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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday April 18, 2008 - 7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CAW urges United Way to reconsider An article in The Oakville Beaver on Friday, April 11 titled Community Development Halton scrambling after losing funding struck a cord with this organization. It is unconscionable for the United Way to reduce and eliminate funding to Community Development Halton by 30% immediately and all of the expected contribution for 2009 of $125,000. Community Development Halton has made a real difference in the quality of life for the residents of Oakville from both, Volunteer & Social Planning Projects. The United Way receives substantial funding from Union workers in Oakville - thousands of which are represented by CAW Local 1256. Our members support and applaud the efforts of the Community Development Halton. For many of us it is the very fact that The United Way funds such organizations that they receive our support. This action taken by The United Way of Oakville will most likely give pause to our members when considering their future contributions to them if our members are even to consider continuous contributions. We do not believe that the leadership of the United Way of Oakville has properly fulfilled their duty to this community and it's benefactors. The CAW Local 1256 have made known our public support of The United Way based on the positive community impact historically proven by their practices and support. We'd like to challenge and encourage The United Way of Oakville to reconsider their decision to discontinue core funding for Community Development Halton before the community at large feels this impairment and suffers unreasonably. Withdrawing support to the Community Development Halton at this time would only serve to undermine the successes achieved by them in their efforts to improve our community. We in no way support the reduction or elimination of any funding to Community Development Halton. In Solidarity, JAMES MCKENZIE PRESIDENT CAW LOCAL 1256 Labour leader protests United Way's decision In a recent article, The Oakville Beaver identified the incomprehensible fact that the United Way of Oakville has radically cut funding to Community Development Halton. Cutting immediately 30 per cent, and eliminating it entirely in 2009. Community Development Halton has served our community and advocated for social needs, and the quality of life, making Oakville a far more caring place. It has also supported our community in building volunteers through its centre as well. This funding decision of the United Way, runs counter to the objectives of inclusion and co-hesion within our community, and is an affront to those of us that truly believe in social betterment and justice. This funding retraction has found its way, scaring other agencies as well, and the effect will unquestionable impair those that need social supports the most. In representing the Oakville & District Labour Council, as President since 1996, I can firmly state that our efforts to support the United Way, have been significant, and of great loyalty and belief. Union members routinely contribute 65 per cent of the annual fund raising for the United Way campaign. Union members have had a long history of supporting agencies under the United Way umbrella. We always will, even as the United Way adopts mis-guided priorities and does not. I want to personally salute Councillor Fred Oliver and Burlington Councillor Carol D'Amelio for their thoughtful concern and objection to the United Way's poorly determined funding decisions. The people of our community are going to experience the full effect of these funding cuts and eliminations. We require the truest form of community leadership and courage to have this direction properly challenged and changed. The United Way has made an astounding contribution, for so very long, in making Oakville one of the best places in Canada to live. We in the Labour Movement plan on fighting to keep it that way. WILLIE LAMBERT PRESIDENT OAKVILLE & DISTRICT LABOUR COUNCIL CDH helps volunteer sector Recently, The Oakville Beaver reported that Community Development Halton would no longer be funded by the United Way of Oakville. Our community depends on the activities of voluntary agencies -- they contribute greatly to our quality of life and economic health -- and this situation exemplifies the unstable funding realities that challenge the not-forprofit sector. I had the privilege of sitting on the Advisory Committee of Community Development Halton's recent study, Pushing the Limits: Challenges of Halton's Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Labour Force. The study reveals social agencies are a dedicated, skilled and vital component not only of our local communities but also of our local economy. The sector contributes approximately $240 million annually to Halton's economy. Alarmingly, however, it also sheds light on a sector pushed to the limits and precariously balanced between sustainability and disaster. The study identifies critical challenges facing the sector if it is to continue to provide those services that nurture people in our local communities, the most important is stable and adequate core funding. Clearly, to sustain the nonprofit social sector and to meet its critical challenges, we need Community Development Halton's research and development activities. The research and information about our community that they are able to provide my organization, The Centre for Skills Development & Training, has proven to be invaluable to informing the design and implementation of our employment and training programs. And their assistance with recruiting, training and working with volunteers has been invaluable in helping us expand the capacity of our programs. The work of Community Development Halton may be "behind the scenes" for many Halton residents; but I am certain that any diminished capacity they may experience through funding cuts will undermine the capacity of our voluntary sector. KATHY MILLS, CAO FOR THE CENTRE FOR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING CDH contributes to community I was amazed to read in The Oakville Beaver regarding the loss of funding from Oakville's United Way to Community Development Halton (CDH). This agency's volunteer program has assisted so many social agencies and grass roots community groups to engage the knowledge and energy of many community members in helping social agencies provide care and support to people with needs in Oakville. Additionally, volunteering engages the best in all of us by giving to others and giving back to our community. For decades Community Development Halton's research and development programs has informed Oakville's citizens of the changing social needs in this community, which has been instrumental in the development of our work. We are a more caring community because of this non-profit organization. ELIZABETH CARMICHAEL Tell us about Teaching and Learning in Schools From April 21st to May 9th, 2008 parents with children in the Halton District School Board will once again be invited to complete a School Effectiveness Survey. The results of the survey will provide important data to be used to shape system and school effectiveness planning for improving student learning. Parent survey results will be examined in conjunction with survey results from students, teachers and non-teaching staff. The survey will be available beginning April 21, 2008 at www.hdsb.ca Parents may complete the survey on-line from wherever Internet access is available (home, work, or at your child's school). If you do not have access to the Internet, please discuss alternatives with your child's school Principal or Vice-Principal. NOTE: To log-on and for security purposes, parents must have their child's/children's Ontario Education Number (OEN), the number found at the top of the report card. Further information is available through your child's school or by contacting the Research Department, Halton District School Board at (905) 335-3665, ext. 3280. Allegro Allegro Starting From central vacuum central vacuum systems systems SUPER DELUXE ELECTRIC PACKAGE $ 249 $ 555 HOMES UP TO 3,000 SQ. FT. OFFERING A FULL RANGE OF TOP QUALITY ACCESSORIES Up to 6,000 sq. ft., 10 year warranty Includes 30' electric hose, 3-way control switch, German made power head, full cleaning set (incl. floor attachment, wands and hose rack) Buy Factory Direct with Substantial Savings Proudly Made In Oakville For 12 Years Halton District School Board W. Joudrie Director of Education Gillian Tuck Kutarna Chair of the Board 2050 Guelph Line, PO Box 5005, Burlington, ON L7R 3Z2 (905) 335-3663 (905) 842-3014 (905) 878-8451 Fax: (905) 335-9802 www.hdsb.ca 1338 SPEERS ROAD, OAKVILLE 905.825.3995 www.allegrovacuums.com