The Gazette from Montreal, Quebec, Canada • 75

THE GAZETTE, MONTREAL, THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1992 weG 3 omen's halfwav house must qo, citizens' Group savs Neighbors are unhappy with presence of 20 ex-prisoners in residence on Cote St. Antoine Rd. ANDY RIGA THE GAZETTE victed of minor offences from shoplifting to theft. Only about 5 per cent served sentences for violent crimes, which could include manslaughter. Nearby residents only found out about the institution after it opened.

About 100 angry neighbors showed up a meeting with city Councillor Sam Boskey and Elizabeth Fry officials last week to demand that the society move the women out. 'Not heartless rogues' They fear the facility will attract crime to the family neighborhood. Some worry it will drag their property values down. "We're not a bunch of heartless rogues," First said. "(But) the kind of people we're now seeing in the neighborhood worries us.

"In the past we would call police if we saw somebody suspicious on the street. "Now, we're not sure if they're just visiting or up to no good." He said some residents saw a woman being taken away in handcuffs after she smashed a window last week. Another neighbor saw a man urinating on a wall of the halfway house. But not all residents are opposed to the halfway house, said Nathalie Duhamel, executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society. "We've had people come by to welcome us, to say they're sorry about the protests," Duhamel said this week.

Seven dozen roses were sent to the society last weekend by residents disgusted by the uproar over the halfway house, she said. Most of those opposed to the facility seem to be more angry that they weren't consulted than worried about security, she said. "The policy of the city is what it is and we followed everything they wanted us to do," Duhamel said. Setting up the halfway house did not require a zoning change and no public consultation was required, city officials said. The society might have an open house to quell fears, Duhamel said.

In the meantime, she said, neighbors can reassure themselves by visiting the residence and asking the staff questions. Boskey said as far as he's concerned the halfway house is there to stay. No danger: Boskey Boskey, who was criticized by some residents last week for not informing them about the halfway house beforehand, said he did research on the Elizabeth Fry Society when he heard the facility might move from St. Hubert St. to eastern N.D.G.

"There hasn't been a blemish on their record over the past 10 years, as far as security and danger to neighbors," Boskey said. NOTRE DAME DE GRACE Some neighbors say they won't rest until the new halfway house in N.D.G. for former female prisoners has hightailed it out. "It may take a while but we'll force them to move," said Peter First, a member of a committee of local residents fighting the instutition. Since last week, the committee has been poring over housing bylaws to see whether the halfway house is operating legally.

Members are also lobbying local politicians. First said about 100 people are involved in the committee. Twenty former prisoners have been living in the Elizabeth Fry Society halfway house in a former convent on Cote St. Antoine east of Decarie Blvd. since late last month.

Society officials say most of the women were con The melody and the beat School's steel band crosses cultural boundaries ffr 5 AARON DERFEL THE GAZETTE country of his parents, Trinidad. "It looked like fun and the music is from my country," Shaun said, a smile flashing across his face. Petra Stewart, also 12, plays the bass drum, which she described as the foundation of the music. "Without the bass drum, the music would sound dry," Petra said, pointing her drumstick at what looked like an inverted turtle Wilson, who has instructed the band since it was formed in May 1991. said the students practice after school for 1 12 hours, three times a week.

They've already performed several concerts for schools administered by the Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal, and on June 21, they'll play at the Bill Durnan Arena as part of the Pan Jamboree '92 music festival. "The steel band is actually one of the newest musical inventions of the century," Wilson said. Principal Jacklin Webb, ho herself performed in a steel band as a schoolgirl in the Caribbean, said she's happy the students have taken such a strong interest in the musical aspects of her culture. Bernard said the band is also important because it will give the students a head start in their musical education. "They're not just learning to play instruments," Bernard said.

"They're also learning how to read music. A steel band is a good means of getting these children to express themselves and to cooperate." The break is over and the students assemble quickly in front of their instruments. After only a few notes, it's clear by the jazzy strains of the music that they're playing the Pink Panther. COTE DES NEIGES "Feelin' hot, hot, hot!" As music instructor Salah Wilson beats a soca rhythm on the drums, his students begin playing the melody of the calypso favorite on different-sized steel drums. Smiles appear on their faces while the music swells inside the classroom on a sunny Monday afternoon.

