| Accountability absent

Friday, April 3, 1998 — North Shore News — 9

north shore news

MAIL BOX

in public education

Dear Editor:

T was appalled by a recent editorial by Noc! Wright out- lining the reasons that an increasingly large number of parents are exploring the eption of private schools for their children.

. Upon whar empirical “evi- dence” is Mr. Wrighr basing his statement that this trend is because of “family values?”

Tama parent who has inves-

‘tigated private school for my children. My rationale had nothing to do with “family vai- ues” or with the schooi’s sexu- al education programming.

- Rather I was motivated by a public school system that seems .More focused on achieving - compliance in its students than

-with developing creative, inde-

pendent and motivated learn~ ers. Other parents with whom I have spoken have ideniitied similar concerns. Mr. Wright's personal opinion may ditter from mine, that is his preroga- tive. However, by implying that his editorial reflects more than personal opinion by grounding it in unspecified “evidence” is misleading and offensive.

1 would also lke to point out a flaw in Mr. Wright's rea- soning. He equates political correctness with a one-size fits all mindset. I would agree that the public school system may be guilty of propagating the latter but this is the anuthesis to what Mr. Wright sarcastical- iy describes as political correct- ness.

Rather the entire value base

underpinning the “politically correct” attitude recognizes and «cues diversity and differ- ence. This belief creates the space to. validare the unique reality of aff our children not just a select minority and I have scen little evidence that our public school system is taking a proactive role in this important direction.

By definition a “one size fits all mindset” and a “politically correct” attitude are mutually exclusive. Whicn approich is Mr. Wright advocating?

On once poiat | do agree with Mr. Wright. Tam ured of a public school system that assumes little accountability to the public.

Dr. D. O'Connor North Vancouver

WV garbage levy defended

Justice system in bad shape

Dear Editor:

Re: “Employer vindicated” (March 8 North Shore News}: I do reaily admire Mr. Ken Hutchinson shown smiling in his Avalon Hote! office.

I would, in his place, be very sad and angry.

Maybe this man could afford to lose $200,069 in legal fees, which f couldn't. But this is besides the point.

The point is that today we hear and read about too many similar cases of sexual harass- ment or assault, some of them immorally fab- ricated.

Or is our society so bad, so morally cor- ropted, as the high amount of the above cases

PLANNING

“My professional lite has time

demands such that | can’t focus on

my personal financial affairs. 1

looked to BC Partners to deal with a b I financial and accounting nightmare. >

4 They solved it, gave me the finan ag cial focus | needed and | now loo

to them as my financial partners m you're a professional, you s.

indicate? I doubs it.

However, back to Mr. Hurtchinsoa’s case. There is no doubt that he and his tamily suf- fered mental and social stress during this fong-lasting fight for justice.

ft’: over and the accused man is vindicat- ed.

Bravo!

Bur what happened to that lady? This and many similar cases show just how screwed up our justice system is.

And the activities of our government don’t indicate any change in that matter in the near or even distant future.

Vladimir Cicha North Vancouver

ape

ESAS SSIS

Blair: MacLean, RFP, CFP, CLU. Marian Snowball, ree, ca, CFP Ken Snowball, rrp, cre

‘Dear Editor:

'T disagree vehemently with Gerry Wolff who asserted ‘in:the March 25 North Shore News ‘that’ West: Vancouver municipality was out to

uge the taxpayer by imposing a, $2 levy on seach weekly garbage bag in excess of two cans.

those who make no effort to do so. The penalty seems a paltry one indeed! We have now several options for recycling our. waste, and if everyone was to use these and work to “Reduce, Reuse and Reeyele,” then Iam sure there would be few houscholds that would need to put out even the two cans that are allowed. ; Louise Dyer

West Vancouver

| ip. t VeE <ly Trimmings Coll

Registered Financial Planners BG; PARTNERS IN PLANNING LTD. FINANCIAL PLANNING. EPC INVESTMENTS: INC. securities DEALER = 47103-2401. Marine Dr., West. VAN BC. V7V 1L3. f Tet: (604)903-7526 : Fax: (604)903-9561." |Experience Email: BCPartners@bcp.fpc.ca :

5 Shs

. North Vancouver

lect

comes to the North Shore

spring is here and the garden is beckoning, you Wondering what to do with all those hedge

trimming:

and lawn clippings? If so, here's a great

@a’- the:North Shore's new Yard and Garden

1998 those residents currently receiving curbside kup will be able to put out an unlimited clear plastic bags* or tied bundles of s, eaves and flowers as well as plant, tree

‘Before 7:30,am on your regular weekly garbage and

taken to a composting facility to be processed into a high ©. quality organic soil amendment. a

With your participation, this new service will greatly reduce the amount of valuable, compostable material sent to - landfill and incineration each year.

For more information, please calf:

District of North Vancouver 990.3830

City of North Vancouver 987.7155

- recycling collection day, put your yard and garden trimmings out in clear (uncoloured) plastic bags* or ied bundles. Bundles should contain pieces no larger han 3 inches x 3 feet and be tied with biodegradable string. The maximum weight for each bag or bundle is

20 kg (44 Ib). Bags and bundles will be picked up and

; ‘ @ «©: North Shore

District of West Vancouver 929.3416

* Clear bags are available at many local grocery, hardware, nursery and drug stores.

recyding program