The Ottawa Journal from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Page 3

Metro news By Marianne Ackerman Journal reporter A federal public servant has been questioned by his bosses for being Jinked with the Parti Quebecois while contesting a seat on Gatineau city council during a recent by-election. Guy Larabie, an economist with Statistics Canada and a member of the armed forces militia, said directors of both offices asked him for an explanation when they heard reports that he sought the seat with PQ support. The Public Service Employment Act forbids federal employees from being openly active in federal or provincial politics, but does not mention municipal politics. Larabie claims that workers for his successful opponent, Raymond Dupont, hurt his chances for success by reminding voters at the last minute that several prominent Parti Quebecois members are also members of the civic party which ran his campaign. Linked to PQ in Gatineau vote PS-candida te charges 'smear' and matching lace hat the costume native to Brittany, France worn by the waitresses at the Hull creperie where she works.

Later in the same day she may be sitting around the bargaining table with local transit commission negotiators, pressing for a favorable strike settlement for the 135 school bus drivers she represents. "It is true that Action Gatineau has a few prominent PQ members (Mayor John Luck and local MNA John Alfred). But I am a loyal Canadian. I was a victim of guilt by association," he said. "It was a smear on my name," says Larabie, an ardent federalist.

"I don't see why I had to justify my involvement in local politics. Many public servants are members of councils and school boards." Larabie said he believes public servants should not be denied their right to political involvement. "We can't give away all our rights. If we are to continue voting, I don't think running for office should be prevented." Larabie admitted many public servants would be apprehensive about their jobs if their activity with the separatist cause were known. "I don't think you should bite the hand that feeds you, but there has to be an allowance for differences," he said.

The 30-year-old Gatineau resident said his' Hill Daredevil at work Bc Corner Journal-CP Dave Mepham, above, was one of four members of the Ottawa Sub Aqua Club, who went for a perilous swim in the flood-swollen waters of the Rideau River Tuesday. They lumped Into the raging stream below the Hog's Back falls and were swept through the rapids behind Carleton University. At right, Mepham stands on a flood-created Island on the banks of the Rideau and waves to police on the opposite bank. campaign against Dupont, chairman of the Champiain school board and an active member of the Liberal Party, has taught him a lot about campaigning against an experienced political organization. Dupont declared his candidacy -one week before the election, but came out with pre- printed literature and posters.

One pamphlet, released hours before the polls opened, said "Contrary to what my' opponent has been preaching since the beginning, he has proven himself beyond doubt a member of Action Gatineau." In French, the text reminded them Larabie is still an active member of "his "I never hid that fact," said Larabie. "In fact, I was.openly a member of Action Gatineau. I don't like the innendo and his lumping me in with separatists." Dupont claimed the city is aware that Action Gatineau has been closely aligned with separatism, but that voters decided on the basis of his reputation In the community. Strikers find times tough Bus drivers' chief works as waitress By Marianne Ackerman Journal Reporter When Lise Courcelles says she wears many hats to earn her daily bread, she isn't speaking figuratively about holding down several jobs. Every day she dons a floor-length dress, cream colored apron Like many in the rank and file, the president of the drivers' union has had to look for work elsewhere as the strike stretches into its fourth month with no sign of settlement.

"It's difficult, very difficult, especially for some who are not especially trained for other work," said Courcelles. 1 Flood crest feared on weekend Heavy rain in the past few days may send residents along the Rideau River rushing for their sandbags on the weekend. Before the downpour. It was predicted the Rideau would not peak until well into next week. But now, all that has changed.

"It all depends on how much rain we get and how warm the temperatures are for the next few days," said Rideau Valley Conservation Authority flood coordinator Cliff Craig Wednesday. "But this weekend now looks like the peak time." Generally cold weather has made this year a com P. Ml. paratively good one for the residents, added Craig. "As far as I know, no homes have yet been but residents should start expecting it to happen fairly soon." And for those residents who expect to be affected by the floods, Ottawa-Carleton Emergency Measures Organization has a book called Flood Recovery Procedures offering pointers on how best to avoid excessive-water damage.

The book is available from local council offices as well as the EMO. Gatineau wants voice on NCC The next appointment to the National Capital Commission should be from Gatineau, according to a member of the Gatineau city council Francois Leclerc. "The future of our city Is being decided but we aren't even aware mm, of what decisions are being made," he said following a meeting of the city council's administrative committee Wednesday. Leclerc introduced a resolution that at least three persons from Gatineau be sent to the NCC to sit Man charged in beer heist A 27-year-old parolee from Collins Bay was to appear in court today for charges of armed robbery following a hold-up at a Brewers Retail early this week. The beer sales outlet at 564 Branson Ave.

was robbed of a small amount of money Monday afternoon. Police are searching for a second suspect. Charged Is Clarence Stanley Kennedy. Man held in store robbery City police have a supect in custody today following a comer stoi robbery Wednesday. Police said an armed man held up the Pinto store, 27 Springfield about p.m.

Hull, police are searching for a suspect after the Lemay Grocery store, 800 Archembault was robbed at knifepoint by a lone man about 9 a im on committees related to buildings, roads and parks. The charter of the NCC allows for one of the 20 members to be chosen from Hull and another from a Quebec municipality other than The latter position was last filled by a Gatineau resident, Rene La- londe, but he died recently. The vacancy has not yet been filled, and a spokesman from the NCC said the appointment will be made by a federal order-in-councll. "We need more people who un-derstand the problems of the city to sit In on committee meetings," said Leclerc. "We don't really know how the NCC works out here, but they are making plans which Will effect Gatineau." "We are always complaining' that Hull gets all the benefits from the federal government, but let's" face it, they know how to lobby.