The beat is infectious and soon a clutch of spectators are dancing in the doorway. i Welcome to a rehearsal of the Coronation Elementary School Steel Band. The 35 children who make up the group defy the usual stereotypes of a steel band. First, they don't just play reggae and calypso; they're now mastering Carl Maria von Weber's Waltz in G. And second, the children are not all desccn-dents from the Caribbean the musicians include a Vietnamese girl and an East Indian boy.

"We decided to form a steel band in the school because the student population is predominantly black with roots in the Caribbean," said Britten Bernard, who co-ordinates the extracurricular activity with fellow teacher John Foster. "But we didn't think the band should only be for black kids. We wanted it to be open to everyone no matter what race or creed." During a break in the rehearsal, Foster added: "The band has done a wonderful thing for them. It's taught them cultural co-operation." But Cathy Tat, 10, wasn't thinking about cultural co-operation when she decided to join the band. "I just like music," Cathy said shyly.

She plays a soprano drum. Shaun Thomas, 12, said he was driven to join because the steel band sound originated in the STEINBERG Some customers fear less competition will drive prices up CONTINUED FROM PAGE G1 gripping two bulging plastic bags. "They've been kind of a fixture in this part of the city." While she doesn't like to see the name of an anglophone family disappear, Monty said she doesn't expect things in her store to change much. "Listen, the people working here will still be here after they change the signs," she said. "The people, the employees, are more important than the name." Outside the Steinberg outlet on Sherbrooke St.

near Victoria some customers said they're worried less competition will drive food prices up. A double-take "I was comfortable knowing that I could come to a store that's been here forever," said John Jobin. "They say things won't change, but who knows what's going to happen to prices?" The Westmount Steinberg has already changed its signs. It's now a Metro-Richelieu store. Janice McDougall said she did a double take when she walked past the store Tuesday, the day after the name changed.

"It was such a shock," she said. "I've been coming here forever, and now everything's different." She said she's going to hang onto the Steinberg bags she still has at home. "I'll save them for my kids," McDougall said. "They're going to be collectors' items one day." For Wcstmounter Shirley Griffin, the changeovcrs mean the end of the friendly, neighborhood Steinberg stores she used to know. Friendly neighbor "I remember the days when stores, not just Steinberg's, were different," said Griffin, 68.

"When you knew all the employees by name and you felt like the store was part of your neighborhood." She expects new management to change the stores, turning them into impersonal businesses. "I don't know," she said, "maybe I'm just nostalgic." GAZETTE, MARIE-FRANCE C0ALUER Shaun Thomas, (left) Shaahida Decoteau practice for yesterday's show. Now known as For those affected dv Tamuy ur iy suw. 4 For individuals who are having difficulties in relationships. Groups Private Sessions What's happening to local Steinberg's supermarkets: Alexis Ninon Plaza: IGA Cavendish Mall: IGA 4885 Van Home: IGA Plaza Cote des Neigcs: IGA 7151 Cote St.

Luc IGA 5150 Cote des Neigcs Metro-Richelieu 5201 Queen Mary Metro-Richelieu Rockland Shopping Centre: Metro-Richelieu 6645 Somerled Metro-Richelieu 2875 Van Home Metro-Richelieu 4840 Sherbrooke Metro-Richelieu 6485 Sherbrooke Provigo Steinberg's Cinq Salsons: 1250 Greene Metro-Richelieu 1180 Bernard For more information phone: TOM CAP LAN, M.S., ma, m.s.w., p.s.w., cad.c. 'Counselling mrougn wuv- 737-7208 1 I I I COUPON FREE Reusable Garment Bag with dry cleaning order of $15 or more. 'while quantities last. 30 minutes parking in Westmount Square with any order. BIKE TUNE-UP 7 Superior Kosher FoodsY I at Warehouse Prices Ma.

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