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i Page 10 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, December 9, 1998 z Santa Sighting in Newcastle There was a Santa sighting in Newcastle this weekend. The jolly man in red made an appearance at the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Christmas Concert at Newcastle Community Hall this weekend. Performing at the concert was The Down on the Corner Gang. Around the Board Trustee Pleased with Teachers Settlement by Bob Willsher 1 believe everyone is pleased that an agreement has been reached with the secondary secondary teachers. It has been a difficult process for everyone. Negotiations, traditionally, involve a process of give-and- take. The negotiations with OSSTF was similar yet very different. Let me explain. When an employer bargains bargains with a union there are issues on both sides of the table that arc important. Each side tries to protect what they consider to be important to them. In the process of trying to do that, there is a great deal of "positioning" and "clouding" "clouding" of the real distance they are prepared to go. I have ' always considered this to be fmstrating but it seems -it is one of those "necessary evils" in our society. The problem is that many others are often negatively impacted by the dispute between the parties. In this case it was the students. students. During negotiations students students called me to voice their concerns. They wanted both sides to understand where they stood on the issue. Their calls were appreciated. I believe many of them got information they didn't previously previously have. I believe some of them began to understand what life beyond the classroom classroom is really like. Their frustration frustration was evident. They just wanted life at school to continue continue as they expected it to when they entered the classroom classroom in September. Something they have a right to expect...in an ideal world. There were, in my mind, several major factors that created created more challenges during this set of negotiations than others of the past. The first and probably the most significant significant are the changes imposed by the province. Issues such as funding of schools in restricted "envelopes", instructional time set by Queens Park and class sizes were major hurdles in the bargaining bargaining process. There were also some significant issues concerning program delivery that needed to be addressed. The other issue that created created challenges was the fact that this was the first agreement agreement to.be negotiated under the amalgamated board. It. is an issue that was, a.,major obstacle to an early agreement. agreement. Bringing the two previous previous boards together has enough problems from a purely administrative perspective. perspective. The union from Peterborough County and the union from Northumbcrland- Clarington had to unite their own positions on the same issues the Board faced. Not an easy task. Normally when an employer bargains with a union the employer has the ability to achieve an agreement agreement on the basis that the employer is in total control of the elements of cost and other administrative factors. This is not the case with School Boards in Ontario. The Province is at every bargaining bargaining table whether or not they will admit it. As expected, CUSTOMER SERVICE JST ■ PRIORITY ^^■HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Broker ROYAL LePAGE Indepently Owned . , „ , i^^HHHIimiljllllllimillll and Operated John Fowler frank real estate Sales Representative 234 Kina Street East, Bowmanville Off. 623-3393 Res. 623-7928 Realty Shirmax 214 King St. E., Bowmanville DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR PROPERTY IS WORTH? Call me now for a Market Evaluation without cost or obligation. 623-4445 or Res. (905) 786-2911 WILMA ENTWISLE sJp 1-800-264-3963 Sales Rep. v Del's Mortgage Watch Today's Best Rate for First Mortgages. • Best Rates as of December 9th, 1990 ADIUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE 5,54% 6 Months 5.90% 4 Year 6.10% 1 Year 5.90% 5 Year 5.99% 2 Year 5.95% 7 Year 6.25% 3 Year 5.97% 10 Year 6.30% NOTE! Wo handle the transfer of an existing mortgage at No Costl WE ALSO ARRANGE: • Second Mortgages • Credit Lines • Personal Loans CALL: DEL DYKSTRA 697-3300 DELTON* FINANCIAL LTD, MORTGAGES Division Street Bowmanville MPP's and. the Minister of Education said it was up to Boards to reach agreement. What they didn't add was that it had to be within the restrictions restrictions they had set for the Boards and the unions. It's something I feared when I decided to run during the last election. I did not want to be the "fall guy" for the province. That's exactly what happened as far as 1 am concerned. concerned. 1 sincerely hope that we can begin to move forward forward and remember that the only reason we are here is for the students. One of the issues at the bargaining table was the delivery model for special education programs. The two previous Boards have quite, different structures. The model on the lakeshorc provides provides a stronger student focus in my opinion. As a result of having to harmonize programs programs between the two areas and ensure that we fit within the provincial funding model a major review is being undertaken by Board staff. There will be special sessions held in each of the major areas of the Board to provide the opportunity for input from those having the interest. I would be pleased to hear from you if you have any areas that you would like to see addressed during the review. At the November 19 Board meeting my resolution calling for the development of a "Conflict of Interest, Gifts and Gratuities" policy was approved by the Board. Administration will research other Boards, Municipalities and private companies to help us develop a clear policy to guide Board employees with respect to this issue. It is essential that those who work for the Board clearly understand understand the expectations when they are dealing with taxpayers' taxpayers' dollars. It is not only important that employees have the taxpayers' interest at heart in everything they do, but be seen as having that as their priority. 