAIYA FOODS

Vegan macaroni and cheese you can make at home.

�ons customers saying they had no idea vegan food could taste so good.

ConƟnued on page 34

of Zaf’s Vegan Kitchen, a vegan food service based in St-Lazare. “Just go ahead and try it,” is the best advice Zaf can give to dispel that myth. In truth, vegan cooks work with many other ingredients, including fruits, nuts, beans and all the spices that make your steak or chicken wings so appe�zing.

“There was a �me when veganism was chewing on cardboard,” admits Gwen Giberson of Que de Bonnes Choses in Hudson. “It was all about rice and tofu, but it’s exci�ng to cook vegan now. You can take almost any recipe and do a real good vegan version.” Gwen adds that food, for many people, is more about sa�sfac�on; Thursday, December 21, 2017

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

29

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

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

100 - FOR SALE

Dry Firewood. Stacking and kindling avail- PIANO TUNING ACCORDEUR Fine tuning $88. Regulation, voicing, repairs, able. Very reasonable. Dan: 514-291-1068 all makes. Grands and Uprights. Since 1971.

Great Christmas gifts, 40 gallon aquariGreater Montreal areas, North/South Shore, um, aquaclear heater, filter, decorations West Island, Vaudreuil, St-Lazare, Laurentian’s $150 OBO. 150 year old BRASS/MOTHER etc... Thank you. 514-206-0449 (180329) OF PEARL BRASS BED (DOUBLE), old hunting prints, real silk Chinese kimono, womLocal Handyman / for small jobs. Call an’s bike ridden 4 times. Everything must John the Handyman: 514-623-5786 (180118) go! 450-202-0699 (171221)

125 - FOR RENT PRIME HUDSON COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR RENT. 60 Cameron (next to the Dépanneur Shaar & Bank of Montreal). 1500 square feet in a high traffic area with plenty of parking. Please call 514-608-4958 or email placecameron.hudson@gmail.com to arrange a visit. (180118) Hudson, bright 4-bedroom cottage. Immediate occupancy. Treed yard, quiet street, extensive interior renovations: kitchen, 2½ bathrooms, hardwood floors throughout.

18’x24’ master bedroom. Wood stove. Appliances and basic furniture optional. Near golf course, hiking, trails. No pets, no smoking. $2350/month. 514-238-2417 (171221)

Hudson / St-Lazare Junk Removal.

We want your junk! Don’t bring appliances, BBQ’s, batteries, electronics, to the eco center. We’ll pick them up for free.

We clear houses, garages, barns, businesses, etc. Bilingue. Please call Chris 450-458-7518 (180308) Cleaning is my pride and joy. Need a helping hand? Call Nadia. 450-458-3557 or 438-995-8655 (180118) ASPIRATEURS HUDSON VACUUM. Canister and Central Vacuum Cleaners. Sales and repair of all brands. SEBO Vacuum Cleaner $398 and up. (Electrolux, Filter Queen, Kenmore and Central Vac). New Central Vac 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). Biodegradable cleaning supplies.

Toilet paper $34.95/48 rolls. 67 McNaughten, Hudson, Quebec 450-458-7488 ¿Moving? All jobs. Reliable, reasonable, fully equipped. Local and Ontario, Maritimes, USA. 35 yrs experience. Call Bill or Ryan 514-457-2063.

OFFICE SPACE for rent on 2nd floor of Place Cameron in Hudson. Clean, modern and bright. 800sq. ft. Please call 514-6084958 or email placecameron.hudson@ gmail.com to arrange a visit. (180118)

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 Cozy 2 bedroom 4 season waterfront cot- Tull & Associes Syndics Inc. tage-style house. Located in Rigaud on Main www.blumerlapointetull.com. 514 426 4994 Road, close to Hudson village. Non-flood All renovations & construction. Free eszone. All appliances included. Garage. Nontimates. Framing, plaster, windows, doors, smoking and no pets. Ideal for single with floors (hardwood, floating, ceramic and vinyl), stairs, ceramic tiling, basements. Exchild or couple. 450-451-6137 (171221) perienced work. RBQ 5688-2244-01 Jonathan 514-402-9223 150 - SERVICES Cleaning lady available by-monthly for PRIVATE SINGING LESSONS VAUDREUIL general cleaning. Rigaud/Hudson areas. 3 - Josée Truchon - Professional singer UDA hours. Morning. Ten years+ experience. Exmember – 12-week session starting Janucellent references. Available for January start. ary 8 - $40/hour – 438-868-6110 or www.

514-445-8419 (please leave message) (171221) joseetruchon.com (171221) PIANO AND VOICE LESSONS – a great way to start the New Year. A Holistic apDOG SITTING/DOG WALKING. I’m an proach to learning. Awareness of the experienced dog walker and dog sitter mind, body and spirit through musical offering my services. If you live in the St. interpretation. 40+ years experience!

Lazare/Hudson/Rigaud area, please call or Children and adult beginners welcome. text Josh at 514-952-0522 for more inforPlease contact Vivianne LaRiviere at 450mation. (171221) 458-7906 (180125)

200 - CAREERS/EMPLOYMENT Newly established local business is looking for self-starters. Ideal candidates thrive when responsibility starts and finishes with them. They take initiative and find the best solutions with a positive can-do attitude.

Shop - Basic shop skills are required.

Seamstress – Basic sewing machine skills are required.

