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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1997-08-06, Page 23Your.Our Views Letters to the editor What's education worth: The Tory view Ontario ranks 46th in per pupil spending. The US national aver- age is .20 per cent higher than Ontario's Dear Editor: The Conservative government's instance that On-. tario is over -spending on education is a classic ex- ample Of .(a) manipulation of public .perception (h) an attempt to. minimize criticism by labeling individuals as "special interest groups" and shame- lessly.redetining terms (c) creative interpretation of statistics • Education Minister John Snobelen's determina- tion to -reduce the. cost of education at the expense of the educational .quality afforded students in the - system -has been evident ever since his first few weeks on the job. At a meeting with ministry staff his true agenda was rcveated, he told them -that. - Warning the public of a "crisis" in education was the way to enlist public support for sweeping changes tri the school systein.'Since then. the •ministry has creatively sculpted the truth into. the image of a bu- reaucratic system out of control. • First. the Tories sponsored a study, now widely discredited `for its methodology, that concluded that Ontario spends $644 more. per pupil than the aver age of the other nine' provinces. The government do titled this meant S I billion could he removed from. education. But when the comparison uses a stan- dardized information base that includes Ontario to find -a truly national average, Ontario spent only 5103 more per. pupil for 1996-97. Why? The -reasons for this higher spending are many and relate to the complexity of today's class-. rooms, We .need more - English -as -a -Second= Language programs with more .than half of all im- migrants to Canada under 18 settling in Ontario and more thiel half of those speaking neiihcr English nor French. Ontario had endeavored to -give its students .a head vtan' by. emphasizing earlydevelopment in junior 'kindergarten and avoiding later difficulties through special. education programs. We educate more returning adults. More of our youth stay in school until graduation. • . • Next,. the - Minister created further havoc by claim- ing that 80 cents out of every -dollar school boards' spend is spent outside -the. classroom.. Those 80 cents -pay for the costfi-ehcat, light, cog, trans- Police investigate car theft GRAND BEND- North Lamhton OPP arc investigating the theft of a ._car I'ro'n the parking lot of the - Bank of Montreal sometime atter 9 - p.m..on Aug. 2 and hcforel 1 a.m. on Aug. 3. The victim -parked her 1986 red Chevrolet Camcrowith Ontario li-. tenet 272 _KZB in the lot on Aug. I. She.went to check the vehicle on Aug. 2 and it was fine. She. ' checked the car again on Aug: 3 and it was gone. The stolen earls -valued-at $4,000. Rathwell National Realty Inc. REAL ESTATE BROKER P.O. BOX 1060 CLINTON, ONT. NOM 1L0 (519) 233.9200 FAX (519) 233-3131, CENTRALIA: Completely renovat ed home with attached carport. Perfect for the first time buyer. Asking $74,900. Call Bruce Rathwell, . Sales Rep. 519-233-3120 or Pat Chipchase, Broker 233-9911 portation, principals, vice -principals, library, guid- ance and consultants. Try running a classroortl with- out them. Fortunately, even the minister has had to retract from this fallacy:- Teachcrs and parents were labeled as special inter- est groups when they challenged the Minister's deti- nition of the classroom. The Tories need this narrow definition to create the impression that their reduc- tions arc doing no harm in the classroom, a key elec- tion promise which teachers and everyone close to a school know has already been broken. - The truth is that of the 63 provinces. territories and US %states. Ontario . ranks 46th in per pupil spending. Mores is spent on students in Georgia, Montana, West Virginia, andSouth Dakota. More is spent in New York, Michigan and Vermont. More is .spent in Manitoba,, British Columbia and Quebec. The US national average is 20 per cent higher than Ontario's. Forty-four states have a, lower pupil -to - classroom -teacher ratio than Ontario. And. while our per -pupil spending 'dropped by $372 between 1991 and 1996, the Americans are in- creasing their spending on education, a good invest- :- meet in an increasingly high-tech world. Ontarians outside the Queen's Park cabinet room seem in large measure to agree: An Environics poll found 88 per cent of those 'surveyed said the same