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6 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, February 5, 2002 - SCOMMENT IItINM- Province better corne HI up with bail out cash < Tne Halton District School Board may be stuck between a proverbial rock and a hard place if the Ontario government doesn't corne up with some bail out money to offset the cost of teacher retirement gratuities. The board recently learned from its business superintendent that it stands to mun a $2.2-million deficît by dipping mnto the board's reserve fund. 'Me budgetary shortfall will become a much greater conceni if the Province isn't willing to pony up the cash to help out school boards across Ontario. Smnce boards aren't permitted to mun deficits, Education Director Dusty Papke has said cuts to the Halton public board's budg- et may be the only way out of the mess. Prior to 1998, school boards were permnitted to keep the difference forrner's gratuities. That used to bring $6-million to the Halton District School Board. Not anymore. While previous administrations may be responsible for creatmng and continuing retirement gratuities the current government must shoulder some of the blame for creating a system that finds teachers leaving in record numbers. O UR READERS WRITE- Councîllor Malboeuf holds fîrm in his belle f that flyer dîstrîbuted by colleague was inappropriate due to inclusion of Town name, address Dear Editor: There has been much wrrtten and report- ed lately pertaining 10 Councillor John Challinor'a lester on hehaif of the Friends of E.C. Drury Park (Frienda), not ail of il accurate or unbiased and s0 I have no choice but 10 respond in tbis manner te, make my position known. 1, as welI as other members of counrcil, including the mayor, received several phone calis from residents questioning tIse Town's involvement ini Ibis solicitation for fonds as well as lot the appropriateneas of Councillor Challinor't involvement. Box 248, 191 Main Si. E., Milton, Ont. L_9T 4N9 (905) 878-2341 Editorial Fax: 905-878-4943 Advertising Fax: 905-876-2364 Classified: 905-875-3300 Circulation: 905-878-5947 Ian OliverPublisher Neil Oiver Assoiane Publisher Jili Davis Edifor in Chief Karen Smith Edîsor Wendy McNab Advertaang Manager Steve Crozier Circulatton Manager Terd Cama Office Manager Tlm Coles Production Manager As a member of counicil it's my respon- sibility 10 bring thse concerus of residents before council. That's what 1 did. 1 don't believe what Councillor Challinor did was proper. Il may have been legal but 1 don't think il was ethical and thse fact the Town name and address waa used on the letter was another reason for my raismng il. The mayor used his influence over coun- cil 10 deny me thse opportunity 10 question and debate Councillor Challinor face-to- face in a public forum over Ibis issue - indicating to me that there may be a reason Tihe Canadien Chion, published every Tuesday anit Friday ai 191 Main St. E., Miltos. Ont. L9T 4N9 (Bon 248), la sse of Tire Metrolasi Pristiai, Publisiig & Sîstriutisg Ltd groupaif subusitas campasies wici incuites itjax/Pickrng Nesa Aiuertiser, Allistas IleralitlCoarier, Barrie Aituance, Barry's Bay Tis Weeli, salin Esterprise, Brampton Suaritias. Burlingtun Post. Burlîngios Siropping News, City Parent, City ut York Guarilias, Collingwooit/Wasaga Connection, Faut York Missor, Fris Aitaocate/Coustry Routes, ttobicuke Suaritias, Flamborougr Post, Farever Yousg, Georgetown sIndepesiiestctos Free Presa, Halin Businss Times, Hurosia Basinsas Times. Kinsaton Titis Weli. Linitsay This Week, Markham Fcosamiat & Susi, Miitlastt/Pesetasguisne Mirror, Massn Shopping Newa, Missîssauga Business Times, Mississauga News, Napasee Guide, Nassagaweyu Newss, Newmarlietl5urota tra-Sanner, Northumberlasd News, Nortir York Mîrror, Oulmille Beaser, Sakaille Siropping Niews, Olittimers Hockey Ness Orîlîra Toitay, OsirawalWiry/ClaringtuslPart Ferry This Week, Peterborougir This Week, Picion County Suide, Ricirmosnd Hillf5irnrsillNaughan Liberai, Scarborougr Mirror, Stouiioille/Ulxinge Tribune. Aitoestising is accepteit on tire conition tiras. sn thre suent of a typo- grapirical essor, tirai portion of tire aituertising space occupieit iy tire erro- seous item. togetir wîtir a seasonairle ailowasce lot signature, will sot ire cirargnit tue, but tan balance ut tire aitaertisemest iil ire palid ion at ihe appli- cable sain. Tire puishr resemves tire rigint ta caingaoniz aitonstisementa os itecline. The 569.,n Canadme Ohnepon isa Renpniabi Prduc5 for concem. Councillor Challinor tees nothing wrong in what hie did. The mayor, thse group Friends and their supporters agree with ii. 1 wonder if they would feel thse samne had il been 1 who had sent oui a letter using my position on counicil to solicit donations on behalf of thse developer, alto a Milton resi- dent, in order 10 assist him in paying off the legal expenses hie incurred over thse same issue. My concems over the involvement of tIse School Advisory Council is due to tIse fact that it'a using ils charitable statua to issue tax receipîs for rooney received tIsaI enda up in the Isands of a lawyer. How can a lawyer be tIse beneficiary of a ,charitable donation'? Some say l'm trying 10 prevent Frienda from raising funds, which isn'î true. 1 have no problero with tIse group soliciting donations. 1 have even donated a couple toonies and loonies myseif. What l'm opposed 10 is a member of counicil using bis elected position slong with the Town naine and address to solicis funds on ils behalf. In a letter to the editor in Friday's Champion, a supporter of Friends stated that they recalled me "glad-handling" at various open houses held by the developer and advising people 10 go along with the proposai, implying that 1 had ties 10 the developer. That',s simply flot true. The only public meetings 1 attended on Ibis issue were those public information meetings held by Town staff - the same meetings Councillor Challinor attended. My support for the proposai came only after receiving the staff recommendation advising approval of the project along with a legal opinion that we couldn't prevent the developmnent and to deny the application would only result in costly Ontario Municipal Board (0MB) hearings that we would lose. That 0MB hearing cost Milton tax pay- ers more than $250.000. Milton has a shortage of geared-for-scn- esee MALBOEUF on page 7 Have your.say wlth a letter to the edibr. Fax yourf toB878- 4943l, or drop them Off at Our office anytime at 191 Main St. E. Pud by Steve Nease THE CAvADJANv CHAMPION