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4-Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday. July 27. 1988 It happens here too Our attention was attracted to a news item last week in which, once more, claim was made that many grade 12 graduates lack the skill to make change, calculate sales tax, read, follow orders or, in some cases, fill out application forms. For retailers, it's "the worst of all possible worlds", said Alasdair McKichan, president of the Retail Council of Canada in speaking to a legislative committee studying education. McKichan said the first duty of the educational system was to ensure ensure that almost no one escapes from the educationl system without being literate." He said students should be able to use language and arithmetic skills to solve problems and communicate with others. , If we recall a number of instances in our own community it's no different different here than what McKichan refers to across Canada. It would have been some three years ago that after making a purchase purchase of four items, which were listed on a bill of sale, it came to adding adding up the figures for a total. Out came pencil and a start on the left hand column, the dollar column. I had to think this student can add at least three columns at a time and I was impressed. It turn out there was no idea as to where to start and a trip was made to get a calculator which brought forth the total. Just this year another purchase of 26 items at 15 cents each required some multiplication. Out came pencil pencil and paper but with no results and not even a scratch on the paper. "What's the total price I was asked?" asked?" And within two weeks of this incident incident another failure at addition and even in the use of a calculator which was handy to the student clerk. At about the same time I had asked asked another what they were up to and was told they were trying .to find the value of 'x' in an algebra equation and were up to 88 without out finding the value. "What do you mean your up to 88", I asked. "It's a matter of elimination and I started at one", was the reply. "You have to be kidding . .. you should be using a formula to find the value of 'x', I replied. "This is the way we do it", stated the student. I'm sure it is not or at least I would hope it is not. With a little review of procedure and formula the value of x was seven. I pointed out it is more than elimination and substitution of a figure for 'x'. But these examples are products of our own educational system and were not sought out but happened through every-day contact with the public and it seems to bear out the bid that was made by the president of the Retail Council of Canada. And further, one would have to agree that the first duty of the educational system is to ensure almost no escapes from the system without being literate and have some knowledge of mathematics. The Rawinski Report has called for province-wide testing and, in this, light, such a recommendation must have value. What have we bought with our educational dollar? How competent is the educational system for even the basic knowledge needed for day to day living. Awards luncheon for district senior games The Awards Luncheon for the Durham District Senior Games is being held at 12 Noon, August 17, 1988 at the Jubilee Pavillion,' Lakeview Park, Oshawa. There will be a lunch, entertainment and the presentation of awards. The mayors and representatives Of the different municipalities throughout the region of Durham have been invited. invited. The Durham District Senior Games are held annually in the month of June for Senior Citizens throughout the Durham Region. These Games are held in conjunction conjunction with the Ontario Senior Games. Winners of each District Senior Game advance and compete in Ontario Senior Games. A few of the more popular events at the games are cribbage, lawn bowling, bridge and euchre. If you wish to go to the Awards Luncheon, tickets are $4.00. The tickets can be purchased at the Whitby Seniors' Activity Centre, the Oshawa Senior Citizens Centre or Mrs. Della Moore, Uxbridge, Ontario 852-6249. List Courtice complaints suggest 'buyer beware' "Buyer beware when buying a* new home", stated Larry Hannah of the Courtice area and then listed a number of complaints related to new developments in his area. Hannah has spoken to council on a number occasions anc^ again on Monday night asked what progress had been made as to a rebate to those residents in Courtice who had paid some $5,000 for water service when others were , charged a lesser amount in the area of $300.00. Hannah asked what decision had been made as to thei use of OHAP funds for such rebate. Later in the meeting it was stated that the OHAP money belonged to lhe Town of Newcastle and could be spent in accord with the Municipal Act and that the province province was providing such an answer in writing. It would appear that as water is a responsibility of the Region the Town would have no authority to spend Town money on matters relating to water. Hannah also said there was concern concern of houses being built in Courtice Courtice of 900 scjuare feet while houses across the road were of 2500 square feet. He noted that in one subdivision subdivision a swale area was developing at the back of lots and that the only answer was a retaining wall. He intimated intimated there was some great mistakes as to planning in the.Cour- tice area and again reiterated, "buyer beware." He asked that the Town take a good hard look at the Courtice problems. problems. Staff are to report on the