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Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, Keeping business in town Mr. Doug Cavertey of R. R. 2, Orono supplies Favourite Pastimes in Orono with his woodworking. Mabel Ubsdell of Mabels Cafe has purchased a sled made by Mr. Caverley. Drop by Favourite 'rc~ 'ri~~ Eciitc3x Dear Editor: A letter from Pauline Storks and Dick Lovekin con- cerning the old Newcastle Public School requires a response. Let me begin by saying that the Board of Education has a mandate to provide educational services and pro- grams for children. It must utilize staff and facilities for the purpose of educating chil- dren in the public school sys- tem. The Board acted within these parameters when it made the decision to demol- ish the old school. The issue began almost six years ago when the Board examined the cost effective- ness of renovating and expanding the old school ver- sus building a new one. From this exercise it became appar- ent, from a taxpayer's per- spective, that a new school would be a better investment. This recommendation was reviewed by the Ministry of Education. They agreed. Remember, the greatest amount of funding comes from the province for con- struction programs and they do have a final say in any decision concerning new buildings. A public meeting was held in December, 1994 at the Community Hall in Newcastle to discuss the new school plans and the future of the old school. It was well attend- ed by community members. This was covered by local newspapers, and in fact, one local reporter concluded an article publicizing the meeting by saying "at least nobody can say they were never con- sulted." I will agree that the board had not approved a recom- mendation to demolish the building at that point in time. However the public meeting clearly communicated to the community that the old building was going to be very costly to renovate and expand. The new school has always been described as a "replacement school." The new building is the largest JK to 6 school in the board. The provincial govern- ment of the day mandated that the board also include a daycare centre. With updated standards from the munici- pality for parking, setbacks, accommodation for school busses etc. the new building consumes a large part of the school site. The new school will accom- modate 650 students. Because of provincial rules we will have portables on site before a second school is approved. This is NOT the Board's choice but rather a provincial govemment way of doing business. That many children require room to play outdoors. If you have ever been to 'the school at recess or noon hour you will clearly understand this point. During the budget discus- sions in early 1996 the Board approved a recommendation to demolish the old school. It also included funds for that action. This was done in pub- lic sessions and reported in the press. In the late fall of 1996 the Board advertised for tenders to demolish the old school. A recommendation was approved at th December .1996 committee meeting and approved at the January 14, 1997 Board meeting. On November 12, 1996 a resident contacted trustee Wakefield with a concern that the Board was going to demolish the building. A let- ter of that date from this res- ident was hand-delivered to Pastimes and see all the other woodworking available. the Operations & Finance Committee by Trustee Wakefield. In that letter were a number of suggestions con- cerning the old school. Durham College use. Perhaps a branch for the Newcastle Public Library, a seniors building or use by cubs, brownies and other youth groups. No suggestion that it be sold to a private developer. Durham College had clear- ly told the Board it had no interest in the building. Newcastle Public Library Board was asked to partici- pate in a new library as part of the new school to save tax- payers money and provide an even better facility. The Library Board was not inter- ested. The new school is cur- rently being used by many community groups and pro- vides a far better facility for them than the old one would have even after expensive renovations. The next proposal we heard was to sell the building and lease the land....to a pri- vate user. The identified per- son (only after many weeks and a cal] from myself) turned out to be a person who had not interest in the building. What must be considered as well is that if the Board did sell the building the munici- pality would require addi- tional lands (possibly as much as two acres) to accom- modate any potential use. The purpose of this letter is to correct the record. The community had noticeof the Board's intentions. It was not a decision in haste. The record proves that. Was it an easy decision for the Board? Of course not. Was it the cor- rect decision? The Board believes it was, given their responsibilities. The Municipality was aware of the Board's inten- tion and did not express any interest. Given the dramatic reduction of grants and the taxpayers concern over taxes this is understandable. MPP John OToole, while assisting the local group in communi- cations with the province, never once suggested he might get provincial dollars to help preserve the building. This too is understandable given his Premier's position on spending of taxpayers dol- lars. In a number of telephone calls and personal conversa- tions with both Pauline Storks and Dick Lovekin I explained all of the rationale considered by the Board in arriving at their decision. I cannot control how they receive that communication. The Board believes it did the right thing in building a new school for the children. It also believes that the only economic and educational alternate was to demolish the old building. The final comment I would like to make is that the very personal attack by Pauline Storks and Dick Lovekin are totally inappropriate. I have been nothing but profession- al in my dealings with both Pauline and Dick. I have made every effort to assist them in understanding the Board's position. They choose to characterize the decision as being mine alone when it was the Corporate Board that made the decision. I have also made it plain that I support- ed the position. This group have chosen to provide incorrect and mis- leading information through- out their communications. This was certainly not helpful to the Board during this entire issue. I trust this information helps provide a balance to this story. R. L.Willsher Chairperson Dear Editor: As president of the Reform Party Durham Riding, I wish to congratulate the newly "chosen" Progressive Conservative candidate, Sam Cureatz, with his stunning victory. Mr. Cureatz's victory will give conservative voters a clear chqice between a return to the policies and practices of the past, as symbolized by Bill Davis and Brian Mulroney, or the bringing of the Common Sense Revolution to Ottawa, by sup- porting the mother of all Common Sense Parties -- the Reform Party of Canada. It was the working togeth- er of conservatives -- Progressive Conservatives and Reformers -- which brought about the Mike Harris Common Sense Revolution. However, Ontario's Common Sense Revolution can never be total- ly successful as long as there is a philosophically opposed govenment in Ottawa, which in undoing the policies of the Mike Harris government here in Ontario. When Mike low- ered taxes to create jobs; Ottawa raised taxes and charges, killing the job oppor- tunities Mike was trying to create. To create jobs, taxes will have to be reduced. It is in Canada's interest that Ottawa and Canada's largest province have like- minded governments which can work together as a team, just as Reformers and Progressive Conservatives did during the Common Sense election campaign. If reform-minded conser- vatives don't vote together for the same political party, then their split vote will help re- elect the Liberals. True con- servatives owe it to them- selves to read Reform's FRESH START election plat- form, and then vote based on principles -- not tradition. If they do that, we will all win! Sincerely, Evert Vroegh Hampton, Ontario ATT[E]NT IO ALL G.M I'EMYEE SHOP AROUND, GET YOUR BEST PRICE THEN CALL US FOR YOUR BETTER PRICE We give you the maximum $$$ for your Trade-in. 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