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Too» PRESSING MATTERS TT by John James LY "Could We Maybe Talk About Something Else Next Week?" Oboy. Teacher B. Robert at least deserves thanks from the Port's taxpayers for efforts to clarify confusion surrounding teacher compensa- tion. Unfortunately, unless readers are blessed with a teacher's point of view, the "Robert Rebut- tals" only add fuel to the fire. Consider the lead paragraph of the latest let- ter, which suggests the opinions of a recently re- tired newspaper editor/publisher are no more credible than those of a young student who 'fails' for neglecting to provide proper documentation on an essay. A rather childish play, considering the serious business at hand. Could we be forgiven for assuming an edi- tor, who covered school board/ teacher negotia- tions for many years, might be qualified to com- ment? An editor's role is to examine an issue, and advise the public of pros and cons. There is no bias, nor conflict of interest here, (other than a potential personal tax saving...ironically shared with teachers and other taxpayers}. This war of words was originally provoked by a suggestion EVERYONE should be prepared to reduce expectations in the face of looming eco- nomic disaster. We suggested teachers lead the way in set- ting a good example. No single body of orga- nized labour in this province fared better in the last three decades than teachers. They earned the right to lead this parade. This particular teacher obviously disagrees, but fails to provide us with a more appropriate group of trailblazers. From 1981 to 1985, almost everyone in the public and private sectors watched earnings come to a standstill, or worse. Did teachers suf- fer? Perhaps B. Robert could tell us: what was the smallest ANNUAL increase teachers re- ceived between 1981 and 1985, and how much did teachers gain overall during that period? Un- der the conditions at that time, those gains were obscene. Returning to today's issues, the attempt to diffuse our concerns about teacher work weeks and high wages doesn't merit a response, other than: a) agreeing it was a "remarkable use of numbers to bolster an argument", and b) urgin the writer to contact Finance Minister Mike Wit son... he could use this stuff to explain how the GST will benefit' low income Canadian families! In terms of hours vs. pay rates, the only guy we know with a better deal than teachers is the Maytag Repairman. How's this for an example of the disparity between teachers and the real world? Last year we lost a cracker jack young female reporter, who loved her job, but departed to become a teacher because" "Let's face it, where else can I make THAT MUCH MONEY, or have enough time ON THE JOB to have kids and raise a fami- 1 " y Hey, everybody knows teachers who go the extra mile for the kids, and we respect them im- mensely for those efforts. But cmon, we also know other teachers who vanish at the sound of the bell. In one small town, we've watched them goods stores, racquet court complexes, and a flourish- ing antique business. The average guy doesn't enjoy ten weeks off P operate video rental outlets, sportin in the summer, plus a week at Easter, plus ten days at Christmas, plus eleven P.D. days to im- prove skills at Sompiony expense, plus INDEXED Liat plus PAID sick da s..which ACCU- ULATE if unclaimed. You'll be hearing more about those sick days, as they provide many a Baby Boom teacher in school boards across the province with lump sum retirement bonuses to- talling as much as $25,000 cash when it's time to kiss the chalk bye-bye. Some gold watch, huh? How about our writer's off-hand sugges- tiong that the union's demand for a 12% raise this year is no more than a farcical opening gam- bit in an auction? That amazing admission might have been more welcome, if it wasn't backed up with a gun held to the head of every young stu- dent in Durham Region's high schools. Consider the "productivity word. In busi- ness, a gain in productivity occurs when labour and management work together to produce 40 units per day, instead of 35 units, at no addition- al cost. You'll see plenty of that in the coming ears, as Canadians struggle to compete in a glo- 1 marketplace. Does the same theory work in education? In the days of the' little red schoolhouse, there were thirty students in a class. Boy, we must have really been something to survive in the real world despite such an educational disad- vantage! ings have sure changed. In late 1990, teachers threaten to strike unless classroom size is reduced to a ratio of 14-1! Be the judge, Mr. and Mrs. Parent. Do YOU believe things have improved? The situation is out of hand. The nation's debt load is destroying the future for our kids. Everyone must be prepared for personal sacrifice to end this madness. That includes teachers. Are they doing their share? Not when you sce demands for a 12% increase in one year! What a tragic lack of foresight. Teachers have an opportunity to protect the enormous ad- vances they've made in the last thirty years, merely by adopting a policy of sensible restraint in terrible economic conditions. At the very least, that would continue to give them some control over their own destiny, and curtail the risk of a taxpayer backlash which could easily produce brutal cutbacks, and perhaps wipe out their right to strike. It's time for the voice