Ok ey er tee ee te et ‘18 Terrace Review — Wednesday, March 19, 1986 — Lotters School board commended To the Editor, On Tuesday night, March 11, in the Caledonia Senior Secon- dary library, the Terrace School Board took two major steps towards making itself more rele- vant and responsive to public concerns over education. . The Board passed a budget that reflected the real requirements of the school system, and then voted unanimously to re- quest the Provincial Government to fund a larger portion of that budget. And secondly, the Board initiated a process to improve relations with the Terrace Teachers and work together to pro- mote better public awareness of the value of the schoo! system. Let me point out some of the background to the budget decision: Last year, District 88 taxpayers saw their residential school taxes go up by 14,2 percent. This increase was a direct result of the 1985 Pro- vincial budget, which began the complete phase-out {over three years) of school taxes on machinery and equip- ment, and also réduced the school tax rate on in- dustrial and commercial property (by one-third over three years). - These tax cuts (which were supposed to ac- celerate economic recovery, by the way!) tended to shift the burden of school taxa- tion, first onto general revenues, and then onto the residential taxpayer. The 1986/87 school year will be the second year of these tax cuts. This year’s loss to the education budget, province-wide, will be, by my estimate, approx- _imately $180 million. Again, the intent is to shift this expense onto general revenues and the residential taxpayer, while services remain at the same levels (classes are over-crowded, counseling cut back, libraries cut back, etc.) Parents have been complaining about the problems caused by “‘split’’ classes where the teacher has to teach two different grade levels (ex- ample, grades 5 and 6), in the same class. The Terrace District Teachers Association (TDTA) has conducted a_ work-to- rule campaign, to call at- tention to overcrowded classes and the other dif- ficulties they encounter. The campaign was un- popular among some TDTA members, but I think now it can be seen to have made its point. - A> majority of the School Board (Trustees Ian Anderson, Jim Angus, Kirsten Chap- man, Ray Jones, and Danny Sheridan) voted to increase the teaching staff by five teachers, to alleviate some of the pro- blems raised by teachers and parents. The Board: was then faced with a decision. The increased budget would have raised school taxes sky high, unless the Board voted to request additional fun- ding from the Provincial government. So the ‘‘needs’’ budget was passed (as it has been now by all northern school boards, from Queen Charlotte to Quesnel). The TDTA called their version a “recovery” budget, and the term ‘“required’’ budget is being used as well. But whatever the name, this budget was made in Terrace, not Victoria, and it attempts to reflect the real needs. If there is a major in- crease in school taxes this year, residential tax- payers know it will be the fault of the Provincial government (if it denies “mon concerns the request to fund education adequately), It will not be the fault of the Terrace School Board. The Board has made that clear. | _ The motion moved by former Board Chairman - Danny Sheridan, to establish a joint trustee- teacher committee to ad- dress common problems and speak with a positive note to the public about education, was also pass- ed unanimously, after TDTA spokesman Brian Koven had spoken clo- quently about the com- that should join the two groups. As Trustee. [an Anderson had stated earlier, teachers should be the allies of the Board, not its enemies. The sound you heard from the Caledonia library last Tuesday night was that of a log jam breaking up. Trustees are talking honestly to each other, discussing educational issues in public, talking to the teachers, talking back to Victoria. The Terrace School Board is changing, in the Spring of 86. George Stanley Terrace, B.C. Battle lines drawn? To the editor, I find very interesting remarks attributed to Neil Sterritt on the C.F.P.R. Noon News, Feb. 12, 1986, regarding my appointment as the new Minister of Lands, Parks and Housing and the Gitksan Wet’suwet’en land claim. It would appear that Mr. Sterritt has drawn battle lines without hav- ing the courtesy of ‘peaking to me personal- y. It would also appear that Mr, Sterritt has pre- judged a decision of the Supreme Court which it is thought will be brought down late this year on the said claim when saying, ‘‘The Gitksan Wet’suwet’en have a lis pendens on all the Crown Land within our territory and ob- viously we’re going to be at loggerheads, so there is a big problem.” Crown Land, until a court decision decides otherwise, belongs, in my mind at least, to all the people of British Col- umbia not just a favored few. Yes itis my intent to make Crown Land available wherever poss- ible to any of our citizens wishing it for a good purpose. If Mr. Sterritt and a few, who I do not believe speak for all In- dian peoples, wish to thwart that effort then they do both their people and all other British Col- umbians and, in fact,all Canadians, a great disservice. One of the greatest needs across our land to- day is the provision of more jobs for everyone, particularly Indian peoples who are prob- ably in the greatest need. Statements such as those attributed to Mr. Ster- ritt, “The lis pendens warns prospective developers’, is not ex- actly conducive to the provision of those badly needed jobs through in- vestment. As always, I can be reached at 387-3038 or c/o Parliament Build- ings, Victoria. The Hon. Jack Kempf MLA Oniineca Police report On Friday, March 14, two men, armed with handguns, walked into Copperside