School board election:
Pat McLean, Ward 16
Interview with Pat McLean, candidate for the Western Quebec School Board, Ward 16.
Julie Murray.
The elections for school board trustees are this Sunday, November 4. The only Aylmer seat up for election in the Western Quebec School Board is Ward 16. Voting takes place at South Hull School, 10 am to 8 pm.
1. Should the population be involved in decisions regarding the disposition of the WQSB’s heritage buildings?
If you’re going to sell a heritage building, you must check on the intentions of the buyer: will they preserve it? You must preserve Aylmer’s heritage. After amalgamation, the larger city doesn’t have the same small-town concern about heritage.
2. How would you improve the performance of Anglophone students in the annual Ministry rankings, and better the teaching of French Second Language?
I graduated from Philemon Wright and a lot of my friends had problems with French. The French tests really tend to pull down the scores. That could be the one thing that means they don’t graduate. Once they’re out of school, it’s difficult. In this environment, where Quebec is constantly pushing for French culture and heritage, English kids are left in a difficult position.
To improve scores, I like the idea of teachers continually training to improve their skills.
3. Is there a way to increase and improve the teaching of physical education, music, art, health and sex education?
Physical education, music and art were pretty good. But the sex education isn’t hugely beneficial. We had a nurse who was around 90 come in with a wooden penis. It was more of a funny experience than a learning experience. Having a younger teacher would help. Kids would be more comfortable talking, so that sex ed isn’t just something you have to endure. I’d also have nurses more available, full-time, to answer kids’ questions.
4. What about challenging the top 10% of the student population so bored kids don’t turn to drugs and drinking?
The school has a responsibility to provide creative programs and volunteer opportunities. If the teachers spend time with the top 10%, other students suffer. Advanced students are almost on their own.
5. How would you improve the low voter turnout for school board elections?
People don’t think about it. It’s not a priority. I plan to go door to door, but I’ll start the campaign close to the election, probably about a week before, so people remember the election.
6. Both the ADQ and the new Affiliation Quebec have called for the end of school boards. What utility do school boards have?
I disagree with their position. While there may be low turnout, I don’t see an alternative. With elected representatives, there’s closeness to the electorate. Without school boards, people will be complaining to the government. That’s not going to work well.
7. What would you do to reduce the incidence and severity of bullying?
Bullying definitely happens and kids are smart enough to not get caught. It’s very difficult to stop. If a kid is raised with violence, and they think it’s normal, it’s very hard to do anything. You can increase the punishment, but often the punished person takes it out on the person who got them punished. Teachers and bus drivers need to pay attention to what’s going on. Bullies should be encouraged to get into extracurricular activities.
8. What can a school board do in the face of the depopulation of Anglophone students?
Because of changing numbers, it’s difficult to keep them off the bus. With these huge bus rides, it’s impossible to be fully awake. The students at Philemon Wright with long bus rides who succeeded were the ones who found something to do, like homework, in the bus. I’d want a second bus that leaves a couple of hours after the end of school, when extracurricular activities are over, and take the kids to town centres to be picked up by parents.
9. What are your top three priorities as commissioner?
I want to be available to electors and parents, to find out what’s going on in the schools. I’d want teachers to get training: each teacher has their own style that may not work with different learning styles. Trained teachers learn how to reach more people. I’d encourage new extracurricular programs, consistency in existing programs, which get shut down when teachers leave or don’t have the time to participate, and then the programs never start up again. Extracurricular programs and clubs give kids positive outlets.
To contact Mr McLean: 819-682-6391. Please note the debate planned for Ward 16 has been cancelled.
School board election:
Susan Miller, Ward 16
An Interview with Susan Miller, candidate for the Western Quebec School Board, Ward 16.
Julie Murray
The elections for school board trustees are this Sunday, November 4. The only Aylmer seat up for election in the Western Quebec School Board is Ward 16. Voting takes place at South Hull School, 10 am to 8 pm.
1. Should the population be involved in decisions regarding the disposition of the WQSB’s heritage buildings?
The board’s headquarters is a very beautiful building and the community should have a say. The school board can sell the building, but to whom and for what? I would like everyone to know. The Heritage Association should talk to the new owner, and find out if they will leave it as it is.
2. How would you improve the showing of Anglophone students in the Ministry’s annual ranking, and better the teaching of French Second Language?
