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"~ OPINION New streetscape on Kerr an improvement PUD Dear Sir: Violence in our schools? You betcha! Yes, our school is great; full of extra activâ€" ities for the children, lots of computers to enhance their learning process â€" a great tool, a terrific group of staff, but do we know how to communicate effectively? School violence shouldn‘t be tolerated This question was brought to my attention when my 10â€"yearâ€"old came home wearing bruises from being kicked and punched by a school mate. It‘s a usual routine. I greeted her with, "Hi, how was school today? What did you do?" After listening to her story (which took a lot of prodding â€" didn‘t want to be a tattleâ€" tale), I pondered as to what the best action to take would be. As a mother seeing the look of shock and bewilderment in my child‘s eyes, I quickly came to the decision to report this incident (however isolated) to the school. I Dear Sir: I am writing in response to the letter submitâ€" ted by Douglas Nash regarding the improveâ€" ments to the streetscape on Kerr Street. I feel I must voice my objections to his comâ€" ments, as the overwhelming response to the improvements from the merchants and residents in the area, has been very positive. The planning process for this project involved merchants, resâ€" idents, and Town staff, and throughout the proâ€" cess, key goals identified were to provide a safer walking environment for seniors and young families (thus, the widened sidewalks), and to reduce the speed of the traffic flowing through the Kerr Street core. We also agree with Crispo‘s comments on making the rich pay. When it comes to the revelation that there are millionaires in this country who didn‘t pay a cent in income tax, we say that there must be a minimum tax that supercedes any deductions that could reduce income to zero. But as talk of social service reform gets even more rightâ€"wing, let‘s consider the ‘utopia‘ that some would see in a new Canadian labor system. Contractingâ€"out whenever possible makes sense in government but in other areas it‘s simply an excuse to put people second and often serves only to lower everyone‘s standard of living. The result would be a nation of partâ€" time workers who would ultimately tap into more of our social safetyâ€"nets more than ever. This isn‘t progressive, it‘s regressive. Instead of taking firm action and actually making a decision and leadâ€" ing, the feds will squander their mandate for change and continue the preâ€" posterous and constant consultation process which merely delays the inevitable. We can almost hear the world‘s money lenders rubbing their hands with delight as Finance Minister Paul Martin stomps the country looking for input on how to act. More delay, more interest payments, more debt....not that‘s the Canadian way. How sad. But there are grey areas when it comes to UI recipients. Construction workers fall into this zone. There are men who work for half the year or more on projects who must face a winter layoff. What is to become of them? Reâ€"training makes no economic sense since they will be going back to work in the spring and paying taxes. One of the main targets on Crispo‘s ‘hit list‘ was the North American automakers like Oakville‘s Ford and Oshawa‘s General Motors. To Crispo, it‘s ridiculous for workers to make big bucks on the line and then collect Unemployment Insurance when the company reâ€"tools for new lines. The result is that these workers end up taking home about 95% of their wages while at home. In effect, they‘re paid not to work and in Crispo‘s mind, this is an abuse. There are certainly some solutions to the wildly outâ€"ofâ€"control spending on social programs and we‘ve talked about these before. Subsidizing the fishery where people make $100,000 or more in a short season and then collect UI benefits is criminal. In the private sector, this activity would be tantamount to fraud. But not in Canada. The square, which Mr. Nash refers to in such a negative manner, has been well utilized to date But the bulk of what he had to say about the fiscal havoc being wrought by the abuse and generosity of Canada‘s social service system, hit home too many times for comfort. Clawback is his favorite word and unless the federal government starts taking away some of its costly social programs from those who don‘t need it, we‘ll continue our slide into penury. And that‘s not a pretty picture. But unlike some of his confederates, there‘s never any doubt where Crispo stands on the issues of the day. But in Crispo‘s world there is little grey area and when it comes to social programs, the latest political windâ€" mill he‘s attacking, his aim sometimes misses the mark. economist John Crispo‘s comments last week at the Oakville Chamber of Commerce annual meeting. Crispo, it should be noted, is a public relation person‘s delight. He‘s funny, affable, insightful and yes, controversial. There was certainly nothing conciliatory or diplomatic about political Clawbacks had hoped by reporting such an outburst of physical violence, I may, in turn, prevent another child from a more serious injury. with the official opening held in conjunction with the Kerr Street Merchants Association‘s 3rd Annual Family Fun day in June. It was not my intention to lay blame, nor should it have been the schools. I was astonâ€" ished by the school‘s response. Are we trying to sweep this matter under the rug? Obviously, the severity of the offenders‘ behavior did not register. Are some still livâ€" ing in the stoneâ€"age? Come on people, vioâ€" lence is everywhere. Councillors Kathy Graham and Fred Oliver were exceptionally supportive throughout the entire process of planning and implementation, and the Kerr Street Merchants Association has established a strong working relationship with the Town as a result. If harsher punishments are not implementâ€" ed now in the public schools for offenders, how do we, as citizens and parents, end this violent cycle? It would be ideal if the schools informed the children daily on their strong stand on this issue and the resulting consequences, not some wishyâ€"washy approach that I have experienced. If not, it could be your child It is unfortunate that Mr. Nash has chosen this particular venue to voice his political opinâ€" ion, and it must be noted that his comments are not representative of the many people who work or reside in the Kerr Street area. Abtse®» Jill Snidal Executive Director Oakville Parentâ€"Child Centre The Oakville Beaver welcomes your comments. _ All letters must be signed and include the writer‘s address and â€" phone number. Letters should be typed, doubleâ€"spaced