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6 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, November 18, 2010 OPINION Motion madness While it was far too close for comfort, it was good to see the Halton Catholic District School Board defeat a motion recently that would have limited the terms of trustees and also prevented former board employees from running for election as trustees. The motion, brought forward by defeated Halton Hills Trustee Rosanna Palmieri before the Oct. 25 election, was defeated by a 5-4 margin. Palmieri, outgoing Oakville Trustee Pauline Houlahan, defeated Burlington Trustee Bob Van de Vrande and outgoing Burlington Trustee Joanne Matters voted in favour of sending the suggestions to the province. Voting against were re-elected Oakville trustees Ed Viana, Alice Anne LeMay and Anthony Danko, Burlington's Arlene Iantomasi and defeated Milton Trustee Sandor Koso. It's worth noting the four supporting the motion either weren't returning to the board or weren't re-elected. In Palmieri's case, she was defeated by teacher Mark Rowe-- a longtime HCDSB employee who had declared his intention to run September 1. In 2006 she defeated the late Irene McCauley-- a trustee who served Halton Hills for more than 25 years. Many trustees spoke against Palmieri's motion, rightfully calling it "offensive, unconstitutional, discriminatory and an affront to the country's democratic system of electoral representation." Palmieri countered she was attempting to improve the democratic process and argued new people are deterred from running when there is a longtime incumbent also running. So what? If a trustee is there long-term, perhaps it's because they've done a good job in the eyes of the electorate. As for board employees (i.e. teachers) not being allowed to run, that's simply a ludicrous idea. Who better to bring ideas forward than a front-line worker who has been in the classroom? The late Ethel Gardiner, a longtime public school board teacher, is perhaps the best example of a good teacher making a great trustee. We're pleased common sense ruled when it came to this motion. 905-873-0301 Publisher: Ken Nugent General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@independentfreepress.com) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@independentfreepress.com) Managing editor: John McGhie (jmcghie@independentfreepress.com) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@independentfreepress.com) Classifieds Kristie Pells (classified@independentfreepress.com) Accounting Rose Marie Gauthier Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@independentfreepress.com) Ted Brown: Photography (tbrown@independentfreepress.com) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@independentfreepress.com) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@independentfreepress.com) WEB POLL RESULTS Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Parliament does not need to hold a vote on whether to extend Canada's mission in Afghanistan to 2014, saying it is a training mission. Should there be a vote? · Yes (62%) · No (38%) Go to www.independentfreepress.com Steve Nease Letters to the editor Breaking of table `not intentional' Dear editor, RE: Students should take responsibility (Oct. 14 letter). As one of the people who accidentally took part in the breaking of the table at the Georgetown Fall Fair (I must say) this was in no way intentional. In all honesty we were just trying to get out of the rain. A letter was written in response to the original `Students should take responsibility' letter that said Christ the King was repeatedly targeted in the first letter. I find this to be true. Furthermore, I find that the eight students were generalized for something that was a complete accident. The person responsible for looking after the table easily could have spoken to us and eliminated the problem beforehand. Instead, we were approached after the fact and were chastised for sitting on something that isn't made for sitting on. I am definitely not one of the bad apples of Christ the King. I'm an honour roll student and am involved in leadership groups within the school. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. We had every intention of paying for the table and we all felt very sorry that we had caused it to break, but the subject of the money was broached inappropriately. Every time we were called and asked for the money the phone calls were not pleasant ones. Not once were our parents called about the topic; not even to let them know what had happened. I find it highly unfair that we were expected to handle this situation as adults when we were clearly approached as children. Natalie Fasullo, Georgetown Georgetown, Ollie's Cycle & Ski, The Independent & Free Press for getting Hayden's word out there, and last, but not certainly not least, Brent Ferguson of Acton-- you really went out of your way to help Hayden. All of you and your kindness will not be forgotten. We are very proud of Hayden for taking a bad situation and turning it into something good. His bike recycling program is a reflection of you wonderful folks and your kindness. Katie Downes and James Creary, Georgetown Kindness appreciated CtK students thanked Dear editor, The last few weeks have been life-changing for our nine-yearold son. He has learned just how wonderful people can be after being hurt so badly by one bad apple who stole and destroyed his bike. Our family would like to thank a few folks who have been so kind to Hayden. First of all, Hayden's crossing guards Mr. & Mrs. Macdonald, A gentleman from Mary St. who would like to remain nameless, Mark and Melissa of Georgetown, Scott Galloway from Canadian Tire, Joe Sebalj, Shawn McQuaid, and Paul Petersen of Letters to the editor policy Letters must include an address and daytime telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Publication is not guaranteed. E-mail: jmcghie@independentfreepress.com Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. The Independent & Free Press The Independent & Free Press is published Tuesday and Thursday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Dear editor, Recently two boys from Christ the King Secondary School came to my rescue on Guelph Street when my car stalled. Being without a cell phone, these boys offered theirs and pushed my car to the school parking lot. This was a huge gesture on their part as several motorists raged at me and my disabled vehicle. I would like to express my gratitude and admiration of their calm and magnanimous act of kindness. John Quinn, Georgetown