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Wednesday June 9, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER A7 COMMENT Moving school program bad news for parents and students Whenever a school board does some­ thing slick, the catch word is positive. Make it a positive experience for your children. Such was the abrupt removal of 150 students in the gifted self-contained pro­ gram at New Central public school in Oakville, just three weeks before classes end. A couple of weeks ago, at a meeting devoid of school board staff, parents voted overwhelmingly to keep the pro­ gram intact at the tiny superb school for one more year. We left that meeting feeling as though we had accomplished something: consensus. ' We'd agreed to try to buy a little time to clear up the unfounded rumours about the program moving, disintegrating, etc. We were told of the meeting, by the way, one day prior to the decision made by the board: only to learn not one member of the board staff had bothered to turn up for the last minute meeting. Not one. No one who might have answered some of our questions or listened to our concerns. And despite an overwhelming vote by the board's clients, the parents, to keep the status quo for a year, the board opted to uproot a thriving program at the end of the school year. The board says it doesn't want students in portables and that in their new school , they can be housed in one building. And yet, a letter sent home to bewil­ dered parents last week stated that par­ ents must make it a positive transition for their children and that the students will now be housed "primarily" in the school building at W.H. Morden school. Indeed. So are parents assured of no portables next year....even though that was not an issue by the majority of them in the years the program has flourished at New Central? What does that word "primari­ ly" mean anyways? One incredibly intransigent trustee I spoke with following the earlier meeting made it clear he wanted the self-contained students moved. Why? "New Central is a dump," he said. When it was pointed out to him that parents sent their children to this school for more reasons than superficial ones, he was dismissive. "That's what I think and that's how I'll vote." Nice to know trustees listen to par­ ents. Perhaps that's why they voted 8-2 in favour of moving the program despite the overwhelming vote by almost 80 parents in attendance that evening to keep it at New Central. For anyone who doesn't know the tiny school nestled on undoubtedly valu­ able property in east Oakville (and who doesn't think this is the first step to clos­ ing New Central and selling this proper­ ty?), New Central has always prided itself on excellence. It has been a dual track school for many years; now a new administration must oversee the differ­ ent challenges of a dual track school. Why? As one parent said when we were Gun law compliance could be problematic It appears as if Canada's Justice Minister will be facing a very real prob­ lem on Jan. 1st, 2003. That is the final deadline, when all firearms in Canada must be registered. The (department of Justice commissioned an Environics poll in October 1997. The poll was followed by a report titled "Firearms Owners Intended Compliance with Gun Registration and Gun Licensing." The Environics survey showed that 58% of respondents plan to register all of their guns; 2% will register some of their guns; 25% will register none of their guns; 6% refused to answer; and 10% said that they don't know what they will do. A similar study that was conducted in 1995 indicated that 76.7% of gun owners would register all of their firearms. In just two years, there's been a dramatic drop down to the 58% figure. The Department of Justice is insisting that non-compliance will not be a prob­ lem, but the 1995 and 1997 surveys show that the situation is getting worse. The department is insisting that only 2% of firearm owners won't comply, but they're obviously not telling us what their own surveys have discovered. If hundreds of thousands of Canadian firearm owners have still not registered all of their guns on Jan. 1st, 2003, they'll have to turn stadiums and arenas into jails to hold all of the offenders. It will become quite a spectacle, getting head­ lines around the world. The police will be rounding-up farmers, tradesmen, preachers, lawyers, bankers, and even a few non-compliant police officers. It won't be a pretty sight. P e te r E. S tick le e CORRECTION For our 56-PAGE SEARS FATHER'S DAY SALE (C062F599 - Pg. 39) For our 48-PAGE SEARS FATHER'S DAY SALE (C062F399 - Pg. 33) (SALE DATES: JUNE 7-13/99) Meyer 'Infinity' 11-Pc. Cookware Set and Lagostina 10-Pc. Moonline Super Set. Art for both issues is incorrect. