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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1990-09-05, Page 9!ME HURON EXPOS+IOR. SEPTEMbtr+ i`PA) Candidates discuss future of education in Ontario KEN CAMPBELL BY NEIL CORBETT At a two-hour all candidates meeting at Central Huron Secon- dary School in Clinton August 30 the five candidates for the provin- cial parliament seat told an audience of about 150 where they stand on education. Libertarian candidate Allan Det- tweiler says his party would keep the province out of education, and would see a school system operated by parents, teachers, principals and the local school boards without the province dictating programs and policy. Family Coalition party candidate Tom Clark wants to see a return of Judeo-Christian values into the school system, and promised "a complete overhaul" if he is elected. He said about 16 years ago he and his wife "became alarmed with the public school system," and put their seven children into a private Christian school. "Our school system was teaching our children completely contrary to what we believe," said Clark. "I believe our public school system today has a lot to do with the moral breakdown in todays' youth." Clark added that the school sys- tem promotes the philosophy of secular humanism, and said it is a shame that children are graduating today who "haven't got the foggiest notion of Judeo-Christian values." Liberal candidate Jim Fitzgerald took the position that the current government has demonstrated a commitment to education, and that the system in Ontario is one of the finest in' theNorId. tzgMti" Said 'education is the '1 UM CLARK best investment in a nation's future, and the Liberal government has acknowledged this by increasing capital funding to school boards by 360 per cern since taking office in 1985, and the increase in education grants has increased by 66 per cent overall. The Liberal candidate told how he went back to the education system as an adult, and through the aid of a government loan was able to get a degree. "It is a very caring, com- passionate, open and accessible system," he said. New Democratic Party candidate Paul Klopp attacked the Liberal government's administration of education on all fronts. He said as a Hay Twp. councillor he sees education taxes increasing at a rate faster than that of inflation. And while the government is asking for fewer children in classrooms and new programs like junior kindergarten which cost more, it is at the same time lowering its share of educational funding in this coun- ty. Klopp says the Liberals promised to increase the government's share of education funding to 60 per cent, but that last year province's share went from 45 per cent to 40 per cent. "They couldn't even leave it at 45 per cent," he said. And then they come in here and start throwing numbers around -I can see it on my tax bill." Progressive Conservative can- didate Ken Campbell says Huron County school buildings are deteriorating and are filled with out- dated equipment. "The easy thing would be to ALLAN DETTWEILER criticize the Liberals, but that won't replace roofs and windows," said Campbell, suggesting that instead energy should be focused on reduced government spending and the savings diverted to education. Campbell also attacked the present system, saying that only 40 per cent of students graduate from post secondary education in On- tario, and that the method of asses- 'iing education tax must be changed. He feels that assessing school board Bevy through property tax is an unfair system. "Education is a service to people, not to property," Campbell said. Several questions were asked of the candidates, including whether or not future governments would con- sult with teachers and other profes- sionals before making curriculum reforms. The questioner referred specifically to de -streaming of Grade 9 this year. De -streaming means that students will no longer go to advanced, general, and basic level classes, but will all take a general level course, as in elemen- tary school. Fitzgerald answered that there is a consultation process in the provin- cial government. "Don't get the idea that anything is dictated," said Fitzgerald. "I have yet to see, in my years at Queens Park, a program come out of thin air." "I guess you have an excuse because you weren't there last year, but de -streaming was not dis- cussed," responded Klopp. Dettweiler said a Libertarian government would allow local boards of education, principals and parents to make such decisions. Junior Farmer Leadership awards Leadership and success describe agriculture in Huron County. Behind the leadership and success are the people. The Huron County Junior Farmers will be presenting Rural Leadership Awards to people fro their outstanding leadership and contributions to agriculture and the rural community in Huron County. The Rural Leadership Awards will be presented at the Junior Farmers' Agri -Food Week Dinner 'Huron County: An Agricultural Leader IV' on Monday, October 1, 1990 at 7:00 p.m. in the Clinton Legion. Guest Speaker for the evening is Brigid Pyke, O.F.A. President. The Huron County Junior Farmers will welcome nominations from NOW °•�' '' DOES AIT-� THIS WORK r AGAIN? IT'S