WHITBY FREFE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30. 1985 PAGE 7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR I must take exception to the unfair manner in which your former Editor, Mike Kneli, utilized is column, The Crow's Nest, to conduct a biatant attack on Mayorai Candidate Lynda Buffett. In is Oct. 23 column, which appeared three days after is resignation as Editor, Mike refers to Ms. Buf- fett's lack of interest in the Downtown Board of Management's ac- tivities between January 1984 and February 1985. He fails to acknowledge ber con- tributions as President during the previous three year period, during wicb Lynda spearbeaded many of the innovative ideas and suggestions for im- proving tbe downtown, whicb are just now coming to fruition during Edward Buf- fett's tenure. He might be well advised to check ber attendance record during Ois period. once again, Michael Knell and the Witby Free Press have demonstrated their penchant for taking a Stand or making statements wile not in possession of ahl the relevant facts. As an example, I refer to the recent article in your paper stating that Mayor Attersley bad not been approacbed regar- ding a Mayoral Debate (the issue of Oct. 16). The very next day, the date and location of the debate were confirmed in another local newspaper and it was obvious tbat Mr. Atter- siey was aware of these arrangements made tbrough the Whitby I am in possession of the correspondence rative to Lynda's departure from the Downtown Board and can assure your readers that the circumstances leading to ber decision revolved around an un- tenable situation witb the current President. Perbaps Mr. Eneli sbould bave contacted Ms. Buffett (wbicb bie did not) to obtain bier side of Oie story, before going to print. I would also be interested in knowing bow Mr. Knell so conveniently came into possession of Mr. Edward Buffett's Feb. 22, 1985 letter to Lynda Buffett, coincident witb Lynda's quarter page disclaimer wich ap- pears in the same Oct. 23 issue of Oie Witby Free Press. Is Ois responsible jôurnalism or an attem- pit to utilize one's position to present a distorted view of the facts? 1 feel the latter is the case and invite Mr. Knell to print a retrac- tion, or an apology, if not boOi. Sincerely, Richard E. Pyefinch Chairman Lynda Buffett Election Committee. It is said that there are no major issues in Durham Region - just local ones and Catholic funding - and that the Ontario scbool system is one of Oie greatest! Nonsensel Federal governments, botb US. and Canadian, know frorn countless studies that drastic changes are needed but are bamstrung by provincial authority and rights. Provincial politicians- are jealous of,. their prerogatives and are not about to rock the boat wben only 30 per- cent of voters turn out in municipal elections. Teachers are gover- ned by unions and self interest and wiil do notbing that threatens the status quo. That leaves only the poor parent, taxpayer and student to figbt, and it is about time to do so. Tbe local scbool board must be our voice, but they must produce specific proposais and be backed by a massive vote to be credible. We must have chalienging ideas that will restructure the scbooi system in ligbt of todays needs. As a starter, we sbould reduce our elementary system to six years, and use com- puter aided teacbing at an eariy age. This wouid occur. Again, computer aided teaching would allow fast and slow learners to progress at their own pace and promotion would be by subject, rather than the rigid grade system. Tax savings would now be used to move students into a third level, designed to provide highly skilled and specialized job or career training at no cost to students. Community colleges would take qualified university bound students into a two-year course covering first year university subjects- to meet a curriculum and exams designed by the universities. Suc- cessfui completion would reduce time in university bv a ful year. For those students looking to commercial, trades, technical, bealth, or other careers, community colleges and authorized schoois would offer two or three year training courses that would ensure graduates with recognized competency and marketable skills. The above is not just wisbful thinking. The essential elements are as close as our neighbor Quebec, where they quietly revolutionized their system, starting about 20 years ago. Teachers and prin- cipals may fear it because they dlaim standards inhibit selec- tion of textbooks and teaching methods. But those elements can be lef t under control of local boards and prin- cipals. -Results can be judged and competition for excellence between schools and regions can only benefit students. Our only fear must be that we continue to do notbing, and that voters will display tbeir usual apatby at the polIs Nov. 12. Sincerely, Barney Oldfield. "Local elections are closest to home," read the bheadline on an editorial in the ast issue of your paper (Oct. 23). Wbile 1 arn in ful agreement with the author on the importan- ce of municipal elec- tions, I feel he left out one very important fact. The people of Whitby are also voting for Hydro Electric Com- missioners. These are the people wbo bave a say in your hydro rates, electrical service and the main- tenance of a service which is vital to our everyday living. Sincerely, Bob McCleery Whitby Resident and Candidate for Hydro Electric Commissioner. With Poppy Week on- ce again approacbing, 1 would like to thank al the businesses and people of Whitby who participated in the past and are again con- tributing to this years poppy fund. Our brancb poppy reduce pressure for elementary classrooms. I STHE CORPORATION OF Higb schools sbould (1~j~ TH ETOWN OF WH ITBY span two years "junior" and tbree years "senior", during which PARKS& RECREATION DEPARTMENT optional subjects would be introduced, none of PBI KTN NOMTO whicb would be mickey PBI KTN NOMTO mouse or of a job Iroquois Park Arena - 668-7765 preparation nature. Tbis would ensure that TIMES: SUN DAYS 2:00 -3:45 p.m. average students would FRIDAYS 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. be academically prepared for the next Luther Vlpond Memnorial Arena - 655-4571 phase, job or career TIMES. SUN DAYS 1:30 -2:45 p.m. training, by age 16. Note WEDNESDAYS 3:30 -4:45 p.m. tbis is the magic age wben beavy drop outs LA CONTESSA BEAUTY LOUNGE S 119 GREEN STREET, WHITBY 668-9262 i Cut and Perme _ ~ WIfWonna Deiardins0NLY/ I~ / PORCELAIN 4PERMS HAIRCUTSARLINAS also S 12price onIly4.OO available now L Y ,ý 'M trust fund is a reservoir aervice men. Agaîn i tnanic you xor from which emergency assistance van be given to the needy veterans, their dependents and the widows and children of deceased Px- S(: Last year $6,635 was spent in the Whitby area for this cause, inciuding the Ontario Charitable Foundation and the Barriedissaster your generosity. Ben LaHay Poppy Chairman Royal Canadian Legion Branch 112 Whitby. 'Pipe & Gift 81ope SOLID OAK ANQP PINE FURNITURE ACCESSORY SALE CONTINUES!! ONLYUNTILOCT.31/85 oval mirrar "HE PERFECT Wtsheif P aparH e., * e a li i IL 1I Tollet Holder 110 DUNLOP ST. E., WHITBY 666-1331 Open Mon.-Wed. 10-6, Thurs.-Fri. 10-9, Sat. 10-5 SUNDAYS11- ~k. -irt jIOSHAWA AJAX SCARBUO 140 Simcoe Se. S.' 1313 Harwood N. (S93 ElmarenRd il (S. of John St.) (N. of Hwy. 401) (1. 0f est Paza 57-655 686-0719 431-4458. I Ui" Knell's View "Distorted": Buffett * Ir A 41