Education system hurt by class struggle
The B.C. teachers unions (BCTF) campaign to kill the Foundation Skills Assessment test (FSA) is not about little Johnny’s education.
It is all about who controls our education system, the B.C. teachers union or the B.C. government.
The BCTF see the FSA as an intrusion on ‘their’ turf, and it does not want B.C. teachers to be evaluated by virtue of little Johnny’s performances in the classroom.
That B.C. principals and vice-principals have demanded the education minister throw in the towel on the testing is an indication the government has lost control.
The B.C. government has a duty and responsibility to demonstrate in a tangible way how the public school system is doing. Right now, that method is the Foundation Skills Assessment.
Until an alternative that is deemed more effective in measuring learning can be found, the B.C. government should keep what it has.
Like all other employers, the government also needs to develop a program that will be used to perform a comprehensive evaluation of teacher effectiveness in the classroom.
Because membership is compulsory, the union has an incredible lock on the teachers, who are obliged to walk in step with the union, when all they ever wanted to do was practice their chosen profession and help our children get the best education possible.
The BCTF has a contractual obligation to implement the curriculum that was developed by politicians and senior education bureaucrats, and that includes testing. Failing to do that is breach of contract, and should be subject to disciplinary actions.
Gordon Campbell and his government have had eight years to take control of our education system, and it has become blatantly obvious that they have failed.
While it’s tempting to blame the BCTF for the failure of our education system to perform, it was our Premier Gordon Campbell and his loyal MLAs who gave the BCTF the tools it needed to hijack the system.
They are allowing the BCTF to collect about $40 million a year from its members, and the union uses this money to fight the government of the day and to lobby the parents and the media.
At the end of the day, B.C. teachers are right about one thing: the Liberal government has been negligent in ensuring our children receive the education they should have.
It’s allowing the B.C. teachers union to destroy our education system.
Andy Thomsen
Summerland
School comparisons valid
There is really just one reason for the ongoing controversy over the Foundation Skills Assessment. It is that the teachers’ union is opposed to the use — by any organization or individual — of any school-level student assessment results to publicly rate schools. My reading of the 13-year history of the FSA and the public statements and actions of union officials during this period supports this suggestion.
Why does the union object to this use of student assessment results? It does so because such ratings enable anyone to compare schools on a student performance measure that might be construed to reflect on the effectiveness of its union members.
There is, therefore, one critical question that should be asked and debated before any action is taken regarding the FSA: As a society, do we believe that the public should be able to compare schools that are funded in whole or in part by taxpayers on the basis of student performance data of any kind?
I believe the teachers’ union would answer in the negative. But if the union were to surprise me and respond in the positive, then we need a thorough public discussion of this question.
Peter Cowley, director of school performance studies
The Fraser Institute
A higher purpose
After the first month into the new year we should reflect on our “good intentions” of the resolutions made at the beginning of the year. I know from my experience, I am always pulled back into the old rut of excuses for not staying on the higher ground that would be much more beneficial for our well-being.
A while ago, looking up the root-word of ‘consequent’ I stumbled on the following, which has changed me:
Discipline is the triumph of the will over our desire. As soon as we start to define a higher purpose of our life, it is often easier to pursue our goals in a disciplined and consequential way. All highly developed societies considered the value of discipline as very important.
This value system, however, is increasingly seen as old-fashioned, untimely classified in our present materialistic and hedonistic society. Discipline is acting to your own values. This ability will remain a deciding success factor.
Living disciplined must be achieved by training this as tenaciously as we train our body.
“As soon as we start to define a higher purpose of our life…” to me is the fundament of the way we live and the attitude we display.
I have high regards and respect for all the people enrolled in the CHIP program (Coronary Health Improvement Program), presently and all the former attendees. (Hopefully, this little reminder will talk to the conscience of the back-sliders of what they had learned.)
These folks have chosen to learn to live on a higher level of health.
I pray that, with the help of our Creator God, they will continue to improve and stay healthy to serve Creation, which is the commission we are meant to fulfill.
Our life’s choices will consequentially haunt us sooner or later. And remember, “With God, all things are possible.”
Wish we all could attain knowledge of this ‘higher purpose of life’.
Erie Schiller
Penticton
It’s about quality of life
If the Penticton Community Centre is privatized, what will happen to the affordable venues that all have enjoyed throughout the years at Cleland Theatre?
Being against privatization has nothing to do with union jobs, wages, etc., It has everything to do with keeping our community centre in our city together with our rural communities as public services and affordable for all as one community, building a positive public service city.
What happens to the programs that were there before the closure, and to the experienced and trained people along with the volunteers plus the thousands of hours they have put in. What happens to that?
