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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-09-09, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2010. Writer hopes school message isn’t getting lost Mounsey Memorial Fund hosts London event THE EDITOR, For the first time in a long while, I am not responding specifically to a recent editorial, not because there wasn’t sufficient content provided, but to keep the debate alive regarding top- down decision making and the economic issues involving rural Ontario. It’s been my experience that when it appears to be the quietest, is when it’s the busiest (behind the scenes). I wanted to ensure the conversation doesn’t shift too far from the economic implications related to the Blyth (and the dialogue associated with the “super school”). After reading the lead story in The Globe and Mail this past weekend – “A lesson in Determination:, and a group of people, in Saskatchewan, “who believed that their students were ill- served by larger schools a 30- minute drive away”. I noted on the front page of The Citizen this past week that Avon Maitland District School Board has “decided to rescind a deadline placed on building a ‘new super’ school in Wingham”, and that “progress had been made towards receiving funding necessary to continue with building at their preferred site”. It’s probably true that financial shortfall limited the board’s ability to proceed with construction in the first place, and it would seem that the Ontario Municipal Board challenges, which slowed down the process, actually allowed the AMDSB to actually do the fiscal planning related to the project they should have been doing in the first place. This debate, has encompassed a number of arguments including a recent recitation of Old Testament scripture. This past Sunday, while listening to a New Testament reading, Luke 14: 28-29, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’.” In other words, “proper planning prevents poor performance.” Sound familiar? While I should have been appreciating the metaphor, I somehow drew reference to the school issues in North Huron and surrounding region. Of course, you have to substitute “super school” for “tower”, and references to “he”/“him”/ “man” for “trustees”/“AMDSB”, but I think there is a parallel. Not having enough funding in the first place speaks to a lack of proper planning practices in the first place. By the way, does anyone actually know the true costs of this proposed “tower to superior education and opportunity”, and what it is going to cost the taxpayer? I mean all the hard costs. Sadly, I think this edifice is going to be built over any public objections, economic threats to community, funding shortfalls, construction or tax cost overruns. It will be built as a testament to ego, and face-saving at a number of different levels of government, since political reputations may be on the line come 2011. It’s interesting also that the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs seems to have entered the picture in support of the “super school”. I am not going to comment on the high school- elementary school social interaction opportunities cited, but I would like to express a perspective on some of the comments related in the article: “having the school here, where the infrastructure exists, will save tax dollars and help grow the township” – my understanding is that the infrastructure is not there (at the site) but will have to be built and/or upgraded – North Huron Council has designated $150,000 to this development (which in itself sets precedent, as per the July 5 council meeting debate); how can building a new school, and new infrastructure save tax dollars? My position is, it can’t – but the conversation does provide interesting rhetoric; and as for growing the township – having schools in Wingham over the years has not grown the “township” (and in this case, think Wingham) in the past, so to think the new school will do so is misleading. And even if a case can be built for development opportunities in the Township of North Huron (again think Wingham), then it will be done at the expense of other communities in the region. Further, the article cites that “if the school is built outside of Wingham … students bused will increase by 300 … is an economically feasible” decision. The comments ignore the fact that the many more “hundreds” will already be bused from surrounding areas to supply the new school(s) with student inventory, and as more schools in the region are closed in the future, more inventory will be available to the “super school”. That’s unless people, and families, don’t start moving away, of course. I actually just caught some of the AMDSB website announcement entitled, “Board Appreciative of North Huron Community Support” and it goes on to share comments related to the “tremendous community support,” and mentions the petition – signed by 219 (reported Aug. 24) family members, business representatives and taxpayers, highlighting the school as “an essential community resource”. It goes on to provide comments about how “a new school in Wingham (North Huron) would create a ripple effect through the entire township, affecting our quality of life, leading to economic growth and prosperity”. The Citizen reported that there were 400 signatures (as of Aug. 27), but regardless of the signature count, I am sure we all look forward to hearing about how the new school is going to achieve the socio- economic ripple effect suggested for all of North Huron and beyond. There is comment related to the $8.8 million originally designated for the “super school”. In an Aug. 12 editorial (Time to THE EDITOR,I would like to invite you all to www.dancingwiththestarsoftheopp.com – a fund- raising and dance competition for my charity, the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund. On Oct. 16 in London, we will be hosting a dance event which has Ontario Police officers and dispatchers as thedancers, and the following forcelebrity judges: WalterGretzky, Commissioner Lewis of the OPP, Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, Bob Reid and Jamie Warren. The Ramada and Radisson have given us terrific room discounts so please check the website to get their contactinformation.We would love to have youattend for a great night out! Bob Reid will be performing his song “Highway of Heroes” and everyone will take part in an actual Defibrillator Donation Ceremony. We are donating in the name of Trooper Mark Wilson, who was killed in 2006 in Afghan-istan. Please take the time to view the site and that of www.davemounsey.com or join us on Facebook. We have completed six donations so far … all within our first year. Thank you for all yoursupport.The Dave MounseyMemorial Fund is dedicated to promoting the dedication to community that was exemplified by Dave Mounsey, in his work and in his life, remembering and honouring the fallen law enforcement, fire, paramedicand military members whohave made the ultimatesacrifice, in service to their communities and to donate and to promote the use and widespread availability of life-saving defibrillators. Patrick Armstrong. Letters to the Editor The Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) program is a financial loan guarantee program that gives farmers easier access to credit. Farmers, including beginning farmers, can use these loans to establish, improve, and develop farms. Agricultural co-operatives may also access loans to process, distribute, or market the products of farming. CALA features: Up to $500,000 in loans for land and buildings Up to $350,000 for all other loan purposes Eligible applicants include: Established farmerss