SPEC Headlines, May 9, 2004

Up to 2,500 people participate in a solidarity rally in Chandler
Gilles Gagné

    CHANDLER - Close to 2,500 people took part in the "Gaspesian Solidarity
Demonstration" held on May Day. Local citizens wanted to show the cohesion
and the collaboration necessary to reassure any investor ready to inject the
necessary funds to complete the modernization project of the Gaspesia paper
mill.
    Municipal and regional leaders as well as union representatives also
wanted to show to various levels of government that the modernization
project is still the local priority, that it is the compulsory step towards
the recovery of the economy.
    The initiative was conclusive. People  formed a human chain, almost one
kilometer long on the northern and eastern sides of the plant.

Eastern Shores School Board D.G.resigns, four months after his appointment
"Mutual agreement", says president Audrey Acteson
Gilles Gagné

NEW CARLISLE - Eastern Shores School Board 's new director general Christian
Fageret resigned on April 30th, following a "mutual agreement", explained
school board president Audrey Acteson.

Mr. Fageret, who came from Ontario before agreeing to replace former
director general Cyrus Journeau, who retired in December, left the region
before his letter of resignation was accepted by the school board, on May
3rd.

Mrs. Acteson refused to confirm the rumor that Christian Fageret was given a
48 hour notice to leave, last week.

"It was an agreement between the board and Doctor Fageret. He left on his
own, following a choice that he made. I prefer not to comment on the
situation",  said Audrey Acteson.


Stephen Tribble Appointed to "CEEC"
Jeanie LeLacheur

A recent press release from  premier Jean Charest¹s cabinet  revealed the
nomination of Stephen Tribble  to the "Commission d¹evaluation de
l¹enseignement collegial".  Mr. Tribble who is at present Associate
Director and Academic Advisor at the Gaspé College will officially begin his
new career on May 31 2004.  The Commissions mandate is to ensure the quality
of education at all diploma and certificate granting institutions approved
by the government of Quebec, and is responsible for 130 colleges throughout
the province, including cegeps, institutions with and without government
funding, as well as 10 institutions attached to universities such as
McDonald college  of McGill which gives an agricultural diploma.