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Osn .kly tlms Wd- 1mauch 31, 19~ hwo & I av . u% n koI o by Carol-Ann Oster Well, the sun shone brighter and warmer than anything we've seen in quite sometime. Thiis past weekend was arguabiy better than most weekends we had last summer. However, with warm temperatures rising and the snowbanks dwindling, creeks have swelled and roads are not at 'Promises are flying among the Tory ieadership hopefuis. One hopeful, very hopeful, but with little chances, cainpaigned that he would nix the proposed ink to P.E.I. from the Mainland. <Hurray!! I've neyer realiy thought the idea of the link was such a great one. With my mother hailing from the Island', I spend many a summer down east when I was younger. The drive down could get tedious, there is only so much colouring one can do whileý crammed in the backseat of a car their best. So, bc careful. Marion Knapp and her Pathfinders welcomed a new edition last Wednesday. Pamela Towler was enrolled as a Pathfinder after recently moving up from Guides.' 1'Tii next week, get out and enjoy this blast of spring whiie it lasts. The sunshine could disappear again before sumnmer. wit h a sisters elbow resting in your ear. But evening would comne and we'd pitch the tent and have an outdoor kind of meal, bef ore drifting off to sleep. The stay on the island was not always relaxing. Being shuttled to and from relatives homes. lI remember when you were just a littie baby . . . " (Huh, I dont remember you at all, and don't pinch my cheek so damn hard." There were the trips to beach, picking up shelîs, getting my nose burned to a crisp. There were the island meals, whichalways seemed rather large, with fresh lobster, freshiy-baked biscuits, a virtual smorgasbord. 1< The redl of sand, the green of the fields, the sparkling blue of the water, and the flocks of birds that would rise like a white cloud. 1 haven't been to the island' in somne time now, and I know that things aren't always easy there. But I can't sec that a link would mnake such a significant change. If it's the tourists that are complaining about waitmng for the fairy that could be sometime in coming . . . get over it. My favourite holiday memories were always the trip across. 1If its the unemployed, that wats to see it built, at least for a short-term solution to the jobless situation, how do we know that they'll even hire from P.E.I. and New Brunswick. It's just as likely that people from Ontario, Quebec or the western provinces wil get the jobs. Think about the fragile marine ecosystems that could be destroyed by the construction of the link. Think about the negative impact the link could have on an 'unique' island way of life. My vote is that P.E.I., remain as the unique and pleasant island full of -heritage, with a creaking boat as its source of transportation to the mainland. F rom Around the School Board with Bob Wiilsher Trustee, Ward 3 N/N Board of Education The provincial gover nment made recent changes- in the payment, of Worker's Compensation premiums for students in unpaid wo rk assignmnents. Initially 1 was concerned that this would have a negative impact on our high sceool cooperative education programs because some employers may not be able, or willîng, to pay for these benefits for students. On February 18, 1993 the premier announced th at the provincial. govemment would pay the premiums for students involved in unpaid field placements. This is good news for boards as the high cooperative education program for students has a great deal of participation and is a valuable educational tool., 1Much has been said and printed about education, the cost and quality. We ail recognize a need to change. Taxpayers can no longer afford the duplication of services, be it in education or other formns of government. Local discussions with the Town of Newcastle are important. Although no major changes have been implemented to this point, 1 am convinced that contmnued discussions will lead to improvements and cost savings. Our provincial trustee association,' OPSBA, is making a concerted effort to provide direction in the effort to reduce education costs. Recently Paula Dunning, President of OPSBA, said "Schooi boards, like many other businesses, are facing rapidly diminishing resources. In order to meet public expectations for a better education system, we must immediateiy extend cost-saving measures to ail aspects of school operations.' I agree, but there is considerable frustration in seeing changes implemented. There is an urgent need for the provincial government to legisiate change. Too much of our business is regulated by the province or controlled by collective agreements that are diffîcult to change. Some of the suggestions put forth by OPSBA to the inister of Education include:, Employment of alternative personnel, such as early childhood education instructors, teaching assistants, iibrary technicians, (Contmnued page 13) TOu OUR CHILDREN IS Att YEAR ROUND Jasoni looks forward to his visits with the Easter Seal nurse. Shiés a friend to turn to for advice and information The nurses work with physi1callyv disabled children and their families in commu- nities throughiout Ontario. They coord'inate services and provide consultation on rehabilitation programs and eq uipment, transportation and parent relief. The Easter Seal nurse makes sure our children get the care they need, ai! ack year long. Your Easter Seal B adollars work hiard .. fighter. 12mnonths ayear 1e ear round. S g hildrenivth phYsicu i b1e~sub i nî m-1922 Box 217, Bowmanville, Ontario LIC 9Z9 The Rotary Club of Bowmanville is an Agent of the Ontario Society for Disabled Children to raise funds necessary for the children through the Easter Seal Campaign. There are currently 51 disabled children in the Town of Newcastle. "Every donation helps childreni with physical disabilitie.," Mail Your Envelope Today We SUp)port the Easter Seals! Compliments of: Flying Dutehman Hotel Liberty St. & 401, Bowmanville Bowmnanville Audio Vision 58 King St. W., Bowmanville Royal Bank Bowmanville and Courtice Bank of Montreal 2 King St. West, Bowmanville Golige-1r's Travel Bowmanville Mail, Bowmanville Port Darlington Marina Port Darlington, Bowmanville Rickaby 1s Limited-Since 1881, 27 King St. W., Bowmanville Hamilton & Associate. 1 Division St., Bowmanville Graham's I.G.A. King St. & Simpson Ave., Bowmanville CANADA Î4