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Page 4 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, September 2, 1998 Section Two ®f)e Canadian Statesman Former Publishers and Partners Rev. John M. Climie and VV. R. Climie 1854 -1878 M. A. James, 1878 -1935 • Norman S. B. James, 1919 -1929 G. Elena James, 1929 - 1947 • Dr. George VV. James, 1919 -1957 Produced weekly by James Publishing Company Limited Also Publishers of The Clarinet out Court icc Independent P.O. Box 190, 62 King St. W., Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 Tel: 905-623-3303 HOURS: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Fax: 905-623-6161 Internet - statesman@ocna.org Publications Mail Registration No. 07637 For 144 Years, Our First Concern Has Been Our Community Publisher - John M. James Assoc. Publisher - Rick James Plant Manager - Rick Patterson Ad. Manager - Brian G. Purdy Editor - Peter Parrott Production Supervisor - Ralph Rozema, Suzanne Bennett, Tim Bowers, Kevin Britton, Sharon Cole, Laurens Kaldcway, Barb Patterson, Sean Pickard, Tyler Sellick, Jim Snoek, James Stephenson, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo Advertising Editorial Lavcrne Morrison Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfredo, Jennifer Stone Office Supervisor-Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford, Libby Smithson Editorials The Wrong Target If Ontario's high school teachers must strike in order to wrest a new agreement from their bosses, then so be it. But, they should leave the students out of the fight. Unfortunately, the decision by many high school teachers to withdraw voluntary services docs nothing of the sort. The withdrawal of services amounts to, in effect, a strike against school bands, school teams and many other groups that are the heart and soul of the high school community. Not only is it wrong for teachers to go on strike against students. It's also a tactic that won't work. During the two-week job action by Ontario teachers last year, the Mike Harris government was often accused of trying to take programs such as arts and culture out of the school system. In effect, the Ontario government was accused of trying to turn schools into drab learning factories factories where the only inter-action that mattered occurred in the classroom, somewhere between the desks and the blackboard. If teachers withdraw their services, they will have turned the high schools into the very sort of places that they accuse the government of creating. If the provincial government doesn't give a hoot about drama in the schools, the demise of a school theatrical production isn't the way to get the attention of this provincial government. government. From the point of view of Ontario's teachers, the best- case scenario is for the school communities to become so enraged over the lack of extra-curricular programs that parents will pressure Mike Harris and his colleagues to withdraw many of the provisions of Bill 160 and return to some semblance of pre-Harris normality. Frankly, we do not sec how this strategy can work. If a mass walkout by Ontario teachers a year ago failed to budge the provincial government, a decision by half of Ontario's teachers -- or even all of them -- to withdraw voluntary services cannot succeed. We are left with a scenario in which the only losers are the students who may be without school clubs and organizations for the duration of the dispute. Since both sides are adamant about their positions, students could be left without extra curricular programs for a very long time. In effect, the Ontario high school teachers who opt for withdrawal of voluntary services are trying to have the best of both worlds. They are trying to get the same ^-impact as a strike but without the picket lines and loss of work that usually accompanies such actions. The withdrawal of voluntary services is being : described by the leaders of the teachers as a necessary ; response to an overloaded work schedule. But, if that's all it is, there should be some attempt made to maintain extra-curricular activities within the high school by other means. Perhaps volunteers, parents, retirees, senior students : or co-op students could undertake some of the work associated with extra-curricular programs. Or, perhaps the programs themselves could be cut back to avoid some of the demands. In any event, if the teachers are volunteering their time for these programs, they should be allowed to make individual decisions. Whether it's working to rule or the withdrawal of vol- 1 untary services, both options target students and will ! have little, if any, impact on the politicians. : The issues have to be solved at the negotiating table. ! Let's keep them there. New Beginnings Fall is the traditional time for a new beginning. Perhaps it's because many of us never lose that feeling feeling of returning to school in a new grade, with new books, new pencils and rulers, new clothes and the unlimited potential of a new school year ahead. With the summer holidays over, it's time for everyone to take a serious look at the activities, facilities and opportunities open to the Clarington resident. And we are, indeed, lucky. Whether it's sports, arts, culture, education or volunteer volunteer work, you can find it all in this municipality. In fact whichever