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4-Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, February l6th, 191;2 Teacher of the week, Mr. Minnis, an extremnely well-liked teacher at Clarke High School, was born and spent bis teen-age years in Windsor, Ontario. He attended Western University in London. He loves vacationing, skiing, family, friends, readîng, movies, and also taking one day at a time. Witb this in mind, he neyer seriously tbought about what be hoped bis occupation would be in the future, ail he knew was that bis alm was to attend University. Mr. Minnis had taught at Now tbat the dust bas settl- ed over the closure of the in- dustrial plant in Bowman- ville, I would like to advise you of My involvement following this decision. The plant involved was the R.M. Hollingsbead Co. Ltd., a- chemical rmanufacturing plant in Bowmianville, a subidiary of Classic Chemicals in Arlington, Texas. Tbis plant was sold to C.C.L. Industries of Toron- to. lTe official closure an- nouncemnent took place in the middle of December 1981. However, prior to its sale, and from approximnately miid- November, one of the ex- isting management hiad been in constant contact with me regarding the possibility of purcbasing the plant. We, along with our federal member, Allan Lawrence, were in contact on a day to day basis for some 6 weeks. The purchase by this managerial person would bave ensured the continua- tion of the plant and the employee's position in Bowmanville. A crucial tume period occurred after th-, middle of December wben a meeting was arranged witb the Ontario Development Corporation for the financ- ing of this venture for the managerial person to pur- chaýe Hollingshead. Unfor- tunately, our efforts were in vain because the final asking price for the company was above the amount that this prospective purchaser was able to accommodate, in- cluding the Ontaio Develop- ment Corporation's support. Needless to say, working over the 6 week time period was of a confidential nature, and 1 was in no position to reveai any of the purchase details, or for that matter, the general Bowmnanville High Scbooî for three years prior to accepting a new position at Clarke. He bas been teachig various subjects at Clarke Higb Scbool for seven years. Tbis semester, be is teacbing Economics, Marketing and Guidance wliich certainly keeps thinigs pîled up on bis desk. Wben the piles start diminishing away, he wouldn't mind going back to school in the position, not as a teacher, but as the student, once again. aspects of the negotiations. My involvement wtb the closed plant did not end here however. 1 will give credit on tbe first basis to C.C.L. In- dustries Inc., of Toronto, a Canadian owned business, and the new owner of the Hollinigsheadl plant, because tbey had attempted to con- tact me a week after the clOSUre. For somne reason, the company representative, Mr. Terrance Whyte and 1 kept missing phone calîs to one aniother. This becamie most fru1strating because my sole source of information was the local press. Not that by any means I amn condemning the journalists of the local press wth regard to thieir in- formation, but more on the basis that I. wanted to express my concerns directly to the new company' s otticials. Certainly the Bowmanvillc Statesman ini its issue of December 16, 1981, indicated that C.C.L. had cor- respondence wîtlh the Ministry of Labour in an ef- fort to live up to the re- quirements u nd er the Ernploymnent Standards Act 1974 wbich under this par- ticular situation were flot legaily bindinig. t should be noted that C.C.L. are paying severance pay to their af- fected cmployees even thougb flot legally required to do so. With the continued failure of flot being able to speak to Mr. Terry Whyte, I went directly to tbe old plant site on December 21st. in an ef- fort to meet with the new owners. C.C.L. had three managerial persons in atten- dance at the old plant site but they specifically refused to have any conversation witb me, or for that matter any kind of cordial or polite acknowledgemnent. This was getting' beyond the point of ridiculousness. It seemed extremely odd to me that on one side of the globe a government flot ap- preciating a particular situa- tion, as in Poland, delcared automatic martial law, and demanding direct allegiance to the mîlitary, wbereas in downtown Bowmanville an elected provincial miember of parliament was having dif- ficulty getting direct cor- respondence with a corpora- tion. Let me assure you that at times like ihis one can become extremiely frustrated and 1 feit like boxing so- meone's ears, namely so- meone at C.C.L. As a resuit, I wrote an extremely stern let- ter to the President of C.C.L., Mr. C. Dickens. In rny letter 1 indicated to hini my concern at the closure of the plant in my riding, and- mny further concern that athough bis company took the initital step of trying to jnfor.m me as to what was taking place, there seemned to be a ruluctance of direct com- mnunication. I also strongly emphasized to him that as a past member of the Select Comrmittee on Plant Closures and Employee Adjustments, at times it was most embar- rassing to have corporations appear beffore the commnittee that showed a complete lack of sensitivity to the employees, and that at sucb times one often questioned the corporate responsibility in the community. 