Collines police request new affiliation: After providing public security for just over four years, the MRC des Collines police force may soon be a thing of the past. The 34 unionized members signed a letter to Public Security Minister Serge Ménard dated Jan. 25 requesting they be integrated into the Sûreté du Québec or the coming Hull-Gatineau police force.

“They all signed with no hesitation,” says Const. Patrick Lebouef, representative of the force’s union, the Fraternité des policières et policiers de la MRC des Collines.

Lebouef says his force, which has been operating without a contract since December, 1999, has taken to heart recommendations in the Menard Report, a study of the province’s public security services which concludes, among other things, that working conditions in small police forces are poorer than those in larger forces.

Lebouef says he and his colleagues face poor working conditions, including patrolling alone, even at night, no bullet-proof vests, a high staff turnover and no career advancement opportunities. As well, he says the officers have to wear too many hats, such as conducting fire investigations and participating in community projects in addition to the regular patrol.

“We’ve had health problems due to too much work,” he says, adding five officers suffered job burnout in the past four years.

Currently, the union members are wearing jeans and growing beards as signs of protest.

Internet opens door for home work: People throughout Canada, including the Pontiac, are working at home via the Internet. Soon after the advent of the Internet and e-mail in the ‘90s, more people are seizing the opportunity to avoid rush hour traffic.

One area couple, Chris and Kathy Young, of Young’s Appliances use the Internet to contact dealers and builders across the country and in the U.S. They also use the Internet to get information on services and products and for file claims.

“Being able to do our file claims electronically is much more convenient and efficient because it saves time,” said Kathy.

Katherine and Eric Fletcher, both freelance writer’s who write for magazines, newspapers and books, find the Internet a great benefit to them.

“It’s great because you can do everything from home and you don’t have to travel to deliver your work,” said Katherine. “I am used to working on my own and the Internet allows me to do my work more independently.”

“The Internet is much more convenient and efficient for us,” said Eric. “We couldn’t work without it.”

Not only has the Internet opened the doors for people to work at home, but hospitals are using it now to help staff communicate with each other.

At the Pontiac Community Hospital in Shawville, doctors and staff are currently linked together thorough e-mail. Doctors and staff can also access medical info on the Internet.