SPEC Headlines, Nov. 2, 2003

GDS and Town of Gaspé reach agreement on $12 million plant for Sandy Beach
Plant, announced in 2002, waiting for creation of an industrial zone
Gilles Gagné
 
Groupe GDS and the Town of Gaspé have reached an agreement regarding the acquisition by the lumber company of a piece of land located in Sandy Beach, where a subsidiary, Valoribois GDS, will build the $12 million added value complex announced in the Spring of 2002.
Originally, Groupe GDS was supposed to start the construction of the plant a year ago. But the town had to create an industrial zone in the vicinity of the harbour, and it took longer than expected, explains Guildo Deschènes, president of Groupe GDS.
"We had to give the municipality time to enable them to prepare the industrial zone, and this allowed us to buy some equipment, from a mill that closed last year in Saint Romuald, near Québec City. We also bought a sawmill in Rivière Saint Jean, on the North Shore. That new sawmill will complete the supply necessary to operate our two added value complexes, the one that we already have in Matane, and the one that we will build in Gaspé", explains Mr. Deschènes.

Percé: Three candidates want to replace Raymond Sheehan
Gilles Gagné
With excerpts from Le Soleil

Three candidates, councilor Mario Cloutier, businessman Georges Mamelonet and Bridgeville resident Chantal Quirion, are interested in replacing Mayor Raymond Sheehan, who has decided to retire from municipal politics.
M. Cloutier has spent the last eight years on the council. A resident of l'Anse-a-Beaufils, he wants to bring back confidence to taxpayers concerning municipal affairs. He also told Le Soleil that the municipal administration must not forget that once the tourist season is over there are people who live in the town year round.
He does not believe in major projects, because "we must respect taxpayers capacity. Our little municipal budget ($3.8 million per year) does not leave a lot of room (for big projects)". He wants to save money on certain budgetary items and put it on road improvements. Percé inherited of a lot of secondary roads 10 years ago (from Québec) and urgent needs would require an injection of $10 million, according to him.
Georges Mamelonet's philosophy rests with an improvement of budgetary figures, via the coming of more companies, both in tourism and in the manufacturing sector. A self-made businessman, this marine mechanic by trade, owns a restaurant, a scuba diving company, guest houses and was instrumental in ship building in Paspébiac in the early nineties.

Yves Gauthier to serve nine months community work for threatening Jean Charest
Gilles Gagné

A 28-year-old man from Matane, Yves Gauthier, was sentenced to a nine month sentence, to be served in the community, for uttering death threats and bodily harm to Québec Premier Jean Charest in a September 18th letter sent by the internet.
Justice Sarto Cloutier approved the common position of the defence and the Crown, both had previously agreed on a nine month sentence to be served in the community. He is also forbidden contact with Premier Charest of any member of his staff.