Cornwall_2012_04_11

COMMUNITY FOCUS

From media personality to historian

be guaranteed either of the two” states LaSalle. His personal strengths come from his belief in trying to overcome the nega- tives in his life while looking at whatever positives there are.” When asked if there is one thing in this world that he would like changed he said, “to make the entire world more peaceful and understanding. Since nobody is per- fect, the belief you are always right and the other person is always wrong is a to- tally false approach.” Now in retirement, LaSalle is often busier than he was in his career. He has always had an interest in science, enter- tainment, and writing. LaSalle enjoys reading history and science, and has a wide taste for music and movies. When asked if he had a chance to travel anywhere, LaSalle replied, “a trip around the world or at least to Britain, Europe, or some of the other places I have always read about and seen from a distance would be nice.” When LaSalle has free time he enjoys spending time on the Internet. He volun- teers as a website master with Heritage Cornwall (www.cornwall-lacac.on.ca). He currently has a website titled “ Cornwall Media History.” The link http:// corn- wallmediahistory2.bravehost.com leads those interested to a wide variety of infor- mation concerning the history of radio and newspaper in Cornwall. What prompted him to develop this site was 10 years of research that he was hop- ing to publish into a hard-cover history book complete with photos and memories that would help us all relive our media past. Bill Gallant, was able to help LaSalle with many of the stories on the site. Hav- ing worked with, or met hundreds of people over the years, LaSalle has more than 50 years of documented history, and is always on the lookout for new informa- tion. When asked where he sees himself in the future, LaSalle states, “that’s a good ques- tion. Wherever it is I hope there’s no fire and horns and plenty of lights and loving individuals who have gone before me.” ”And what would you like said at your eulogy? LaSalle pauses for a moment and replies, “ I’m sure there will be many peo- ple with comments, and we can only hope they have a few good things to say.” infections, prostatitis, bunions and other foot problems. “Mr. Cameron has created a highly-spe- cialized business that is turning heads not only here in Cornwall, but in other parts of Canada and the United States,” said Candy Pollard, business consultant with the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre. “We wish him and his staff the very best.” The clinic is located at 30 Thirteenth Street East. Office hours are Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm by appointment only. You can find more information about In- novative Therapy Canada online at www.innovativetherapycanada.com or by calling Lynn at (613) 933-3400.

By Lisa Etherington-Runions There are many people that make up the fabric of a community, but it takes special individuals such as Bill LaSalle to complete the piece. LaSalle spent 42 years in media in Corn- wall working with CKSF radio and later CJSS radio, and as a wire editor and re- porter with the Cornwall Standard-Free- holder. LaSalle spent most of his years growing up in Cornwall, and attended West Front Public School, and later CCVS. Having played in the school band, LaSalle at the age of 16 took advantage of a special re- cruitment being offered by the Royal Canadian Navy. With reluctant permission from my fa- ther I enlisted as an apprentice bandsman. I could see no future ahead of me unless I did something to light a career candle for myself. After the long trip to Vancouver by train and a boat ride to Victoria, I found myself employed by the govern- ment and engaged in basic training.” When LaSalle returned home, he spent a few months working with the “Bull Gang’ at Howard Smith Paper Mill. “I helped clean out clay boats, pulp cars and ships carrying sulphur. I can remem- ber my salary well. I made 95 cents an hour and felt a little concerned when my first set of arm muscles began growing larger with each passing month.” In 1955 LaSalle was looking for some- thing a little less tiring so he paid a visit to CKSF Radio and with a bit of luck and the help of a friend, Bill Gallant, LaSalle joined the staff as a novice announcer. That is when his life career began, which led him to jobs as a radio and television announcer, and later a reporter and editor with the Standard-Freeholder. The “SF” in CKSF stood for Standard-Freeholder, as they were the owner of the station at the time. Since the radio station had no news department in the early days all news was Bill LaSalle has documented more than 50 years of Cornwall’s history Glenn Cameron couldn’t have come up with a more suitable name for his new business in the Thirteenth Street Med- ical Centre. The founder and CEO of Innovative Ther- apy Canada, Cameron is using cutting- edge approaches to treat conditions that cause chronic pain. In the process, he’s al- ready starting to make a name for himself across the continent. From his well-appointed clinic on Thir- teenth Street East, Cameron has pioneered a new treatment approach for chronic pain conditions using a combination of shock- wave therapy and deep tissue therapeutic massage therapy. The Journal

Special photo Retired Cornwall media personality Bill Lasalle, left, is pictured with Keith Clingen presenting a certificate to a student during Lasalle’s time working in radio.

written by reporters at the newspaper. In 1970 LaSalle was working with Arnold Hughes, who was a wire editor at the time with the Standard-Freeholder. Hughes delayed his retirement so LaSalle could return to school, get his diploma, and return less than a year later to take over as wire editor. LaSalle held that job until he moved back to CJSS Radio 10 years later.

LaSalle worked in media until 1997. He has received several awards over the years for his contributions to the commu- nity, and has belonged to no fewer than 35 organizations as a volunteer. He is cur- rently a member of Cornwall’s Mobile Community Watch program run by the Cornwall Police Services, but has also been a Public School Board Trustee, a member of the local Li-

“Up to the point of leaving I was working both for the newspaper and the radio station, but was told I had to make a choice. I remember the move with a great deal of concern because it meant I would be making $100 a week less in salary. To this day I have to question how anyone could have afforded

brary board, a member of the Cornwall Transit Com- mittee plus many other or- ganizations. LaSalle doesn’t mince words when he explains that the good things people do should be automatic and done without honour. “Success is accomplish- ing what you set out to

“Success is accomplishing what you set out to do.” Bill Lasalle

Former Cornwall media personality

such a move, and I’ve labeled it one of the strangest decisions in my lifetime. If I had the chance I would like to find a time ma- chine that works, and go back and start my professional career all over again,” he said with a smile.

do,” explains LaSalle, and he feels that the people who have managed to be success- ful despite all the barriers they have faced have had the greatest influence on his life. “What I value most is probably financial and emotional success. It would be nice to

New business using innovative approach to treat chronic pain

and Texas. “One by one, we’re fixing people,” said Cameron. “We’re also bringing people to Cornwall for treatment that they can’t get anywhere else. It’s a pretty neat thing for Cornwall.” What makes Innovative Therapy even more unique is that Cameron has a visual impairment, however that is offset by a keen sense of touch. “I use a hands-on approach to get to the source of the pain,” he said. In addition to treating chronic pain con- ditions, Innovative Therapy also treats a wide variety of ailments such as nerve en- trapment, knee and pelvic dysfunctions, sports injuries, joint replacement trauma, scar tissue, surgical tissue damage, bladder

The results to date have been impressive, and his clients are leaving the clinic with a new lease on life after having gone through other treatments with little to no success. “There are a lot of people who were giv- ing up, but we are now giving them hope to go on,” said Cameron. Among other things, Cameron is using this new approach to treat a pelvic condi- tion known as pudendal nerve neuralgia. He is the first of his kind in North Amer- ica to do so, and word of his successful treatment approach is spreading fast. Cameron has treated patients from all over Ontario, Quebec and the U.S., with some from as far away as Wisconsin, Or- lando and Chicago. Other clients will be ar- riving shortly from Minnesota, California

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