1 have expressed my concerns concerns about the accommodation accommodation problem in Clarington. I did raise the concern in our meeting with the MPP's who represent the various areas of the Board. I didn't get a warm and fuzzy feeling that John O'Toole really appreciated the problems we arc facing. I'll give John a little more lime to take the information lie got at the meeting back to the Minister before seeing what results he has achieved. Clarington's overall student student growth lor 1998 over 1997 is 3.2% or 336 students. The net growth for the entire Board was 202 students or 0,5%. Some areas of the Board experienced significant decline in enrollment. In Clarington the following information is of value to you in understanding the growth problem. Elementary student enrollment increased by 3.8% or 276 students while secondary secondary enrollment increased 2.0% or 60 students. In the three major areas of the Municipality the breakdown is as follows: Bowmanville elementary schools up 3.6%, secondary up 3.0%; Courlieu elementary schools up 5.1%, secondary up 1.1%; Newcastle, Orono, Newtonvilie elementary schools up 1.5%, secondary up 1.3%. r Real Estate Deadlines and Policies Deadline for Wednesday Publication is Monday at 12:00 Noon. Any compensation for errors or omissions by The Canadian Statesman will be limited to the value of the space occupied by the error in the advertisement. ^ Please phone 623-3303 and ask for Hie Real Estate Sales Department j All You Need "How To" Books and a Realtor This article is provided by local Realtors and the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) for the benefit of consumers in the real estate market. If you plan to buy or sell a home soon, a good way to start is by picking up or ordering copies of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) "how to" books. How to Buy Your Home and How to Sell Your Home are free of charge, easy to use, step by step guides that take you through the process of buying or selling a home without a lot of confusion. Not only do they take the mystery out of this major business transaction, but they help you understand the many terms used in real estate to ensure you meet your financial goals. But you can't replace a Realtor with a book. Working with a Realtor, you have direct access to vast amounts of information and experience. experience. OREA's "how to" books help you select a Realtor who will work in your best interest. They explain the process and describe the many other professionals professionals you may have to work witli to complete a real estate transaction. If you arc a first-time buyer and arc unsure how much you can afford, How To Buy Your Home can help you estimate the price range that's right for you. It explains how to work with a Realtor and other professionals, how to shop for a mortgage, how to talk to a banker, how to select a home inspector, how to complete the process and how to make a smooth move to your new home. The book provides tips on how to prepare for closing day, how to plan your move in advance so that it is a positive positive experience, what renovations renovations or repairs to make before the move and other measures you can take to, "feel at home" as soon as possible. How to Sell Your Home helps sellers evaluate the advantages of using a Realtor.. It reviews the "sea sonality" of home sales to help you determine the best lime to sell, discusses whether to buy first or sell first and how to get bridge financing. The book helps you determine a realistic asking asking price, provides tips on how to market your home effectively, what to do when, you receive an offer and how to complete a sale. Both books take you through the real estate process, step by step. Whether you are buying or selling, the real estate transaction, transaction, can be very stressful. These handy books, with their checklists, worksheets, loads of tips, hints and advice can help make the process a lot more enjoyable. WMK cornerstone realty ltd., realtor 104 King St £., Bowmanville 623-6000 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS David Passant* Excellent value in this newer 2 storey model, freshly decorated, with walkout, Assoc. Broker fenced yard backing onto park. Double Over 23 Years drive, Please call David Passant to view. of Service Asking $129,800. For a Market Evaluation of your property please ask for David Passant**, Associate Broker,jodaylJ9t)5)j323jiOOO. Call Linda McLennan** Associate Broker 623-6000 A SMALL STREAM Crosses the property edged by a wooded ravine right in the Village of Newcastle. 3 bedroom, 3 level backsplit home with a bright and spacious 2 bedroom basement apartment apartment with separate entrance and walkout to backyard. Asking $182,900. Call Linda McLennan** (905) 623-6000. LOVE GARDENING? Then make your own on this huge 60 x 150 ft. lot. 3 bedroom 1 1/2 storey renovated home with newer forced-air gas heat. Asking $124,900. Call Marg Bain* (905) 623-6000. Marg Bain* Sales Rep. Call for details at (905) 623-6000 Paul De Jager* Sales Rep. 623-6000 or Toronto Line 428-1206. NEW PRICE VILLAGE CHARMER Totally redone 2 storey, 3 bedroom home on quiet street. Newer oak kitchen kitchen with center Island, walkout to back yard. Newer windows, H.E. gas furnace furnace with air. Main floor laundry room. Walkout basement. Large principle rooms. Must be seen. Tons of Valuel Now asking $154,000. FREEHOLD END UNIT TOWNHOUSE Large 3 bedroom, 3 bath end unit. Walkout to fenced yard, finished finished basement, very bright kitchen with eastern exposure. Attached garage and much, much more. Asking $119,900. Worth every pennyl Call for details. ■ GREAT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY Duplex In fantastic shape. Main floor unit has hardwood floors, 2 bedrooms, new oak kitchen, 3rd bedroom downstairs. Upper unit has large kilchen, 1 bedroom, large living room. Fully sell contained, contained, 2 hydro melers, newer gas furnace, walkout Irom basement. 2 minute walk from shopping and GO Transit. Asking $159,900. HUGE LOT OR MAYBE TWO Village bungalow with huge lot. Eat-in kitchen, main floor laundry, newer bath and newer windows. windows. Attached oversized oversized 11/2 car garage with access to home. Very bright finished basement. Brand new H.E. furnace and much more. Asking $144,000. Call for details. Help us make wakes up Christmas morning to find Santa has passed them by. m a new, unwrapped toy and we'll give you a 1 month subscription. We need your help this holiday season. Toys will be collected by the Salvation Army for distribution to local children. You can make sure Santa doesn't miss a single child in Clarington. Give to the Statesman Toy Drive and light up a child's life! The Statesman Toy Drive For more information contact our office at 62 King Street West, Bowmanville or 623-3303