Times Advocate, 1998-11-18, Page 7Wednesday. November 18, 1998
Exeter Times–Advocate
Opinion Forum
7
LETTERS 10 THE EDITOR
Hitch -hiking is a
terrifying experience
Deur Editor: •
..I agree with stopping welfare fraud but there is
another issue that terrifies ne. "flitch-llikiug"I
When an appointment with your welfare worker is
necessary, usually at 9 a.m., you have to be there
Or be cut off your assistance! iI' you are offered ti
temporary job. for our day or three' days. If you
c isn't make it. in time because you had to walk
from Zurich to Exeter. you got cut off? (1r. you did.
wink because nu one. would pick vote tip hitch-hik.-
ing s4) you're• so damn, tired you really can't. put•
a preeductive da); vuu gel cul off!
Another thing 1 would.like to'say is that 1 tau 43
years old and I have (titch -hiked .and it is tc,rrif;v-
iug! 1 almost ended up in. Sarnia tvitli re perverted
• creep and/or dead! 1 reeill% would Tike tee know •
why? .N'hy wouldn't the gode►'nntent and their
employees realize hove tnisafe (titch hikiuf,�is, its
there days of the :9(I's; 1 fulh agre.i• with the work
program in some. cities that have .transportation,
but not everyone has fancily and friends with vehj-
cles to help ,u•c'untmudate in these situe►tions. And ••
I can't for the life of me ,figure nut why a welfare
worker couldn't drive to see you at your bona• 10
got a few forms signed, unless of course they don't
own a vehicle either. Especially in Huron County
.when since the train has vanished and the buses
be+came 4)hsuIete. 1 must admit they or someone
considerate, do make arrangements for drives for
senior citizens for certain appointments which is
terrific because. 1 too, will soon be. (15 as well. 1 left
Zurich for (;uderir.h. it took nie five hours walking.
plus. I had four short drives in the process. .
1'ou really should rely mi. walking for a lot of
reasons: • 1 Paul .Bernardo: 2.' Kristen French; 3.
Leis 14atinu. etc, etc. .1t is outrageous and terrify-
ing. There's gilt -to be an easier solution!
Scared to death! A.. Ft \\ Zurich. On..
1'.S. 1)i,n"t •.forget you itlso aced to walk buck
home after ,osir appointment or hitet►•hike•; You're
desperate no%V,. you'll take alrne►st an) ride now -
I.1ope•fUlly it's 444)1 Bei'nard'o! -'lease help .1'ittd ,e
solution before• it is too late for someone..
Decision will have impact on
our Children -and their future
Dear Editor: .
!itis letter teas presented* to t/e•.4vem,Muitland hoard
of Education at their November 10 meeting. -
On behalf of our• nev'ly formed.Acconunodation
itevievv - 1're-emption/Stop Committee, this evening I
wish to discuss the Avon Maitland"District School Board
school closure issue, certain .matters that have arisen in
theAvon Maitland District School Board and to reiterate
the Premier's recent announcements. • •
As. we note this 'evening, attendance from the audi-
ence is.low: however this dues not mean disinterest exits
after .the announcements over the past. few days.
Parents are working in groups, formed at a meeting.ol'
School Council people last 'Thursday evening.. All. School
Councils were invited -to take part in setting up our own'
accommodation review process. This process was for-
mulated so parents could expedite information in order
to stake informed decisions, as we have not been includ-
ed in the Avim Maitland District School board's School
Accommodation Review.
Yes, we are on a fact finditig mission with
Accommodation Review 1 •committees formed for act
Finding, Communication Administration Review' and
Pre-emption/Stop. • .
Recent press coverage' of Board owned -buildings has
brought to light- real- estate transactions.... '!'his brings
the public. of the Avon Maitland District School to ques-
tion, who protitted from the Britannia Street Board to
question, who profited from the. Britannia Street build-
ing sale? Was it a numbered company or was it our
School Board. it appears that the AMDS.B did not have
the property formally appraised and a private business.
was able to make . x+120,000 on the Publicly owner!
School -Board building..'This sale was conducted,'in cam
era'. Why hus•the sale of a Public building been done 'in
camera'? Is this good linanciail managetitent on behalf of
our children?