and addressed to: Letters to the Editor, The Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, Ont. L6K 3$4 Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize and reject advertising. In the event of typographical error, advertising goods or services at i wrong price, goods or services may not be 467 Speers Road, Oakville, Ont. L6K 354 Classified Advertising: 845â€"2809 Circulation: 845â€"9742 or 845â€"9743 845â€"3824 Fax: 845â€"3085 ‘Gieme English... THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Our school has always maintained an ‘Open Door Policy‘, as I‘m sure many schools do; but is anyone home, or are they just not answering?? who asks for the new pocketâ€"knife for Christmas, used to protect him or herself against assaults. Let‘s stop it now, here in the lower grades, before they reach high school. Being an election year, it‘s a serious issue that should be voiced to your trustee. We have all heard of "Zero Tolerance on Violence" â€" does that mean it doesn‘t exist? Oh, we all know the story of funding, lack of resources which in turn among others, results in lack of adequate supply of teachers. We, as parents, can do our part in the meantime. We all have the ability to take a negative situaâ€" tion and focus our energy on a positive soluâ€" tion We have a great deal to learn from chilâ€" dren, as they do from us. Please spend time to really listening to them; some do take longer to listen to than others. Come on, let‘s work together; violence does not have to be toleratâ€" ed by anyone, nor should it be an issue at the classroom level especially. But this is the real world and this is a real issue. We must all work together for the good of our children to provide a safe structured enviâ€" ronment...our school. Maybe a call to the police (who are there to serve and protect) after a child‘s first act of violence would nip this problem in the bud. Hindsight is great! I‘ll know better next time. Another lesson learned. Parents, please take note â€" "Call the Police". I would imagine a good percentage of those who have displayed physical violence towards others could be stopped dead â€" in their tracks. by Steve Nease Janice Donaghey Ian Oliver Publisher Robert Glasbey Advertising Director Norman Alexander Editor Geoff Hill Circulation Director Teri Casas Office Manager Tim Coles Production Manager Dear Sir: In response to Douglas Nash statâ€" ing, in your Oct. 26th issue, that the improvements to Kerr Street were a mistake â€" the fact that it was "his honâ€" est opinion" doesn‘t make it correct. Kerr Street has had many problems over the years, and at last, through the tireless efforts of our councillors, we have had a carefully planned, stage by stage renovation of the street to turn it into an attractive shopping area with its own distinctive personality. At election time, we should conâ€" sider those who have experience and proven record in working for, and with, their residents. As residents in the neighborhood for 14 years, we‘re proud of the present changes to Kerr Street and most merchants acknowlâ€" edge their positive results. We look forward to the next stages and know that they, too, will improve our comâ€" munity. As part of the West River Residents‘ Association, we participatâ€" ed in a very successful "Family Fun Day" put on by the merchants. Most people participating were delighted to see Kerr Street alive again. Changes to Kerr Street are positive eous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at or services at t! a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. Dear Sir: On Oct. 16th, The Beaver published a story with John Scheel, the school trustee for Ward 3, Oakville. In that interview, Scheel noted that some of his colleagues are teachers in other jurisdictions or spouses of employees. He noted further, "...and when you get five of those out of 18, it swings the vote almost every time. Then, you have what I call administrationâ€"friendly trustees." I am one of those five, and I am deeply offended by John‘s misâ€" representation of my voting record. Of the most recent 50 recorded votes at the board table, on a wide variety of issues, only six were supported by all of those five trustees. Twelve percent of the time hardly represents "almost every time". In fact, two of the 50 were unanimous votes. Consequently, John voted with some of "those people" at least 92% of the time. Administrators are hired by the board to recommend the best educational programs for the students. The trustees are elected to ensure that only those programs that are affordable and consistent with the wishes of the ratepayers are, in fact, implemented. The issue then is not whether the trustees are "friendly" or hostile to the administration, but whether the programs are appropriate and affordable. To focus on the administrators is to miss the point of the trustees‘ responsibilities. I chose to become a teacher many years ago because I am very interested in children and deeply respectful of education. In my opinion, those qualities are consistent with the responsibilities of a trustee. My background in education was an asset. For six years, I represented the people of my ward being sensitive to their needs, not to the needs of any single issue group. I have never been an advocate for the political or financial interests of teachers, nor, in my opinion, have any of those whom John unjustly accuses. John is wrong, and he owes me an apology. Teacherâ€"trustee offended The Oakville Beaver, published every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, at 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, is one of the Metroland Printing, Publishing Distributing Ltd. goup of suburban newspapers which includes: Ajaxâ€"Pickering News Advertiser, Barrie Advance, Brampton Guardian, Burlington Post, Collingwood Connection, Etobicoke Guardian, Georgetown Independent Acton Free Press, Kingston This Week, Lindsay This Week, Markham Economist and Sun, Stouftville/Uxbridge Tribune, Milton Canadian Champion, Mississauga News, Newmarketâ€"Aurora Eraâ€"Banner, North York Mirror, Oakville Beaver, Orillia Today, Oshawa/Whitby This Week, Peterborough This Week, Richmond HilVThomhilWaughan Liberal, Scarborough Mirror. All material published in the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Any rerroducflon in whole or in part of this material is strictly forbidden without the consent of the publisher. The Halton Board of Education There‘s always a minority who resist change. Mr. Nash should ask is he a party to improvement or part of the problem. C / Ay Doug and Jeannette Jamieson Mb r? Donald Cassidy Viceâ€"Chair November 2, 1994