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Mortgage rates affect school enrolment Fluctuating mortgage rates are making it difficult for school officials to accurately predict student enrolment figures for the school year It is a new phenomenon said Stoness superintendent of employee services in a telephone Interview He said that a family will take a one or two jear mortgage and then due to the current economic situation move on to another area rather than renew it Stoness told the board of education trustees at the September meeting that it is one factor affecting enrolment lions Others include transfers to private and separate schools Last February for example the ad ministration predicted elementary students in North Hal too schools for the year but on Sept students did not enrol the north secondary schools 186 students were not among the projected 155 expected to be there This mortgage rate factor has become more evident in the last two years said Its impact is more noticeable in the Milton Burlington and areas he said Meanwhile the enrolment variance has made it difficult for the administration to estimate in February the number of elementary teachers required for the year Due to the lower Sept enrolment elementary schools have an excess staff of approximately 125 teachers In a report to the Boards trustees Stoness Slll3K6aS Georgetown Acton Wednesday Sept 19 1984 Drunk drivers Theres public pressure but penalties minimum There has been no change In the penalties meted out for impaired driving despite growing pressure from the public and en by Ontario attorney general Roy McMurtry Minimum penalties continue to be the norm regardless of documented evidence that impairment is an overwhelming factor in serious accidents said Hal ton crown attorney Jim A blood alcohol level of 15 is relatively mild impairment although the chances of being involved in an accident are times greater than for a sober driver he said This evidence hasnt swayed judges from minimum sentences In addition said Treleaven judges arent as much In fluenced by previous offences in the penalty as are for other offences A repeat thief is more likely to feel a steeply heavier penally for increased violations than Is an impaired driver who is a much greater hazard to the general public Judges seem oblivious to crown attorney picas for heavier sentences and prosecutors can get frustrated calling for higher penalties If they are always ignored We could get a machine to give minimum sentences but judges arc paid a lot to make decisions he said When you have to see the victims and face the families you realize the penalties arc too light Treleaven added It Is hard to get Judges to rock the boat by jiving different sentences If one judge was more severe lawyers would try to avoid court Treleaven said Also there would be more trials as guilty pleas would fall off with stiffer sentences If we have to have more trials then we will do it said the crown- attorney Trio end result of this punitive pattern is that people in Canada are not to drink and drive he said If there were automatic suspensions of a year to 18 months as there are in Great Britain more would be discouraged from getting behind the wheel while inebriated he added It is in the area of suspension that Treleaven is most concerned T am not as concerned with fines and jail terms for first offenders as getting a suspension of driving privileges he said This concern with licence suspension seems to be shored by the public he added If a driver Is caught twice It Is a good in dication of a drinking problem since the chances of being caught are only one in he said The minimum penalties given out for and subsequent offences being relatively light are not discouraging Nor are the penalties given Tor driving while licence is under suspension As a result it is estimated that as many as per cent of drivers under suspension operated a vehicle as a normal course said and this doesn include those who occasionally drive while under suspension A fine of is the minimum penalty for driving under suspension and that is what Is normally given For twice being caught driving without a licence the fine Is two minimum and Judges rarely stray much from that figure said the crown If a driver while impaired drives very badly for example the wrong way in a lane or up on a sidewalk and kills someone he is likely to bo charged with criminal negligence causing death which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison The minimum would be nine months in Jail while the norm Is IS to months behind bars said the crown Crowns are constantly trying to get the court to take a tougher stance he added With similar circumstances but the victim only injured the maximum is years In jail If a victim is killed by a drunk driver where the driving infraction itself Is not severe he may be charged only with im paired said Treleaven Charges of dangerous driving may be laid against a drunk driver where driving was bad but not outrageous enough to warrant criminal negligence he added Here the maximum penalty Is two years in jail For the first Impaired driving conviction the maximum penalty ia a fine and six months in Jail with a possible three year suspension of driving privileges If a person is caught driving drunk twice a fine cannot be levied and the maximum penalty Is one year in jail and a three year licence suspension What is normally given is the minimum days in Jau usually served with the convenience of the criminal in mind and the minimum sixmonth licence suspension If a third offence occurs the criminal Is eligible for two years in jail and an unlimited drivers licence suspension Normally he is sentenced to three months in jail and given the automatic three year suspension Harsher penalties dont help defence Ale One prominent criminal lawyer sees the incidence or impaired driving dropping dramatically but from the fear of hurting and killing people and the growing stigma attached to the crime not because of fear of legal retribution For this reason Bruce Hillyer doesnt support the cry for stiffer penalties for those convicted of driving while under the in fluence of alcohol Nor does he support heavier sentences for those who maim and kill while driving drunk Fines and jail terms don act as deterrents for this crime he said But he said the big surge in publicity In the past six months Is acting as a deterrent Not only has this come through traditional channels it has also been a more important part of beer advertising said He said government publicity has been such that all of a sudden drinking and has become socially unacceptable This affects the middle class where a lot of