LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- October 24, 2006
To: Mayor McLean and Council Members;
As a taxpayer in Princeton since 1994, and a Veteran of WWII, I offer my opinion re the planned changes to Cenotaph Park.
I feel great emotion when I stand near the Cenotaph and think back to the horrific times when the war was fought and so many people - young and old - were killed on both sides. My only brother was one of them.
The Cenotaph here in Princeton, including the surrounding park is very attractive due to it's simplicity and cleanliness. It serves its purpose quite well by not sidetracking your thoughts to the park itself, but by helping us to remember the war and the sacrifices that were made by every man, woman and child due to bad politics by power-hungry leaders.
All we need to do is to keep the Cenotaph and the Park in good and clean conditions. Daily it reminds us of the heartache and losses wars cause.
- Gerhard Greb, Princeton
To The Editor; Re: School Fee Confusion - Easy Solution
The B.C. Supreme Court, in a landmark decision on September 29, struck down the widespread practice of charging fees for the official education program in B.C. schools.
Since the decision, there has been widespread confusion about 'school fees' and fear that the court's decision will harm our children's education due to the loss of these revenues. As a lifelong educator, and the person who brought this court action against this discriminatory and illegal policy of charging fees, I want to clear up the confusion and fear.
The court's decision is simple: anything and everything that is required for any children's course (including electives), between Kindergarten and Grade 12, is free. So there can be no course fees, no instrument rentals, and no charges for calculators, text books, equipment, necessary materials, etc.
As well, if something is not required for course completion, or if it is for an extra curricular activity, students cannot be required to participate or pay a fee. Any charge requested to participate in such optional activities penalizes economically disadvantaged children and these fees should also be immediately discontinued, on moral grounds.
The B.C. government is riding a one billion dollar surplus and can easily afford to increase the Ministry of Education's budget by one percent to make up the school fees shortfall.
This simple 1% solution would compensate for all lost and illegal school fees.
Let us all call on the Premier and Minster of Education to uphold the quality of our children's education with the "One Percent Solution" so our kids do not suffer because the illegal practice of charging fees has been stopped.
For more information on school fees I invite you to visit my web site at www.schoolfees.ca.
Sincerely, John Young, Trustee Victoria School District
To The Editor;
This past summer is the first since the last century that the Princeton Hotel crowned with her magnificent hanging baskets did not grace Princeton but lay a burnt out rubble, 'a face of devastation' shaped by the artist unknown. His work was a great success in that it movingly distressed all who viewed the work -- a slice of Bosnia, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq and possibly Afghanistan, right here in Princeton.
Afghanistan is troubling because of Canada's compassionate involvement there. Sometimes the wiser course is to let those in their own country and culture sort out their own problems.
However they're those who also saw in the 'face of devastation' the anguish and torment of lost souls. Those spirits we put masks on at Halloween.
In any case don't send the young to Afghanistan, send the leaders who set policy and we old 'geezers' who are waiting for the last bus ride. We've enough medication and pills to deal with any situation!!
Eons ago after Sunday church, Adam and Eve on their dinosaur used to always park in front of their 'face of devastation' what used to be their residence - Eden, Adam could never figure out how Eve could eat them out of house and home.
Eve would dream of her momentous meeting and romantic moments with Adam. It was here she recalled to their sons Caine and Abel, that she 'bagged dad!!!' The name has stuck.
Now look at Baghdad today. History is much like we seniors -- we have a tendency to repeat ourselves.
- Regards, Joe Schwarz, Princeton
To The Editor;
Who were the elite Canadians selected to participate in the secret meeting held in Banff, Alberta for three days in September? With the groundwork previously laid in the formation of The North American Union by the Presidents of the U.S. and Mexico plus Prime Ministers Martin and Harper, it's not surprising that all the Ambassadors of the three countries were included in the secret forum held outside of the Democratic process and Media coverage.
The New World Dis-order depends on the normal apathy and complacency of citizens to accomplish their goal. The infuriated U.S. Congress are rising up against the involvement of President Bush and his Administration and are demanding a public forum. Canadians should be informed by the Media and be outraged at the functioning of an unelected "de facto government" established to abolish our sovereignty and democratic system.
We must defend our Rights and Freedoms and do all within our power to stop this very evil plot with it's total disregard for Canada being founded upon principles that recognize the Supremacy of God and the Rule of Law.
The following is the confirmed list of 34 Canadian attendees to contact and demand our right to be informed before it's too late: - Hon. Peter Lougheed, former Premier of Alberta, Co-Chair - Hon. Stockwell Day, Minister of Public safety, Government of Canada - Hon. John P. Manley, McCarthy Tetrault LLP - Hon. Anne McLellan, Senior Counsel, Bennett Jones - Hon. Greg Melchin, Minister of Energy, Government of Alberta - Hon. Gordon O'Connor, Minister of Defense, Government of Canada - Hon. Perrin Beatty, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters - General Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defense Staff - Col. Peter Atkinson, Special Advisor to Chief of Defense Staff - Mr. Ward Elcock, Deputy Minister, Public Safety - Mr. Bill Elliott, Assoc. Deputy Minister, Public Safety - Mr. Peter M. Boehm, Assis. Deputy Minister, North America, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada - Dr. Wendy Dobson, The Institute for International Business - Rear Admiral Roger Girouard, Commander Joint Task Force Pacific Canadian Forces - Mr. V. Peter Harder, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs - Mr. Berel Rodal, International Center on Nonviolent Conflict - Mr. Gordon Smith, Chairman, The International Development Research Center - Major Gen. Daniel Gosselin, Director General International Security Policy - Dr. John English, The Canadian Centre for International Governance Innovation - Mr. Thomas d'Aquino, Canadian Council of Chief Executives - Mr. Richard L. George, Suncor Energy Inc. - Mr. N. Murray Edwards, Edco Financial Holdings - Mr. Paul J. Hill, Harvard Developments Inc. - Mr. Ron Mathison, Matco Investments - Ms. Shiela O'Brien, Corporate Director, Belvedere Investments - Ms. Sharon Murphy, Chevron Canada - Mr. Ron Mannix, Coril Holdings Ltd. - Dr. Roger Gibbins, Canada West Foundation - Mr. James K. Gray, Canada West Foundation - Mr. Fred Green, Canadian Pacific Railway - Mr. Pierre Mark Johnston, Heenan Blaikie - Mr. James Kinnear, Pengrowth Corporation - Mr. Harold N. Kivisle, TransCanada Corporation - Mr. Brian Felesky, Felesky Flynn, LLP
The same lies that were told to influence the formation of the European Union are being told to the above. What is the best way to destroy this country?
Remember the three slogans in George Orwell's book "1984" in the Ministry of Truth Building: 'War is Peace,' 'Freedom is Slavery' and 'Ignorance is Strength.'
Watch for the very revealing information on the agenda and keynote speakers. - Kay Hardy, Princeton
