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6 - The Canadien Champion, Friday, November 20, 1998 <COMMENT Good cail by co unc il iEPEPPER! Milton counicil was right flot to take sides with Percy Merry parents P A do as the latter attempt to block any moves aimed at closing their sehool. Granted, Percy Menry is probably a fine institution and is a hub of activity in rural Hornby, an area that does not benefit from many municipal facilities. But councillors are correct in saying that backing Percy Menry par- ents is in effeet pulling the rug out from underneath somebody else, given that many sehools are on the chopping block -- two in Milton.L Council has no jurisdiction in this question and could only be seen as meddling in school board affairs. The school boards have enough problems at present without other politicians grandstanding to appease voters. Local guy makes good There hasn't been a local police chief at the helm of the Halton force since the late 1970s, so we're pleased to see that Ean Algar was pro- mote7d from within to take command. The Halton Regional Police Service has changed a lot in two decades, grown in scope, responsibility and, despite a few bumps in the road, professionalism. It's timne that they went to one of their own for leadership. Good luck to Ean Algar. He's going to need it. SO UR READERS WRITE 1 ~'i" fnr *htair -inia--tnrç Alternative schools the answer THE CANADL4N CHAMPION Box 248, 191 Main st. E.. The. CumUl..Cuqilus. pubished evsry Tuesday and Frlday Milton, Ont. L9T 4N9 a 191 Main St. E., Milton, Ont., LgT 4N9 (Box 248), ls one of Tite Metroland Prlntlng, Publlshlng & Distrlbutlng Ltd. group oi sub- urban companies which Includes: Ajax / Pickering News (905)87 -2 4 Advertiser; Alliston HeraidflCourler: Barris Advante; Brampton Guardian; Burlingon Post; City Parent; Colllngwood 1 Wasaga Editorial Fax: 8784943 Connection; Es ok Mrror BEobicoke Guardian; Georgetown 87-34 Independentl Acton Fre Press; K(inston Tiis Weelc; Lndsay Tiis Advertising Fax: 8626 Week; Marldiam Economist & Sun; Mldland 1 Penetanguishene Classitied: 875-3300 Mirror; Mississauga Nws; Newmarket I Aurora Era Banner; Norhiumberland News; Nort Vok Mrror~ Oakvlle Beaver, Orllila Ian Oliver Publisher Today; Oshawa I Whtby I Clarington I Port Perry This Week; PeterborougitTiis Week; Rchmond Hill1 I Tiomhill I Vaughtan Neil Oliver Associute Publrher Liberal; Scarborougit Mirror; Uxbrldge I StouffVillls Tribune; BillBegin Generai Manager Today's Seniors. Rob Kely Edtor 'Advertslng ls accepted on the condition that, ln the event oi a Rois eU3r datortypographical error, titat portion of te advertlslng space occu- Kmrn Cross Circulation Manager pied by the erroneous Item, togetiter wit a reasonable allowance Ter Casas Office Manager for signature, will not be charged for, but tite balance of the adverllsement wili be pald for at te applicable rate. Tite publisiter lina Colles Production Manager reserves tite rigiti ta categorize advertlsemsfits or declins. Dear Editor: I would like to express my opinion regarding the cost of public education in Ontario. The government currently spends approximately $14 billion annually on education, of which I believe 80 per cent funds salaries and henefits. In thse real world, if 80 per cent of your revenue goes to salaries and benefits you will quickly learo what bankruptcy is. Is it therefore any wonder why teacher unions blast the govemment for taking money out of te education system. The unions continue 10 preach to the public "less money in the systemn means less money for your cbild" i.e. poorer education. Wbat hogwasb. Ontario bas one of tbe igbest cost per student in tbe world, but we score low on international tests. It's a fallacy that paying educators more money means a better education for your child. 0f course teachers, directors, superintendents and educational consultants want 10 be paid more money, wbo doesn't? However, contrary to wbat tie teacher unions want you bo beieve, studies have sbown that higb cost often buys low quality. I additioni, pùblic education in this province is a monopoly. We alI know that monopolies are ineffi- cient and expensive wbile not caring for the people wbo actually pay their salaries. This province must create alternatives for education competition that is long overdue. Other provinces in ibis country and other countries have tried alternatives to the current system with some success. Tbey include the following: charter schools, magnet schools and voucher systemns. Parents must have a choice as to wbich system and school to educate their children in. Not until other choices exist will the cost of education be controlled (reduced) and tbe quality significantly improved. N. Maile Burlington Thanks for helpîng us to help others Dear Editor: I want 10 thank you so very much for tbe two articles printed recently in Tbe Champion highligbting our need for volunteers. Tbey were in an excellent position in the paper, and bave generated considerable interest for us. I have received a number of phone calis in response t0 the publicity. and have already signed up a couple of new volunteers. Agamn, thank you very much for such great belp. Anthea Hoare, co-ordinator Volunteer Resource Pud by Steve Nease