The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

4- The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday April 21, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com CABINET REFACING after Catholic chair and vice chair refuse request to step down By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF before "I respectfully decline the request." These five words, spoken by Halton Catholic District School Board Chair Al Bailey and Vice Chair Alice Anne LeMay, were all it took to put to rest one of the most intense and controversial meetings in the history of the board. Earlier in the week five trustees called a special meeting for Thursday night to vote on a motion calling for the resignation of the chair and vice chair. The reasons listed to justify the request were numerous. The motion, presented by Oakville trustee Anthony Danko, stated the majority of trustees no longer believed that the current chair and vice chair spoke for them. Burlington trustee Bob Van de Vrande said the leadership's inability to forge a board that could work together towards a common vision justified their dismissal. Disagreement between the leadership and trustees also existed over the proper role of the trustee, some believing trustees should take a more active role in establishing policy and providing direction for the board. Danko said the motion was merely being held to make a statement and convey the trustees' dissatisfaction over remarks Bailey had made about their conduct. Although the motion passed, with a five to four majority, it was non-binding. In other words, it was just a formal request which Bailey and LeMay were all too happy to turn down. Two student trustees also voted against the motion, but as their votes are not legally binding they were not counted. A third student trustee, who was absent, made her support for the chair and vice chair known in a letter that was read at the meeting. The fact that this was a nonbinding motion did not stop the board room from filling with more than 70 concerned spectators in the moments leading up to the meeting. From the beginning this crowd made it known in no uncertain terms just whose side they were on. As Danko read the motion and attempted to speak on his reasons for bringing it forward a cry of `Shame! Shame!' erupted from the crowd. Bailey silenced the crowd with a few strikes of his gavel, but much more was still to come. All the trustees were given the opportunity to speak on the motion. Many spoke in support of the chair and vice chair. "I am of the firm opinion that this board has operated quite capably and competently over the period of leadership exercised by these individuals who have proven records of service in their roles as chair and vice chair," said Milton trustee Rev. David Wilhelm. "Under their guidance I believe the board has experienced stability and has accomplished and continues to accomplish, in a steady, measured and prudent manner, many positive steps to make the board very effective in delivering quality Catholic education to this part of Ontario." Wilhelm also spoke of the dangers that could await the board if relatively inexperienced trustees See Crowd page 11 T THOMSON THOMSON METALS AND DISPOSAL SCRAP METAL RECYCLING DOING A SPRING CLEAN UP? THOMSON METALS OFFERS THE COMMUNITY A "FREE DROP OFF SERVICE" OF YOUR OLD METAL Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m. - 12 noon · TV towers · dryers, freezers stoves, washers · auto body parts · bicycles · lawnmowers · Barbeques · metal window frames · TV antennas · washtubs · metal tables · batteries · pots & pans · old wiring · wheelbarrows · aluminum lawn furniture · tire rims Top Prices Paid For Your Non Ferrous Metals: ALUMINUM, BRASS, COPPER, STAINLESS STEEL Sorry, we do NOT accept PROPANE tanks or hazardous waste. Zelco Dr. Appleby Line Metal Recycling Site 961 Zelco Dr., Burlington Harvester Road 905-681-8832