II and demanded all the cash, Terrace RCMP said. The two fled by foot, and later the young of- fenders were charged with armed robbery. To the editor, Somebody out there cares, but who's listen- ing? On Feb. 24, 1986 Citizens For Public Justice (CPJ) issued a document carrying the headline: Cut poverty and create jobs through a 10 percent shift in federal budget spending. Citizens for Public Justice is an inter-faith group which includes ac- tive participation of the Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Evangelical Fellowship, and United Churches of Canada. The reasons given by CPJ for issuing this document at this time is as follows: ‘Consistent with the Biblical call to defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; to maintain the rights of the poor and the oppressed (Psalm 82), our churches and their agencies con- tinue to develop pro- grams of education, ac- tion and advocacy for the family, the oppress- ed, the poor and the vulnerable minorities.’’ Needless to say, Michael Wilson’s budget did not in my opinion, contain any of the sug- gestions put forward by these concerned Chris- tians. The irony of this refusal however, stems not as much from the fact that the Conser- vative Party, which sup- posedly counts among its caucus membership several Christians, but from the fact that the CPJ designed their pro- posals in such a manner that there would be no increase in the Federal deficit. The main thrust of the report was that poverty and unemployment could substantially be alleviated through a transfer of wealth from the rich to the working poor. Through a social development and job creation fund, monies could be directed towards the unemployed to get people off social assistance. Increased social assistance through a Guaranteed Income was also. included to eliminate most of the financial hardships now endured by the poor of Canada. These programs would be financed by modest increases in taxa~ tion to the very wealthiest 20 percent of Canadians. Even John Turner, the apparent architect of many of the infamous tax giveaways to wealthy Canadians has been publicly criticizing the Conservative govern- ment for making the middie income Cana- dians pay through the nose while the poor get no improvement in their lives and the rich tend to. get an assortment of tax ‘holidays. | - This is not a time that this country can afford to ignore the advice of organizations like the mainstream churches of Canada. These are not radical organizations, far from it. These chur- ches are the bastion of the. status quo; conser- vatives who fail to pay heed to these voices at this time may live to regret it in the future. When the voice of reasoning is ignored the voices of less reasonable “Who is listening? people will become louder. There is a tremendous amount of frustration in this coun- ‘try at this time. It seems that the governments of Brian Mulroney and Bill Bennett have closed their minds to any who dare to question their vision of the future. Hopefully the people will take the necessary steps to remedy this intolerance the next time these two governments face the le, . pe? Bill Goodacre, | coordinator, Terrace Unemployment Action Centre At Co-op, Woolworth Business on increase by Daniele Berquist TERRACE — Ron Brown, food floor manager for the Terrace Co-operative Associa- _ tion (Co-op) said that ‘tyes, business has in- creased somewhat since the Sunday opening issue.” . We've -had a lot of support from the public and it’s shown by our in- creasing sales, he added. When asked if the associ- ation was considering Sunday opening for the future,, Brown replied, ‘We are monitoring the situation, but as of now anus no,’? Woolworth manager, John Vanderfluit said that he too is getting sup- port from the communi- ty. Sales have increased and he said that it’s the public’s way of saying, ‘‘We’re supporting you for not opening your doors for Sunday shop- ping.” ARIES Mar. 21-Apr. 19 smoothly. TAURUS Aar. 20-May 20 GEMINI May 21-June20 CANCER June 21-July 22 LEO ; July 23-Aug. 22 VIRGG Aug. 23-Sept. 22 LIBRA Sept, 23-Oct.22 SCORPIO | Oct. 23-Nov. 21 SAGITTARIUS Nov, 22-Dec. 21 CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19 AQUARIUS Jan, 20-Feb. 18 PISCES — Feb. 19-Mar. 20 Your message \ from the stars... Your Week Ahead Horoscope Forevast Period: 3/23- 3/29/86 Take the lead from your partner and alter your plansto coincide. It keeps things running Give serious consideration to suggested chang- es inemployment atfairs, Seek the advice of one you have confidence in. Carcer ambitions are put on hold asthe strong force of true love takes over the driver's seat. Housecleaning impulses get the better of you, evenin thestillof the night while the rest of the ' family sleeps. Takea trip during the spring break. It satisfies vour restless urge for change, and brings a ‘ moreoptimistic outlook. Enjoy these few vacation days by putting all nagging responsibilities on hold till next week rolls around, The full moon brings the restless urge to wan- der. Getting started on a new venture could providean anchor, Be realistic where financial matters are con- cerned. Artistic and mystical interests are indicated, Meditative disciplines are in order, Adjust to circumstances and restrain rebellious urges. Participate in community affairs. Try to conformtothenorm. Career concerns can be troublesome. Follow the rules to the letter, Handle employees with tactand understanding. Philosophical interests are indicated, Study ways of improving your self image, Avoid impulsive action, Give thoughtful considera- tion loevery move. Youcould beled astray financially by depend- ing solely on your intuition, Avoid new ventures where money is needed. 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