I support the right of Anglophone minorities in this province to have an English education. It is our right. But we also need to speak French in Quebec. We need to have French-literacy programs available in our community, but we should realize that a second language is not something you can learn in three years. It will take longer for Anglophones and other minorities to be at the same level as kids who have had French education all of their lives. That is why it is important for the provincial government to give us funding, in order to be at the same level as the French schools. We need an extra push!
To improve scores, I like the idea of teachers continually training to improve their teaching and communication skills.
3. Is there a way to increase and improve the teaching of physical education, music, art, health and sex education?
I would like to hear teachers’ suggestions. It’s important to get parents involved in these activities, because these are areas where both parents and teacher must have a say. I would also like input from students.
4. What about challenging the top 10% of the student population so bored kids don’t turn to drugs and drinking?
Our teachers are capable and very professional. If they’re busy with one student, they give the others a task. Also, special education is very important. Kids who need extra help should have it without competing with other students for their teacher’s attention. The problem is at its worse when class sizes get really big and there’s only one teacher there.
5. How would you improve the low voter turnout for school board elections?
Right now I’m doing my part: I’m going door-to-door and handing out flyers, making sure people are aware that there is an election, listening to their concerns and asking for their vote. Also, school board elections should be held whenever there are provincial elections.
6. Both the ADQ and the new Affiliation Quebec have called for the end of school boards. What utility do school boards have?
It’s nonsense to get rid of school boards. They exist for a reason. People complain about school taxes, but it’s not the school board who sets the school taxes. They only give you the bill. It’s the province and the city who give the taxes. School boards are the intermediary between the people, the city, and the province. We need them.
7. What would you do to reduce the incidence and severity of bullying?
Bullying is something global. It’s bigger than this city, this province, this country. It has always existed. Kids are kids everywhere. If a kid picks his nose, he’ll get a nickname. As a commissioner, I will go into classrooms and explain why it’s wrong to pick on others just because they’re different. As a woman, and a minority, I am an example of diversity. If I went in and had a chat about respecting differences, it would help. A school free of bullying, that’s not gonig to happen in my lifetime, but we can talk to kids, we can empower them. There needs to be a dialogue.
8: What can a school board do in the face of the depopulation of Anglophone students?
The school board is doing advertising to get newcomers to enroll and that’s important.
9. What are your top three priorities as commissioner?
I want to talk with students about bush parties and the Boucher Forest, to explain to them why they shouldn’t trash it. I want to talk to students about bullying and diversity. Students in my schools will know who their commissioner is. And I will attend school board meetings — that’s an obvious priority, isn’t it?.
To contact Ms Miller: 613-316-5854.. Please note the debate planned for Ward 16 has been cancelled.
School Board election:
Dimitri Soudas, Ward 16
An interview with Dmitri Soudas, candidate for the Western Quebec School Board, Ward 16.
Julie Murray.
The elections for school board trustees are this Sunday, November 4. The only Aylmer seat up for election in the Western Quebec School Board is for Ward 16. Voting takes place at South Hull School, 10 am to 8 pm.
1. Should the population be involved in decisions regarding the disposition of the WQSB’s heritage buildings?
Absolutely, the population should be consulted on heritage buildings. Regardless of who inhabits the building, a heritage building must be preserved and protected.
2. How would you improve the standings of Anglophone students in the annual Ministry rankings, and better the teaching of French Second Language?
Children growing up in a home where the first language is English are just as able to improve and learn a second language as children growing up in a Francophone home, but we must always strive for improvement. While the province dictates the curriculum, the board can influence that to some degree.
3. Is there a way to increase and improve the teaching of physical education, music, art, health and sex education?
We need to rely on the experts: the teachers in the classroom. We have a phenomenal teaching staff and we should work with them to apply the proper pressure to influence the province’s decisions regarding curriculum.
4. What about challenging the top 10% of the student population so bored kids don’t turn to drugs and drinking?
There are existing classes and programs, especially at the high school level, that students with higher grades can take. We also offer extracurricular activities to keep children occupied in a positive way when they are outside of school—we have brand new soccer and football facilities at D’Arcy /Symmes.
I believe everything starts at home. We must provide options, but the parents must get involved and encourage their child to make positive choices.
5. How would you improve the low voter turnout for school board elections?
One challenge is many people don’t realize there’s an election. Another disappointment is we only have two elections in eighteen wards. We need to look deeper and encourage young people to seek office. Last election, I had the privilege of facing two opponents, which allowed a healthy debate.