Wide-format printer operator – Education and/or experience in Graphic Art design is preferred.

Sales Agents – This is a commission based position. Sell from home or on the road, part time or full time.

SEND CV TO INFOMARVCO.CA Clearly indicate the position you are interested in.

30

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

450 510-4007

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

150 - SERVICES

Central Vac DuoVac, Symphonia, reconditioned, covers up to 7,000sq.ft., includes hose kit with on/off switch, 3 year warranty, $400. Kenmore Central Vac, covers up to 8,000sq.ft., reconditioned, $325. New hose kit available with on/off switch, 3 year warranty, $125. Aspirateurs Hudson, 450-458-7488 (171221) 3 seat deep brown leather couch with ottoman; gently worn. $400. 450-802-7150 (171221)

View, submit & pay your ad before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, online at www.yourlocaljournal.ca or e-mail: classifieds@yourlocaljournal.ca

325- Autos for Sale $24.95 until it sells

350- Legal

1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks

$15 $20 $25

150 - SERVICES

150 - SERVICES

SINGING LESSONS. Private or SemiPrivate. In my home (St-Lazare). Sing the songs you love! Call Morgan. 514-6071308 References available.

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

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 Paul’s Painting, including renovations, big and small. Tiling, flooring, custommade decks, cement repair. Call 514-9005839 (171221) Registered Gun Smith. We buy new and used guns, restricted and non-restricted.

514-453-5018 NURSES AID/CAREGIVER, COMPANION. Light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation. Own car for errands and medical appointments. Excellent references. Willing to work all shifts including weekends and overnight. Can provide respite care for caregivers and needed vacation relief for family members. 450-202-1205 (171221) “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. HUSBANDS FOR HIRE!! Affordable and reliable handymen for hire. No job too big or too small. Indoor/Outdoor. Get your gutters cleaned!! Roof repaired before winter! Pet and house sitting available as well. References available. SENIOR DISCOUNTS. CONTACT FOR INFO: 514-9493128 (180118)

175 - WANTED $ Buy car for scrap. Running or not, 24/7. www.scrapvehicule.com Call 514-951-4203 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 (180329)

200 - CAREERS/EMPLOYMENT Looking for someone for all housework, laundry, some cooking and some child care for three children - a do it all person!

Flexible, dependent. References required.

Hudson area. Starting immediately, two times/week, changing to three times/ week in February/March. 514-578-6668, mathersjessica666@gmail.com (180118) Domestic help wanted in Hudson. Indoor/outdoor, 5 days a week, 5 hours a day. Experience and references required.

Housekeeping, gardening etc. 514-3323077 (180118) Local business in the transportation industry looking for a Sales Representative responsible for generating sales leads.

Candidate must be highly motivated, have excellent communication skills and be committed to excellent customer service.

Marketing knowledge and experience is an asset. hr@marketrans.com (180118) Warm family in Saint-Lazare looking for a dedicated, educationally-minded, experienced, mature yet active caregiver to help with childminding. Ability to drive is required. Please contact Jessica 514-641-3951 (171221)

Piano Lanco - Experienced local piano technicians offering quality tunings and skillful repairs. Improve the sound and touch of your piano with hammer voicing and action regulation. info@pianolanco. com 514-770-7438 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

CLASSIFIEDS WORK! Get G et y your our a ad d sseen een b by yo over ver 5 54,000 4,000 llocal ocal readers readers by by p placing lacing iitt iin n Contact C ontact u uss at at :

cclassifi lassifieeds@yourlo ds@yourloccaljournal.c aljournal.ca

450-5 4 50-510-40 10-400 07 7

TUTOR WANTED Looking to hire a tutor to start immediately.

Older or younger, woman or man $25/hour, 2 hours/day for three days a week (schedule can be arranged to suit).

PLEASE CONTACT

danaestpowell@gmail.com

Classifieds continued on page 31

200 - CAREERS/EMPLOYMENT

325 - AUTOS FOR SALE

325 - AUTOS FOR SALE

325 - AUTOS FOR SALE

TEACHER ASSISTANT to work with young children in a dynamic childcare centre. If you love children, have your First Aid certificate, and are looking to work from 5 to 15 hours weekly, e-mail your CV to cpetreehouse@videotron.ca (180118)

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 2010 Toyota CorollaS, $8000 (bought for $11,000 2016) black, manual transmission, 128,000km, 4-door, transferable 3-year extended warranty, sunroof, power windows & mirrors, A/C, fog lights, cruise control, auxiliary port, CD player, traction control, spoiler, very clean, new winter tires. 514-402-2943

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

1996 Honda Civic Si with multiple modifications: JDA B16A SIR II, cams, Exedy clutch, JDM ITR S80 LSD trans. w/short shift, urethane engine mounts, Sparco quick release steering wheel, Sparco seats w/Willans 4 pt. harness, Neuspeed sport springs w/Koni front shocks, frt/rear strut bars, stainless brake lines and much more. $6500 or best offer.

514-979-1603 Ford Mustang 2001, convertible, metallic blue, automatic, leather interior, never winter driven, excellent condition, 68,000km, $7500 negotiable. 514-513-6766.