Mary Churchill
Penticton
Mayor taunts union
I attended the Penticton council meeting on Feb. 7 and all present including the media were treated to how Mayor Ashton has now chosen to snub the public when it comes to what is looking more and more like his personal privatization agenda. I say personal because his councillors are wisely distancing themselves from the matter.
At the meeting, a local public coalition asked the mayor why they have not been allowed to address council on the matter of privatization of the community centre. The mayor quickly avoided any commitment to meet with them, diverting his attention to the gallery of “red shirted” labour supporters, throwing mean-spirited taunts to local union president Patti Finch in the process. So the mayor says you cannot speak on an item unless it on the agenda, but when the public asked to be put on the agenda (a month in advance I am told) he does not allow it. Catch 22. I am sure we will hear more from the public on this item.
Perhaps the mayor should have quit while he was ahead. He continues to taunt the local union and now he is taunting the public. I am sensing that the solidarity in the local CUPE ranks has never been stronger as a result in part from these types of antics. And I suspect there will be more and more “red shirts” showing up in the community as solidarity between the public and the public-sector workers is quickly gathering steam as he is now snubbing the public by not allowing them to make a presentation to council.
But out of all of this, the mayor is just not getting it — that privatization is a community issue more than it is a union issue. The public gets it and wants to be heard on the matter. The public wants the community centre to remain totally in the control of the public. End of story. Mr Mayor, do the right thing for the community, the citizens and the workers. Tell us that you are not going to privatize the community centre. And do it today.
Brent Voss, president
South Okanagan Boundary Labour Council
Union demands carry cost
I have some questions for Patty Finch and Brent Voss and their cohorts. Do you think that I, as a City of Penticton taxpayer, appreciate your bringing in an outside union agitator, Barry O’Neill, to threaten us with a shut down of some public services unless we buckle under to the demands of a handful of unionized employees?
Do you think that it’s even remotely possible that part of the city’s financial woes are due, in part, to high union wages? Do you think that my heart is going to bleed for you if you take a $10 an hour pay cut and still make $4 an hour more than me? Do you think that I would like an increase in property taxes to pay for your demands when some of you live outside city boundaries and would be exempt?
Would you be willing to pay 40 per cent more for the goods at my workplace so that my employer could raise my wages 40 per cent to $14 an hour? Would you rally the citizens of Penticton and set up a hue and cry for me the next time I am facing a pay cut or a lay off because economic conditions warrant it? There is more I could ask, but these will suffice to let you know how much support you can expect from me.
Helena Falaan
Penticton
City made a fair offer
I wonder how brother O’Neill and brother Voss have the nerve to come up with the fantastic statements they have written in the last few days to the Penticton Herald and the Western News.
Stay with the facts brothers, nothing but the facts. The fact is that the City of Penticton made an offer in August 2010 and again recently to CUPE local 608 which would have all past employees of the PCC return to work as soon as the project is finished and or opened again, with the same wages, benefits and seniority. As far as I am concerned that was a fair offer, especially if you take the present financial situation of the city into consideration. There were no threats of privatization or any other conditions except that new employees in the future would start at a lower rate which by the way is the rule with almost any other employer. You start at the bottom and work your way up.
I am really fed up with CUPE and other greedy union bosses like O’Neill and Voss bullying us taxpayers mercilessly again and again for their own personal gain. You cannot convince me that they have the well-being of their members at heart, otherwise they would have recommended acceptance of that offer. I can assure you that you and your NDP buddies will not win any elections with pressure tactics like this.
My suggestion to city council is to give CUPE 30 days to approve the above proposal and have the employees vote on the offer.
I’m certain they would accept it. If not, privatize not only the PCC but all city departments that are suitable.
Enough is enough.
Bernie Strohmann
Penticton
City headed in wrong direction
A long time ago I lost confidence in the ability of Dan Ashton and some of the city councillors to manage the affairs of this city. Dan feels that everyone should make $10 an hour and be able to afford to use his empty, enormous rink, ride on his empty, enormous buses, and pay our enormous taxes and real estate prices.
Pentictonites, this is what happens to city government and services when an ex-private businessman, and several others with the same narrow minded, compulsive spending and non-visionary views, take hold of your assets. City staff have always been helpful, accommodating, knowledgeable, and in my view, worth their wages and benefits in the six years that my family has lived here. If you quietly ask any city employee about their current working conditions, they will politely explain how horrible morale is and the uncertainty of their work and their employment.
I do not work for the city, nor do any of my family or friends. In every city that I have lived in, there have been fortunate people who have been employed with a variety of municipalities. I’ve always felt that it was difficult and thereby fortunate for them to have such an occupation. I always felt that they were worthy of their wages and benefits.