I make sure to be available. In four years, I’ve received 157 requests for help with conflicts. At South Hull, we had a vibrant debate about a security fence and I spoke to many people about the issue.
6. Both the ADQ and the new Affiliation Quebec have called for the end of school boards. What utility do school boards have?
As elected representatives, we must think about that and not take anything for granted. Some say that the school board commissioner is the lowest elected office. I believe it’s the highest, because we have a direct impact on the future.
7. What would you do to reduce the incidence and severity of bullying?
My position is zero tolerance. Any child that believes he can stuff another child into a locker or run after him with a knife has no place at the school—he must be removed from the school, which should be a safe haven. Children should enjoy their day and feel safe. If I’m re-elected, a comprehensive policy on bullying will be my main policy issue. We’ll set out a clear definition and aggressively enforce it.
8: What can a school board do in the face of the general depopulation of Anglophone students?
We must clearly communicate the benefits of attending WQSB schools. In 2004, I tabled a plan to market our schools. I was new and didn’t succeed in convincing my colleagues. If I’m re-elected, marketing WQSB schools will be a priority for me and I hope my colleagues will be more open to it.
9. What are three accomplishments made during your past term?
We’ve moved forward on reducing the incidence of anaphylactic shock and on decreasing cheating. We’ve set out a long-term strategic plan and put in over 100 new computers at South Hull and Eardley. We’ve doubled computers at Symmes and D’Arcy and installed faster, more secure Internet connections. We renovated the South Hull staff room and installed safety fencing.
10. What are your top three priorities as commissioner?
Fundamentally, I have one and only one priority: the students. More specifically, I will continue to be available, I will aggressively attack the problem of bullying, and I will commit to effectively marketing and communicating what the WQSB has to offer.
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Boulevards des Allumettières et des Grives seront relies
Julie Murray
Au cours de son assemblée du 30 octobre, le conseil municipal a résolu de demander 1,7 millions$ au Ministère des transports du Québec (MTQ) pour construire une intersection en T permettant de relier le nord du boulevard des Grives au boulevard des Allumettières; on s’attend à ce que la mi nistre Julie Boulet approuve cette demande. Cette nouvelle rue permettra aux automobilistes en provenance d’Aylmer d’accéder directement aux boutiques du Plateau, sans avoir à prendre des raccourcis dans le secteur résidentiel du Plateau. La circulation sur le chemin Pink et sur le boulevard Saint-Raymond devrait aussi en être améliorée.
Le Plateau explose
Selon Catherine Marchand, directrice du service d’urbanisme de la ville, cette nouvelle intersection devrait rencontrer les besoins de la circulation dans le secteur jusqu’en 2016, alors que la population du Plateau devrait atteindre les 16 000 habitants. En 1991, le secteur comptait 791 résidents – aujourd’hui, on en compte 10 700, soit une augmentation de 1177%. On s’attend à ce que le complexe commercial s’étende sur plus d’un million de pieds carrés d’ici cinq ans.
« Les gens du Plateau en ont assez. La circulation cause un sérieux problème, même les fins de semaine, et les automobilistes empruntent les rues résidentielles pour avoir accès à la zone commerciale », fait remarquer le conseiller Alain Pilon. Le député de Hull-Aylmer, Marcel Proulx, appui le projet : « Le Plateau connaît une croissance conti nuelle et la taille du méga centre justifie ce projet. Étant donné les besoins de la population et le développement commercial, il est nécessaire de construire cette intersection maintenant.»
Intersection à débit continu?
L’intersection en T ne serait qu’une première phase d’un projet pilote, dit Mme Marchand. La ville compte éventuellement transformer cette intersection conventionnelle en intersection à débit continu comme on peut en voir à Mexico. « Nous souhaiterions que le MTQ considère cet aménagement comme un projet pilote, dit Mme Marchand. Nous pourrions implanter cette intersection non-conventionnelle par phase, sans déranger la circulation et au rythme où les besoins du secteur le demandent. »
(Trad.: C.B.)
Deux nouveaux ponts s’ajoutent à la liste
Julie Murray
Le 23 octobre, la Commission de la capitale nationale (CCN) a fait savoir qu’elle ajoutait deux autres corridors à la liste des emplacements possibles pour un nouveau pont reliant Gatineau et Ottawa. Le premier, à l’est de l’île Lower Duck, relierait le boulevard de l’Aéroport de Gatineau à un chemin déjà existant au nord de la route 174 du côté d’Ottawa. À l’ouest, le pont doit relier la promenade Riddell à Kanata à la route 148, au chemin Pink, ou à tout autre tronçon entre le chemin Pink et le boulevard des Allumettières. De plus, la firme de consultants Roche-NCE étudiera la possibilité d’utiliser le pont ferroviaire Prince-de-Galles pour le transport de passagers et de marchandises.