325 - AUTOS FOR SALE Rare 2010 Infiniti G37S Sports Coupe 2-door, Grey, RWD, Fully Loaded, Navigation, Sun roof, Leather Heated seats, Upgraded BOSE sound system, New Michelin Pilot Sport Performance Tires, Winter mags with Toyo Winter Tires. Must see! 90,000km 450-732-5867 Marc 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

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 Mercedes CLK 320 - 1999 - Convertible, Silver. 208,000 KM. $6,900. Call 514-216-9217.

Margaret King Struthers Margaret King Struthers passed away in Montreal on December 14, 2017, at the age of 85.

She was born on April 9, 1932, in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, attended the Convent of Sion in Prince Albert, and completed a Bachelor of Arts (English Literature) at the University of Saskatchewan and a Bachelor of Journalism at Carleton University. She was a newspaperwoman all her life, writing for the Winnipeg Free Press, the Ottawa Citizen and Journal Première Édition, Vaudreuil. An Ottawa highlight was interviewing the dancer Josephine Baker. In 1960, with her late husband David Struthers, she moved to Hudson, Quebec, becoming a lifelong resident.

Margaret was passionate, imbued with energy, and avant-garde. A single mother of six children, she was head of the Hudson Historical Society, a founder of Hudson Women’s World, and, as a lover of arts and beauty, a decades-long attendee and member of the Hudson Player’s Club, the Hudson Garden Club, the Hudson Village Theatre and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. She was a co-leader of humanities and literature courses at the Thomas More Institute in Montreal. She had journeyed around the world by her mid-twenties, and, always ahead of her time, acquired a Macintosh (Apple) computer when it appeared in the 1980s.

Her house in the woods, with its abundant flower and vegetable gardens, butterflies, foxes, raccoons, deer, birds and squirrels, was her sanctuary, inspiration, and place of reverie. An innate environmentalist, she took up natural foods and recycling long before they were mainstreamed.

Margaret was the eldest daughter of Katie Malinowski (nee Dobrowney, born in the Model Farm district of Saskatchewan), and Ah King, who came to Canada from mainland China. She was sister to Shirley Spafford of Saskatoon; the very beloved mother of Karen Struthers, Hudson, Rolf (Andrea Rosen) Struthers, Toronto, Sonia (John Prendergast) Struthers, Westmount, Sean (Sherry Chiu) Struthers, Bangkok, Marie Struthers, London, UK, and Nadine Struthers, Toronto; cherished grandmother of Kelly, Clara, Paul, Tobias, Naomi and Ashley; and constant friend of many.

A commemorative service will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Hudson, QC. Internment will take place at the Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal, in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to NOVA Hudson.

Private sale. Volvo S40 2008 Fully automatic, black, excellent condition. Remote starter, 123,000km, new winter tires, $8250 negotiable. Call Nick 514-591-7340 or 450-686-9399 Chevrolet Malibu LT Sedan 2009, Automatic, 69,000 kms. Top condition and fully loaded with: Air conditioning, cruise control, remote key-less entry, sunroof, power seats and windows. $7,500. Call 514-827-6915. View on www.kijiji.ca Ad ID 1284563738.

Sante Fe 2003, 2.4 litres, manual, light blue, 287,500km, good condition, reliable, new rear brakes and discs/drums, new waterpump; timing belt good for another 65,000km. $1600.

450-458-7488

In Memoriam

Pauline Marie Naidoo (née McManus) Jan.16, 1945 – Dec.12, 2017

Pauline McManus was born in Liverpool, U.K. and died in Chemainus, B.C. on December 12, 2017. She attended Everton Valley School and then Manchester University where she got a B.A. in languages with distinction in English. She then taught English and Spanish at Rock Ferry Convent School in Cheshire.

She married Bala Naidoo in 1969 and soon afterwards they moved to Indiana where she worked at the Cardinal Newman Centre for two years while he did postdoctoral research at Purdue University. Thereafter they returned to the U.K. where she taught at Woodford Green Secondary School in Essex. They then emigrated to Montreal, Quebec in 1973 where their three children were born. She is survived by Bala, her husband of 48 years, and her children Robin, Loren (Dr. Kara McKeown) and Sarah (Dr. Matthew Keegan). She adored her four grandchildren Cooper (age 6), Rowan (4), Kieran (3) and Bodhi (1). She was predeceased by her mother Marion and father Fred. She leaves behind in England her sister Anita (John) and brother Tony (Frances), her mother-in-law Mani in Mauritius, and many relatives in England, Canada, Mauritius and New Zealand.

She was a gentle, loving and selfless mother who always put her children first and instilled in them a passion for learning. She was very proud that all three of them are now doctors in their respective fields. Pauline worked in journalism and was a founding editor of Your Local Journal, an English weekly in the Montreal area. She and Bala retired to Vancouver Island in 2005. Pauline was always keen on physical fitness and enjoyed many sports, including aerobics, tennis, badminton and running. An accomplished runner, she competed in the races of the Vancouver Island series as well as the Victoria half-marathon, and regularly finished first in her age group. She also took part in several BC Seniors’ Games including those held in Prince George in 2008, where she won five gold medals in track and field.

The family would like to thank the caring nurses and doctors at the BC Cancer Agency in Victoria, the Cancer Clinic at Nanaimo General Hospital, the Chemainus Medical Clinic, and the Chemainus Health Care Centre. The funeral mass was held on December 15 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ladysmith and was followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the BC Cancer Agency.

Condolences may be offered at www.telfordsburialandcremationcentre.com

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY ACCOUNTANTS

DENTISTS

IMMIGRATION

PSYCHOLOGIST

KARAVOLAS BOILY & TRIMARCHI CPA INC.

