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m m( d- Orono Weekly Tines, Wednesday, Aprl 24, 1996 Letters To The Editor Letter to the Editor: In response to the letter to the editor (April 17/96) re the Minor Tyke game played at Darlington Arena (April 2/96). The stated letter accused us of being a "win at all costs" team due to the reason that we protested a game based on the fact that rule # 10.04.02 of the CRI-IL was not followed. How do you justify your rationalization that your team should gain a tie rather than we gain a win? It is undeni- able that an irregularity occurred in the game. The game was not taken out of the referee's judgement call. Yes, I as the coach was on the ice wiýth my team as we shook hands, and at this time I did discuss the irregularity with the referee. However, a parent's video unequivocally shows no misconduet in deportment as you have charged. I have exceptional difficulty in allowing it to be stated that the "coaches jumped the boards with time remaining on the clock". It is also a mockery to imagine that the officials would allow this stated type of behaviour to occur without repercus- sion. Shame on you for suggest- ing that because these hock- ey players are only 6 & 7 year olds that the rule book should not apply and that we as coaches should feel ashamed for trying to ensure that our players are treated fairly. Shame on you for stating that you told your 6 & 7 year olds that a goal had been taken away from them. It may have been more prudent for the "Parents Concerned about our Children's Future" to have explained to their chil- dren that a rule had not been followed and whether we are 6 or 60 year olds and whether we are playing hockey or are at school, rules are estab- lished for a definite reason, therefore the goal was disal- lowed. Shame on you for being spiteful - that because you were ruled against, you accuse the CRHL Rules Committee of holding a Kangaroo court. Shame on you for stating that we had wiped the smiles off your children's faces - what about the faces of our children? Shame on you for being one of the parents who make it so difficult for volunteer organizations to obtain coaches and managers will- ing to devote their time and effort. We challenge your statement that it is the chil dren who lose interest, but rather the volunteer coaches. At the beginning of the year a rule book was given to all coaches, and simply because a stated rule was upheld in our favour, you use your anger to write harmful and hurting rhetoric. (We are pleased for the Orono team that absolutely no difference in the final standings resulted from this ruling.) AI Garrison, Kevin Graham Coaches - Sound master D.J. cc. OMHA cc. OAAA cc. CRHL cc. CAHA Letter to the Editor: Cutting Costs of Education The Harris Government has asked MPPs to discuss cutting costs with Educators in a public forum. An excel- lent venue to foster coopera- tion and reaching fair solu- tions, I thought. I attended one such meeting between John OToole, MPP Durham East, and Educators at the Bowmanville High School 15 April 96. OToole outlined the government's position clearly and the task at hand seemed simple enough: cut the annu- al education budget by some- thing like 4-5%. One prime suggestion the government offers as a way of cutting costs is amalgamation of boards of education. Following O'Toole's brief introductory address a trustee, which I first mistook as a lawyer for the board administrators, gave a lengthy dissertation and touched on all the sanctified points in education. Without giving specific reasons for any of his views, he came to some negative conclusions which we all have heard before: Amalgamation of boards will increase costs not cut costs, cuts are impossible without affecting the excellence in education, and a delivery of a modern standard of educa- tion is not possible without raising taxes and more money in the budget. According to the speaker, the problem seems to be that people out- side the education establish- ment simply don't under- stand just how complex education has become and what advanced teaching methods entail and cost. The meeting was then opened to questions and suggestions from the audience. People lined up and asked which were fielded by the MPP or the trustee. The trustee was asked why teach- ers were laid off to eut costs. He blamed the government, saying that cuts had to be made right away under threat of penalty, but now a review of other areas could take place. Questioned about the mediocrity of our public edu- cation system, it was sug- gested that a "vision" was needed. Someone suggested that if amalgamation didn't curb costs then perhaps elim- inating the school board would produce the desired effect. A number of questions and suggestions went through my mind that I didn't ask, because they would have been out of place since the meeting, by and large, went along smoothly on calm waters. By the end of the meeting it became clear that the govem- ment's plan to cut education costs would meet stiff resis- tance, and cooperation was on holiday. The education bureaucracy is unwilling to concede that costs can be cut, that quality can be improved, that education can be simpli- fied, that teachers could work harder, that 25% of the board administrative staff would suffice, that psychologists and psychiatrists are not required staff in a well-run educational system, that the whole curriculum of "Self and Society" entailing over a hun- dred topics could and should be eliminated. The educators are like the skeptics wamring Orville and Wilbur