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused Sears customers. L etters to th e E ditor told the decision: "When did this school board start looking at the bottom line over the real needs of its students?" The program operates on its own, to be sure. But the students are very much part of the school, with superb extra-cur­ ricular activities like a noon-hour chess club, an art club, an after school runners club, basketball, volleyball. And the list goes on. But no one listened to us. Why weren't we at least given the courtesy of having staff present to listen to our concerns. A last minute meeting concerning mould in portables was heavily attended last year by board staff. Yet when it comes to the upheaval of 150 students, the decision is made almost at the end of the school year, leaving parents little room to make ratio­ nal, thoughtful decisions. Let's be clear on this issue. This is a divide and conquer move designed to accomplish two things: close a commu­ nity school now left with only four class­ es and erode the gifted programming in Halton. And the way in which this was done - blindsiding parents who must now make decisions three weeks before classes end - is unconscionable. But we are told in upbeat letters to make this a positive experience for our children. Okay. You tell my daughter that instead of riding her bike to school every day she'll now hop on a bus and travel across town to stay with the program. You explain to her just how, in some bizarre way, this is saving taxpayers money and adding to the quality of education in this community. G > O A K V I L L E 8 4 5 -6 6 0 1 C o u ncil & S tanding C om m ittee M eetings Monday, June 14,1999 Planning & Development Council Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 15,1999 Special Council Meeting Re: Development Charges Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. r NOTE: ' ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE HAVE BEEN CANCELLED FOR . TUESDAY, JUNE 15,1999 Monday, June 21,1999 Council Meeting Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. C o u n c i l & C o m m i t t e e T o u c h t o n e P h o n e L i n e 8 1 5 -5 9 5 9 S tr a te g ic L a n d U s e O p t io n s S tu d y F o r L a n d s N o r th o f D u n d a s S t re e t In preparation for future urban development on the land located north of Dundas Street [Regional Road 5] within the Town of Oakville and City of Burlington [east of Bronte Creek], the Town of Oakville and City of Burlington will be undertaking a Strategic Land Use Options Study. The purpose of the study is to undertake a general review of the subject area as a precursor to the preparation of any individual secondary plan(s) and to set out broad strategies for the implementation of the ultimate land use plan. In addition to establishing the secondary planning areas, consideration will also be given to the operations of Highway No 407, phasing policies including trigger mechanisms, servicing and drainage. The project is anticipated to take one year. The firm of Hemson Consulting Ltd. has been retained by the Town of Oakville to be the lead consultant. The study team will consist of Hemson Consulting Ltd. (planning and financial), BA Group (transportation), MacViro (engineer­ ing) and W. Scott Morgan (retail). A Public Meeting will be held on June 22,1999,7:30 PM at Town Hall (Oakville and Trafalgar Rooms) to initiate discussion on this study. Also, at this meeting, information will be provided on the establishment of a Community Resource Group. This group will represent the study area and will have the ability to provide the Steering Committee with relevant information. Should you have any questions or wish to provide the study team with any related information on the subject area, please contact Robert H. Thun, Planner at (905) 845-6601 ext. 3029 at the Town of Oakville or John Conn, Planner at (905) 335-7600 ext. 7641 at the City of Burlington. Lynne Gough, MCIP, RPP Manager, Long Range Planning Section Planning Services Department Town of Oakville D E V E L O P M E N T C H A R G E S R E V IE W C O M M ITTE E * N O T IC E O F M E E T IN G S The Town of Oakville has begun a public review process to prepare a new development charges bylaw which will determine the rates to be collected on new residential and non-residential developments constructed within Oakville. All municipalities in Ontario must pass a new bylaw under the Development Charges Act, 1997 no later than August 31" 1999. The Development Charges Review Committee was established to keep the development community and the public informed of the assumptions, key inputs and policy decisions being made during the preparation of the draft development charges study and to employ public consultation as a way to resolve issues during the process. The dates, times, location and topics of the next meetings of the Development Charges Review Committee and special meetings of Council are: June 15* from 7:30 p.m. at Oakville Municipal Offices in Council