ccna - williams lake tribune - best editorial page

A6 THE WILLIAMS LAKE TRIBUNE, Thursday January 28, 2010 www.wltribune.com

Lorne DoerksonPublisher

Ken MacInnisEditor

Gaylene DesautelsComposition

Sandi JesseeCirculation

Advertising Representatives: Brenda Webster, Lisa Bowering, Lori Macala, Lauren Phillipsand Rita Law.Ad Design: Leigh Logan, Sherri Jaeger, Mary Langstrom, Anne Blake.Staff Reporters: Gaeil Farrar (Community Editor), Greg Sabatino (Sports Editor), and Erin Hitchcock.

Tribune Correspondents: LInda Bartsch (Horsefly), Veera Bonner (Big Creek), June Bliss (Alexis Creek), Linda-Lou Howarth (Riske Creek), Rosi Hartmann (Rose Lake/Miocene), Rhonda Kolcun (McLeese Lake).

Tribune Contributors: Diana French, Irene Stangoe, Liz Twan.

A politically independent community newspaper published Tuesdays and Thursdays by: Black Press Group Ltd. 188 North 1st Ave., Wil-

[email protected] or [email protected], view our web page at www.wltribune.com.

This Williams Lake Tribune is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input form both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve you complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent within 45 days to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby Street, Nanaimo, B.C., V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bc.presscouncil.orgAll material contained in this publication is protected by copyright. Reproduction is 2009 WINNER

ViewpointsPublisher Editor Ken MacInnis 250-392-2331 ext 240 [email protected]

Free press can, of course, be good or bad, but, most certainly without freedom, the press will never be anything but bad. — Albert Camus





Our Viewpoint

The Olympic torch is on its way and will be through Williams Lake

today. I have

been watch-ing the procession as it goes from region

to region and this week it is in our area.

I was in Prince George for a Barkerville meeting last week and the signs were up in com-munities as small as Hixon with the dates it would arrive, ending up in Prince George.

It will be in 100 Mile, coming through Williams Lake and end-ing up with the big event at the Stampede Grounds tonight, and on to Quesnel tomorrow.

From what I have seen throughout the province, and across Canada for that matter, if the Olympics do nothing else, they are instilling a great amount of pride in our country.

As the Mastercard ad says, “Priceless.”

I watched Sunday night news with the team from 1956 (I think it was). As I watched these ag-ing athletes, I thought of what the lives of our up and coming contenders in this Olympics must be like.

You all know that other than my temper I do not show a lot of emotion, but the thought of representing my country and the possibility of standing on a podi-um with any kind of medal must be not only an emotion of pride but of great responsibility.

These young people are the cream of the crop and have worked harder than most to get just the opportunity to partici-pate.

Even if they don’t win the gold, we need to cheer them on and thank them for helping us be an even greater country.

So for those who are demon-strating against the Games, for the next couple of weeks, knock it off and be part of something good that can build some pride.

And you know what, with some positive activity you may even be able to accomplish your goals.

Let’s Go Canada!

To The PointWalt Cobb

Pride and responsibility

This Monday, I attended a community meeting at Big Lake, which focused on

how it can keep its school open, as it is one of eight targeted for possible

closure to ad-dress School District 27’s budget short-fall of $3 million.

This shortfall is a direct result of the Liberal government’s underfund-ing of the education system, an issue we’ve been raising for years now.

Since it seems the Liberal govern-ment is paying attention to what I say in my columns and have ministers responding to them, let me give you the Liberal spin right now: “Under this Liberal government we have the highest ever per student funding for education.”

No matter what issue we raise with this government about the K-12 sys-tem that’s the answer we get.

Ask about class size issues: “high-est ever funding.” Cuts to funding for school sports: “highest ever fund-ing.” The closure of rural and remote schools, schools that are the heart and soul of these communities and essen-tial to their economic future: “highest ever funding.”

What the Liberal government won’t admit is that the per student funding formula and the rules gov-erning how school districts manage school utilization eventually forces school districts with rural and remote schools to close them and bus stu-dents into urban schools.

The Liberals also won’t admit they’ve downloaded costs onto school districts that rob dollars from direct support to students in classes. For example, the Liberal government negotiated the teacher’s contract but didn’t provide the school districts with more money to cover the wage increases. They imposed class size restrictions and didn’t fund those. Medical Services Plan costs were in-creased and, again, not funded.

The carbon tax, a significant ad-ditional cost for rural school districts is another burden that isn’t covered in the per student formula. And, all school districts must now buy car-bon credits out of their existing fund-ing. For School District 27 that’s $300,000 this year that won’t go to students in classes.

The education system is under-funded; that’s why our schools are being closed.

MLAMusings

Bob Simpson

Underfunding education leads to rural school closures

Flame inspires prideToday is the big day — the

day the Olympic flame, which left Olympia,

Greece, last fall, will come through Williams Lake.

Its 45,000-kilometre journey across Canada is the longest torch relay in Olympic history, and we are fortunate to be not only on the route, but chosen as just one of 189 Cana-dian communities to host a celebra-tion.

Whether you think the Olympics are grand, or a waste of money, the torch relay has to instill some pride. The torch is a message of hope, the celebration of excellence, friendship and respect wherever it travels in the world.

The torch was designed to repre-sent Canada — our landscape, our size, and our innovation.

We should be proud when the flame comes through the city tonight and tomorrow.

You can show your Olympic spirit tonight by attending the com-munity celebration at the Stampede Grounds. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The torch is expected to arrive at approximately 7 p.m., but get there early so you don’t miss torchbearer Deb Radolla.

***

Many thanks to all of those who donated to the ninth annual Reach

a Reader campaign on Tuesday.

Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy raised thousands from the event, which will help them deliver programs like the Bright Red Book-shelf, Partner Assisted Learning (PAL), and others to help learners in our community.

Thank you also to the volunteers who showed up bright and early to sell the newspaper on the street and collect donations.

A special congratulations to Elvis Baptiste, who was the high earner, taking in $206.75 in donations.

CCPL can be supported year-round, financially and through vol-unteering.

More information at www.ccplit-eracy.com.

ccna - williams lake tribune - best editorial page

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