'. We request that the'I'rustees of the AMDSB invite the
Ministry, of Education Mind Training to provide a man-
agement team that will analyze budget~ in the School
•Board with an eye to finding savings -in overhead •and
administration.' This is pursuant to the Fretniere's otter
in .the press November 7, 1998. Provincial Auditor Erik
Peters, in his report to the Legislature last week said
that he"found that school boards lack "satisfactory sys-
tents and , procedures for the acquisition and manage-
ment of school facilities."
We understand that the District School Boards of
Ontario will have a 'yearly window of opportunity' to
review' their schools and boards operations. Minister
Johnson's announcement- is expected to make the Dec:
31 deadline, an annual review, allowing boards to
assess their pupil spaces each year. From the. Toronto
Star I quote, "Boards -can now take as much time to con-
sult with their _communities as they feel they need - • a
year or two or„three - and then qualify for the new pupil
places the following year". '('his will enable 'the AMDSB
to further consult with parents and students.
The decision you as Trustees make on closures has
serious, long-term implications not only for schools, but
for families and communities. 1 find i roust reiterate
what was said in my presentation a month ago: there`
are three pillars of any community - schools, churches
and municipalities. In-depth studies our our schools will
lead to very important decisions not to be taken lightly.
Decisions that will have far=reaching sociological and
economic implications st)eih as the closing of schools and
busing stridents fib Other comniunities will take avva)
.one: pillar. 'Thus out• rural roots will be no more.
As our elected trustees. you have a moral responsibili-
ty to be diligent in making -decisions of great magnitude
for the cotnniunities cif the Avon Maitland District School
Board.' Let's really .look at • the. situation; let's not do
irreparable harnt_by.making hasty decisions and meet-
ing a once.tuonth study deadline of all our our 59 schools.
As well. two months consultation tithe froit December. 8
.1998 and into February 1999 does not constitute
enough time firr accurate, in-depth study. The areas and
community involvement required for a good review of
all schools could easily take,more than a year. • •
We ask that parents. students and cointnunity be
involved at the grass roots. level. We understand the
importance of such tremendous and irreversible deci-
sions that are to be shade. We all have tel remember that
this will have lifetime impacts on our children and their
future. - •
Premiere Harris has also announced that in order to
give Boards more, flexibility, the Ministry will maintain
school -hoard funding at current levels for one year. fur.
those facing reductions.
Have we questioned ourselves as to the changing
enroltneent-funding rules for our 'Boa'rd's schools?
"Previously, schools were only to get full funding if the
have 100 .percent capacity but now the government will
accept 80 percent and give the funding based on 100
percent enrolment. .
The Provincial government is changing its .controver-
sial education funding formula in an attempt to make it
easier for rural communities to decide the fate of their
schools.
. 'Thank you, BoNNiti lA1k* iAlNr:,
Accoinniudation Review Committees
Pre-ernption'Stop Cutnniittee, Chair
Will 1 -make a difference?
Dear Editor: .
In late Septentber. the'. Blued Program was suffering a
blood shortage severe enough to cancel surgeries. We
alerted the general public of the situation through a
media appeal and people responded 'to our needs right
away (2500 ants of blood «ere collected. in. lwe weeks).,
However, many clinics were very. busy creating long
lineups and long waits which discouraged some donors.
Did' you know that if everyone donated one More time
a year we could avoid blood shortages and ,media
appeals which create overly busy clinics.
Did you know that your unit of blood has the potential
of saving four lives (whole blood can be separated into
- components). , '
Did you know that we "need ,to collect approximately
1100 units of blood a week in order to supply the 32
Southwestern Ontario hospitals.
So what do you think the answer to that question
"Will .1 Make A Difference?" is. 1 hope you will realize the
importance of your :blood donations throughout the
year. , .
..:.the need for blood, never stops .• it never takes a hol-
iday.
Please give blood.
Newton Blood Donor Clinic .
"Thursday. December 17. 1998 5:90 p.m. -.8:30 p.tn..
Community Centre - I.D. required: •
Dental - please wait 3 days after a dental. visit.
