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6 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, September 8,1993 For 139 Years, Our First Concern Has Been Our Community Publisher - John M. James Plant Manager - Donald J. Bishop Ad. Manager - Brian G. Purdy Assoc. Publisher - Richard A. James Editor - Peter Parrott ! Former Publishers Rev. W. R. Climie, 1854-1878 • M.A. James, 1878-1935 • George W. James, 1935-1957 Produced weekly by James Publishing Company Limited Production Rick Patterson, Julie Cashin-Oster, Ross Fisher, Laurens Kaldeway, Doug Lugtenburg, Sharon McMullen, jj Barb Patterson, Ralph Rozema, Jim Snoek, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo . Î Advertising Laveme Morrison Editorial Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfredo, Laura J. Richards paid Office Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford :i P.O. Box 190,62 King St. W., Bowmanville, Ontario, L1C 3K9 416-623-3303 Fax 416-623-6161 Public Funding for Private Schooling An interesting legal battle is winding its way through Canada's courts concerning the funding of alternate schools in Ontario. Parents who send their children to schools run by various religious organizations argue that it is unconstitutional for their schools not to receive funding from the government. Indeed, many people who are not following this debate are quite surprised to learn that parents who choose to send their children to one of the local Christian schools, for example, must still pay educational taxes for schools their children do not use. Proponents of funding for schools operated by religious organizations claim that «the current public school system teaches secular values. This means that those (aside from members of the Catholic faith) who wish to sec their children taught in accordance with other, non-secular beliefs or principles must pay for that education at their own expense. This, according to the Ontario Multi-Faith Coalition for Equity in Education, and other groups, is not in keeping with the principles of the Canadian Constitution which advocates equality for all religions and cultures. In an earlier decision, the courts ruled that (essentially, for practical reasons), the status quo can be maintained. However, coalitions representing Jewish, Hindu, Christian, Muslim, and Sikh parents are now appealing that decision in a case which began on September 7th. Ironically, that's also the first day of school for Ontario pupils. The outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications, especially if it favors alternate schools. No one knows exactly what would happen if the courts were to rule that alternate schools outside the present-day public school system or the separate school system were to receive funding. But, presumably everyone would continue to pay education taxes and then the total dollars available to education would be allocated to the various schools according to some formula deemed to be equitable. Or, another alternative would be to keep the existing public school system intact and offer additional, non-compulsory classes to various religious groups. Some formula for providing provincial educational funds to private schools would be needed if it were decided that private schools should continue to operate and apply to the government for funding. Presumably, not just any school could apply for money. One would assume that diey would have to meet certain criteria guidelines concerning qualifications of staff, suitability of buildings, etc., before becoming eligible for funding. And, to what extent would provincial school regulations be considered an infringement on religious instruction? If public funding for private schools were provided, would large numbers of parents choose to move their children to the alternate schools? And if so, what would become of the existing public school system? Would certain public school buildings that no longer had sufficient students be re-allocated to private religious schools? Would religious schools be allowed to hire only those teachers and staff who belong to their denominations? Would private religious schools be part of a wider regional school board or would each one be run by its own board? Eventually, there would be the question of whether private schools would be established solely on the basis of religion or whether there might be other kinds of schools which would claim equal funding. For example, would Montesorri schools also be entitled to funds? And, would the growth in publicly-sponsored private schools eventually topple the public school system altogether? These, and about a thousand other questions would follow a final court decision favoring public funding for alternate schools. A decision which rejects funding would probably lead to further court challenges. Either way, this case has the potential to force Ontarians to re-think the way we educate our children. And, perhaps that's not such a bad idea. UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES CRAMMED by Laura J. Richards A tragic story in a Toronto daily caught this reporter's eye and heart last week. I-Icrc is a brief rc-cap from the article: article: ..! Fourtccn-year-old Joey Ingola's mother, Helen, wants a serious investigation investigation into what she secs as a nonresponse nonresponse by area people to