Dr. Don Littner & Dr. Morty Baker

Brazolot Migration Group

Sylvi Lafontaine

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

BOOKKEEPING

Family Dentistry 472 Main Rd., Suite I, Hudson 450.458.5334

35 Wharf Road, Hudson, QC (450) 458-2186 info@brazolotgroup.com

ENGINEER Peter Byrne, Consulting Engineer

ORTHODONTISTS

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

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

514 594 5140, peterbyrne@videotron.ca

DENTISTS

HOME CARE NURSING

Bryan Todd, B. Comm (Acct.)

Dr. Diana Ponoran Dr. Aileen Elliott

Ste-Angélique Dentaire 1763 Ch. Ste-Angélique, St-Lazare (450 )455-7924

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

Dr. Amy Archambault Dr. Paul Morton

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

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

JOIN THE PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY 450-510-4007 admin@yourlocaljournal.ca Thursday, December 21, 2017

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

31

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Too much Disney, not enough Lucasfilm Jules-Pierre Malartre

Special contributor

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD! As a fan since the very rst Star Wars movie in 1977, I have seen them all: the good ones (The Empire Strikes Back, Rogue One), the so-so ones (Return of the Jedi, Revenge of the Sith), the forge�able ones (The Phantom Menace, The Clone Wars), and the shamelessly bad one (The Star Wars Holiday Special). Where does The Last Jedi t? I can’t bunch it up with the Holiday Special because nothing else can be that bad, but it’s close. Darn close.

Arguably, as the most an�cipated movie of 2017, expecta�ons were high; there was bound to be disappointments. Rogue One was also a tough act to follow since a lot of fans call it the best Star Wars movie ever. Most of what is wrong with The Last Jedi can be a�ributed to the script; there isn’t much story there.

Basically, it’s one long car chase – in space! There are three parallel plots running, intertwined obviously, but you can’t help but wonder why director Rian Johnson decided to make it drag on for two-and-a-half hours.

Johnson should have le� the script to someone who cared more about the characters. Johnson devotes copious amounts of screen �me to character development, but he fails to make those moments ma�er. Legacy characters such as Princess Leia and especially Luke Skywalker appear as pale imita�ons of themselves. Seeing Luke and Leia is almost painful; it’s like watching a badly translated foreign movie where lip synching is terribly out of whack. Princess Leia spends very li�le of her screen �me doing anything of worth besides handing out grandmotherly advice.

Her reac�on at the news of the death of her brother is so understated that it almost looks like she was actually relieved.

This brings me to Luke Skywalker.

A�er his brief cameo at the end of the previous movie, I was even more primed to see the Jedi Master in ac�on once again in The Last Jedi. And we do get to see him in a moment of sheer Jedi badassery in the concluding act of the movie, but what a let-down from there. In a dull script rife with plot holes it’s almost as if Johnson felt he simply had to kill off Luke Skywalker to bring sheer shock value to an otherwise apathe�c movie. Why did Disney kill off one of the greatest pop culture icons of the last forty years? Certainly not for gravitas. There are the reasons Johnson gave in interviews, but it feels more like Disney wanted to do away with an actor that costs considerably more than the fresh new faces of the Star Wars universe. Because only one thing is certain from watching the muddled mess of The Last Jedi: there will be more Star Wars movies.

Plenty more. It just appears that they will not feature any of the original main three cast members: Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill.

Johnson also fails to further develop the newer characters introduced in the previous movie, The Force Awakens. Fin’s big showdown with Phasma is so an�climac�c that Johnson should not have bothered, and the burgeoning romance between Fin and Rose seems forced and ar�cial. Despite the extensive character development moments, the newer characters simply don’t stand out.

Most painful to watch is Laura Dern who looks completely out of sort onscreen, as if she didn’t know what to do with her character.

The movie does have its moments,

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given by the undersigned to all citizens of the municipalities of the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges, that Regulation Number 235 entitled “Règlement numéro 235 - Déclaration de compétence limitée relativement au service 2-1-1 pour les douze municipalités hors de la Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM)” came into effect on December 13, 2017.

You may consult it at the offices of the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges located at 280 Harwood Boulevard in Vaudreuil-Dorion, as well as at the offices of local municipalities.

GIVEN AT VAUDREUIL-DORION, this 13th day of December in the year two thousand and seventeen (2017) GUY-LIN BEAUDOIN Executive Director and Secretary/Treasurer 32

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Mark Hamill in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Goodbye Luke Skywalker.

like the brief truce between Ray and Kylo Ren that sees Supreme Leader Snoke being cut down – a surprised development, and these rare twists are the few redeeming moments of the movie. The actors try their damnedest to make it work. John Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac and Daisy Ridley all deliver great performances, but the script was not developed to carry good storytelling

PHOTO COURTESY OF LUCASFILM LTD

or great characters.

The movie is s�ll masterfully produced. This is, a�er all, a big Disney blockbuster. And that is precisely the problem: When Disney procured Lucaslm, they were quick to announce that they would put out a Star Wars movie every year. This news made fans ecsta�c, but we are le� to wonder at this point, is this quan�ty at the price of quality?

