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4-Orond Weekly Times, Wednesday, October 29th, 1980 Open letter Letter to the editor Mr. W. Hulsman, R.R." 2, Orono, Ont. pear Mr. Hulsman: I received your letter dated October 18th, 1980, which you had delivered to my office on October 21st, 1980. On October 21st, 1980 I was attending a municipal meeting in Whitby and unfortunately did not receive your letter until làte afternoon which, as you know, is too late for the local press deadline. It is further unfortunate that you neglected neglected to give me a copy of your letter on October 20, 1980 or even mention it when we spoke at the Town Hall in Bowmanville, because if you had I would have responded in the local press at the same time. 1 am wondering why you chose to send a letter to the press to challenge me to a public meeting when you know there are already at least two such meetings which we will be attending arranged by private groups, and also when you know that if you had contacted me personally, or my campaign team, that I would have been more than happy to cooperate cooperate with you. As you have chosen the press as your media of communication 1 will reply through the newspapers, newspapers, but hope that in the future we can co-operate in a more personal fashion so that the issues will be put to the voters in a clear and meaningful meaningful way. However late, I shall be glad to accept an opportunity to debate municipal affairs and the role of the Mayor. You will recall I paid a visit to your house one evening a few months ago and at the conclusion I invited you to ' come to my office to discuss any concern you had, and also informed you that you would be more than welcome to attend at any Council or Committee Meeting. It is^ unfortunate you have never attended any meetings, nor accepted my invitation. You state your political views' are different from mine. Dùring the time 'spent at your house you elaborated on your experiences but I have not yet heard your views on municipal government and all its complexities, nor have you heard mine. As to the public debate, if this is part of your campaign I shall be glad to accept any invitiation any place, Or time convenient that you, will arrange. The only condition I ask is that we discuss any matter that comes within the jurisdiction of municipal government government in Ontario. I do agree that the public should be informed of our respective positions on issues, and will look forward to an early response regarding arrangements. arrangements. I do hope that you will make these arrangements arrangements arid communicate with me on a person to person basis, or contact my Campaign Campaign Chairman Éd Leslie, 623-5C69, as if we are to continue to correspond through the press, the election election will have passed before the debate. Yours very truly, Garnet B. Rickard, Mayor. Dear Editor: . In recent weeks there has been controversy over the strike by the secretaries of the Northumberland and Newcastle Board of Education. Education. We, as secretaries, would like to express our views arid draw attention to the following following information. During the past four years . We have had a Cost of Living; Allowance as part of our; contract. This C.O.L.A. inc-i luded a fold in clause. The; Board wishes to remove this previously negotiated C.O.L.A. clause from the contract. It is trrife that the Board has offered approximately 8% percent for each of two years but this is without our existing C.O.L.A. This lowers the actual offer to approximately 6 percent for each of the two years. With the cost of living increasing at an approximate rate of 10 percent we will be effectively losing about 4 percent per annum just to the cost of living, if we accept this offer. In the most recent offer we were offered a sort of C.O.L.A. which would begin in the eleventh month of the second year if the Consumer Price Index increases 9 percent from August 1981 to August 1982. This Cost of Living Allowance, if it actually actually occurs, would be worth a maximum total of $140.00 to a few secretaries and prorated prorated to a lesser amount to the remainder. As well, this C.O.L.A, would not be folded in to the salary grid. A letter from Mrs. Sheila Parker, Chairman of the Board was sent to all secretaries, secretaries, the press and principals principals stating salary comparisons comparisons with neighbouring school boards. This letter causes 'misunderstandings due to omission. In making the comparisons it was not mentioned mentioned that some of these surrounding boards have a One week paid vacation at Christmas and that some boards pay up to 85 percent of benefits. Also, some of thé salaries offered by this Board for the two years beginning this past September. Salaries for all levels were quoted for this Board but single salary rates were stated for several of the area Boards. One trustee on the Board's negotiating committee stated that secretaries were paid less than custodians because secretaries