The Citizen, 2010-06-03, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2010.
Poop and scoop not
recognized in Brussels
Amalgamation complicates coverage: Laporte
Parents encouraged to consider running for board
THE EDITOR,I read Mr. Roulston’s editorial
entitled “A Difficult Challenge” in
the last week’s paper. I agree with
his view that amalgamation has
made issues such as fire coverage
and hospital services a difficult
challenge for municipal councils.
We might also add ambulance
services, arenas and school
catchment areas to that list. I also
agree with his point that present and
future councillors will continue to
wrestle with the problem of
balancing the needs of their
ratepayers with the challenges of
budgeting in the middle of a
downturn in the economy.
While I appreciate Council’sefforts at fiscal responsibility (all
Councils, I might add), I agree with
Mr. Roulston that some residents
will be failed through the lack of
service provision or reduced service.
That puts people in a difficult spot
because it begins to pit residents
against residents – should I pay taxes
towards an arena I will never use
when those same tax dollars could
mean the difference towards
adequate fire coverage for myself
and my family? How does one put a
price on social goods such as fire
and emergency response and health
services? How does a Council begin
to determine when saving a few
thousand dollars in the overallbudget is better than paying for
a service for a few hundred
residents?
If we begin to focus too closely on
geographic boundaries, then we also
focus financial burdens on
ratepayers. If Central Huron
ratepayers were the only ones
providing funding for things such as
fire halls, hospitals, schools and
arenas within its boundaries, yet
these same services are provided to
other residents when needed, is that
fair? Does the number of people
going to Wingham Hospital or
Seaforth Hospital out-number the
people from North Huron and Huron
East that go to Clinton PublicHospital? This is a very slippery
slope that I would not recommend
travelling down, for the simple sake
of “community”.
One of the reasons I choose to live
in a rural area is because neighbours
help neighbours. Experience any
kind of emergency or accident, and
neighbours (I mean that in a broad
sense) show up to assist in whatever
way they can. This is what we do in
our “neck of the woods”, and I think
it is a core value that is highly
admired and one we want to hang on
to. The definition of “altruism” is the
belief that acting for the benefit of
others is right and good. While I do
not envy the job of the municipalcouncillors in the decisions they are
being asked to make, I believe that
we have to return to that kind of
altruistic thinking and away from a
strictly geographic or financial
viewpoint when looking at social
goods and services.
The beauty of democracy is the
ability to make our views known to
our elected representatives
(municipal, provincial and federal).
We can criticize their decision-
making and the process – but maybe
we also have a responsibility
to assist them by offering
alternatives.
Jacqui Laporte, Auburn.
THE EDITOR,
By next December, there will be a
new board of trustees for the Avon
Maitland District School Board. I
am in my 10th year as trustee, and
although I've enjoyed serving on the
board immensely, I will not be
running for re-election in the fall.
While not all current trustees have
yet declared their intentions, chances
are good that there will be several
new trustees, so it’s worth thinking
about who will fill the positions.
I encourage anyone with a serious
interest in education, and time to
commit to the position, to think
about running. Serving on the board
has been one of the most rewarding
experiences of my life.
Yes, it takes a lot of time, but it's
time well-spent.
Meetings run efficiently, the issues
and challenges are complex and
absorbing and you learn an
enormous amount about education,
children’s learning styles and new
strategies for helping them achieve.
The people who work in education at
all levels are exceptional and I’ve
had the good fortune to work with
such intelligent, caring, focused
people.
Ultimately, it’s the cause that
makes serving as trustee worthwhile.
Public education is the cornerstone
of our society. Children spend more
time in school than anywhere else
and teachers have a profound impact
on their lives. Our public schools
welcome children of every religion,
culture, ethnicity and capability.
Diversity is the norm.
The Avon Maitland District
School Board’s mission, to cultivate
potential, is not taken lightly. We
believe every child can learn and the
role of trustee is to ensure that
teachers have the resources and
support they need to make certain
every child does learn.
A board is only as strong as its
members. I’ve been lucky to serve
with ethical, committed individuals
who care deeply about children
and are not afraid to argue their
points.
Debate is often lively, always
respectful. The work of the trustees
has made a difference in the lives of
children in our district.
Elsewhere, trustees have not
always been so lucky. Due to lack of
interest, some individuals who care
little about education are acclaimed
to the position. In other cases, an
individual who only cares about his
or her own school or a narrow issue
is elected. Such a trustee may then
bring the broader business of the
board to a halt by insisting on
endless debate about his or her own
issues. Many boards become
dysfunctional and the students
suffer.
It matters who your trustees are. If
you feel strongly about education,
enjoy challenges and want to impact
the future, consider putting your
name forward. If you know people
you think might make strong
trustees, encourage them to run.
On June 9, the school board will
be holding an information session
for people considering the idea, at
the Education Centre in Seaforth at
7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to
attend and learn more.
Come October, I encourage you
all to vote, and to take the time to
learn about the candidates. Those
elected as trustees will influence not
just your children but the future of
our society.
I will miss the people, the
challenges and the contact I have
had with so many of you in the
community. It has been a pleasure
and an honour to represent you at the
board table.
Meg Westley
Trustee - City of Stratford
THE EDITOR,
As a concerned Brussels resident,
I find the amount of dog excrement
left on the sidewalks and streets
disgusting when I am out walking.
When the town has provided
garbage bins for this purpose I
expect them to be used.
Brussels has a poop-and-scoop
bylaw, but apparently some residents
have chosen to ignore the bylaw.
Mabel Willis.
Letters to the Editor
Skilled Training
Educational Partnership
July 5-9, 2010
8:00 am to 12:00 pm
LOCATIONS
St. Michael Catholic Secondary School, Stratford, and
St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School, Clinton
The Technical Training Group in partnership
with the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board invite you to
Register your child (grade 6-7-8) for STEP Summer Tech Camp
DETACH AND RETURN REGISTRATION FORM BELOW
Please return completed form with registration fee (made payable to Technical Training Group)
to: Tim Martens, OYAP Leader, Huron-Perth CDSB, PO Box 70, Dublin, ON. N0K 1E0
Phone: 519-345-2440 Ext. 328 tim_martens@hpcdsb.edu.on.ca
Registrations are accepted on a first come first serve basis
COST FOR YOUTH (Grades 6-8) $200.00 for the week
CAMP LOCATION: (check) St. Anne’s CSS, Clinton St. Michael CSS, Stratford
Student Name
(PLEASE PRINT)
Full Address
Postal Code
PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME (CONTACT & MEDICAL INFORMATION) AREA DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER
Parent/Guardian Name
(PLEASE PRINT) 519-___________________
Contact Name if
OTHER than above 519-___________________
Health Card Number (number plus Initials if any) __________________________________
Medical Concerns
(please list all
allergies & any
medications
1. _________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________
Foundation for Education
Huron Perth
Ph. 519-482-3020 RR #1 Bayfield Fax 519-482-1496
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