PHOTO COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK

Investigation of Pincourt possible attempted murder/suicide continues James Armstrong

Your Local Journal

Sûreté du Québec (SQ) officers received an emergency call from an address on Impasse Hamel Street in Pincourt at about 4 p.m. on Sunday December 17. According to SQ spokesperson, Sergeant Joyce Kemp, police inves�gators are currently trea�ng the inves�ga�on as an attempted murder followed by a suicide. Kemp reported a 55 year old injured man was found at the address on Hamel when police arrived on the scene and a 59 year old man was later found dead in a car parked nearby.

Local resident reacƟon Ac�vity in the house in ques�on caught the a�en�on of local resident Grant Seymour on Sunday. “There

was a pop, pop sound I heard. It kind of surprised me, but it was very muffled. Like it was inside a house or car,” said Seymour. “Seconds later, I see the ambulance drivers break apart and run to their trucks saying ‘let’s go, let’s go’. Then as they were driving across the police line, one of the cops said to a driver, ‘juste une’,” added Seymour.

SQ update On Wednesday December 21, Kemp reported the iden�ty of the dead man in the car as Dereck Ellison and said police were trea�ng his case as a probable suicide. Kemp said police do not fear for the injured man’s life but he remains in hospital. She said that both men knew each other.

The police inves�ga�on con�nues and further details will be released at a later date.

LD

Cathia Duchesne

S

O

Residential Real Estate Broker 514-506-7317 cathia.duchesne@evcanada.com

Nelson Julien

Residential Real Estate Broker 514-979-0088 nelson.julien@evcanada.com

34 rue du Coteau, Vaudreuil-sur-le-Lac

Home and Estate Feature

PHOTO BY MICHAEL GREEN PHOTOGRAPHY

BeauƟfully conceived and magnicently designed, this sprawling Hudson estate sits perfectly on over 100,000 sq.Ō. of land. A truly wonderful opportunity for the discerning homeowner.

Contact Anthony Coleƫ with M Real Estate at (514) 867-6956 for more informaƟon. Centris #9434498.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

33

Vegan Continued from page 29 “People come to our restaurant and are blown away by how similar our food can taste to meat versions.”

If you like your chicken wings, burgers, hot dogs, cheese cake and other treats, vegan versions of all your favourites are now available.

Even our celebrated Quebec pou�ne has received the vegan treatment.

If you head out to Copper Branch in Pointe-Claire, you can try out their pou�ne and chicken wings. “Our pou�ne is ge�ng great feedback.

It’s denitely been a good seller at our restaurant,” Andrew says. And while vegan cheese alterna�ves used to have a bad rap several years ago, vegan culinary arts have improved tremendously over the past ten years, and there are now vegan cheeses based on a number of ingredients including soy, cashews or

$668,000 Bea Jarzynska ResidenƟal Real Estate Broker SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY QUÉBEC

438-989-8912

Saint-Lazare. 2654 Rue de la Symphonie. Masterfully built 4+1 bedroom Ňoor plan using materials as unique as you are. #19244427

almonds that make very acceptable alterna�ves to dairy-based cheeses.

You can now enjoy a very nice fauxbrie with your wine or a bagel slathered with non-dairy cream cheese.

One of my favourite childhood meals was macaroni and cheese.

While it would have been difficult a few years ago to make an acceptable dairy-free version of the dish, you now have plenty of vegan cheeses to choose from to make a delectable vegan macaroni and cheese at home,

Parade of Homes

or if you’d rather just make it out of the box like the venerable Kra� version, daiya offers a number of different mac and cheese products that are just as easy to make. If you’d like to make it from scratch, you can check out the recipe on daiya’s website at daiyafoods.com/recipes/ creamy-macaroni-cheese. Dairy-free cheeses, including daiya and earth island among a few, are now offered in many local grocery stores.

$183,000 Angelito Ilagan Real Estate Broker GROUPE SUTTON DISTINCTION INC.

514-882-9626

Vaudreuil-Dorion. 2-bedroom condo built 2012.

Ceramic & engineered wood Ňoors throughout.

BeauƟful modern kitchen. 2 exterior parking spots. Presently rented unƟl June 30, 2018.

INVESTORS WELCOME! #11797192

RECENTLY PURCHASED

Put your featured homes of the week on this page!

Nancy Fielding

Sale representaƟve ROYAL LEPAGE PERFORMANCE

613-678-8156

www.NancyFielding.com

Merry Christmas Joyeux Noël

Just call 450-510-4007

Bea Jarzynska ResidenƟal Real Estate Broker SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY QUÉBEC

438-989-8912

Saint-Lazare. 1345 Rue Champêtre.

BeauƟful 4-bedroom bungalow with private backyard and in-ground pool. #22946472

Home and Estate

Happy Holidays

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

MREALESTATE.COM

JASON ALLAN REAL ESTATE BROKER

514.972.4446

JALLAN@MMONTREAL.COM

34

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

120 ACRES

Beautifully restored c.1850 home nestled in pristine forest in historic Vankleek Hill, Ontario.

Restoration artfully done by local professionals maintaining authenticity and charm. Modern updates include geo-thermal heating, electrical, plumbing, septic, well, roof, exterior, kitchen, windows, washrooms. Step back in time while reaping the benefit of the future of home efficiency engineering. Vast organic land untouched by nearby agrarian pressure is an experience that slows visitors, explorers, and hikers alike to appreciate this RARE OPPORTUNITY. 120 +/- acres. #1083596. FOR SALE $788,000

REBECCA COLLETT REAL ESTATE BROKER

613.677.4919 MOVE2ONTARIO.CA

move2ontario@gmail.com 12 High Street, Vankleek Hill, Ontario

Royal Lepage Performance

Office: 613.678-3860

The English Gardener Great gardening gifts that keep on giving James Parry

Your Local Journal

So what does one give a gardener as a gi� this Holiday season?

