Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-10-06, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011.Writer recalls2010 editorial Thoughtful kids Some Londesborough-area families decided to raise money for Goderich tornado relief, holding an auction on their annual family and friends camping trip late last month. Friends and family members donated items for the silent auction, which raised over $344 for children in Goderich. Several students from Hullett Central Public School participated in the fundraiser. Back row, from left: Mason Wain and Ryder Lee. Front row, from left: Hunter Thompson, Lilly Thompson, Hayden Lee and Hailey Wain. (Photo submitted) THE EDITOR, There was an editorial in The Citizen on June 17, 2010, and at the time I can recall that I found it particularly poignant. It’s even more so today. The column was entitled “Getting Back Some Control” in which Citizen publisher Keith Roulston wrote that to “tell people that they have no real say in the future of key components in their community, and people don't feel so inclined to devote their time to making things better. You may even promote apathy in the community that feels there’s no point in trying to make a difference.” Fast forward to announcement on Page 26 of The Citizen on September 22, 2011 by the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB), its administration and trustees of a new round of Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) reviews for Colborne Central and Holmesville Public Schools; and with the mention of Hullett Central Public School, get ready Londesborough, you're “on deck”. After reading the article it would appear that the die has already been cast for some, with the case being made for closure, even before the public has had a chance to comment. It was this strategy, and its predictable tactics (it’s already been decided), that originally got me involved in this now very public debate – albeit after the fact, back in early March 2010. It was then that I began to realize that we had become more ruled than governed, and that those doing the ruling, are not even necessarily those we elected. Since then, I’ve learned that organizations, bureaucracies really, like the AMDSB which exist on the largesse of the taxpayer, are able to use their authority, without the necessary public oversight and accountability, to determine the future of communities, of students, of businesses and the responsible use of taxpayer money. It would seem they have more authority than even the elected officials to whom they purportedly report. I wondered if we, as stakeholders, shouldn’t form a taxpayer-led Accommodation Review Committee led by our elected officials to assess the AMDSB, and its trustees, in the current and recent past school- closing decisions and whether appropriate due process was followed as outlined by Ministry of Education. It’s time for a change and a demand for accountability of the Ministry of Education and from others we elect. As well we should demand accountability from those whose salaries we pay – we missed that opportunity in the 2009 Covenant of the ARC in Blyth. Greg Sarachman Blyth. Stop losing money to an inefficient home nn io at p lotS t hneicfiefn nog mnisop l emot h y en energy efficient eto makke Get up to is creating jobs and helping Canadians save money he Government of Canada’T energy efficient e your home more $5000Get up to is creating jobs and helping Canadians save money ERGecoENs of Canada’’s energy efficient e your home more $5000 is creating jobs and helping Canadians save money ram progY -Canada or call 1 800 O ActionPlan.gc.ca/homesisit V March 31, 2012before our evaluations and retrofits need to be completed Y now and on future energ is creating jobs and helping Canadians save money -Canada ActionPlan.gc.ca/homes . March 31, 2012 our evaluations and retrofits need to be completed , dy bills. Act noww,now and on future energ is creating jobs and helping Canadians save money our evaluations and retrofits need to be completed . , don’t delay is creating jobs and helping Canadians save money to learn more. -Canada or call 1 800 O Bank note images used and altered with permission of the © Bank of Canada -Canada Bank note images used and altered with permission of the © Bank of Canada Bank note images used and altered with permission of the © Bank of Canada Letters to the Editor