of reason to surface within teacher ranks. There must be plenty of teachers who are genuinely concerned about the future, their students, and the communities they live and work in. Those voices should be yelling "Back Off," instead of "12%." But that's for teachers to decide. You parents and taxpayers might want to let local school trus- tees know your thoughts. Give them a call. It's time to stop rolling over and playing dead. You simply can't afford it. ...john Royal Doulton For that special person this Christmas 30% OFF ROYAL DOULTON FIGURINES | (over 160 from which to choose) Fan & % 43 3 hiihdaid inna AAA "My Love" PENTLAND JEWELLERS 174 Queen Street, Port Perry 985-7641 TI NII AY TY ND PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, November 20, 1990 -- 11 Leite I'S to the editor Could be last of fish To the Editor: My congratulations to Rob Hill and Tom Morgan on their fine catch, a 14 1b. pickeral (P.P. Star Oct. 30). It seems a little ironic that possibly the largest pickeral caught in Lake Scugog could also be one of the last; if the proposed dump comes to the former Cart- wright Township. These two proposed dump sites sit just south of Lake Scugog, creeks are located on both sides with many springs also originating there, these springs feed into the creeks and flow north into Lake Scugog and beyond. Toxic seepage will eventually turn Lake Scugog and all the shallow wells around the lake in- to poisonous toxic water and in turn kill all tourism centered ar .nd the lake. Remember, all dumps leak. All farms north of these sites will also be ruined and no com- pensation will be awarded. Many farms rely on springs, rivers and spring-fed ponds to water their cattle, toxins will eventually find their way into the food chain because without compensation the farmers will have no choice but to carry on. It seems obvious that MacLaren Engineering is just a cover for Durham Region. MacLaren didn'te even know which way the water flowed. The decision to pick former Cartwright for two sites, and two more alternative sites is a political one. They are only con- cerned about votes, they don't care about the residents there, on- ly the money that they can get from us, and if we don't stand up against them they will trample us. As long as the big cities can dump their trash in the far cor- ners of Durham Region where they don't have to see and put up with its devastating effects, there will never be a solution to the gar- bage crises. Take a drive through one of the large towns or cities on garbage day and you will see that a lot of people don't even bother to recy- cle. So let the garbage be dumped where it is produced, only then will the garbage piles diminish. Dumpsites cause more pro- blems than they cure, there are alternatives, remember Stouffville. Andy Bajema, R.R. 1, Nestleton Solutions From Page 7 proven themselves in the past,, feel a lot of the non-productive people should be replaced, so we don't end up with more prob- lems like the school system where the costs have gone out of control, and quality of the prod- uct appears in many cases to have come down. I believe we should make jails tougher, not "holiday inns," workers should work and give us a fair dollar's worth. Before all these Durham Region "high tech" people came on stream, we could pay our tax- es that were acceptable. And like myself, we did not feel tak- en by the system. Yours truly, Bill Wozney, Prince Albert. Reeve. en both received acclamations. Uxbridge Church. November 28. of 1981. Remember When? (From page 7) The Greenbank Community Hall has been approved as a centennial project for the Township of Reach. Scugog News - Bruce Heayn received the highest award for his Gary Oats at the Royal Winter Fair. Jim and Roy Gerrow placed second and third. All three are 4-H members. Mr. Garry Porter, who has been in the Middle East for some time is now in Sunnybrook Hospital. 20 YEARS AGO Thursday, December 2, 1970 Port Perry Reeve Robert Kenny was elected by acclamation at the recent nomination meeting. The present representatives to the Hydro-Electric Commission Wm. Williams and Ted Griff- Blackstock News - Mrs. Wm. Hooey attended a family din- ner party in Toronto on November 25 in honour of her mother Mrs. Kenneth MacDonald's 100th birthday. Karen Smith of Prince Albert, Jessie Osterloo of Manches- ter and Marie Holtby of Prince Albert were presented with their County Honours Certificates at the 4-H Achievement Day at the Lawrence Malcolm was elected by acclamation for the posi- tion of Reeve for Cartwright Township. Approximately 105 Leos, Lions and friends attended the Charter Night for the newly formed Leo Club of Port Perry on 10 YEARS AGO Wednesday, November 19, 1980 Plans are moving ahead for an expansion to the Community Memorial Hospital in Port Perry. The Port High Senior Wind Ensemble has won a grant from the Federal Government to travel to British Columbia in March Anna M. Robertson of Port Perry graduated with an hon- ours diploma in the fashion merchandising program. Brian Newton held the winning ticket in a Wintario draw on November 13 which made him $25,000.00 richer. Close to 300 people turned out at a public meeting last Wednesday evening at Latcham Centre to voice their support for the maternity unit at Port Perry Hospital. Mrs. Crosier was a dinner guest on Sunday of Miss Gloria Gardiner and Mr. Dean Beare in Oshawa.