way you intend to spend your spare time, you can find lots of opportunities for pursuing your interests right here. And, those opportunities arc available to people people of all ages. We would attribute the opportunities to Clarington's unique blend of both a town and country lifestyle. We're enough of a small town to have a large and dedicated corps of volunteers who arc necessary to keep community community activities running. But, we're not such a small community community that our facilities and resources arc second-rate. New programs and facilities coming on stream this year include the long-awaited Beech Avc. Centre which offers a base for Clarington's older adults and the second ice pad of the Bowmanville Arena which offers more scope for the hockey players, figure skaters and (new this year) speed skaters. A listing of leisure activities available in Clarington would be a lengthy one and cannot he covered in these few paragraphs. However, some of the town's major centres centres of activity include the Visual Arts Centre, the fitness centre, arenas and pools, the schools, libraries, museums, museums, churches, and community halls. Each is a hub of activity for any number of interesting groups doing interesting interesting things. With the completion of the new older adult centre expected in mid-month, and two youth centres in operation, operation, two more gaps in the list of opportunities have been filled. This is not to say that Clarington has reached some stale of perfection. No community can do without improvements. But, it's certainly time to enjoy what we have. For this is, indeed, a special place. For further details on any of the activities under way in Clarington, we'd suggest you re-read the community guide which has been published for the lull and winter of 1998 and 1999. It lists groups, organizations and contacts contacts for interests that range from art to zoos. You might also note the logo that appears on the front page of the community guide. It reads: "Clarington. Our lime has come. Be a part of it." Up A Creek Part of the creek running through Soper Creek Park, on a quiet Thursday evening. Fads About the GTA Comment The Greater Toronto Area, at 4.8 million, is the largest city region in Canada and the sixth largest in the U.S. and Canada. For the record, we are behind only Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington in total population. population. Here are some other highlights of the GTA which were compiled by the Toronto Board of Trade. The GTA accounts for 16 per cent of Canada's total population. And at 2.4 million, the newly amalgamated City of Toronto is, by itself, the largest municipality of Canada. It's ahead of Montreal at 1 million and Calgary at 800,000. More than one-quarter • of the growth in Canada's total population over the next 10 years is expected to occur in the GTA. And the fastest-growing single age group will be 55 to 65- year-olds. This age group is expected to double in size within the next decade. GTA is also Canada's largest market. Torontonians' average income of $64,000 is the highest in Canada and soars 26 per cent above the national average. If these figures point to any one thing, it is the fact that the GTA is in danger of becoming almost a country unto itself. With so much population and economic power being located in one geographic area, how can a country as big as Canada have a cohesive cohesive sense of national identity. identity. This problem can be seen even more clearly when you realize that one- quarter of Canada's popu lation is within a 100 mile radius of Toronto. We seem to be rapidly approaching the day when the rest of Canada will become a suburb of Toronto. Champions Of Change Thanks its Supporters Dear Editor: I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Canadian Statesman for their endless support of Champions of Change Youth Leadership Camp. The media coverage of the camp this summer helped to increase attendance from last year and ensured the camp's overall success. success. Champions of Change would also like to thank those organizations within the community that so generously donated to the camp. We would especially especially like to thank Ontario Hydro, Royal Canadian Legion, Municipality of Clarington and Lions Club of Newcastle. Due to their financial assistance the camp was able to meet its objectives and better serve the youth of Clarington. Many thanks go to the Advisory Committee, Camp Counsellors, Big Brothers of Clarington, parents and most importantly importantly the campers for their dedication and interest interest in our program. Overall, I would like to thank the community for embracing Champions of Change Youth Leadership Camp and supporting our purpose to provide an opportunity for youth to develop leadership skills through involvement within within the community. We look forward to seeing you next year. Sincerely, Carrie Cameron Camp Director, Champions of Change Youth Leadership Camp Letter to the Editor Thanks for the Concerts Dear Sir: I would like to express my gratitude to those responsible for the Concerts in the Park. I and many other citizens of Bowmanville and neighbouring area have enjoyed the summer's agenda and we are already looking forward to next year's program. It has been encouraging to see so many