are women and ! their salaries are considered to be second income. We feel that this opinion shows clear discrimination. , Secretaries must possess many skills and qualifications in order to be hired and to maintain their positions. We believe that we perform an important function in the schools of Northumberland and Newcastle. We feel that secretaries arra"SlgMIlCgHr convenience' in the day-to- day operations of the schools and ask that our contracts reflect our contributions. Mrs. Parker stated in her letter that, "The Board's last offer reflects its responsibility, responsibility, to its staff and to the public in our communities." Is an effective salary increase increase of approximately 6 percent per annum responsible responsible to staff? Other Board employees, including the director and Administrative staff, have received increases greater than this. The recent offer to Federal Clerks reflects reflects an increase of considerably considerably greater' dimensions. We believe that the Board can offer a fairer contract and still be responsible- to the public in our communities. Even though our morale as Board employees is suffering we are proud of the part that we play in the schools in this area, consideration , for our services. We hope that this letter will clarify for the readers any misunderstandings they might have regarding our reasons for turning down the Boards latest offer. Local Secretaries The Northumberland and Newcastle Board of Education Wants freeze on sale of farmland INSURANCE AMENDMENTS OFFER CAR ACCIDENT VICTIMS BETTER PROTECTION Ontario Consumer Minister Frank Drea introduced two insurance amendments which will offer better liability protection protection to victims of car accidents. accidents. An amendment to The Insurance Insurance Act will increase the minimum third party liability - coverage for auto insurance policies from $100,000 to $200,000. The amendment to The Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund will increase the maximum amount payable from $10Q,000 to $200,000. Both amendments are scheduled scheduled to take effect March 1, 1981. • "The $100,000 minimum for third party liability coverage coverage hasr become inadequate because of the effect inflation has had on the cost, of medical care as well as auto repairs," said Mr. Drea. "The $100,000 minimum has not changed since 1977 while general living expenses have increased about 30 per cent." Raising the third party liability liability coverage is expected to increase premiums for those motorists who carry only the minimum $100,000 (approximately (approximately 19 per cent) by about five per cent. Ontario motorists have been required to carry a minimum of $ 100,000 third party liability liability insurance since The Compulsory Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act took 'effect March 1,1980 The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) at its monthly Board meeting demanded demanded that the provincial government put a freeze on sales of farm land to absentee foreign investors. OFA President, Ralph Barrie, Barrie, said the freeze is necessary necessary .o stop the recent escalation in such sales. OFA Directors from Bruce County estimate 2000 acres in the county have recently been sold to European interests. Barrie said the OFA would have no quarrel with these sales if the owners became residents of Canada and farm their holdings. He believes, however, they are being bought as a hedge against inflation or for speculation., Increased foreign absentee ownership will completely disrupt rural communities, he warned. "First hte churches and school go, then it is the small towns". "Recent reports from Man itoba show eight percent ok their farm land is foreign owned. In some areas it is as high as 21 pércent. If we want to stop it happening in Ontario, the provincial government government . must act now", Barrie urged. Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island now limit, foreign ownership. Barrie said, until Ontario enacts similar laws, a freeze on foreign sales is imperative. The problem is developing so rapidly, he added, there is no time to wait for the results of recent legislation which will require all foreign owners owners to register by January 1981. ALL CANDIDATES MEETING Wednesday, November 5th at Newcastle Community Hall Candidates for Mayor, Regional andLocal Council, Hydro Commission and Separate School Board will be present to speak. A question and answer period will be held. SPONSORED BY NEWCASTLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Down to éarlh. Clear up to 600 pounds of snow per minute right to the ' ground. Clear a 50-foot two-car driveway in just 15 minutes. Clear steps, a porch, ■a deck, or a patio with ease. , Get a Toro S-200. But hurry Stocks are limited» Haven't you done without a Toro long enough? TORO Regular Cash Discount Our Price Toro Rebate Net 449.95 - 49.95 400.00 40.00 $360.00 ' Expires Nov.'l, 1980 ROLPH DOMINION HARDWARE ORONO, ONT. 983-5207