the offenders are doesn believe that an increase in the length of the licence suspension would deter first offenders and Tar threetime of fenders a three year suspension Is a real kick- More treatment for alcoholism and less for the criminal natureof the act would be of more help and his is the trend in the US he However on the other side there is deter rent value in convincing the public that the offence is a crime As it is now the impaired drUer after conviction doesnt feel that he is a criminal while a convicted shoplifter does said Yet the consequences to the public from the impaired driver ore far more serious than from the shoplifter he added But in the last six months then has been a change in the way impaired driving Is being viewed as a crime said Fear of killing someone is still the largest deterrent to drinking and driving the defense lawyer said Defence lawyer Jack wants to see the limits for impaired driving lowered which would mean an increase in the number charged but more importantly catching the problem of impairment earlier Along with this would have to go lower penalties and permission for more discretion in sentence for the Judge If penalties arc raised violators could tear retribution more and go to greater ends to avoid apprehension with more police chases being a consequence Bclleghem advocates greater limits on the issuance of liquor permits and would go fur ther and rescind some further limiting facilities from which people would have to drive home We as a society have decided that we ore prepared to put up with the chaos arising from alcohol abuse for the exonomlc benefits of sales and jobs resulting he said Not expecting that all taverns will be clos Belleghem is in favor of making the tavern owner more responsible for the condition of his patrons when they leave the premises Instead of kicking the drunk out make sure he stays so he doesnt drive or conversely find him a way home said Belleghem In the same vein believes the homeowner should bear similar responsibilities for his guests To further minimize impairment believes lowercontent alcoholic drinks help With these sickness may precede he said The main thrust against impaired driving should come through publicity leading to peer pressure condemning it similar to that against smoking he said Along with this should go a ban on lifestyle advertising which implies that drinking is socially enhancing If liquor and beer companies are allowed this form they should be compelled to show the less glamorous effects of drink ing he said A drinking driver said Belleghem Is a tragedy He Is basically a good person who Is flawed Court should not take away his driving prllcges leading to a loss of job and livelihood We don t want to destroy or disgrace the person Catch them sooner an dont hit them as hard he said To that end would be in favor of more spot checks or entrapment of of fenders outside licenced premises or any other infringement or supposed liberties if it is better for the majority The lobby against catching drunk drivers outside bars was led by the tavern owners themselves for self interest he said What offenders fear most is the licence suspension and that insurance companies wont pay for the damage to their own vehi cle Bclleghem said the average person charg ed with the crime is lower middle class It may be that professionals such as doctors and lawyers are more aware or what they have to lose he added However he disagreed with that Impaired drivers dont feel like criminals Assistant crown attorney Anthony Vale said despite the monotony of defending peo pie on Impaired driving lawyers en take the cases because of th fees that they can command Many other crimes are committed by pie who pay through legal aid while many of those charged with drunk driving can afford to pay large fees in an attempt to avoid a licence suspension For these people the fine and legal costs are of less concern than the loss of driving privileges said Vale recommended that eight of the teachers remain in their current classrooms and four and a half will become supply teachers The one half refers to kindergarten or special education teachers Trustees however tabled the recom mendation until November Celebrate Cultural Centres birthday Again this year the Town of Halton Hills Recreation and Parks Department is preparing a program of happy events for the whole family The week to keep in mind is October to when the third birthday of the Cultural Centre is celebrated Previous years programs have been very successful and this year should be no excep tion Something for everyone has always been the theme with support and par ticipation this theme will continue The popular Nursery and Kindergarten School shows kick off the events with perfor- mancesonOctoberSandlOatlOOOa m and 1 m The Inner Stage Theatre presents short stories Flip The Carrot Seed and Caterpillar Story Tuesday October at 30 the beautiful old movie How Green Was My Valley starring Walter Pigeon and Maureen OHara will bring back many memories The biggie for local talent will be the everpopular Amateur Night on Wednesday evening October Entry forms may be picked up at the recreation offices Thursday October will be devoted to the public and high Schools in the com munity Here will be an opportunity for family and friends to see our future stars in action A free evening of entertainment By popular demand Second City Touring Company returns with another new show Walter Waiter Theres a Soup On My Fly Reserved seating for this one so order tickets early On sale now For Saturday afternoon October 13 the Arts Council will be sponsoring a fabulous local group Personality Convention this seven member band has performed locally and at the CNE and has been a big hit Their concert will certainly fill the bill for the teens Saturday evening October will feature a golden oldie the movie Kiss Me Kate starring Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel Dollars added The Board of Education trustees voted at the Sept 13 meeting to add to the 1984 budget or for the 168485 year The money will be used to hire para- professional support staff for kindergarten teachers in classes with more than students According to Sept 5 enrolment figures there ore 18 classes in region with over students including Acton and Georgetown schools According to board policy any kinder garten classes with more than students the teacher may have additional support The para professional may have some teacher training but it Is not necessary said Rae Stoness Ihe super in ten dan of em services If the size of the kindergarten classes decreases under Ihe 25 students the para- professionals may be contract