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literacy is in the news again after ix Ontario families launched legal action last week against the provinces Grade l0 literacy test. They challenged the test on the basis that it discriminates against disabled students and visible minorities. The lawsuit questions the testis fairness and wants the province to abandon it as a requirement for a high school diploma. While standardized tetits have been under fire in this and other jurisdictions because of their cultur- al appropriateness, we should be asking a far more appropriate ques- tion. Why are so many of our c-hit- dren failing this basic literacy test? Literacy should be a universal priority The mirUer is staggeriU. More than 27.000 students who should be graduating this year won't because Piatlcowski's columns were a joy to read It is with sadness that I heard of Scott Piatkowski's column. having been pulled from the paper (shades of symphony decisions eh?]. I have enjoyed reading his work for many years. I first met him years ago, when he was the only candidate who bothered to come to my apartment door, when running for election as the NDP candidate. He was inter- ested in trying to engage the voters Iwant to express my disappoint- ment in learning that Mr. Piatkowski's space in the Waterloo Chronicle will not be there in the Iam a regular reader of the Water- loo Chronicle. 1 was sorry to hear that you have decided to cancel Scott Piatkowski's weekly column. I must admit, I do not open the Chronicle solely In read Mr. Piatkowski's weekly writings. hut it Watchful criticism will be missed Piatkowski's views were refreshing It has now been ahnut 25 years since helmets wou- made manda, tory for new players who entered the NHL. " is now more obvious than ever that these guys again need protection from themselves by at least making them wear visors, Hockey visors should be mandatory We all know that it is nothing short of a miracle that Bryan Renard can still play after what happened to him. In the past week we have seen serious injuries to toe Sakir the. was wearing a visor but not a face shield), Bill I.indsay Ifrartured lar ynx __ no neck guard) and tywen Nolan (who says he'll never wear a visor - not too smart). Many players will put one on only after one eye is Injured or dam- aged. Why is that - the first eye is LETTER CHRON they can't pass the test, And we all understand the importance of being able to read. Students who haven't passed the test wont be able to apply to college. university or apprenticeship pro- gram; Those are the keys to good paying jobs and the type of educated population Ontario needs to contin- ue tu compete in the global econoA nu: 1And it's nice to see that Education Minister Gerard Kennedy believes the problem is bigger than just this test. "We're worried about more than kids not passing the literacy test." he said. "We're worried about kids not being literate." KEnm'dy'.» government and the previous provincial government have Mated more funding for litem- who are usually ignored. as few even get a voters card of encourage- ment to go and vote. because of lack of enumeration, but that is another story. is undoubtedly true that I look with anticipation through the previous pages so that I can stop and have an enjoyable few minutes of reading and pondering on what I actually read in his column. I haven't always agreed with him, but found it refreshing m have a dif, ferent view of things on your editor- ial page. It gave the paper some bal- Scott cared and wrote about many things of interest. Since we live not only in a city, but in a province and country. I found his various topics of interest to me, as I am sure many others did. Watchful criticism and observation are need- Mr. Piatkowski expresses points of view. which, although not always dispensable but the second one isn't? hhen will they realize that this is a very dangerous sport with a frozen puck traveling out of control over 100 mph. And the sticks are often up. especially since the younger players are not used to being careful in that regard because they have worn a visor for their whole Carers up unlil they made NIH. and then they take it off because. they ran. Why do they do this -- because thcy want their farm m hr wvn? It's not supposed to he a fashion show mu there on the ice. The Don Cher ry macho mentality of "I'm tough. I can handle anything"? How cool at tough are you if you can't play any- more herause you can't we proper- E To" THE CHRONICLE I COMMENT ORIA] cy programs. He's also asked schools to help determine where the real problems lie. Some local schools are doing their part, like MacGregor public school which held a special literacy day last week. The Chronicle was a participant. promoting literacy by having students take an interest in what we do in the community every week. But we all have a part to play. Computers “is and video games have been contributing factors in the explosion in childhood obesity They might also play a part in the growing number of children who can't pass even the most basic of reading requirements. So maybe it's time we turn off the [mob tube and tuned in our chil- dren, Make reading a joy not a chore ance. Please reconsider. ed more than ever, with the govern- ment's of the city, as well as provin- cial