problems problems as outlined by Hannah. Energy Board to hold hearings on natural gas supplies CHATHAM - Ontario Minister of Energy Robert C. Wong announced announced today that the Ontario Energy Board has been directed to hold a hearing into natural gas supply supply arrangements for Ontario gas users within the province. The hearing hearing will examine the roles and obligations of various parties in contracting for natural gas in a deregulated market. Speaking to the Chamber of Commerce here Mr. Wong said, "The move to a market-based system has led to a re-examination of supply arrangements in all jurisdictions. It is time to address the roles and responsibilities of various parties involved in contracting contracting for natural gas to ensure that supply arrangements reflect Ontario's unique requirements." Mr. Wong's ministry is also, preparing a handbook that will assist all natural gas consumers in choosing their supply option. Mr. Wong said there is a need for cooperation between the governments governments of Alberta and Ontario to ensure ensure that a system which is fair to gas producers and consumers is developed. In particular, he cited the need for providing natural gas distributors with greater contracting contracting flexibility. Mr. Wong has offered offered to work with Alberta on a solution to the producers' outstanding outstanding take-or-pay obligations under the Topgas program. Dufferin Creek plan approved (Continued from page 1) ed through the site plan agreement. Gordon White from the West Beach again approached council opposing the plan stating that those, concerned still wish to have the lands designated legal non- conforming so that sometime in the future it would revert to Major Open Space and come under public ownership. To do otherwise, stated White, was a breech of trust on the part of council. "Don't be intimidated in this poker game," stated White. Town library report (Continued from page 1) • way for the implementation of library service in the Courtice area to be undertaken in 1989. The report states that a site evaluation form has been devised in order to select a site most suited for the Courtice library. In referring to the library's automation project if is now intended intended to include the library branches in the project. It is pointed out that cost of this extention to the branches branches does not increase cost to the board. Installation of the hardware is to begin this summer and the work of marking all of the Library's collections will proceed this fall. A video cassette collectiçn made possible through.a donation from the Bowmanville Rotary Club and a matching grant from the Ontario Ministry of Culture and Communications Communications is being assembled. This collection is being housed in the main branch. The report to council states that library usage is increasing due to the rapid growth in the community. Charges laid under Environmental Protection The Ontario Environment Ministry has charged a Bramalea waste dumping operation and its president in connection with the unauthorized depositing of wastes. West Dumping Services Ltd., and president Robert Hitchin, of 27 Middleton Way, Bramalea, are jointly charged with two counts under section 27(b) of the Environmental Environmental Protectioii Act (EPA), which relates to operating a waste disposal site Without a Certificate of Approval; and two counts under section 40 of the EPA, which relates to depositing waste without a licence. The charges stem from incidents during September 1986 to June 1987, when waste fill was deposited on land leased by the defendants on Gore Road in Brampton. In addition, addition, fill was illegally dumped on land at Dixie Road and Derry Road in Brampton on December 23 and 24 of last year. A return court date has been set for 9:00 a.m., July 56, at Brampton Provincial Offences Court #1. Experience '88 Experience '88 offers a variety- summer jobs for approximately 7,500 students aged 15 to 24 (15 to 29 if disabled). The jobs are available through 34 government ministries, associated community organizations and associated agencies. agencies. The Experience Program is administered administered by the Ontario Ministry of Skills Development. Students are offered a range of opportunities which provide them with useful . work experience and the chance to develop skills towards their career goals. Participants also have the chance to perform worthwhile community community services. Ministry of Natural Resources, Provincial Forest Station, Orono, Ontario, phone 983-9147. Participants: Participants: Leanne Lycett, Cynthia deVries, Karen Kennedy, Laura Ox- wnham, Jeffrey Walters, Christine Ferguson, Andy White, Kristina Wood. Maintaining our forests is very important to Canada, and these 11 students are spending their summer doing just that. The students are working in the nursery, the greenhouse, and on the grounds of the Provincial Forest Station. They are tending seedling, and transplanting transplanting nursery beds, as well as maintaining maintaining and assessing nursery trials. In the greenhouse, they are tending, sorting and pruning. There is also tree pruning, cleaning, and brushing nursery plantations to be done. They are also helping to clear a cross country ski trail. For further information contact: Samantha Vaugeois, Experience '88 Information Officer, 102 Bloor Street W., Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario Ontario M5S 1N8, (416) 963-3237. CARPENTER FOR HIRE ... ALL ASPECTS OF CARPENTRY Specializing in. 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