the drowning drowning incident which claimed the life of her son. The incident occurred in Cornwall. According to a girl who tried,to save him, she screamed to several teenagers nearby, but help never came, "They saw he was drowning and they didn't come to help me. I yelled loud but they just stood there. "I was so mad I wanted to hit some of them. They could have helped ,us two little kids," would-be rescuer vvas quoted as saying. While this reporter did not know Joey or his parents, there is sadness within, because one wonders why no one but one 13-ycar-old girl cared enough to try to save Joey. Assuming the published reports, of this incident were correct, I cannot help but wonder what state of mind we have arrived at to not help someone someone when they so obviously need it? Have the movies and television programs dulled our senses so much we cannot think of consequences on our own? Have things gotten so out of hand that somewhere deep inside we have begim to believe that people who drown or arc victims of violent (actions (actions will pick themselves off ( the ground, or wherever, and go on living? living? What kinds of feelings were these people going through that they could laugh at someone's distress? The situation, as I read it, simply boggled my mind, and probably ypurs loo! Dear Mr. I'arrott, . û /■.. I placed an ad in your paper about a month ago as a Registered Massage Therapist, specializing in Home Treatments with 15 years experience. I would like it to be known that the majority of calls I had in response to my ad were of a suggestive and sexual sexual nature from men. This mentality is very disturbing to me. I have advertised advertised in the past in local papers and have had the same annoying response. response. This in no way reflects on your newspaper, but on the mentality of some of your readers. For over 20 years now, the Board of Directors of Masseurs, the Ontario by William Thomas In today's gadget-mad society- the trcadmill-to-toys rat race in which the rats appear to be in (remote) control - many rites of passage arc falling through the cracks of technology. For instance, when exactly did the dashboard of the cur become a desktop desktop data processing center? One thing for sure, the ol' father and son family car ritual sure ain't what it used to be. "Okay Jimmy, here's the key, son...now...no, no Jimmy...don't pul that key in the ignition. This key, Jimmy, if for the cellular phone center... center... it unlocks the 832 channel spectrum spectrum and the 32-digit automatic dialing dialing deck." "You see, Jimmy, you can lock your car and somebody can still steal it but without this key, son, nobody can ever break the electronic etxle of your personalized, instant, international international 1.1). profile," "Okay son, now turn the ignition key...that's it and just head down the highway while I explain the operation operation of the hi-tech automobile." "No Jimmy...pay close attention to those indicators. What? Oh, no son, we don't worry about gas or oil lights. You run out...you just pick up tite plume and C.A.A. will come and gel you. If they don't get to you in 20 minutes I think you gel a free pizza." "Anyway, press this button right here." "windshield washer? i la...whirl a kid. No, this is your microphone microphone mute for private calls...know what I mean, Jimmy?" "And this billion Is for Call in Progress Override so if die car stalls at high speed in heavy traffic, your piiono conversation won't get cut off." "Well, sure I suppose you could hit the emergency flashers when that happens, but remember Jimmy, if the customer gels cut off just as he's about to give you his purchase order number...those flashers aren't going to bring back your fat commission arc they?" "What's that? Oh, that beeping...no, beeping...no, no that's not the scat belt alarm. Boy, where do you kids come up with these ideas? No Jimmy, that beep means Call Waiting. "Actually I ripped out the scat belts the day I bought the car. The arms were causing static on the C.D. player." "Well sure they say that scat bells save your life, but if you're all buckled buckled up, Jimmy, just how arc you going going to reach over here and work this little baby?" "It's the latest in laptops, Jimmy...built-in Jimmy...built-in disc drive and watch this...POP!...up comes the screen. Look at that...this week's stock- market quotations...last week's hockey hockey lottery...and...damn it, Jimmy, you gotta be more careful. When you skidded around die last turn, your brake foot kicked out die plug on die battery pack and now die computer's down." "Remember, Jimmy...good driving driving requires great concentration." "What? A flashing red light? Might he just a traffic light with a short circuit, circuit, son. Just cruise through it..." "Qeez, I think we lost the scaling plan from your sister's wedding oil' the computer screen..." "What? We just clashed side mirrors mirrors with u transport truck? Did I mention solid double lines mean 'don't pass'? No? Well they do." "Here Jimmy, just yell 'home' into this box, No I mean it. Yell 'home'!" "Ill honey...ain't that something...yeah, something...yeah, Jimmy's doing great...he's just activated the E-Z Dial 11 VocaLink to cal! you on the cellular...yeah...'Look Ma, no hands' Ha, ha, ha...what a kid!" "Look honey, FAX me the seating plan for Jeannette's wedding. 