On my bucket list would be a monthPHOTO BY GREG JONES long all-expenses paid trip to England and the south of France next Spring to discover lush, majes�c gardens to further inspire me to con�nually transform my more humble plot here in Hudson. But obviously dear readers,that just ain’t going to happen!

However, if you are looking for a more realis�c gi� for a gardener in your life - or even yourself - there’s a whole bunch of more prac�cal alterna�ves out there that will con�nue to grow and bring joy to the recipient long a�er winter is over. In other words, a gi� that keeps on giving.

And I’m not just talking about perennial po�ed-plant favourites such as alluring Azalea, so�-as-silk Cyclamen, amazing Amaryllis, and awesome Orchids which are real beau�es and which are always welcome to brighten up the home.

But rather Succulents, currently trending right now in that - as their name implies - with their juicy leaves,

stems, or roots, they offer easy-care choices requiring minimum watering and maintenance while looking stunning planted alone or as companions to other plants that you already have. Moreover, let’s be honest and speaking from experience, you don’t need a green thumb and you have to work really hard to kill them!

Most are easy to grow because they have evolved with special water-storage issues that allow them to survive in environments that are too dry for most other plants. And while they encompass a vast diverse group of plants, here are some of my personal favourites that you might like to consider.

Aloe vera also known as the Medicine Plant and the healing sap of which has been used for centuries to treat wounds and sunburn. Nick or scratch yourself while working in the garden?

No need to go rushing off to the medicine cabinet. Just gently snap off a piece and brush it lightly over the affected area. Believe me, it soothes, calms, and works wonders. Just be careful, however, when handling it as the sharp ‘teeth’ along the leaf margins can give you another cut when least expec�ng it.

As for maintenance, allow the soil to dry out between soakings and never let it stand in water. Keep it in direct

PHOTO BY JAMES PARRY

Now safely installed indoors together with other tender plants that go outside during the summer, this magnicent Aloe vera will thrive with minimum maintenance throughout the winter.

sunlight or the greatest amount of light possible and feed three �mes in summer with a balanced 10-10-10 fer�lizer. You don’t need to repot unless the roots are obviously pushing their way out and, if so, use a po�ng mix designed for Cactus.

Same goes for the Jade plant, a longlived South African na�ve that grows stout stems and thick glossy green leaves. Some gardeners I know say they have been in their family for literally decades and I’m green with envy. If leaves begin to wilt and drop, however, it’s a sure sign that it is under stress probably through overwatering. Back off and let nature take its course!

ConƟnued on page 38

TREES AND BEYOND TREE SERVICE

Our best wishes for a joyous Holiday Season From all of us at Trees and Beyond.

FREE ESTIMATES

| EMERGENCY SERVICE 24H – 7 DAY

Tree removal and trimming Stump removal Chipping

60 ft bucket truck service Firewood Fully insured

Patrick Creyf 514 894-7020 tab@videotron.ca

Thursday, December 21, 2017

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

35

For ecoresponsible Holidays ACCEPTED MATERIALS AT ÉCOCENTRES: VAUDREUIL-DORION, SAINT-ZOTIQUE AND RIGAUD

OTHER ALTERNATIVES

Christmas lights

RECYCLABLE MATERIALS

(Figures of Santa Claus, snowmen, etc., Christmas wreaths or other

Containers and packages of paper,

light decorations are NOT accepted)

cardboard, glass, metal and plastic (Including tissue paper, non-metallic

Cardboard (folded boxes)

wrapping paper, toy boxes, etc.)

Electronics (TVs / DVD, CD or video or audio players/ radios /

REUSE

computers and printers / etc.)

Christmas lights, clothing, Christmas garland, toys, metallic wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, etc.

SAINT-ZOTIQUE VAUDREUIL-DORION 2050, rue Principale 2800, rue Henry-Ford St-Zotique (QC) Vaudreuil-Dorion (QC) * Any unusable or broken material (glass, J0P 1Z0 J7V 0V8 Christmas ornaments, etc.) = Waste RIGAUD 32, rue de la Coopérative Rigaud (QC) J0P 1P0 *The Ecocentres will be closed Dec. 24th through Dec. 26th inclusively, and from Dec. 31st through Jan. 2nd inclusively.

For more information, visit www.mrcvs.ca/en/ecocentre or call the automated line 450 455-5434 (in French only).

2017 - 2018 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE RECYCLING COLLECTION

MONDAY December 25th, 2017

TUESDAY December 26th, 2017

WEDNESDAY December 27th, 2017

THURSDAY December 28th, 2017

NO COLLECTION CHRISTMAS DAY

Saint-Clet Saint-Lazare Saint-Zotique

Vaudreuil-Dorion Rivière-Beaudette Sainte-Justine-de-Newton Sainte-Marthe Saint-Télesphore

L’Île-Perrot Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot Pincourt Pointe-Fortune Rigaud

FRIDAY December 29th, 2017 Coteau-du-Lac Les Cèdres Les Coteaux Pointe-des-Cascades Saint-Polycarpe Terrasse-Vaudreuil Très-Saint-Rédempteur Hudson L’Île-Cadieux Vaudreuil-sur-le-Lac

Special cardboard collection from January 2nd to January 5th and on January 8th Disassemble and stack your boxes together and place them next to your bin.

