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Sunday, November 7,1999 Oakville Beaver Weekend - 9 Oakville B lock Parent program in jeopardy By Kathy Yanchus SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Wanted: Chairperson. Requirements: A firm committ ment to re-establishing the mis-managed Oakville Block Parent program. The Oakville program is in limbo, according to Marianne MacBride, chair of the Ontario Block Parent Program. And if a coordinator is not found by the end of the month, signs will be pulled from homes, materials returned to head office and there will be no safe havens for children who are lost, scared or ill. It's a frustrating position MacBride finds herself in, but she has no choice. The importance of the program is such that it must be operated correctly or not at all, she said. All materials have been removed from the previous chairperson's home and the provincial body is in the midst of searching for a volunteer chairper son to ensure the continuation of the program. `The Block Parent program is being taught in the curriculum. It would be awful if these kids were learning about it in school, but had nowhere to go," said MacBride. "There were 1,700 Block Parent homes in Oakville, but we've lost an awful lot because the program was not being run correctly." The chairperson is responsible for updating Block Parents annually, edu cating the community and the schools, and recruiting new volunteers. "Block Parents must be updated once a year to make sure their address and phone number are the same. If there is a child in the house who has turned 12, they must be screened by police and if someone new is in the house, such as a grandparent or nanny, they must be screened or legally, that sign can't be shown." Every few years, Block Parent families must also be screened again. Statistics show that the program, which is the oldest crime prevention program in the country, acts as a deter rent in communities where it exists, said MacBride. "It would be terrible to see it fold. Last year we had 246 incidents across the province, 22 of those incidents were very serious incidents, molesta tion, attempted molestation, rape. We can't solve these problems, but we can get you in touch with someone who can help." Bullying is the number one reason a child uses a Block Parent home, but other reasons are they're lost, locked out of their house or sick, said MacBride. And it's not just young children who seek refuge in homes where the sign is displayed, but teenagers and senior citizens, she added. Although the volunteer position requires time and effort, the chairper son does not work alone. "It's a team effort with the chairperson heading up the team. The more people we can recruit, the more people there are to help the chairperson. And the (Ontario) board of directors is here to help." Along with finding the right person to head the organization locally, the provincial body would like to boost its list of Oakville Block Parents. Anyone interested in applying for the position of chairperson, or in becoming a Block Parent, can call MacBride at 1-800-563-2771. D ow ntow n The Lighting C erem ony F riday Oa kv i l l e 's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place this Friday, ushering the coming of Christmas Festivities begin at 7 p.m. at the Towne Square, Lakeshore Road at George Street, with town crier Betty Kading and Mayor Ann Mulvale lead ing the carol singing. The Oakville Wind Orchestra and The Salvation Army Band will perform holiday favourites. The tree will be officially let at 7:30 p.m. The public is being asked to bring a new unwrapped toy to the Tree Lighting Ceremony to be collected and donated to the Salvation Army Jingle Bell Fund. Volunteers from the Salvation Army will be serving hot cider. The Tree Lighting Ceremony is sponsored by the LO O K INSIDE TO D A Y 'S PAPER FOR O UR VALUE PACKED FLYER J i n s e le c t a r e a s o n ly ) · · · · · § A V IN ll A T m e in e k e $ ^ M O R E TH A N JU S T M U FFL E R S $ 1^ Lube, oil & filter 10W30 Check anti-freeze & levels Check brakes & adjust Check exhaust for leaks Check tires & front end · Check all lights · Check belts & hoses · Rotate tires 1Service battery terminals Check tune-up · New Car Warranty approved + MOST SOQ95 CARS E xp ire s Nov 13/99 I U ihI *x$? 7c if* i £ .c i |i p ? j i .. mKm · Pressure test cooling system · Check heater operation & flush & fill cooling system with up to 8 litres anti-freeze. ^ Must present coupon Expires Nov 13/99 95 MOST M O ST CARS 1 * * J ` r95 From ^ FRONT DISCS v ' a x ' Sr ' MOST CARS r95 REAR DRUMS I I Includes new shoes or pads, repack wheel bearings, resurface drums & /otors and inspect entire system. Metallic pads included. Must present coupon. 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Hwy 25 * i $0095 X . 7 MOST CARS & LIGHT TRUCKS O N EXHAUST W O RK Meineke will pay the taxes on most cars A light trucks. Warranty work excluded.. NO T A X Expires N ov 13/99. I F air 4th Trafalgar Line S. Rd Ontario Government Inspecooii. Any wort required lor safety check over the value I I of $150. taxes, pertormed by Ms location, safety check is no charge. MuS present , coupon t time ol pumtiase Expires Nov. 13/99. , Must present coupon at tim e of estim ate. Not to be combined with any other coupon. Highway 5 (Dundas St.) m e in e k e tu n * M u ffli \ Q u a lity U n d e rc a r S p e c ia lis ts Downtown Oakville BIA. For more information, call 844-4520. B O a k v i l l e . . . 5 0 1 S p e e r s R d . U n i t # 2 ... (N e x t to B u d d 's Im p o rte d C ars) 8 4 2 -9 9 7 7 F R E E N U a n t d i o e n r w c a i d r e I n L s i f p e e t c i m t i o e n &c u a r E s t im a n t e e a s t e Novem ber 13 St 14 Saturday 1 0 am - S pm / Sunday 11 am - S pm G O P E N M O N . - F R I. 8 A M T O 6 SATURDAY 8 A M TO 4 P M PM St. Volodymyr Cultural Centre MUST PRESENT COUPON FOR ALL SPECIALS NOT TO BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER If you have a news tip or story Idea, call the Oakville Beaver at 845-3824. 4% 1280 Dundas St. W. Oakville On Hwy. 5 between Third Line and Fourth Line S. C Gadsden Promotions^*. 1-800-667-0619 S W e e k e n d pass $ 4 . 0 0 Free Parking S u p erb U k ra n ia n ca terin g a t the show! $1 OFF Regular admission $4 Pay only $3 with this coupon. One discount per coupon.