of .more should be spent on education, even if it meant high- • er taxes or a higher deficit. - - Three out of tour people said further cuts would hurt the quality of education, a position which:class- ..room teachers .are coping with daily. Seventy-five per cent also said that they would give up.the gov- ernment's promised income tax reduction 'if .that would prevent cuts to education. When the government .removed $800 million last year and a .further $250 million this year, school boards struggled to maintain the quality- of educa- tion through local means. Instead of being pleased that local ratepayers wanted to -preserve the system's quality while they skimmed the provincial share to fund income tax reductions, the Tories stated,that lo- cal tax increases were "not acceptable." Heaven for- bid our democratically elected school board. trustees •would decide, to spend money enhancing our chil- • dren's educational opportunities. Even if that's what most of us want. • " - Marshall Jarvis, , President of the Ontario English Catholic • -` 'i�acheis�7Cssociation. Come In and check out our) BEST SELLER NOVELS 424 Main St. Exeter 235-1331 6'? lea'( •. Dirk Coolman • Ron Cottrell • Bob Heywood 109 MAIN ST. EXETER 235-3948 24 Hour Service JUST LISTED - EXCELLENT - one storey home. Situated on a great lot close to downtown. Lots of room in this home. Would make a lovely retirement home. Could be easily duplexed for extra income. Call now for an appointment $109,900. CONVERTED SCHOOLHOUSE - plus huge addition located on a 2/3 acre lot. Paved road.. Many extras. Very special property. Call now for a viewing. Price reduced to sell $172,900. FRESHLY DECORATED brick duplex at 31 Simcoe St. 2 bedrooms in each unit, eat in kitchens, separate utilities, 2 private drives, appliances incl. Live in half and let the other pay your expenses. $96,900. • REDUCED TO $70,000 • Wow! Completely renovated -very -cozy 2 bedroom with gas heat, garage,' storage and more. $99,900 - Where can you get central air, finished basement, fenced yard, cement drive, modern eat -in kitchen and much more for under $100,000. Check it out. INCOME PROPERTY • 7 units, 100 ft, lot, paved parking, grossing over $45,000. annually. Building in great state of repair and completely upgraded in recent years to remain economically viable. Offered at $299,900. Don't wait too long on this one. BUILDING LOTS - It's not too late 55' x 165' fully serviced on Sanders St. E. starting at $37,500. MOBILE HOME - 2 bedroom, shed, addition. Reduced to $27,500. NEW LISTING - 1.24 acres industrial highway location, serviced and priced to sell at only $59,900. Notice t® a, s.:* NOTICE RE: SPOT SPRAYING OF WEEDS,. , This notice is to advise residents of the County of Huron that SPOT SPRAYING OF WEEDS in rural areas commenced on June 9. 1997, for a period of approximately 12 to 14 weeks. Herbicides to be used are: AMITROL T, Registration No. 16548; and DIPHENOPROP, Registration No. 15707. To be controlled are noxious weeds as per the Provincial Weed Control Act. This notice complies with Section 68(2) of Regulation 914 under the Pesticides Act. For furthej information, please call the Huron County Weed Inspector at 519-524-8394. Tinges -Advocate, August 6, 1997 COLDWELL BiuER ALL—POINTS REALTY SERVICES 1 EXETER OFFICE 1 r XETER OFFICE 1 , !BER off, oFMBER of vomit 'THERE 1S POWER 1N PARTNERSHIP' Pat O'Rourke (RES) 237-3762 e -mall: porourke@hay.net M.J. Chanyi (RES) 235-1077 EXETER OFFICE - 147 MAIN ST. EXETER, ONT. 235-1449 B Ke o IBEAUTIFUL 3 - BEDROOM DASHWOOD HOME Huge country kitchen with patio doors and gas fireplace. Main floor laundry. Heated and insulated garage/workshop: Nice large lot. Priced at 5102,900.CaII i'at O'Rourke Sales -Rep. for your viewing NEW HOME 3 BEDROOMRAISEDRANCH in Exeter. Open concept kitchen and dining' and living room with hardwood floors. Bas_ement fine he4with_famity _room, hatthroom. and huge Extra room with outside entrance. Call M.J. Chanyi Sales Rep. - TAKE A LOOK Jerry Zehr Ruth Zielman- Zehr (RES) 236-4712 (REs)236-4712 direct line toll free 1-800-342-7217 ZURICH OFFICE - 16 VICTORIA ST. ZURICH, ONT. (bus/res.) 236-4712 DIRECT LINE CALL 237-3182 TOLL FREE FROM ZURICH AND GRAND BEND OPEN HOUSE $89,900, 153 KiNG ST. HENSALL SUN., AUGUST 10, 24 P.M. Host Pat O'Rourke . Cute neatly renovated 3+1 bedroom house. New kitchen and bath. Ideal starter home. - A RiVER RUNS THROUGH 1T 'WOOD LOT with -11 acres workable. Hardwood bush used as weekend attest, Asking 545.000. Call M.J.. Chanyi Sales Re . - MOVE IN BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS ENTREPRENEUR'S DELIGHT LOOKING FOR THAT SPOT FOR YOUR HOME BUSINESS? This great Exeter property has lots of potential Excellent 3 bedroom home plus a 30' x 48' heated and insulated shop. Great highway location. The best of both worlds with one property. Pat O'Rourke Sales Rep. 100 ACRES IN STEPHEN NEWER HOUSE with huge double garage. Large bank barn presently rented for pis. Land is also rented.. Asking 395,000. Call M.J. Chanyi Sales Rep. - . 