Review-Mirror

MPP Steve Clark called for a moratorium on school closures at Queen's Park this week and the restoration of top-up fund- ing eliminated by the Wynne government – a move that has put hun- dreds of rural schools across Ontario on the chopping block. Clark's statement came after he formally made the requests in an open letter to Education Minister Mitzie Hunter last week. "This is not just about saving individual schools," Clark told the Legislative Assembly. "It's a fight for the future of rural education and the ability for students to learn close to where they live." Clark said there is a need for a discussion of the issue in an era of declining enrolment. "But we demand a fair process. Let's take the tar- get off schools and work with parents, boards, municipalities and MPPs from all parties to develop a long-term solution," said Clark. "If this government chooses to sit back and allow these schools to close, it will be too late. Speaker, if they value rural education, they must act now. Thousands of parents and students await a response." In addition to writing Hunter last week, Clark sent Upper Canada Dis- trict School Board Chair- man Jeff McMillan an open letter asking trustees to pass a resolution of sup- port for a moratorium and restoration of funding. "I've also asked the board to put its own accommodation review on hold while I, and my col- leagues in the Ontario PC Caucus, put the pressure on the government to come up with answers that respect the future of our rural communities," said Clark. "We can't make these important decisions based on initial reports that include no consultation with the communities affected and the only rec- ommendations being widespread school clo- sures." Ten of the 29 schools identified for closure by the Upper Canada board are located in Leeds- Grenville, including Rideau Centennial in Port- land for June 2017 and Sweet's Corners Elemen- tary if and when room is made available at South Crosby Public School. The first of two meet- ings for the Rideau Fami- ly of Schools will be Nov. 16 at Perth and District Collegiate. The second will be Jan. 30 at Smiths Falls District Collegiate. The same two meetings also cover Smiths Falls, Perth, Almonte and Carleton Place school groups. Both are at 6:30 p.m. The board will be mak- ing a final decision on the changes at their March 2017 meeting. A new date has been set for the court case between the Village of Westport and the province over charges involving the operation of the sewage lagoon. After reviewing the Ministry of the Environ- ment (MOE) charges earli- er this year, the Village of Westport met behind closed doors and decided to fight the accusations in court. The village pled not guilty at an April 20 hear- ing in Brockville, with the trial now set to start Nov. 30. It was originally set for Oct. 31- Nov. 14. The village and Clerk- Treasurer Scott Bryce were charged by the MOE last summer over the oper- ation of the sewage treat- ment plant in the first half of 2014. Problems with the Snowfluent system and its operation culminated in two 12 million litre dis- charges of partially treated sewage into Upper Rideau Lake in the spring of 2014. The charges, laid out in a village press release last summer are: •during the period from Dec. 1, 2013 to June 15, 2014, they failed to ensure that the works and related equipment at the waste water plant were properly operated and maintained; •between June 12 and 15, 2014 did commit the offense of failing to com- ply with the Provincial Work Order #1-BGAM9 by using lagoon #1 instead of lagoon #2 for land application at the waste water plant. The private operator was let go around January 2014. He and his company were fined $35,000 in court for previous infrac- tions. The village pled guilty for their part in those charges and paid $8,000 in fines. Municipal insurance covers legal fees but not fines. The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) has scrapped a plan that would have reduced its presence in rural and Northern com- munities. Under the regional model, which the OTF board chair confirmed was proceeding as recently as a July 8, the number of catchment areas would have been reduced to five from 16. "I'm pleased with the announcement because it demonstrates the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and OTF actually listened to the concerns I've raised on behalf of volunteer organizations across the province," said Leeds Grenville MPP Clark. "With the threat of regionalization now off the table, I'm hopeful we can work together to ensure this cherished pro- Westport court case set for Nov. 30 Mirror The Review Thursday, November 3, 2016 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 125, No. 44 $1 incl. tax Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 Clark calls for a moratorium on school closures •Continued on page 2 The Chaffey's Lock Community Hall was a hive of activity Sunday as over 60 pumpkins were carved for an evening of trick or treating later in the evening. 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