Editor,
When I began teaching in this district in the early seventies, I had thirty-nine students in a Grade 4/5 split.
I can assure you that those children got very little individual attention. Over the following years, due to the ability of teachers' unions and School Boards to negotiate, many improvements were made. If this Liberal government gets its way, all that we have worked for will be lost. Its already happening; bigger classes with less support for the children who need it most. Most of us would rather be teaching in our classrooms right now. We accepted a 0 per cent wage settlement so that we could lower class size. The next go round, they gave us an increase, but only gave the school boards money for one of the three years. Worse than that, they stripped our contract, taking away our right to negotiate better learning and working conditions. We have been without a contract for over a year, but the government just tacked on another nine months against our will. That is not a contract; it is a decree. The minister of labour wrings his hands, apparently completely confused as to why we would stay off the job when we have such a wonderful contract in place.
The implications of the government's actions are far-reaching. We are standing up for our belief that these actions are wrong. We are doing it not only for the children and teachers of today, but for those in the future.
Alma Lewis
Brackendale
Learn to play nice
Editor,
From very young, we teach our children about problem-solving and conflict resolution. "Use your words," we tell them. "Take turns talking," we teach them. We hope that the lessons stick in their heads and that they start to use these skills without our prompting them.
When they get to school, we teach our children about bullying. How they are supposed to avoid it, how they are to deal with it, and what they are to do if it doesn't stop. Some schools have a zero tolerance policy on bullying. We all hope that our firm stance on bullying will prevent another Rena Virk.
Then our children grow up. Some become educators; imparting the same words of wisdom to the children they work with. Others may grow up to become our elected leaders in government. But all the grown - ups learned the same lessons as children.
The teachers' walkout was not illegal until a panel of elected officials deemed it so. They took the power given to them by the people and decided to force a contract on the teachers.
The definition of a contract is an agreement between two or more parties. If one party does not agree to the terms, then there is no contract.
The government is trying to force the teachers into accepting the terms of the contract THEY decided on. They have declared the strike illegal and are threatening to impose fines and jail sentences if the terms are not accepted.
A contract signed under duress is not enforceable by law.
If the teachers go back to work, they accept the terms the government has set out. They have accepted the contract under duress. What does this teach our children?
The lessons that are being taught are simple. Be nice. Don't bully. Unless of course, you are elected into the government. Then it's OK.
Jane Smith
Brackendale
Student talks about strike
Editor,
I would like to clarify my position on the current teachers strike as I feel that my position on the issue was misrepresented in last Friday's newspaper. I can not speak for the other students that were protesting in front of Howe Sound on Thursday, Oct. 6, I was there to show support for the teachers of this district and the province. I am currently a grade 12 student at Howe Sound Secondary and I do believe that my grade 12 year could be affected if the strike goes on for a lengthy period. However, I also strongly believe in what the teachers are striking for. It is for our education and improving the conditions that we learn in. Since grade five I have been in many classes that have 30 or more students in it and so this seems normal, but does that make it right? I believe that our education would be better with smaller class sizes, more teacher librarian time and more assistance for those students who need it.
My other concern is that we live in a province where the government seems to think that they can just hand out imposed contracts to whomever, whenevery they deem appropriate. I thought we lived in a democratic society, not one where a dictatorship seems to prevail.
My support is totally behind the teachers of this province and I will be out there supporting them again.
Bryson Drinovz
Garibaldi Highlands
Raiser shouldn't run
Editor,
I believe that Bryan Raiser, who has personally profited by producing two bumper stickers, which encourage the polarization of issues affecting the Sea to Sky corridor has no business running for council.
I know which way Whistler is, because I drive there everyday to work. I am thankful, if Whistler didn't support my family, I would not be able to live in Squamish.
Is Bryan Raiser the hippie who should think fast?
Darien Adley
Brackendale
Focus on transit
Editor,
As the autumn season arrives, the unmistakable whiff of politics is in the air. No doubt everybody in the Squamish area looks forward to the upcoming municipal elections.
However, I appear to be missing something with all the "new directions" we hear about. There is a critical issue to a large proportion, if not a majority, of residents in this wonderful town.
With the recent tragic accidents on "the Highway", why are none of our elected officials working to secure safe, reliable, and timely public commuter transportation to and from Vancouver? We see the announcements of the return of the commuter service to Whistler, but never a word on service to Vancouver.
Let's also take a look at a couple of other reasons beyond the obvious question of safety. First the economics - with the changes in the local economy over the past five years, a significant proportion of Squamish's livelihood is generated from the commuters who make the trip daily. As this is year round activity for permanent jobs, it's pretty obvious that this value is going to exceed significantly what is generated on the run to Whistler. As payers of both income and gasoline taxes, surely a reliable commuter service is not too much to ask?
Second, take a look at the hypocrisy of the "outdoor recreation capital of Canada" slogan. By failing to support commuters with reliable and safe transportation options, more cars are on the road every day. Not exactly an "eco-friendly" and "environmentally aware" message. With a state of the art commuter system, the local business development effort is bound to get a leg up by not coming across as a bunch of "eco-hypocrites" and actually practice what we preach in this part of the world.
So let's have our council start looking at the real world here and do something that benefits us all as a community. It truly would be a new direction if our local elected officials could move away from building cathedrals on the highway and hosting referendums for budgets that don't exist and be the first step in the right direction to seeing reduced accidents on our highways.
If you want my vote this fall ladies and gentlemen, then let's please get this on the agenda and make some progress. Between the tragic accidents we would avoid and the basic common sense, it's a winning issue.
Marc Alvarez
Garibaldi Highlands
Thankful for disaster aid
Editor,
We Canadians celebrate the Thanksgiving weekend marking the traditional prayer services, gathering of families and friends over turkey dinners and an extra day of holiday.
While the event symbolizes being thankful for the abundance of annual harvest and its sharing, Canadians can be proud because our sense of sharing goes beyond families and friends and touches humanity on a world scale.
In less than a year, the world has faced four major natural disasters due to Tsunami, Katrina, Rita and an earthquake. As we celebrated Thanksgiving, our television screens kept beaming the pictures of human sufferings from the latest earthquake disaster affecting parts of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.
For the earthquake victims, the Canadian Government has announced an initial $20 million aid package. Many private organizations are gearing up to raise funds for the victims. The Canadian military is already helping in the peace effort and democratization process in Afghanistan.
The Squamish community can be particularly proud of their sense of sharing as evidenced by the relief efforts for Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka and the role of Squamish members of SAR (Search and Rescue) in helping the victims of Katrina.
This Thanksgiving, let's also be thankful, for the Canadian and Squamish's sense of sharing and generosity in reaching out to help humanity miles away from our national boarders.
Mohammad Afsar
Squamish
Squamish politics explained - sort of
Editor,
The Vision
Change of name Squamish to Little Whistler. Election fever is building up. Why do so many go for council seats?
(Remuneration?) One mayoral race was a question of acclamation?
When did council chamber become a block entity?
Bear with me.
Election '02 returned 4 - SND. However, one independent councilor - performed as a SND member - leaving two freelance councilors.
Election '05 - SND could have a clean sweep. As it stands SND comes with a block of five - once councilor if elected could be a shoe-in for the SND.
That said, what good would one independent councilor be! (Past performance?)
Conclusion: We have the SND - Liberal Party. Why is the NDP not running a slate? Better yet, the Green Party? We are no longer small town politics.
See you Nov. 20, 2005.
John Erickson
Squamish