terminated with two weeks notice or transferred to another class If needed here he said School library board at odds o ver visits The Halton Hills Library Board will stand firmly behind its policy restricting the use of Us facilities by school children despite growing pressure to provide additional services The matter has been referred to the Boards planning committee for further discussion but members made it clear last Wednesday that they wish to approve requests by some area teachers to borrow large amounts of books and other materials augment classroom resources a report to Board childrens librarian Joy Showell said some of the teachers who routinely bring their students to the library to work on special projects have asked for a special status notation on their library cards so they can borrow items in bulk Commenting that library staff already have their hands full helping the students with their individual project needs Showell advised against extending the Boards nursery box program in which a number of items are circulated among nursery classes to the older students Such a move would set a precedent that would fore the libraries lo service all private public and separate schools similarly be report Indicated that teacher froze local Christian schools in particular expressed a need for better service laying their school have resource centres fake most public schools sod chkf librarian Betsy Corn- well took exception to teachers suggesting it is the library s duty to meet the schools needs Showell suggested a compromise in which teachers could borrow up to 12 fiction books and nonfiction books to a maximum of two books per subject but board chairman Norm Elliott said the figures are This is an extremely touchy subject but it seems to be an unnecessary concession he said Wed be establishing a policy we dont want Board members were virtually unanimous in their opposition to extending services George Albert expressed doubt that other libraries do so Ion Carter said library staff should simply refer the teachers to If wish to dial lenge policy Rob Burnett noted there is Can t count on grants The Halton Hills Library Board was warned last week that its summer programs for youngsters called a resounding success again his year could be severely cut back at last minute unless contingency money is budgeted for them Outlining a new approach entitled Share Literature with Children childrens librarian Joy Showell advised the Board last Wednesday that nothing is guaranteed as far as Provincial funding of library summer programs Showell explained that a Summer Canada grant from Ottawa Experi ence M grant from Queens Park and another WW from Ontarios Outreach project enabled the local libraries to employ a summer student to run its children programs Criteria for the grants even announced until Iste she said leaving librarians biting their nails in caw the grants are not approved at he last minute I Just dont know how the Province ex pects you to plan your programs when they leave It so late Councillor Pam Sheldon commented Showell said this years summer Experi ence program and Reading Olympics were again popular success with children and parents alike The summer student in charge has produced a booklet for toddlers Tales for Twos copies of which are now available and helped launch the libraries plan to make it easier for parents to share literature with children Showell reported that the Acton library is setting up a parents comer featuring a small collection of brochures on a wide range of topics related to bringing up children There will be an informative bulletin board and ley collection to help nothing in he new Library Act to suggest libraries must better service schools When I read this report I thought It was absurd Councillor Sheldon said urging a meeting on the matter with the Board of Education This is not a problem the library staff should be dealing with The sooner we say no the sooner it will come to a head and we can resolve it But this is just subsidizing the schools and they already get 52 per cent of cur tax dollar The Board will be advising all schools of its current policy In an interview with this newspaper Board of Education chairman Betty Fisher said she was unaware of the problem and welcomed the chance to discuss It with the Library Board Saying her board has no policy setting the number of times a teacher can take her class to library nor on the extent to which teacher can use library services Fisher said she Is not sure what the issue involves What if each child had a library card of their own and borrowed what they need that way she asked Fisher commented though that belter communication is needed between the two boards especially since both must co operate to serve he public using taxpayers money The school boards library relations committee which appoints school trustees to the library board may provide a forum for discussing such problems she said Library Board -briefs- Foreign languages Both the Acton and Georgetown libraries will have access to a wider range of foreign language books and materials in the near future thanks to a new exchange program tying in with Hamilton Wentworth region At a cost of the Hills libraries will be able to obtain books which area residents have requested In languages in eluding Finnish and Ukrainian VDTs dangerous Concern over the possibility that com Video Display Terminals could cause fetal damage in women of child bearing age who operate them has spread to Halton Hills libraries Chief librarian Betsy Comwell will be polling her staff on their interest in ing VDTs at the libraries tested for radia tion emission Staff expressed concern after reading about survey results show ing that per cent of 803 women VDT operators suffered from miscarriages stillbirth or fetal malformation A similar survey from Denmark had even more striking results Thinking safety Library staff in Acton and Georgetown will be breathing easier once theyve taken first aid and fire extinguishing lessons from the appropriate authorities The Library Board last week that Its precautions In both cases fall short of regulations laid out by the Workers Compensation Board and the Town fire department Staff will comply with requirements accordingly Public welcome While no one in the Acton area took the Library Board up on its invitation to drop by last Wednesday nights meeting with comments or questions they can still Join heir Georgetown neighbors next month when another public session ta planned The Board meets In tee room of the Georgetown library at 730pm October starting the regular session with a special forum In which the public can speak its mind