people attending, especially the younger folks, who, I'm afraid, do not get a chance to hear good live music often enough. It takes me back in memory to my childhood, when we enjoyed the Orono Band concerts on Saturday nights all summer and an ice cream cone which cost 5i and was considered a real treat. Thank you so much for this pleasure. Dorothy Payne Thoughts Unlimited ; by Rick James Here We Go Again As this column is being written, it's uncertain whether there will be a teachers' strike, so I'm writing it to discuss some issues about the confusion surrounding the whole issue. There isn't enough room in this column to address the issues of seven of eight periods, or adding another six minutes to six of eight periods, prep time, Bill 160 or any of the other items on the bargaining bargaining table. However, what I would like to sec from the teachers' union and the government is a factual account of how Bill 160 and negotiations negotiations with school boards are affecting education. When I say factual, I don't want to hear more propaganda. When the teachers protested outside our office last October, I requested the same thing and all I got was more huffin' and puffin' about the demise of education, that damn Tory government, and our poor children children and their bleak futures. The government was no belter, issuing information created by its own spin doctors that didn't paint an entirely truthful picture. Specifically, the government had to expect the teachers' union to respond vigorously when negotiated contracts were cancelled unilaterally, But, it's an issue the government manages manages to side-step whenever the issue is discussed. What I would like to sec from the teachers' union arc data such as figures that show me how many students and teachers will he in each class, how many hours teachers have to work each day, or how much money has been cut or added to salaries, materials, and capital projects. projects. A lot of the issues arc philosophical differences, but at least it would be a start. If I had that, then 1 could compare it with the same information from the government and publish the information to help our readers make a decision, Perhaps to make my request even more clear, 1 would like to hear the information a mediator would need to determine a settlement. Unfortunately, all the public seems to get is rhetoric from both sides. Although it strike seems likely, so far, all we've heard locally is the threat to withdraw voluntary services and work to rule. Although both issues get lumped into one by the publie, as I understand it, work to rule suggests that teachers will only work during classroom hours. For example, they would hit the door at nine, leave at three- thirty, and not do any classroom-related work until nine the next morning. Withdrawing voluntary services means they would not take part in activities after classroom hours such as coaching teams, tak ing part in drama club performances, or helping with the school yearbook. Regarding the work to rule strategy, teachers will tell you when they leave the school for the day, their work has just begun. They must go home and spend many hours marking exams, preparing tests for the next day, and writing student evaluations. And, I agree. There's no question they spend many hours working at home during the school year that the public docs not see. But, I was always under the impression that was the reason they were given a week in March, more than a week at Christmas, a number of professional development development days, and two months of the summer off to make up for those extra hours. So, in my mind, those hours spent at home after hours marking papers arc part of the job description. The second part of the strategy, \Vithdrawing voluntary services, really disturbs me. Any time I have volunteered time to coach teams, work on committees, or try to help someone with a project, 1 have done it because it's something I enjoy doing and it will hopefully benefit someone. That particularly holds true any time I've shown youngsters how to swing a golf club, take a slap shot, kick a soccer ball or swing a bat. But, since most of the extra-curricular activities for students occur at school, the teachers' union strategy creates, the impression that voluntary services arc part of a job description that will become loo heavy with the increased demands stipulated in Bill 160. Perhaps because the activities do occur at school, teachers feel that volunteering volunteering time is part of their job description. But, what's the difference whether you coach a football team after school or a hockey team on the week-end? You're volunteering your time to have some fun anti help develop skills and character. Our community bases most of its kids' programs on the hard work of volunteers who do it for the love of the game and the satisfaction of knowing they have contributed. Rarely do they ever put in for expenses incurred trucking youngsters all over the province for baseball, baseball, hockey, or dance competitions. In the arena of public opinion, withdrawing voluntary services will not win any friends among the thousands of people who give freely of their lime to help the community. community. But, more importantly, it's the students who are caught in the crossfire of politics and negotiations,