MONDAY January 1st, 2018

TUESDAY January 2nd, 2018

NO COLLECTION NEW YEARS DAY

Saint-Clet Saint-Lazare Saint-Zotique

WEDNESDAY January 3rd, 2018 Vaudreuil-Dorion

olidays !

H y p p a H * Municipalities who have a change of recycling collection day for the holidays.

36

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

THURSDAY January 4th, 2018

FRIDAY January 5th, 2018

L’Île-Perrot Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot Pincourt

Coteau-du-Lac Les Cèdres Les Coteaux Pointe-des-Cascades Saint-Polycarpe Terrasse-Vaudreuil Très-Saint-Rédempteur www.mrcvs.ca/en/recycling

Tania Ellerbeck

Helen Henshaw

Diane LaŇamme

Paul LaŇamme

Margaret Lagimodiere

Maria PoƩer

Amanda Walker

Patricia Wright

472 B MAIN ROAD, HUDSON • Έ450Ή 458ͳ5365 • TOLL FREE 1ͳ866ͳ734ͳ4443

#14970549

# 16737599

#23502492 SAINT-LAZARE - $218,000

Turn key. Stunning condo is a short walk to all amenities Features: 2 bedrooms, concrete balcony + 2 parking spaces.

Paul & Diane Laflamme (514) 793-4514

ST-LAZARE – $474,900 Spacious 3 BDRM home in Saddlebrook. Features large country kitchen, family room, 4 season solarium, 3 season porch, in-ground pool + 2 car garage.

Paul & Diane Laflamme (514) 793-4514

HUDSON - $629,000 This fabulous country style cottage in a quiet location. Fully renovated home features: sewer connection, beautiful landscaping, huge patio with outside kitchen, granite kitchen counters, 3 full bath.

Paul & Diane Laflamme (514) 793-4514

With all my warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. # 13365339

#13310991

RIGAUD - $525,000

Margaret Lagimodière (450) 458-5365 Cell (514) 781-5611

LI NE ST W IN G

 ER T AT N W RO F

#18834491

#9952927

HUDSON - $369,000 Great 3 + 1 bedroom home in quiet, family-friendly neighbourhood.

No rear neighbours, backs onto the Whitlock Golf Course. Many upgrades, new kitchen, new bathroom, fully painted inside and out.

Helen Henshaw (514) 703-8981 www.helenhenshaw.ca

HUDSON - $869,000 Lovely waterfront property with 3 + 1 bedroom cottage, ready for you to make it your own. One of the best waterfronts in Hudson with private sandy beach and lovely boat access to the Ottawa River.

Helen Henshaw (514) 703-8981 www.helenhenshaw.ca

#14536331

#23932805

HUDSON - $660,000 Spacious family home with 2 main floor offices.

Extensively renovated.

Tania Ellerbeck (450) 458-5365

#20947362 ST-LAZARE - $749,900 First time on the market! A classic Chanterel home with timeless traditional elegance.

Patricia Wright (514) 942-4092

The perfect retirement home located on a quiet crescent minutes from Hudson, Rigaud and the highway. Spacious and gracious and ready for immediate occupancy. Deeded water rights... you can have it all.

Margaret Lagimodière (450) 458-5365 Cell (514) 781-5611 LI NE ST W IN G

Hudson - $449,000

Live right in the heart of the Village and the Yacht Club will be your neighbour...if boating, swimming and the beach appeal, this is the house for you. Beautiful inside and out with an income-generating studio cottage.

Margaret Lagimodière (450) 458-5365 Cell (514) 781-5611

# 16991819 SAINT-LAZARE - $1,599,000

Gorgeous 12-acre luxury equestrian property with custom-built log home (2011) featuring 16-foot cathedral ceilings, master suite on main level, additional living space for staff, indoor arena and 8 stall barn.

Helen Henshaw (514) 703-8981 www.helenhenshaw.ca

# 19650719 HUDSON - $635,000

Stunning home built in 2000 and backing on hundreds of acres of forest! 4 bedrooms, main floor office. Quality construction.

Tania Ellerbeck (450) 458-5365

May The Peace And Joy Of The Holiday Season Be With You And Your Family. Merry Christmas!

Patricia Wright Patricia Wright (514) 942-4092

RIGAUD - $600,000 3+1 bedroom, 3+1 bathroom home with 4+ garages on 100,000 sqft lot! Stunning open concept urban kitchen (2016).

Tania Ellerbeck (450) 458-5365

#11922412 ST-LAZARE - $458,800 Custom-built English Tudor on a private landscaped lot in the heart of Cedarbrook.

