Election attack advertorial panned gŏđŏ
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town and your tax bill? What will the City of Clarence-Rockland look like if Guy Desjar- dins became mayor? As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.” The text then contrasted Desjardins’ farm with incumbent Mayor Marcel Guibord’s property, describing it as “very well main- tained” and inferring that proves he is the better candidate for the city. Guibord is dis- tancing himself from the advertorial, stat- ing during a Monday phone interview that he had “nothing to do with it” and was nev- er consulted about it though he was told by the CRG “not to be surprised” when it ap- peared in the latest edition of the Focus. “It surely did (surprise),” Guibord said, then added that he hoped people would read the piece because “there is lots of truth.” Guibord also criticized local and re- gional media for their coverage of council affairs during the past four years. He also took aim at what he termed “cyberbullying” of himself by some individuals and groups who support Desjardins. Meanwhile Desjardins noted that the advertorial’s attempted attack on himself is backfiring because since that edition of the Focus came out he has been getting calls and comments from people, both at his home and while out during his door-to- door campaign, expressing support for him and denouncing the Focus piece. “I think it’s been the best of public rela- tions possible,” he said, chuckling. “People all over are calling me. And any farmer will tell you that we might have a bit of work to do at some time or other around our farm.” Focus editor Sylvie Riopel, who is a can- didate for the Ward 6 St-Pascal-Baylon, has told regional media that she is not respon- 613-850-5744 La maison du store par Danny & Sandra Décor 100 stores en démonstration *Venez voir votre store avant de l’acheter* • Peinture • Tissus • Céramique • Cadeaux • Moulures décoratives Douches Vente - Design - Installation Spécialiste système schluter
Guy Desjardins
GREGGCHAMBERLAIN gregg.chamberlain@eap.on.ca
ROCKLAND | An article in a local news- paper has introduced American-style attack advertising tactics to the mu- nicipal election in the City of Clarence- Rockland. The Focus Prescott-Russell ran an adverto- rial in its October 9 issue, credited to Citi- zens for a Responsible Government (CRG), which compared and contrasted the two mayoral candidates: incumbent Marcel Gui- bord and challenger Guy Desjardins. The Vision has received several letters of com- plaint about the advertorial, alleging the fo- cus of the piece was an attack on the char- acter, personal background and occupation of Desjardins rather than a promotion and discussion of election issues. Desjardins , during interviews with local and regional media, dismissed the Focus piece, describing it as “piddly” and that he laughed when he first saw it. “It’s a very low piece of advertising which doesn’t even deserve being commented on,” Desjardins said during a Thanksgiving Monday phone interview. “It’s very piddly and it shows the level (of the group).” The Focus piece includes photos, alleged to be of Desjardins’ farm property in St-
Marcel Guibord
Pascal-Baylon, which the advertorial text describes as looking “like a dump” with high-standing weeds, outbuildings in poor repair, and other signs of disorder. The text criticizes Desjardins’ ability to make good on a campaign promise to clean up the disruptive atmosphere of current council sessions because of the way he looks after his own farm property. The text also alleged that property values would suffer if he was elected. “The City of Clarence-Rockland is boom- ing and we need a mayor who will uphold the values of our properties,”the advertorial stated. “Which candidate would you want in charge of maintaining your home, your
sible for the text of the advertorial, that it came from the CRG. The Vision has received letters complaining about the advertorial and also criticizing the Focus for printing the piece. “ Focus , in a supreme insult to intelligence and morality,”stated Philippe Landry, in one letter, “ridiculed hardworking, industrious people in the agro business, the most im- portant contributor to the economy of Clar- ence-Rockland and all of Eastern Ontario.” “The conclusion the writer wants readers to draw,” stated Robert Gadoua, in another letter,“is that money equals class and ability and that Mr. Desjardins is not fit to govern because he operates a working farm, but that Mr. Guibord, by virtue of his home and his purported wealth, has more class dis- tinction and competence and is therefore more fit to reign over Clarence-Rockland. What an insult! It’s a simplistic, self-serving, poorly considered and ignorant (in the true sense of the word) comparison.”
Beware of moneylending scam The Hawkesbury OPP detachment is investigating complaints about Metrus Financial Services, an alleged financial outfit located in New York City. All the complaints to the OPP about the company state that it demands payments in advance as security for loan requests. The reason given is that some applicants to the company have bad cre- dit ratings. The problem is that when the money is sent through a Western Union wire transfer, there is no further word from the company. Police have tried without success to contact the company or anyone representing Metrus Financial Services. Residents are warned to be wary of offers by email, phone or regular mail from companies offe- ring easy-credit loans even for people with poor credit ratings. Anyone who receives such an offer should contact the Better Business Bureau first before considering the offer.
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Les dommages de 4 ans SANS leadership
• 5 directeurs généraux en 4 ans ! = $$$ • Départ de 40 % des employés = $$$ • Augmentation de 60% des taxes municipales et foncières = $$$$$$ • Frais de location d’aréna DOUBLÉS (50 % de réduction des inscriptions) = $$$ • L’ombudsman de l’Ontario n’a jamais vu une situation comme celle à Clarence-Rockland !
The dammages of 4 years WITHOUT leadership
• 5 CEOs in 4 years! = $$$ • Departure of 40% of employees = $$$ • Municipal and property taxes increase of 60% = $$$$$$ • Arena rental costs have DOUBLED (50% less registrations) = $$$ • Ombudsman of Ontario has never seen a situation like the one in Clarence-Rockland!
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