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Page 12 The Clarington/Courtice Independent, Bowmanville, Saturday, May 3, 1997 Trustee Offered Chance To Return to Meetings by Laura J. Richards Sloff Writer The Northumberland and Clarington Public School Board is working on a way to resolve the controversy created created when it decided to expel a Port Hope area trustee from its closed-door meetings. The board said the trustee was being excluded from meetings because she made public information discussed at in-camera board meetings. Assurances Bob Willsher, the chair of the board, has sent a letter to Margaret Connor, a trustee for Hope Township and Port Hope, looking for assurances that "in the future you would comply with confidentiality requirements, including the privacy provisions of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act or comply with the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act." "The trustees were concerned concerned that this exposed the board and you to potential liability liability and the consequences of breach of legislation," he noted in a letter that was to be hand delivered to Trustee Connor. Willsher's letter also notes that all other trustees work under the same policies. Willsher told The Independent on Monday, April 28, "the ball is in her court now." The letter came after the boardroom at the Northumberland-Clarington Public School Board office was flooded with supporters of Port Hope/Hope Township Trustee Margaret Connor on Thursday night, April 24. There were so many people people that an overflow room near the foyer was set up to deal with the overwhelming numbers. Reconsider Ruling Carroll Nichols, representing representing the Hope Township Ratepayers' Association, asked the board to reconsider the ruling which disenfranchises disenfranchises the 16,000 voters in Port Hope and Hope Township at the in-camera sessions. Nichols was hoping the sheer numbers of voters sup porting the trustee would help the board in making a decision decision to reinstate Connor. "One of your board members members has been grossly mistreated," mistreated," Nichols said. He questioned a ruling which banned the trustee from closed-door meetings after after she revealed that a total of $86,300 would be going towards salary increases increases for certain school board staff. Nichols noted during the question period that the figure Connor spoke of to the media "was money not dealing with a specific individual." Clarington's Ward Three Trustee and Chair, Bob Willsher, noted he did not make the decision alone to not allow Connor back into the in-camera sessions. "I'm only one voice of the board,"Willsher said. "The decision was a collective one." Don Colby, a representative representative from Brighton, Town of Brighton, Colborne, Cramahe and Murray pulled out the Education Act to note that the decision made by the board's members was backed up by material from the government. government. Nichols said while the board members may know to whom the money goes, the ordinary citizen does not, and that is why Connor should be allowed to take her place at the board table during closed door sessions. Ward Two Trustee David Gray said, "it was not an easy task to make the decision, but we need to be responsible to the board and to our public." In response to Nichols' statement that Port Hope and Hope Township would not be represented in Connor's absence, Judi Armstrong of Cobourg, Halimand, and Hamilton, noted "trustees vote for issues across the board." "The two trustees are responsible . for the whole area," Armstrong said. Trustee Connor had until Friday, May 2, to respond to the letter from the board. Willsher said, "if she agrees, the board will then reconsider her being admitted to the in-camera sessions." Open To recognize Animal Health Week, the Clarington Animal Advisory Committee in' conjunction conjunction with the Municipality is sponsoring an Open House at the Clarington Animal Shelter (Liberty St. just south of the 401 ) on Saturday, May 10 from 11:00 a m; to 2:00 p.m. This family event will take place rain or shine. The main highlight will be a Kids & Pets Art Display. Children who are of grade 8 age or younger can draw a picture or create artwork (that can hang up on a wall) illustrating the theme of Kids & Pets and bring it with them to the Open House before 1 p.m. Their artwork will be displayed displayed on the walls and they can enter their name in the draw to win a prize. The draw will be at 1 p.m. First prize drawn will be a Pony Party. The artwork should be no larger than 8 1/2" x 14". There will be many other family activities as well: pony rides, photos taken of the children children on the ponies, animals from Jungle Cat World and the Bowmanville Zoo, face paint- prizes, refreshments/ demonstrations demonstrations and information , ■' ■ .V ' booths. It is the aim of the,committee to educate about responsible, pet - ownership in a furi environment. environment. Courtice North Kids Jump for Heart Students from Courtice North Public School were raising money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation on April 24 with a Jump Rope for Heart event. Last year, the children from Courtice North collected $3,700 in pledges. The goal this year is to top $4,000. Above, Avery Nunes and Serena Paul donate some of their energy toward a good cause. The Lung Association Hosts Fresh Air Fair The Lung Association Durham Region is hosting its charity Fresh Air Fair and Walk on Sunday, 1 June, from 1.0:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Whitby's Heber Down Conservation Area. Join us for the C.A.N. DO Ducky Swim - rent a ducky, drop it in the open water, and cheer your ducky on to the finish line! Take the C.A.N., DO Challenge to learn how to improve air quality in your home. Visit the B.B.Q. booth hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Durham A.M. Join us for the 2nd annual Fresh Air Walk...a minimum entry-fee of $20 in donations or pledges includes eligibility for wonderful prizes. Set a higher goal and compete for the top fund raiser prize. "This is a healthy, fun-filled event that the whole family can enjoy, sq-please come out, enjoy the fresh spring air, and support your local Lting Association," said Janet Georgieff, executive director of The . Lung Association Durham Region. For pledge forms, or to volunteer your assistance, please call (905) 436-1046. DUNN'S TAILORS IN THE OSHAWA CENTRE We Won't Let You Wear It... MEN'S SPORTS JACKETS VALUES TO $195 1/2 PRICE NOW EACH MEN'S London Fog Double Breasted TRENCHCOATS VALUES TO $195 1/2 PRICE EACH MEN'S RANGE 1 SUITS > 295 1/2 PRICE >141" *WS RANGE 2 $395 RANGE 4 RANGE 5 $495 $595 tAMSI *24 fEACH ton» EACH "OVEI YEARS OF MEN'S WEAR EXPERIENCE" VALUES MOW TO $60 VALUES MOW TO $70 MEN'S SLACKS Casual or Dress *29* WÊtmÊ each *35 $1ftfiOO ^ÉHéFeaci- VALUES MOW TO $100 MEN'S SPRING WIND BREAKER Microfibre - Soft Finish Sizes 38 to 46 VALUES TO $99.95 Now EACH SUPER SPECIAL^ MEN'S SUITS ^ M reg. to *279- 3 DUNN'S Tailors - Oshawa Centre Across from Reitmans A SIZE FOR EVERY MAN Itfttt We carry suit sizes from 34 to 52 VISA )} OPEN Sunday 12:00-5:00 Mon.toFri. 10:00-9:00 Saturday 9:30-6:00