Patricia Wright (514) 942-4092

W W W. R O YA L L E PA G E V I L L A G E . C O M • V I L L A G E H U D S O N Ν R O YA L L E PA G E . C A Thursday, December 21, 2017

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

37

Pet photo of the week

St-Lazare

$525,000

I

ncredible woodwork & craftsmanship throughout this restored ancestral home! Features include gourmet kitchen, imported & inlaid wood Àoors, recycled red brick walls, custom built-in wood cabinetry in kitchen & living room. Detached 31x24 garage with 3 levels including workshop and loft, Perfect artist studio! Large private yard with mature cedars, fence and tuscan style patio! Simply wow…Call now!!! MLS# 23149899

PHOTO BY LYNE BOUTIN

$579,500

A

ll the bells and whistles! 4 bedroom BUNGALOW (2800sf) with 3 full baths, gourmet kitchen, wood Àoors, in-ground saltwater pool, double garage, fenced and handicap accessible. SMART home automation system, controls security everything from pool to entertainment! Exterior side-basement entrance for future in-law suite or home based business. Low taxes, extremely low energy cost & close to Hudson’s shops and schools. MLS# 22948890

Louise

Bissonnette Real Estate Broker

514-827-1123

louisebissonnette@videotron.ca

GROUP SUTTON DISTICTION INC.

Lyne BouƟn’s daughter’s six year-old lion-head bunny, Alice, all dressed up for Christmas.

Gardener

Continued from page 35 And here’s a �p I learned from the late Hudson gardener and author, Jud Arnold, who just loved Jade. Prune the plant as necessary to keep it symmetrical so that one side doesn’t grow too much and cause the en�re pot to topple over.

Simply cut off a branch or leaf, and plant it to create new plants. In fact, roo�ng new babies around the base of the par-

ent creates the look of a shrubby thicket. And for an architectural look, some gardeners pinch all the leaves along the thick stems, leaving only the leaves at the top.

So there you have it fellow gardeners. Just a couple of ideas un�l my next column which will appear on January 18 as we are all taking a break here at Your Local Journal over the Holidays. And a very Merry Christmas to one and all!

UnƟl next Ɵme!

E-mail: creaƟon@videotron.ca

ASSOCIATION DES POMPIERS VOLONTAIRES DE PINCOURT PINCOURT VOLUNTARY FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION

Jeudi 4 janvier 13 h 30 à 19 h 30

During this festive season we wish you and yours the warmest

Holiday greetings.

From your municipal council Thursday, January 4 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Entrée 2 / Entrance 2 101, boulevard Cardinal-Léger

38

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017

ASK FOR A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ON THE MARKET VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY! • UPDATED STATISTICS • MONTHLY REPORT

• ADS FEATURING PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF YOUR PROPERTY

AND THE VERY BEST SERVICE FROM A TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS! Mon équipe et moi vous remercie de votre conĆance et support.

Nous avons tous aimé travailler pour vous. Pour l’année qui vient, tous ensemble nous vous souhaitons qu’elle vous apporte, Santé, Joie, Succès, Prospérité!

My team and I thank you for your continued support and partnership.

We appreciate working with you and hope that the holidays and the coming year will bring you Happiness, Success, Health and Prosperity!

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169 Meloche, Vaudreuil-Dorion

26 De L’Écluse, Pte des Cascades

IN THE HEART O ST-LAZARE – Canadian bungalow, open concept KIT/ DIN/LVR, 3+1 BDR, 2 BTH, Įnished BMT. Walking distance to town’s main park, restaurants, grocery store, etc... Private yard, large cedar hedge, pool, cabana & paƟo. A must see, will sell quickly!

SPECTACULAR VIEW – On OƩawa River giving access to both Lake St-François & Lake of Two Mountains. Charming home, with many renovaƟons since 1993. Easy access to hwy 20, 30,40!

GREAT FAMILY HOME ͵ In desirable, quiet area, near parks & bicycle path. From balcony view of Lake St-Louis, fenced & prof. landscaped lot, heated in-ground pool also fenced in. Open concept, 3 BDR, BMT Įnished... Must see!

Centris #12831428

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5104 Moīat, Vaudreuil-Dorion

3696 Ste-Angélique, St-Lazare

DESIRABLE, QUIET & SAFE area in St-Lazare. High end 2007 home with 1900 sf living space on a private & dry landscaped lot. 3 big BDR w/woods strip Ňrs, electric central heat-pump & paved 8 car driveway.

GREAT BIͳGENERATIONAL! Bungalow on quiet street, easy access to hwy 40 (exit 22), easy access to hwy 40 (exit 22) “Builder’s home.” Large rooms, open concept 9’ceilings, home theater room, bachelor, aƩached garage + large separated heated garage. No rear neighbour!

FARMETTE -BI-GENERATION on 20 arpents wooded lot backing directly onto « Les ForesƟers » trails. Property with bachelor. 14 box stalls barn, 9 paddocks with watering syst., elec. fences and much more!

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Thursday, December 21, 2017

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39

Just like that…

Deep down, aren’t we all searching for a certain balance or an inner peace without really knowing how to get it?

We are deeply saddened to see all the suffering and the hate that is polluting our consciousness and sometimes, without being aware, we blend in that whirlwind of collective drama. Will we someday begin to understand and reach out to one another? Will we find the answer through science, religion or with the touch of a magic wand?

Maybe, by silencing the ego that is in all of us, by ignoring that little voice inside who tells our mind, and sometimes our actions, what to do, by putting aside our little daily pains and complaints, we will have a moment of lucidity that will help us see really what is happening around us. Maybe then, we will get more involved socially together, like big team work, by giving one of our biggest treasures; selflessness.

And we will offer it with great humility, with no judgement and most importantly, without wanting to gain profit out of it,

Just like that…

All of the Malaket team wants to wish you, with no exceptions, a happy holiday season full of peace.

Nicolas Malaket

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

Thursday, December 21, 2017