EASY! •Do you have papers, orders, documents, that have to be in Toronto, Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, or Listowel today? Right now! •Ever faced with deadlines? MEET THEM WITH FAX Instant Document Transmission The Huron Expositor has a FAX machine In our office that lets you contact any other FAX machine in the world ... instantly. The Expositor offers you the service of the FAX for 84.00 for the first printed 81" x 11" sheet and 81.00 for each additional 81/2" x 11" sheet for transmission to Canada or the continental U.S. For transmissions to machines outside that area, or for sheets larger than 8/" x 11", call for details. Our FAX number is also your number so if you want to be reached Instantly — we will receive your FAX message for 81.00 per 81/2" x 11'' sheet. EMISitOr Call us at 527-0240 for details. • individuals or organizations for the Rural Leadership Awards until Wednesday, September 19, 1990. Nominations forms can be obtained by contacting the Clinton O.M.A.F. or Robert Hunking, R.R. #1 Auburn NOM 1E0, 523-4316. There are many deserving people in Huron County. Nominate a wor- thy recipient. t JIM FITZGERALD "Libertarians would see the provin- cial sovernment get out of educauon." Clark said things are dhctat.ed to school boards, such as the removal of The Lord's Prayer from schools, and he said there is no consultation when school boards "let homosexuals into schools to show kids how to play their dirty games and not get AIDS." The Family Coalition party mem- ber said if he was voted into office the public would know what was in schools and "there would be a big book burning." Off the subject of education, a question was asked about No Fault car insurance. Campbell said the new Ontario Motorist Protection Plan is too complex and "I still can't make heads or tails of it." He added that the government should not be in the insurance business. Dettweiler said his party is op- posed to the No Fault system, and that the insurance industry should be controlled by the private sector. On the topic of teachers pensions, Fitzerald says there has been a lot of misinformation about the teachers' pension fund, and that the government was moving to find a way to protect the fund against inflation. Klopp got a round of applause when he argued for indexed pen- sions, saying "If it's good. enough for MPs, it's good enough for the working person." Klopp said the government could enact legislation to put the profits of pension funds into the hands of wodcers. "It is the property of the person who works there, and if it ................................. PAUL KLOPP builds up a lot of money, so what?" Clark, Deuweiler and Campbell echoed Klopp's opinion that no employer should be able to tamper with their employees' pension fund. West Wawanosh Mutual Insurance Conipany Dungannon 529-7922 1-800-264-5595 Farm Protection For: FARM OWNERS - Fire and Hamed Perils. ;Farm machinery - All external 'Perils, including Non -owned Equipment. estock (named perils), Broad oris including entrapment, electrical power interruption d fumes. ga Insurance. warm Produce - Named Perils. Comprehensive Farre Liability :eluding Limited Pollution -Liability and Non -licensed vehicles. -Farm Auto. -Free fire prevention inspections. For a quotation, please contact any of the following agents: FRANK FORAM. Lucknow 528-3824 LYONS & MULHERN Goderich 524-2664 DONALD R. SIMPSON Ripley 395-5362 JOHN NIXON Brussels 887-9417 DELMAR SPROUL Auburn 529-7273 Clinton 482-3434 KENNETH MacLEAN Paisley 368-7537 SLADE INSURANCE BROKERS INC. Kincardine 396-9613 Port Elgin 389-4341 LAURIE CAMPBELL Brussels 887-9051 ATTENTION Moon-GloTh CORN STOVE With 7 New Modifications! FEATURES: 1. Turbo charged firing unit 2. 70 lb. fuel hopper 3. 3/16" double welded conbustion chamber 4. Cast iron firing unit 5. Up to 70 hour burn on 1 hopper of fuel 6. Computer controlled fuel air mixture. patented gasification 7. Thermostatically controlled 8. Dual heat exchangers (exhaust & combustion) 9. 80% active, multi -stage heat exchange 10. Neo-ceram glass for fire viewing 11. Clean air ex.mpt 12. Weight 273 abs. 13. Optional plated doors - nickel or nki 14. Uses 5" through the wall vent 15. Pedestal available for free standing staves it Width 36", alt 24", Depth 15" HURON COUNTY CORN STOVES are pleased to announce a NEW CORN STOVE the "MOON GLOW" in the counties of Huron & Perth -- Come see this stove at --- McGAVIN'S FARM EQUIPMENT In Walton Sat., Sept. 8 10 a.m.-3 p.m. RICHARD LOBB'S A1JCIIO BARN in Clinton Sat., Sept. 15 10 a.m.-3 p.m. FREE DONUTS & COFFEE Also ONLY AT HI IRON COUNTY CORN STOVES The novETEC $1 59500 DEMOS FOR "1,49500 warranty available PHONE HURON COUNTY CORN STOVES (519) 523-9672 for ail appointment I sent a 4 page newspaper to every household in Huron Coun- ty. I want you to know where I stand on FAIR TAXES. JOB PROTEC- TION. PENSIONS, SMALL BUSINESS, THE EN- VIRONMENT, FARMING and the other Issues of concern to you and your family. If you didn t get a copy, want more information Of want to help. call 482-3132 or visit our office. 5 Rat- tenbury St. E. Clinton. On September 6th. send David Peterson a message he can't ignore rif. 1VEW DE%IO 17S Paul KLOPP �3 AvIlhosN1011 by Me el% *pont N► Mrl RIM