1 want to stop at the caterer's." "What's that son? No. Generally speaking there's not enough room between between a tandem trailer and the guardrail... guardrail... better pass him on the left. "Yeah honey...it's coming through now. Thanks. "What do you think, Jimmy? Crystal clear, eh? Por- lafaxl...cellular compati ble.. .international range...amazing, eh?" "Why just last week Henderson FAXed me a revised agenda for the national sales meeting from his seat on an Air Canada flight over Winnipeg. Winnipeg. Can you believe it? Problem was 1 have no idea who Henderson Henderson is,..must have misdialcd. Hut from an airplane to a car...Incredible!" "Look Out!" Gccz Jimmy! Well I didn't think it was necessary to explain explain the difference between the ON and OFF ramp, son. I mean it's pretty obvious." Oil light? No, no...that's the recording recording light on my answering machine. machine. You see sometimes if I'm working at the computer and FAXing hack reports to the office...I'll nut' the answering machine on, I get u big laugh when people call me in the ear mid my message says "I'm not in right now!' Get it? "Oil no Jimmy...not u chance son.. Turn that off. If you're going to operate operate a motor vehicle, properly, you're most certainly not gong to listen to rock music on the radio." "Good driving, Jimmy, requires great concentration." What? Sure, If you have a free hand, use it to steer." Massage Therapist Association and all Registered Massage Therapists have been working very hard to educate educate the public as to the benefits and applications of Massage Therapy. None of which has anything to do with sex. I would like at this time to give you die facts concerning R.M.Ts. In order to become a Registered Massage Therapist in Ontario one must complete 2200 hours of study, which takes approximately 2 years to complete, at a Government approved school, at a cost in die neighbourhood neighbourhood of $10,000.00 The course entails entails Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Pathology, Cytology, Histology, Remedial Therapy, Hygiene, Massage Theory, Massage Practical, and Hydro Therapy. Therapy. This course lakes 2 years to complete. complete. Once graduated from the Government Government approved school, the Therapist must sit the Ontario Board Exam. This exam consists of a 6 hour written exam, a practical exam and an oral exam. If one passes this exam they arc licensed by the Government of Ontario to practice Massage in Ontario Ontario under the rules and regulations of the Druglcss Practitioners Act. Having understood this, why would anyone assume that any R.M.T. (Registered Massage Therapist) Therapist) would be into sexual activities in their practice. On the contrary, Massage Therapy is effective in the treatments of: Migraine, Whiplash, Arthritis, Frozen Shoulder, Tendinitis/Bursitis, Low Back Pain, Muscle Spasm, Stress Management, Post Injury Rehab., Rehab., Respiratory problems, Circulatory Circulatory Problems, Ncuritis/Neuralgia, Neck and Shoulder Tension, Digcs- tivc/Bowcl Problems, Pseudo- Sciatica (leg aches), relaxation. I hope that you will publish this letter so people will have the opportunity opportunity to read it and hopefully have a better understanding of my profes sion. I am proud to be a Massage Therapist and have helped many people people over the years, young and old, to keep their stress at a minimum, help with their physical injuries and help prevent disease and assist in maintaining maintaining a healthy functioning body. I will continue to advertise in your paper but unfortunately I feel I must change my ad to read Women Only and hope that this change will stop the annoying calls. Thank You, Cher Tool, R.M.T. it A893 Courtice "Seniors" Keeping Very Busy Sir: Two or three weeks ago you sought information on what seniors in Courtice were doing. I do not know many "seniors", just a few "mature" people. For those of us, unintentionally or otherwise retired retired mature folks, it is a good time to explore all those interesting avenues that were closed all our lives, because of time constraints when work occupied occupied most hours of the week. So, I will relate an interesting unusual event that was almost in Courtice. During the week of August 17/93 at the Holiday Inn, Oshawn, sème 200 women attended a four day con ference of lectures, exhibitions of creative work and hands on demonstrations demonstrations of fabric or fibre arts. For those who attended with a knowledge of fabrics, threads, needles and sewing sewing machines the event opened new horizons of creativity. It may be a surprise to you and your readers that some women practice practice the art of sewing in the "closet" because the common conception of a woman who sews is someone of a very lowly status who sits in the attic or basement, mending the family clothes. This conference demonstrated for Continuad on Pago 7 o 0 We Asked... What does Labor Day mean to you? .. .And You Said ■v-* Chris Ilubbs Bowmanville "A day off work." Pal Goode Bowmanville Ivan Jones Orono "A day I don't have to "I'll be working, 1 own work. I'll spend It at my own business, and laboring man." the cottage." I work everyday. " Keith Henderson , Orono "To remember the Next work's question: Wlul improvemnets would you like to see in our eiluention system' til