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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 9, 2008 - 7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Upset by education director's comments Halton District School Board Education Director Wayne Joudrie's lack of sensitivity on the contentious southeast school closures never ceases to amaze me. First, he criticizes our protest of the school closures when we are just exercising our freedom of speech. And now he trivializes our cause by saying people will "wonder what all the fuss was about" (when speaking of our reactions three years from now). How dare he criticize what I hold near and dear to my heart: a good community school to which my kids can walk. How dare he minimize the reason for the largest purchase of my life, my home. How dare he call our efforts `a fuss', when it was the board that developed the PARC committee that toiled and deliberated for months. These people voluntarily gave up their family time and busy lives, sometimes driving in snowstorms to make meetings, all for a mere "fuss?" Perhaps we should see what other "fusses" are on the board's agenda. Never cry "wolf", Mr. Joudrie, because when you ask another ward for input when going through the same problem of school closures, they will laugh in your face. Save the next ward's communities the "rifts" and burnt bridges, would you please. ANDREA CUTHBERT Since 1968 Auto and Home Insurance We find the right price, coverage and service for you. School closure process was a waste of time I read, with complete disillusionment, the Halton Region School Board's recent decision to completely disregard the studied recommendations of the PARC 14 review committee in favour of an option that was never even considered as a viable option because it failed to meet so many of the required criteria and, therefore, for which the appropriate level of required dilligence cannot have been done. Last time I looked, I thought we lived in an open, western-style democracy where elected officials were responsible for reflecting and carrying out the views of their consituents. Whether this school board likes it or not, the PARC review committee recommendations lay out very clearly where and how the majority of parents in the southeast area want their children to be schooled. Unless, of course, the only criterion that this board was ever going to consider each option against was how to cram as many kids as possible into as few buildings as they could whilst generating the maximum amount of revenue from real estate sales. A shambolic process; neighbourhoods pitted against each other; decisions from out of left field and a whole slew of angry parents. Since this isn't the first time that something like this has happened -- anyone remember the River Oaks versus Post's Corners debacle? -- I think it's high time the trustees that sit on this board stopped wasting taxpayers' time and money and found something else to do with their time! GORDON DUNN We deliver outstanding personal service: · When you call our office we ask for your name, not your account number. · You speak to the same person every time you call so we know who you are. · Proudly serving Oakville for 40 years. Please call us today for a Home & Auto Quote www.dobson-toncic.com 101-2020 Winston Park Drive, Oakville ON, L6H 6X7 905-829-2907 DON'T PAY RETAIL! FACTORY OUTLET SALE INSTALLATION OF CROWN MOULDING, OUTDOOR & INDOOR COLUMNS BY PROFESSIONAL FINISH CARPENTERS COLUMNS New for the Do-It-Yourselfers premade corners for all our profiles Over 70 smooth or patterned profiles WAINSCOTING deas. Showroom In Home Design Consultation Available. Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5, 201 Millway Ave., Unit 6 (One light north of Hwy. 7 & Jane) Thurs until 7, or Sat 10-3 www.elitemouldings.com 905-760-1665 416-245-1115 5