Dan Ashton does not believe this. Dan buys big buses that run empty. Dan builds expensive sidewalks that go nowhere. Dan has done nothing to bring jobs and economic viability to this town. Value Village? Don’t get me started. As the leader of this town, someone needs to tell Dan that it is improper to negotiate city contracts in public. His berating of union leaders tells me that he is unprepared, immature and totally unreliable to discuss and negotiate with in good faith.
Dan wants us all to open up men’s wear shops on Main Street, hire people for $10 an hour and thank him for the privilege of being mismanaged.
Remember Danny, what’s happening in Egypt can happen here?
Pat Trainor
Penticton
Canada on global stage
Over the past several weeks, I have read many NDP attacks against the economic policies of our current Conservative government (tax cuts, CETA, etc.). If Mr. Harper’s economics are so damning to Canada, then how is it possible that the American perspective is one of envy, rather than pity. It has become rather apparent that Conservative policies over the last five years have created an amazing result on the world stage.
In an article in the Washington Times on Jan. 4, James A Bacon writes, “Canada is quietly surpassing the U.S. as the land of opportunity.” He praises Canada, in the article and suggests, “Our well-mannered Canadian neighbours have pulled their act together and we could learn a lot from them.”
He goes on to discuss “What’s not happening in Canada”, in light of the global economic crisis, drawing attention to the fact that we face no real estate crisis, no banking crisis, no unemployment crisis, and no sovereign debt crisis.
He further points out that, “Among the G-7, Canada’s economic activity has come the closest to returning to the pre-recession peak and Canada has recovered three-quarters of all jobs lost. The IMF estimates Canada will be the only G-7 country to balance its budget by 2015.
Mr. Bacon praises our 15 per cent planned tax rate for corporations and compares it to the current U.S. corporate tax rate of 35 per cent. The new rate will give Canada the lowest corporate tax rate among the G-7 and an “eye-popping advantage over the U.S.”
He draws attention to recent efforts to rein in government spending and he praises our housing policies and banking regulations intimating that our stringent home ownership policies did not at all diminish home ownership rates.
Mr. Bacon finishes by saying, “Talented Canadians have long regarded the U.S. as the land of opportunity, but it may not be long before Americans see our northern neighbour as the land of the future.” Overall, Mr. Bacon’s article makes me wonder if the NDP “doth protest too much.”
Stephen Hill, Conservative candidate
B.C. Southern Interior
Family reunited with pet
On Jan. 26 our dog Boo went missing whilst on a walk along Lakeshore Drive in Penticton. Boo is a rescued, retired sled dog, 11 years old, she knows nothing better in life than to run.
Seven days later we found her on the channel at the back of the Red Wing community. At 5:15 that morning we woke to telephone calls from people that had seen her downtown. We flew down and rode bikes around the pre-dawn Penticton streets.
Later she was found and the epic seven-day search ended. This dog has avoided coyotes, semis, cold weather and attempts from the public to catch her. She doesn’t look to bad considering, a little thin and two sore pads.
George and Kate would like to thank everyone for helping find Boo, Penticton posties, cab drivers, bus drivers, cable guys, RCMP, school principals, dog owners, dog guardians, gas station workers, Penticton First Nation band office and band members, Ironman athletes in training, radio station DJs, delivery drivers, city workers, dog control, people who are retired, people that rise early, people that are out late, we thank you. We are so grateful to everyone in Penticton for an amazing gathering of support for a happy ending.
Now we can return to Tofino, where our sled dogs enjoy their retired life on the west coast of Vancouver Island. We have been so deeply touched by the people of Penticton from every walk of life. Thank you from Kate, George, Boo and Sophie.
Kate Goffin
Tofino, B.C.
Prison doesn’t fit
I’ve sat back and I’ve been observing this joke of a proposal to have a medium-security prison in a “place to stay forever,” they call Penticton.
This is a campaign tactic for the BC Liberal party election. It appears the provincial government is throwing big-ticket proposals in the Okanagan to entice voters. In an economic recession, “throw a dog a bone,” I guess.
I feel insulted. Just because other Okanagan cities have chosen to privatize, doesn’t mean we are followers. I oppose the privatization of the newly renovated community centre. My suggestion is to temporarily lock the doors, turn off the power to the South Okanagan Events Centre, or claim bankruptcy.
No radical changes are needed in Penticton, what’s the rush? We absolutely need to sit on our future investments, no need to cut off our heads.
Why would we house prisoners in one of the most beautiful backdrops of Canada? Most law-abiding Canadian citizens only dream of living in a “place to stay forever.” It’s been my privilege to live in Penticton for 20 years; lucky me.
This proposal doesn’t fit this location and demographics in any shape or form. It’s like giving a child matches — red flags, red flags, oh red flags. Basically, this type of facility is only suited for a northern B.C. isolated area, away from greater populations and extreme climates. With the deadline of the prison proposal being April 1, let’s not be the fools on April 1.
Tracy Formo
A passionate Pentictonite