Thank you for your support.
• SUZANNE BARRON Recruiter
Canadian Blood Services
Harris running scared?
TORONTO —.Premier Mike
I larris is• running scared, which
is not what he expected only i
few rnonths.belore an election.
The Progressive (:onse r-
vative• premier envisaged that
he would suffer some pain foe
gain. and that his pupularit�
would 'drop• as he reduced
'vires. but he felt the resulting
tax ruts would see him b) now
basking in public approval.
Bul instead. Harris and his
;tart) . have felt the nerd to pay fur an extraordi-
nary round Of -advertising criticizing. liberal leader
0)alwn'Mc(►uintti. wborn•the) had dismissed until
now as an ineffectual Iightv>.eigtit.
•llarris's '1.'` ads and pamphlets question
Mrliuieity's views parti.culeirly on health '1116•
point out that to hay. said at diffc•rrr+t tiro+ ~ i►+
would 1reeze1Ii4rris's plan to close rn+;r+• ihien 40
hospitals. but closing is 1401 all bad because imam- ;
patterns can rumplete• .their rero%.eries in their
homes.
• McGuire). also has said. he would provide more
pone) for health. parliruliu•1) hiring nurses. while
keeping Ilarris's tax cuts: but trot explained where
he would obtain cash [ Xcept-through •greate'r era -
r ottic growth and cutting fat from goyerrirnent
. which Har•r•is has missed, both of which will be
hard to find. ”
Harris's ads •demand. answers and .McGuinty
says he will provide them fully before the vote.
Harris hopes to embarrass McGuinty and may to
surae "degree, but it is a remarkable. turnaround
that he feels `the need to go after the Liberal
leader.. .
The 'Tories and Liberals have been running
about level in polls, but these tend to say support
I'or the Liberals is not -strongly committed., so ,
Harris would need to grab only a few per rent
snore, and.he has shown himself capable. of surg-
ing at the right time. to win a majority.
Previous prerniers.did not consider it necessary.
to buy. ads attacking ari opposition leader months
before an election. Harris also risks 'both stirring
. interest in an opponent wh', has been little noticed •
and being •viewed as attacking art opponent per-
sonally. which backfired. n some candidates in -
.recent U.S. 'elections and surae Canadians
deplored. although Harris's ads are relatively.
mild. • • •
.But the Tories presumably felt impelled to go On
the- offensive because they have stumbled more in,
the past.two or three weeks than'during•any•simi-
lar period. in governntent and fear McGuinty may
• benefit..
'1'lie 'Tories have been scarred particulars) on
health. which polls say is the .issue. that worries •
people most: Harris has been taunted by McGuinty
for months because he said when winning the
1995 election "it• is not my plan to close hospitals.'`
but a commission he set up will •close more than.
40.
't'o get McGuinty and others oft' his back. Harris
has now_admitted that, yes• he did say it, but could -
not have known at the tirne how much unneeded-
, space 'exists in hospitals and 'is ready to:t.ake arty
fallout. . .
But Harris has taken inuinense pride in saying
he' keeps promises and sounded suddenly like any
other politician trying to justify why he•broke one.
Harris's government also was cauglit failing to --
'pruvide funds it promised to hospital emergency
services and Harris said he was disappointed and
frustrated by its tardiness and even rushed to
deliver a cheque personally. -
He also looked selfish ,blaming (not for the first
time) a- minister who has given him exceptional
service, in this case Elizabeth ,Wittier in• health,
for a deficiency iie should have known about him-
self. .
An audit • revv alsd that Harris's government,
supposedly dedicated to saving public money,
hired consultants to reorganize welfare and paid
them six times as much per hour as it paid its own
similar staff, which bit Harris where it hurt.
McGuinty was able to say the 'Tories were "taken
' for fools." •
' But Harris was damaged most when he decided
to fund schools through a rigid formula that 'failed
to take account of their individual circumstances
and aroused parents to unprecedented anger.
then backed off so quickly he virtually. conceded it
• ' was poorly thought out in the first place. .
ERIC
DOWD
A VIEW FROM
QUEEN'S PARK