1 conclud- ed by strongly stating that I was confident that C.C.L. would live up to ail of its cor- porate responsibilities and have the courtesy of meeting with me in regards to ques- tions that I had asked. Happily enough I had in- dicated a specific timne and place wbere 1 could be reach- cd by telephone, and Mr. Terry Whyte responded ac- cordingly. We set up a mutual convenient time of meeting so that areas of mutual concern could be discussed. In the meantime, somne employees had approached me over the problems they feit they were encounitering in regards to the plant closure and adjustments. It worked in well in relation to the up- comling meeting wxith MIr. Whyte. I expressed in my let- ter to the President my con- cern on the economîc impact of the closure of such a plant in Ontario, and Mr. Whyte indicated that C.C.L. was a wholly owned Canadian cor- poration, and that there was an attempt on moving mnanagerial staff and possibly employee staff to their various plants in the Toronto area. I inquired of him specifically in regards to placement of employees, and he indicate-d to me that of the 15 salaried staff, 13 had been placed, but a few had actually neyer been directly placed with C.CL. I further in- quired of him on the likelihood of the placing of emnployees, and he indîcated that to date he knew of only two employees who would be probably placed with C.C.L., but that in conjunction wîth the Ministry of Labour, a Joint Manpower Adjustrnent Committee was formed and this was confirmed by Mr. R.B. Lindsay of the Mani- Production at Bowman- ville inclucies canveyor belt, rubber lined molded puimp parts, miscellaneous rubber packing and slab rubber, solid industrial tires, rubber reclaini froni scrap tires and Beltak treads. Total realty tax in Bowmanville in 1981 was $80,055.93 wîthi business tax amrounting to $44,056.18. day bas been elected Chair- man of the Committee in an effort to co-ordinate the placement of new empoyees. It goes without saying that I personally am extremely disappointed over this par- ticular plant closure. No one, other tban those affected, can experience the utter hopelessness that many of the employees no doubt felt upon receiving notice of their ter- mnination, so often the ques- tion is wby does not govern- ment do something? 1 am asked wby does not the goverament step in and take over the plant. Past ex- perience to me bas indicated that government should stimulate and assist private enterpirse in providing technical and financial assistance ini such situations, as government bas provided for the Chrysler Corporation or Massey Ferguson. No amount of wvords can supple- ment the grief that emiployees bave felt upon the closure, but I tbink it is important that a positive outlook is kept in mind so that possibly the employment committee cani work to its utmost in trying to find new employment for those employees who are at- tempting to remain in the area and continue their fami- ly unit here. Certainly 1 bave made it known to tbe Chair- man of the committee that mny offices are readîly available to do whatever I can to help make this very trying time for many people as easy as possible. I can assure you that I ami continuing my efforts to sup- port and assist anyone in- terested in opening this plant to provide employmient for those wbo are out of work. My function as your provini- cial representatîve is to con- tinue aiding the peoople in- rny area, and this I will do by, hielping the MIanpower Ad- justmnent Committee in their job seekîng- prograni or by reactivating- the R.M. Holi- ingshead Plant. and were intormeci ot who their five perfect mates were within the school. Spirit But- tons were on sale for .75 cents each. Students wearing their spirit buttons could win spot prizes including a radio. On Tuesday, February 16, it was National Sock Day. A Rollerskating party wvas organized at "Wheelies" in Whîtby front 4-6 p.m. On Wednesday, February 17, it is National Hat Day. There will be "Snow Wars" taking place in the area Open Ho use planned for Pineridge scliool Council -was înformed by a report froni Mayor Rickard on Monday that the Ministry of Governmient Service, Pro- vince of Ontario, hiad mnade arrangements to bold an Open House of the Pineridge School propert y and to eat 10 pancaltes wins. The first prize is 2 Goddo tickets. On Friday, February 19, it is National Tie andtk Suit Day. The White House is also holding a Sock Hop. This week hias been especially designed to bring out the spirit in the students of Clarke Hlgh School. It is hoped that everyone par- ticipates and has a great timne,! buildings. The arrangements of the Open House came through the office of M.P.P. Sami Cureatz. The Open House is being beld on March 2nd from 2:00 P. M. to0 8: 00 P. M. The Mayor pointed out that the Open House was bc- ing held to afford individuals and groups the opportunity to visit the site and buildings i n orclér that they may assess the potential of tbis property in the future developmnent of the Town of Newcastle. wa mm i S%%,am at Queen 's Park i