Chambers: Special meeting of Council - Public Meeting to present proposed development charges by-law and draft background study. June 24* from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Oakville Municipal Offices (room to be determined and meeting still to be approved by Town Council): Dedicated for the stakeholders to present their comments and concerns about the proposed development charges bylaw and draft background study presented at the public meeting on June 15th . August 3rd from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Oakville Municipal Offices (room to be determined and meeting still to be approved by Town Council): Presentation of the final proposed development charges bylaw and final draft background study. August 10* from 7:30 p.m. at Oakville Municipal Offices in Council Chambers: Special meeting of Council to approve development charges bylaw and background study. (Meeting dates, times, location and agenda items may change as required) Please direct your questions and comments to: Michelle S6guin, Director, Finance & Treasurer Town of Oakville 1225 Trafalgar Road Oakville L6J 5A6 Ph: (905) 845-6601 ext. 3062 Fax:(905)815-2019 e-mail: mseguin@town.oakville.on.ca Parks & Recreation "Planning for the Future" PUBLIC O PEN H O U SE seeking community input on the 2000-2010 Strategic Plan Over the next few weeks, three open houses will be held to seek your input on parks and recreation issues. Coupled with our research, your input will help prepare a comprehensive plan to improve our existing services and facilities to ensure they remain sustainable in the future. All sessions will be held from 7:00 - 9:00 pm D ATE LO C A T IO N A R E A FO R C O M M E N T J u n o 17 O a k v i l le T r a fa lg a r H ig h S c h o o l s o u t h e a s t O a k v i l le 1 46 0 D e v o n R o a d J u n e 23 S ir J o h n C o lb o r n c R e c r e a t io n C e n t r e s o u th w e s t O a k v i l le 1 5 6 5 O ld L a k c s h o r e R o a d PUBLIC NOTICE Citizen Appointments to the Com m unity Advisory Committee to Petro-Canada PETRO CANADA' Applications are now being accepted for membership on the Community Advisory Committee to Petro-Canada. The Committee's mandate is to work cooperatively with staff from the Petro-Canada Lake Ontario Refinery, Oakville Plant, to reduce environmental impacts. Members o f the public are invited to submit their expres­ sions o f interest in serving on the Committee, accompanied by a resume outlining educational, business, technical, and community experience. Applicants should please note that meetings are held on the fourth Thursday o f every month, at 3:30 p.m., at the | Oakville Refinery site. Applications must reach the Clerk's Department o f the | Town o f Oakville no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16, 1999. Anyone requiring further information may contact: Carol Provost, Committee Co-ordinator Town o f Oakville, 1225 Trafalgar Road Oakville, Ontario, L6J 5A6 (905) 338-4179 O A K V I L L E NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TOWN OF OAKVILLE ZONING BY-LAW REVIEW H o m a-B asad B u a in a s s a s , F u tu ra D ira c tio n s fo r O ak v illa As part of the Town of Oakville's detailed review of Comprehensive Zoning By-law No. 1984-63, a specific review of the regulations regarding home- based businesses is being undertaken. The Town of Oakville is hosting a pub lic meeting specific to the issue of home-based businesses. The purpose of this meeting is to present a discussion paper on home-based businesses and to receive any input and comments you may have. The public meeting is scheduled fo r Wednesday, June 23,1999 • 7:00 -10:00 PM Trafalgar Room ■ M unicipal B u ild ing 1225 Trafalgar Road • Oakville The discussion paper prepared by the study consultants, entitled H om e- B a sed B usinesses, F u tu re D ire c tio n s fo r O a kv ille , is currently available fo r public examination on the Town of Oakville web site at h ttp :// w w w .to w n .o a kv ille .o n .ca /p la n n in g . Alternatively, copies of the paper can be obtained from the Planning Services Department during regular office hours (Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM). Please provide us with your input about how home-based businesses should be regulated in Oakville by completing the questionnaire included with the paper. Completed questionnaires and any questions or comments with respect to the Town's review of the regulations regarding home-based businesses in the Zoning By-law should be directed to: Bruce Bellows, Planner • Long Range Planning Section Planning Services Department - Town of Oakville P.O. Box 310 1225 Trafalgar Road Oakville ON L6J 5A6 Phone: (905) 845-6601, ext. 3040 Fax: (905)338-4414 e-mail: bbellows@town.oakville.on.ca 1 mailto:mseguin@town.oakville.on.ca http://www.town.oakville.on.ca/planning mailto:bbellows@town.oakville.on.ca