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PAGE 18,WEDNESDAY, FEBRUA RY 12, 1986,WHITBY FREE PRESS Board wants everyone to butt out By JAN DODGE Free Press Staff The Durham Board of Education wants everyone to butt out on board property. The board decided, at their Monday night meeting to support a five-year goal to ban smokingon all board tDISTINCTIVE WEDDING INVITATIONSI property and will have a plan of action for this by Sept. 15. Whitby trustee Ian Brown. said with the overwhelming medical evidence it wasn't fair to subject non-smoking teachers and students to second-hand smoke. He said Harmony Heights and Ritson (both elementary schools) prohibit smoking. But Oshawa trustee Cathy O'Flynn said she didn't see anything wrong with outside smoking facilities at schools. "If we refuse to allow smoking on school property, it will turn some kids right off," she said. Ajax trustee, Sandy Lawson was concerned the action might create other problems. "T hnnw thiq'n1n will address the problem of smoking, not just shift the problem off school' property to our neigh- bours." Oshawa trustee Larry Corrigan spoke as a reformed smoker. He said after smokers have given up smoking they have to substitute something else. "We need to teach then how to deal with stress." Several trustees said they had had calls from non-smoking teachers who wanted the board to support the motion because they didn't want the staff room filled with smoke, and were uncomfortable asking people not to smoke. Brown.said the per- sonnel and ad- ministration committee had advised changes to tha smnking policy which board staff were implementing. "The way policy regulations (as they were) almost make it necessary for the prin- cipal to provide facilities for smoking." By changing a few words in the regulations he said the principle can decide whether to provide these facilities or not. Thus "A designated but not enclosed area should be provided for Secondary students who smoke" becomes "If secondary students are allowed to smoke on school property, the smoking is restricted to a designated open area. " "An area should be set aside, where feasible, as a smoking area for staff and adult visitors to the school" becomes "An area MAY besetaside..." The regulation "When accommodation is ren- ted to external groups no smoking is permitted except as approved by the school principals" remains, but a regulation allowing the principal to designate a specific smoking area for adults during after- school activities has been deleted. The policey will con- tinue to ban smoking either on school proper- ty or on any school ac- tivity off the property for elementary studen- ts. The decision to sup- port the five-year goal was supported by ail trustees but two: Oshawa trustee Cathy O'Flynn and Whitby trustee John Buchanan, both smokers. Cash for seniors' courses squelched By JAN DODGE Free Press Staff Senior citizens can continue to take courses from the Durham Board of Education free of charge. A motion at the Mon- day night meeting that would have seen the board charging $5 for each course was defeated as was an amendment that would have meant seniors would pay a set fee of $5 for as many courses as theyliked, These courses, which are offered at the Oshawa Seniors Centre had an enrolment last year of 1,313. At present they are of- fered only in Oshawa although there have been requests to offer them in Whitby, Chair- man of the Board Ruth Lafarga said. Arguments in support of the fee were to defray the ·costs of the program, put forward by Ajax trustee Sandy Lawson; "A nominal fee would be appropriate," by Pickering trustee Lorna Murphy; "Seniors 'ike to pay their waa,' by Oshawa trustee Cathy O'Flynn; and "A nominal fee is important to make seniors aware the boarid of education provides the courses," from Ux- bridge tr.stee Heather Beveridge. Since the courses are offered at the seniors centre and since the centre charges $1 for each course, most people have not known who has provided the courses. Beveridge said a fee might encourage more regular attendance, because it varies up and down. However, Whitby trustee John Buchanan said, "A lot of seniors still pay property tax, but are not using the system ... This is a thank you for all the years they've con- tributed ...We've been trying ta encourage seniors to use our schools for years, This is something we have Report from Queen' s Park B.% The I lon. George Ashe. MI'l' I PC - Durham mWest > Minister of Government Services More than 100 years ago the University of Toronto leased the park to the City of Toronto for 999 years on the condition that a section of the park be reser- ved for the provincial government. In 1869, the Prince of Wales dedicated the park to his Mother, Queen Victoria; and it is for that reason that the parliament buildings and the àdjacent park are, to this day, known as Queen's Park. Our parliamentary system is modelled after that of Britain, which dates back to King John's Magna Carta of 1215. Through the intervening years, a number of changes have taken place as monarchy and the elected representatives struggled for power. The Queen remains the official head of state, as represented by the Lieutenant Governor, while the Premier as Chief Minister, holds the actual reins of power. It is through the recommendations of the Premier that members of the governing party become Cabinet Ministers. On his recommendation, the Lieutenant Governor appoints the various members to their Cabinet position. When you hear someone refer to the 'House' at the Legislative Assembly they are actually referring to the Chamber. It is here that the 125 elected mem- bers from across Ontario meet to formulate the laws of the Province. The tradition dictates that the Government Party sits to the right of the Speaker, while the official opposition and members of the Third Party sit on his left. The speaker, referred to in the House as Mr. Speaker, is selected from amongst the mnembers, but in actual current historical practice is selected by the Premier..It is his responsibility to preside at sittings, maintain order in the House, and rule on any matters which may arise. His position is a tradition dating back to 1376 when it was his respon- sibility to 'speak' to the King and his advisers, presenting petitions and claims of the members. The caucuses are the members of the Parties represented in the Legislature. The Government Caucus includes Cabinet Ministers and backberi- chers. The two other caucuses are referred to by the Party name, eg: Progressive Conservative Caucus, and include all elected members (M.P.P.s) of the respective Parties. Each day in the House, near the beginriing of the Legislative day, one hour is set aside for Question Period. The purpose of this hour, is to provide a forum in which all members can question the Ministers about their actions, the actions of their Ministry or other timely matters. FROM PG. 12 Brooklin Bylines 11:30. Every Saturday morning offers a new adven- ture. Plan a trip to the library for some adventurous reading material to brighten these dull winter days. ANOTHER DANCE The Community Dance at Thunderbird last Saturday night was such a resounding success that another one is planned for April 6. This one was a sell-out and with good reason as the band, Magnum, provided nearly non-stop danceable music for all ages and tastes as well as entertainment in the form of first-class vocalists. The hot lasagna luncheon was equally welcome and contributed to a fabulous evening. Watch this space for details on how to get in on the fun in April. I I File Folders " DESKS • TABLES " FILING CABINETS " ADDING MACHINES " TYPEWRITERS CHAIRSI " SAFES KARDEX " CASH REGISTERS " ELECTRONIC CALCULATORS " STEEL LOCKERS a FANS " SHELVING a TIME RECORDERS " TRANSFER CASES ETC. • DUPLICATING b4ACHINES -INTINGOFFICE SUPPLIES * RomuEas ErFILES *1K%5 ART . ETC. 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