The NCC has three committees and one sub-committee, with a representative from Hull on the design committee and a resident of Lucerne on the land committee. The resolution was passed and will go on to council next week for approval. The strike fund from the Confederation of National Trade Unions provides $32 a week for members with dependents and $54 for single people. The strikers are also selling small yellow lapel buttons expressing support for their cause, the money to be used to meet emergency expenses for those out of work. More than 2,000 buttons have been sold at $1 each.

About one third of the striking bus drivers are women. "Not everybody is able to work as a waitress," says Courcelles, who tackles her job with the rolled-up sleeves altitude she takes to union negotiating. Some, like herself, had part-time jobs before the strike which they can rely on for some income. Getting by has not been easy, she points out. With unemployment in the region at 14.9 per cent according to statistics released Tuesday, there is great competition for even temporary or part-time work.

The drivers won't give up, she even as the make-do system of city buses and private car pools has meant the majority of the 20,000 elementary and secondary school students are getting to classes. Management, the Outaouais Regional Transit Commission, has offered $5.60 an hour this fall and $5.90 next while the union demands $7 an hour; A federally appointed mediator has recommended $6 and $6.50. IT KENNETH LEWIS Ottawa man gets a top NORAD post Lieutenant-General Kenneth E. Lewis, 48, of Calgary and Ottawa, will be appointed deputy commander of North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) effective August 8, Defense Minister Barney Danson announced Wednesday. Lieutenant-General Lewis has been deputy chief of the Defense Staff since June, 1976, and will succeed Lieutenant-General David R.

Adamson, 55, of Lloydmlnster, Saskatchewan and Vegreville, Alberta, who Is retiring after 37 years with the Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Forces. Lewis will be deputy to General James T. Hll, Commander-in-Chief of NORAD. They will head some 53,000 personel worldwide to give Canada and the United States warning of air, space or missile attack. Thursday.

April 1 3, 1 978 Ottawa Journal PS layoffs hit women hardest, union riled By Ken Scott Journal Reporter The fact that 81 per cent of scientific and professional workers laid off by the federal government last year were women is upsetting union leaders. 'No good reason for imbalance' Of 307 lay-offs last year, 249 were 1977, compared with a mere 16 in women, -according to statistics published by the public service, commission this week. The Professional Institute of the Public Service (PIPS), one of the bargaining agents for scientific and professional workers, Wednesday condemned the imbalance, stopping short of labelling it outright discrimination. In a statement, PIPS expressed "grave concern" at the high percentage, and added: "We can see no good reason for this trend, and (intend) to investigate ways of reversing it." The union also is dismayed at the increase in the number of layoffs over the previous year. In the scientific and professional category, there were 307 layoffs in 1976.

The statistics appear in the PSC's 1977 annual report, which was tabled in the House of Commons Monday. There has been no statement, from other public service unions-representing the scientific and fessional employees. There are 13,500 employees in this group who belong to PIPS. "We're completely in the dark about the reasons for the layoffs. But first we have to find out if those affected belong to our union," said -Charles Levy, information officer for PIPS.

Altogether there were 2,347 lay- -offs in the federal public service last year, up from 1,012, a jump of 150 per cent. City garbage contractor settles part of huge suit Oakville, contractor Silvio. Bot, owner of Provincial Sanitation Ltd. which has the city garbage collection contract, has settled part of a massive lawsuit Tiled against the city and 1 1 other defendants. The $50,000 out-of-court settlement is with Tricil Waste Management, Provincial's competitor two years ago when Ottawa's six-year, $10-million garbage collection contract came up for grabs.

Bot is continuing with an $8-milllon lawsuit against Mayor Greenberg, police chief Leo Scguin now $339. and city solicitor Don Hambling. -Bot, who eventually won the city contract, took legal action over allegations that his company was linked with organized crime. An apology from Tricil and its parent company Canadian Indus- tries Ltd, states that allegations that Bot and his associates were-associated with the Mafia or organized crime were "untrue and wholly without substance." There was a lengthy controversy two years' ago before the city's contract was awarded. Motilities permitted to join Legion The doors of Royal Canadian Legion halls across the country will soon open to a new brand of legionnaire members of the RCMP.

The Commons has given final approval to a bill allowing members of the RCMP and their families to join the Legion. Since 1948, membership has been restricted to retired army veterans and their families. The Legion has been a fighter for better conditions and pensions for veterans and has expanded itself to involve itself in community But there hasn't been a war in more than 30 years so most veter-; ans are at least 50 years old. The2 Legion decided something would; have to be done to ensure its fu--turc. "While I am still not personally! convinced that this is the direction in which I would like to sec the; Legion go, it is the direction whichK the membership chose," said Ar-.

nold Peters (NDP Timiskam--ing). The final bill was less than thes Legion had originally sought. The Classic Chair iyyj I Reg. $439 00 1 Comfort. Style.

Velue. This classic Chippendale wing chair has it all. Try it in your living room, bedroom or den it's a relaxing addition to any room. Available in a selection of subtle velvets, now at Brill's Interiors. where comfort and quality are ahixiys in style.

295 Richmond Road. OnavMkOntwo K128X3 (613) 722-7691 ThunKMy and rJay 9 00 Misfrchtrgtacucfd. BRILL'S For twenty ymft tamfy tradition Unm hjrrushinQi and rTln iff.