1.44 ACRES AT THE LOT on this Exeter riverfront property What a- showcase home! 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 fireplaces; main floor laundry and family room. Carnes room. and office. Sparkling heated ingmund pool. Call i'at O'Rourke Sales Rep. for your viewing RETIREMENT HOME RIVERVIEW ESTATES 2 bedroom unit with year round sun room, utility shed. 5 appliances, paved drive. Asking 566,000. Call M.J. Clianyi Sales Rep. CUTE 4 BEDROOM . !C? `Xi -�QSt :+.'., IM` lM► , WITH A. HUGE .TOTALLY FENCED YARD nicely decorated interior. Move right into this beauty. Full basement. Wrap around rear deck. A great property for that voung family. All this for only 599,900. Pat 0 Rourke Sales Re •. ' • THIS PRIMA PROPERTY Close to the schools and recreation. 4+1 bedrooms. Dining room. Living room fireplace. Huge family room on lower level. Gas heat. Central air. Drive by 281 Pryde Blvd. Exeter and then call Pat O'Rourke Sales Rep for your viewing. 5142,500.'- WILLiA\1 ST. SEMI maw•.14"' 3 BEDROOM BRICK HOME with hardwood floors, gas heat, eat in kitchen. Needs a few touches. Pay less than rent. Asking 564,900. Call M.J. Chanyi Sales Rep. • N THE QUAINT TOWN , OF DASHWOOD plus a great 3 bedroom ome. Main floor laundry.' Plenty of work has been done on this great beginner ome. Deep lot. Only 578,900. Pat O'Rourke Sales Rep LIKE BEING IN THE COUNTRY with town conveniences- 3+1 bedrooms. Bright country- kitchen. 2 bathrooms. Main floor laundry. Partially finished lower level. Walkup attic. Nicely' decorated. Located on the edge of Dashwood. 5)2A 900.. Pat 0"Rourke Sales Rep. WHERE ELSE CAN YOU GET A L THIS ROOM FOR ONLY $87,500 nicely maintained 4 bedroom home. New windows throughout. 2 bathrooms, double car garage. Beautiful back yard with mature trees backing on to open fields. It even comes with some appliances. Call Pat O'Rourke Sales Rep SPACIOUS ROOMS DASHWOOD HOME large kitchen with newer, oak cabinets. Main floor den. Open staircase leading to 3 huge bedrooms. Rear deck. Newer windows and siding. This large home is only 5109,900. Pat O'Rourke Sales Rep. WE HAVE OFF -SHORE AND LOCAL BUYERS WANTING FARM LAND IN EXETER AREA AND HURON COUNTY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE US TO SHOW YOUR FARM CALL: JERRY ZEHR OR RUTH- ZIELMAN ZEHR DIRECT LINE TOLL FREE (1-800) 342-7217. ALL FARM SHOWINGS SHALL BE KEPT IN CONFIDENCE. NEW LISTING - COUNTRY HOME 569,000 - Four bedroom country home on approx. 1.8 acre lot. The character in this home just screams out. Call JERRY or RUTH Direct Line (519) 236-4712 EXETER REDUCE') - S74,900 -Two storey semi in residential area. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, full basement. Vendor may rent-tp-own or assist with financing. Call JERRY or RUTH Direct Line (519) 236-4712 NEW LiSTiNG - Are you looking for a huge, well treed residential building lot' for only 535,000? Fully : "'iced ready to go. This lot is 210 feet deep. Call JERRY or RUTH Direct Line (519) 236- 4712 FARM FOR SALE - 94 acres in Hay Township. No buildings. Well tiled. ZURICH REDUCED - 3 bedrooms, shed. $79,000 ST. JOSEPH LOT - Reduced to only 532,500. ZURICH LOTS - Hesswoocls. Full service. $35,000. LAKEVIEW COTTAGE - Fireplace in living mom. $110,000. ZURIC/ I STARTER HOME - Reduced to 569,000 5000 SQ. FT. COMMERCIAL BUILDING - Corner locaiion. 539,000 - Old Varna feed mill with lot. 59 ACRE FARM - Bayfield. House and barn. 225 ACRE FARM'- 2 houses + pig barn DASHWOOD - Reduced to 569,900. 3 bedrooms, garage. 3 ACRE COUNTRY HOME - 5109,000. Steel shed. COUNTRY BUNGALOW - 4 bedrex.ms. $99,000. . ST. JOSEPH - 4 bedrooms, double garage. $99,000. EXETER - 3 bedrooms, gas, basement. $79,000. COUNTRY HOME - New Furnace, barn. $89,000. CALL 1-800-342-7217 FOR A FREE EVALUATION OF YOUR FARM, HOME OR COTTAGE. ■I/ (:SII 11 RR\ OK K1J 111 1)irt'cI 1 int' 1-',00-3-12-7 2 1 To view any of (hese properties EACH OFFICE IS AN INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED MEMBER BROKER OF COLOWEU. BANKER AFFlUATES OF CANADA