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The Citizen, 2000-06-14, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2000. Letter to the editor OPSA president expresses concern THE EDITOR, Historically, local control and accountability have been the corner­ stones of Ontario's publicly-funded education system. A school board is responsible for governing the local school system on behalf of the com­ munity it serves, in the best interests of all students. Now, more than ever, boards are held accountable by their community for the way they inter­ pret and implement provincially- driven policies. Local control is best exercised by the public election of trustees, who are knowledgeable about community priorities and local conditions. Trustees also have a duty and responsibility to hold the govern­ ment accountable for the amount of funding the board receives. Ultimately, individual trustees should be accountable for their deci­ sions at the polls, not to the pre­ mier’s office. The most draconian amendments to the Education Act recently pro­ posed by the provincial government involve extracurricular activities and compliance mechanisms. Clearly the government has again targeted two groups in this legislation - teachers and trustees. One has'to ask, why us, why now? No serious improvement in educa­ tion is possible without the enthusi­ astic co-operation of every teacher. These are the very people to whom we have entrusted society’s most important job: educating our chil­ dren. They are a resource beyond value. By mandating that teachers be forced to supervise extracurricular activities which are now provided voluntarily, the government has cre­ ated an environment that will further demoralize educators, not improve the quality of education. The govern­ ment’s plan for the assignment of co- instructional duties is ironically no different than the informal practice which existed in schools prior to Bill 160. It is unfortunate that the atmos­ phere in a few school systems has descended to such a level that what was once voluntary is now being leg­ islated provincially. Any good teacher knows that you don’t give a class detention because of the actions of one or two students. The attack by the provincial gov­ ernment on the decision-making power of locally elected representa­ Hospitals benefit from new funding Bonnie Adamson, president and CEO of the Huron Perth Hospitals Partnership, is very pleased that the eight partnered hospitals will benefit from June 9’s announcement by Elizabeth Witmer, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. The provincial $435 million increase includes $168 million in new funding for patient care across the province. In addition, $267 mil­ lion will be converted from one-time to permanent annual funding. The following is- a breakdown of funding for the eight hospitals in the Huron Perth Hospitals Partnership: Clinton Public Hospital, $129,223; South Huron Hospital, Exeter, $122,422; Alexandra Marine & General Hospital (Goderich), $258,936; Listowel Memorial tives is also totally unwarranted. The Ontario Public School Board’s Association wishes to emphasize that public boards have always been subject to and respected the laws of the land. Boards have consistently reached collective agreements that are fair, legal and comply with the government's ever-changing rules. The proposed amendments would put in place an enforcement mecha­ nism to allow the provincial govern­ ment to intervene in cases where boards fail to comply or are per­ ceived to be in non-compliance with various elements of its agenda. Once the investigative powers are triggered the rights of natural justice are suspended. The Minister, sitting in Toronto, will have the power to fire any board employee who is per­ ceived to be in non-compliance with the government agenda. The Minister will also have absolute power to discipline boards, including fines for individual trustees and the removal of their right to stand for re­ election. Local voters will lose the right to elect people who best represent their vision of public education in their community. The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association believes the government has acted in a puni­ tive and arbitrary manner, in order to discourage and ultimately silence local governance. Public school boards want to get on with the work of implementing the new curriculum and providing quality education for all of our stu­ dents. Our task is to provide a learn­ ing environment that promotes responsibility, respect, civility and academic excellence. The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association calls upon the Minister of Education and the provincial government to stop this unending interference in local democracy. It is not too late to tone down the rhetoric, to remove obviously offen­ sive amendments to the Education Act, to recognize that respect is a two-way street, and to work to strengthen, not diminish, our chil­ dren’s future. To quote one of our long-standing trustees, “The dictorial nature of this legislation is disheartening, especial­ ly if you cherish democracy.” Liz Sandals, President Ontario Public School Boards’ Association. Hospital, $245,592; St. Marys