and federal, in flux. One less voice to speak up. at a time of elec- toral change and an looming elec- non. A shame to pull him. He will be missed. shared in agreement, let me have a profound consideration of the events he comments on with wit and appropriate consideration of the facts. ly? ICs hard enough to live with one eye let alone play professional hockey. I used to think it would he rival nm to wear face protection when f was 16years Old. but I have certain- ly figured mil the serious dangers ninrr- then. Why risk your career cnding from one errant stick? I was in the crowd at the Kitchener Audi- rnrium when Greg Nor-Id tragically lost his Pye which basically ruined a promising career, That was about 30 yvars ago have we learned nothing since then? Judy Greenwood-Speers Waterloo Francesco Robles Waterloo Pauline Richards Waterloo Wamrlob I l Breaking down the budget 11 Last week I shared an opinion, or two, on some approaches rity council may take to deal with their budget challenges for the upcoming year. I also complimented council for instructing staff to complete a "zero-based budgeting" process. l concluded by suggesting that "zero-based budgeting" in conjunction with a "program review" may deliver the best opportunity to reduce the operating budget and minimize any tax increases. Let me elaborate on the "program review" process. Council needs to look at some big picture items and ask the question do we need to be spending money on this program? What is our core business? What ire our core services? Is this expenditure better left to another level of government? 1 am certain that there are areas of Waterloo); budget. and the budgets of our neighbouring municipalities, where local tax dollars are supporting programs that are more appropriately funded by another level of government author spending is occurring in areas that is duplicated hy another level of govern- ment. And, ru1ally, it is a good bet that spending is occurring in some areas where it can be reduced or eliminated. What about revenue? So far much of the budget discussion has been on the expense side of things. (Don't worry, I will soon get all this hud- get discussion out of my system). 'After answering these questions. you Have defined your ser- vice areas and everything else is eliminated. The city receives revenue from a variety of sources. Examples include property taxes. user fees. water charges, sewer charges, concessions. by-law enforcement (you know. the tickets your guests receive when parked overnight on a city street), building permits. development charges and revenue from Waterloo North Hydro. When it comes to increasing rev- enue. the city can increase property taxes. but can also increase the cost of water and sewer (which is the lowest among the three municipalities). The city can also raise the cost of parking tickets and increase the fines for other bylaw infractions. A more controversial route is to raise the costs to recreation- al groups by charging sports groups more money for ice time and fields. This increased cost will of course be tacked onto minor sports registration but then at least the citizens who are using the facility“) the most are helping to cover more of the cost to operate. Subsidy programs are available for families who cant afford the full cost ofregistration. The cost of building peanits. inspections, approvals could also increase; but expect stiff opposition, from tht developers. Cm not saying these things need to happen. hut in my view they need to be considered. Thinking way mat of the box Governments can also raise revenue by selling assets. Ouch! The 407 immediately comes to mind. The city could consider selling the golf Course at RIM Park [Grey Silo) which wouldnt make much sense since it is expect- ed to make over $500,000 profit this year. But for a one time cash infusion the golf course could sell for between $6 million and $10 million. Certainly not Chump change. Waterloo North Hydro is an asset that the city now has majority ownership of since Hydro deregulation a few years ago- In 2004. it is proiected to contribute over $900,000 to the city, Although a sizeable sum most citizens have no idea if this amount is on plan. overperfnrming or underperforming. (Recently the City of Toronto received a Ss-million "dividend" from Toronto Hydro. so my guess is at $900,000 a year we're doin' pretty good.) The city does have an opportunity to sell their interest in Waterloo North Hydro to the private sector and in so doing would receive upwards of$l30 million. If the sale was to proceed (nther municipalities have done this, including Brampton and Cornwall). the city could invest the proceeds and at a four-per-cent return muld improve their coffers by approximately sr, million' a year. without ever touch, ing the prirwipal, Fire Sale not needed With these numbers you ran easily see why governments at all levels ran he seduccd hy selling assets for quick. largc and relatively uncomplicated cash infusions, The problem is that often the short-term gain is offset hy a net loss of revenue over the long term, It's a tough budget year for city council but if you sell your house to pay your mnngagv you still need another house. Bet, ter to sharpen the pencil. trim the expenses and increase some fees to pay the hills. seaneseanstricktands:om