that "this contraption will never fly". It seems the "educrats" are trying to make a simple task impossible: like trying hard to lift the tub while standing in it. I expect- this scenario will repeat itself many more times across the Province in the coming months. Private enterprise down- sizes and reorganizes every five years or so: When last did our education establishment downsize or reorganize? They should consider themselves lucky they have been asked to cut by only five percent. Jann Flury Dear Sir; This letter is long overdue! I have been attending School Board meetings as often as I can, and have been observing Ms. M. Connor ever since she was elected. From what I can see she is a Christian, and is trying to be accountable to the taxpayers. However she has found herself in a den of iniquity at our board. her main aim is to achieve the highest quality of educa- tion possible, and she was a teacher. Her second goal is to achieve her main goal with- out raising taxes, as she promised when elected. I have witnessed both the current chairperson Bob Willsher and the previous chair Ms. Diane Stewart ridicule her and unfairly refuse to allow her to do the job she wants to do. She has been criticized, ostracized and had roadblocks put in her path time and time again. Why? Because she won't let them force her to waste money as they do, and he insists on being accountable to us. In Wednesday's paper (Cobourg Daily Star) I read an article stating, "Maverick Port Hope trustee Ms. Connor put before her colleagues a motion to freeze spending at last year's level". She also said, "I think it would be expedient to start out with a NO TAX INCREASE GOAL". Judy Armstrong, a strong socialist who thinks the money well will never run dry attacked her proposal. Bob Willsher made his usual caustic references to political game playing. Judy Armstrong said that we don't want to make any promises to the taxpayers. What a strange thing for an elected official to say. ACCOUNT- ABILITY!!! Ms. Connor remember is the one who is concerned with taxpayers dollars. Mr. Snobelen, the Minister of Education has said on many occasions that there must not be a municipal tax increase. He went on to say that Ontario spends close to a Billion Dollars more per year than any of the other provinces. He further said it is overspending outside of the classroom that is the prob- lem with Ontario schools NOT underfunding. See Jack Foote's report. The point Ms. Connor tried to get across is that you work with the money you have. However, that makes no sense to these experienced spend thrift trustees. They will not be tied to a definite amount because they have historically increased taxes and they'll have no compunc- tion about doing that again this year despite the obvious. To those of you who don't want a tax increase, I suggest you get on the phone to your local trustees and tell them we will not tolerate a tax increase. It is NOT necessary. I could point out dozens of ways this board is wasting money. Be sure to call your trustees and I'm certain sev- eral of them will do the right thing once they know exactly what we want. If more of them had the courage of Ms. Connor this school board could be made accountable by election time. Watch closely how they vote on this budget and let them know you will be doing so. Jo Tani Please Recycle This Newspaper ADVANCE PLANNING/ FUN HOLIDAY? A little advance planning will make any trip more enjoyable and less stressful for adults and children alike. ....Always insure you have out of country medical insurance. ....Remember sun block and sun hats for old and young alike. ....When travelling take along a favourite snake food for the young and the young at heart. ....For the small fry puzzles and colouring books make the trip seem shorter, and avoids the "are we there yet" routine. ....Secure room accommo- dation in advance if possible to Remember when you think of Travel, Think of BL ESSINGS TRAVEL CENTRE Vanstone Mill 623-0005 Orono Horticultural Society Wins Clarence Tink Award by Lorna Atkins The Orono Horticultural Association District 17 held the 1996 annual meeting at Northminister United Church, Oshawa on April 20. The well-organized meeting was hosted by Oshawa Garden Club and several soci- ety members from Orono attended - June Heard, Inez Harris, Doreen Lowery, Shelley Etmanskie, Becky Bilcox, Eric and Pat Bales, Alf and Hazel Pigott, Jessie Watkins, Flo Sharpe and Lorna Atkins. Orono Horticultural Society is to be congratulated on winning the Clarence Tink Award which was presented to President Shelley Etmanskie by Ruth Tink. The award was for the winner of the society's "Backyard Garden" display done to scale. This impressive work of art was created by Carol Mostert with the assistance of Pat Bales, June Heard and Minnie Zegers. Orono society winners in the plant specimen section were Becky Bilcox, Doreen Lowery, Inez Harris and Lorna Atkins. Becky also won honourable mention in the horticultural section. advertising does net cest you ll.ney it makes yeu ieney avoid disappointment, or purchase a hotel pass which provides accommodations at selected hotels simply by phoning a night in advance. . Leave the work to someone else, save time and money by purchasing a prepacked holiday through a travel agent. .Protect against currency fluctuations, most of the major tour operators buy in futures locking in prices often at favourable rates. ...Make your trip to the travel agent count, book and pay for as much as possible in Canadian Currency. ) Travel Talk with Elizabeth Belanger-Link letter CTC