Letters to the editor

Greater autonomy

Allow me to bridge your article about the value of school principals, by using figures from a poll taken in 2007 that pertain to the upcoming 'national forum' on the future of school boards and also “to explore ways to modernize school government” (‘High praise for Mac’s principal’ , The Chronicle, Jan. 16).

First, though, let us go back to 1994. The Parti Québécois government realized that school boards with their antiquated ideas were the weakest link in education governance. Hence, they started a consultation process that would lead to the elimination of school boards in favour of a split in responsibilities between the province and boards of directors at the school level. However, due to a clamour by a few people, a compromise was reached. Governing boards were created and fragile school boards were mandated to support schools - not run them.

A Montreal Economic Institute Leger survey last October indicated “seven Quebecers out of 10 say ‘yes’ to greater autonomy for school principals.

That said, it is so self-evident, that we often overlook the fact that students do not go to school boards when they go to class, they go to schools. School boards merely own the buildings but schools belong to students, parents, teachers, the principal and other school personnel. They know what is best for the children in their school because they understand its unique culture.

What we need as part of the overhaul of education is an increase in the power of decision-making at the school itself, accompanied by a diminished role of the traditional school boards. Maybe the government could study the system utilized by private institutions; they seem to function successfully without ‘Big Brother’ involvement.

In short, we need a meaningful involvement for parents, a bigger bang for our educational buck with student achievement at the center of all decision making.

In the Dec. 2007, issue of Home and School News, the article: “Creativity begins with discipline” by journalist, editor, and broadcaster, Robert Fulford, wrote about “changes” in a rejuvenated educational system.

“Only a radically reformed structure can work these changes. We need a system that’s nimble and clever, a gazelle to replace the hippopotamus that the 20th century bequeathed to us”. www.qfhsa.org)



Chris Eustace

Pierrefonds

Fed up Pointe Claire taxpayer

I live at on Queen's Road. As I sit here working at my home office (on Jan. 24), the city is cleaning the streets and sidewalks. Coincidentally, being a Thursday, it is also the day the recycling passes. We have quite a few boxes piled at the end of the driveway for recycling to take away. Instead, the snow clearers' plows grab them and toss them nilly willy .Needless to say, they are no longer neatly packed awaiting pickup; unfortunately, also needless to say, the snow cleaners do not bother to stop to pick them up. Do litter fines not apply to city workers?

So, Queen's Street now has a few crushed boxes scattered about. I am doubtful that the garbage men will pick it up. As a regular runner through our fair city, garbage days are nothing but an eyesore of refuse strewn about by hapless and negligent garbage/recycling trucks. Windy days are 10 times worse.

If the people in charge of keeping our streets clean cannot be bothered to do their jobs properly, how can you expect the residents to care? Are these people answerable to no one? Does no one at the city bother to reprimand them for a job poorly done? Do I have to police my own street and neighborhood to make sure the people whose salary I pay are competent in their work? Will you provide me with a salary plus benefits to do so?

Sue Keats'

Pointe Claire



Let's get out

I am against the war in Afghanistan, for the following reasons:

1. We should find a "made in Afghanistan" solution to the problem. Let the people of Afghanistan figure out how they want to live.

2. I believe in democracy. Let the people vote and decide their own way.

3. Why are Canadians in Afghanistan in the first place? Because the Americans decided to attack?

4. Too many lives are lost in this war, some 78 Canadians, but troops of other nationalities as well, also many Afghan people, whether fighters or civilians.

5. We should let the mullas and Mudha Hadeen (sp) do their thing. They still control large parts of the country. They are the force to be reckoned with. If we don't like what they are doing in their own country, we should sit down with them and talk. We can offer assistance with strings attached. We can use peaceful means and humanitarian aid to stimulate the economy and correct errors in their system. I do not think we should willy nilly attack and invade another country, because we think we are superior.

6. We are creating a dependency in Afghanistan. Some people have suggested that Canada will now have to stay for 10 or 20 years to get Afghanistan "straightened out".

7. Imagine if we had used all the money we spent on the war, and spent it instead on development, how much farther ahead we would be.

I think Canada should get out of Afghanistan as soon as possible. Don't extend the mission beyond February 2009.

I think NATO should get out as soon as possible.

I think we should be smart like the Russians and let the locals run the show.

I think our invasion of Afghanistan is a terrible mistake.

I think the Manley report is good. It shows that the task is much more difficult than we imagined, and Canada is wasting its manpower and resources in a country that doesn't want our help.

A US Congressman said last week that Canada isn't up to the task. I agree. The Taliban are much too smart for us. We don't have the military might nor know-how for the job. Get out as soon as possible.



Ed Hoyer

Roxboro



On a mission

Dear parents,

On behalf of the children who are breathing smoke

In our communities I implore your support and ask that together we join arms to prevent smoke from being inhaled in our children’s lungs.

If there were words to express the urgency in protecting the kids, it would be caution. Chimney smoke is endangering the lives of our children.

If there were words to say from my heart what our family’s experience has been in having my own son diagnosed with a rare cancer these words would be “blessed with the courage to make a difference.” As a cancer prevention activist I am now a mom on a mission.

I ask that as parents, as mothers and fathers we demand that all stoves as well as advertising and regulations adopting certified stoves be halted and prohibited in our communities. Research proves that the manufacturers make, self certify and market with flawed and false declarations of cancer causing emissions. The deadly dioxins for example of one in thousands of carcinogens in stove heating toxic smoke.

These emissions are a serious cancer-causing second hand smoke and some are 400 per cent increased in EPA stoves. 98 per cent of emissions are not tested. Since the air is not safe with these emissions we need to join as one voice to ensure that the children are not made to breathe this smoke.

In organizing citizens for environmental health, we can make the safest world possible for the sake of the kids. For more, call 514-699-SAVE (7283).

Stella Haley

Pointe Claire