Memorial Hospital, $118,248; Seaforth Community Hospital, $105,204; Stratford General Hospital, $942,920; Wingham & District Hospital, $196,185. “With this permanent funding increase, the government has demon­ strated its commitment to building and supporting a modern health care system that will provide the people in Huron and Perth Counties with the very highest quality care for years to come,” said /Xdamson. “We are very pleased with this support from the MOH and it goes a long way to cer­ tainly recognizing the fiscal pressures we are under. We look forward to continuing discussions with the gov­ ernment in ways to permanently resolve the funding crisis”. Great bales afire Blyth firefighters responded to a straw fire June 6 at the Lot 40, Cone. 6 East Wawanosh Twp. property of Jim Hallahan. Chief Paul Josling said a small pile of 30 bales was ignited by a spark from a grinder being used just inside the barn to cut off pipes. The fire soon spread to a larg­ er pile of bales outside the barn. Using a hi-hoe and bulldozer the bales were moved into a field to save the barn, Josling said. Between 400 and 450 large round bales were lost. Their value is estimated at between $8,500 and $9,000. Firefighters were at the scene from 4:40 p.m. until 9 p.m. The Wingham Fire Department tanker was called in to draw water. WDH cooling project on schedule By Jim Brown Advance-Times Staff The installation of the air condi­ tioning system on the second floor of the Wingham District Hospital is on schedule. Site Administrator Margret Comack told the June meeting of the Wingham District Hospital board the cool weather has been a bonus for the hospital as they will not be ready to run cool air until the end of the month. She indicated the removal of asbestos from the patient rooms is nearly complete. “Both the staff and the physicians are to be commended for surviving the incredible noise and working conditions,” she stated. “We are planning a face lift on the second floor hallways over the summer and will be painting and looking for wall art to improve the environment up there.” Pat Pietrek of the Integrated Leadership Team said they like to commend the staff of Culliton Brothers and Smith’s Construction on their courtesy to the staff and patients. Dr. Marie Gear noted the nurses’ stations were filled with flowers from the workmen. RURAL MEDICINE Pietrek said two medical students will begin their visit to the hospital on Monday in conjunction with Rural Medicine Week. She added they are planning a wel­ coming break at 8 a.m. on Monday. There is also a barbecue planned for noon on June 14. Dr. Gear said the two students will be in the hospital for four days. EDUCATION Pietrek said a four-person team will be trained in the new national reporting system for rehabilitation. She indicated this is a pilot project of the Canadian Institute for Health Information, which is funding the training and providing the software for the project. Pietrek noted housekeeping, laun­ dry and maintenance staff in Wingham and Listowel will be par­ ticipating in an educational program this month which will see staff mem­ bers shadow their counterparts at the other hospital. She stated staff members Fran Golley and Carolyn deBoer were sent to the Bayview Hospital and Pine Villa Nursing Lodge in Toronto for three days to demonstrate the Burlodge MultiGens retherm units. According to Pietrek the two were wined, dined, transported by limou­ sine and paid by Burlodge for their expertise with the system. The hospital implemented the Huron Perth Hospitals Partnership NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS RE; DESTRUCTION OF WEEDS Notice is Hereby Given To all persons in possession of lands within the municipalities of the County of Huron as follows; Municipality Clerk-Treasurer Ashfield Linda Andrews Colborne Judy Kay Goderich Linda Cranston Grey Brad Knight Hay Janisse Zimmerman Howick Valerie Przybilla Hullett Rhonda Fischer McKillop J.R. McLachlan Morris Nancy Michie Stanley Ansberth Willert Stephen Larry Brown Tuckersmith J.R. McLachlan Turnberry Dorothy Kelly Usborne Sandra J. Strang Wawanosh E.Winona Thompson Wawanosh W.Liliane Nolan Clinton Richard Harding Exeter Elizabeth Bell Goderich Larry J. McCabe Seaforth J.R. McLachlan Wingham John Stewart Bayfield Pat Graham Blyth John Stewart Brussels Donna White Hensail Luanne Phair Zurich Charlene Overholt In accordance with the Weed Control Act, Statutes of Ontario, 1990, Chapter W5, Sections 3, 16 and 23, that unless noxious weeds growing on lands are destroyed by the Property Owner by June 19, 2000, and throughout the season, the Municipality may enter upon the said lands and have weeds destroyed, charging the costs against the land taxes, as set out by the Weed Control Act. The co-operation of all citizens is earnestly solicited. J.A. Murray Clerk-Administrator, County of Huron alternate level of care policy. “This policy will assist us in improving our length of stay effi­ ciency without significantly increas­ ing nursing workload,” said Pietrek. Dr. Gear said Cancer Care Ontario is launching a pap smear blitz to pro­ mote pap tests. She said this is aimed at patients and health care workers and is part of the preventive strategy network.