Les conseillers d’Ottawa aussi bien que ceux de Gatineau n’aiment pas cette proposition de pont à l’est. « C’est le pire des scénarios pour nous, car la circulation arriverait entre Orléans et Beacon Hill. Je comprends qu’une étude environnementale doit tenir compte de toutes les options mais le conseil a déjà dit qu’il privilégiait un pont à l’île Kettle », a fait savoir le conseiller du quartier Innes d’Ottawa, Rainer Bloess.
« Le pont (à l’est) traverserait une aire protégée sur le point de devenir une reserve faunique, » ajoute le conseiller Yvon Boucher. « Il y a 300 espèces d’oiseaux dans ce secteur et même des tortues centenaires qui viennent tout juste d’y pondre. On dirait qu’ils lancent des ballons pour voir la réaction des politiciens. Je me demande vraiment ce qui motive ces gens-là. J’ai de grandes réserves à voir un pont traverser ce secteur. »
Pont à Aylmer
Quand au corridor à l’ouest, le conseiller d’Aylmer Alain Riel dit que le pont passerait directement au-dessus de sa maison. « Il est beaucoup trop tôt pour émettre une opi nion sur le sujet, mais nous sommes à l’heure du transport en commun », dit-il, rappelant que l’ouverture du pont Champlain s’était traduit par une diminution de l’utilisation des transports verts. Le conseiller du quartier Baie, Alex Cullen, quant à lui, a dit ne pas comprendre l’entêtement des consultants à conserver deux corridors qui passeraient par le lac Deschênes en Outaouais, soit l’endroit ou la rivière des Outaouais est à son plus large. L’une des suggestions à l’ouest passerait par le parc Andrew Haydon et l’autre raccorderait au chemin Moodie. « Ces options sont insensées. Ce sont des pertes de temps colossales, insiste-t-il. Comment pouvons-nous songer à détruire le parc Andrew Haydon? »
Toutefois les respon sables de la planification s’entendent pour dire qu’Aylmer est vraiment le point chaud de croissance de la ville et qu’on peut s’attendre à plus encore. Sans Rapibus et avec très peu de transport en commun, un pont s’avère la solution la plus naturelle pour l’ouest.
(Trad.: C.B.)
Patrick McLean: vote for a youthful change
I am putting myself forward as a refreshing candidate in the aging realm of school board politics. If elected I would make it my highest priority to listen to the concerns of the parents, teachers, and students. I have experience in representing a large group of people; as a student council member I took on the task of serving 1,000 of my peers.
I believe in offering our teachers the opportunity to improve their capacity to enlighten our students, thus increasing their potential to succeed.
On November 4th, I encourage the electors of Ward 16 to make a choice for change and usher in a new era of politics. I believe I can bring to the table what the other two candidates cannot: a fresh, youthful take on the given situation. As a recent graduate of the WQSB, I am a by-product of the previous administration. As commissioner I would help improve upon mistakes made in the past when I was a student and ultimately improve the academic experience for your children.
On November 4th remember to vote for change, and remember that the youth are our future.
Patrick McLean
Aylmer
NOTE: The other two candidates in Ward 16 had their letters published last week.
Voters: It’s YOUR choice!
I am inviting both English and French electors of the Western Quebec School Board to get out and vote in the coming November 4th election. The advance poll is on October 28. I put my name forward for this election last January. I intend to attend school board meetings and to be a responsable Commissioner while in office. Even though I am currently not a commissioner, I have attended school board meetings and governing board meetings this year. Also, I participated in the “Run 4 Fun Event” at South Hull School.
I invite electors to vote for the candidate of their choice. This election happens only every four years. Electors, it’s your choice!.
Susan Miller
School Commissioner Candidate,
Ward 16
School Commissioner Dimitri Soudas
As it is for your readers, my one and only priority is our children and their future.
In the last four years, together, we’ve accomplished a lot! We established a Strategic Plan, we focused on educational projects and professional development and success plans. We delivered a new school with state of the art infrastructure for students in Aylmer.
We aggressively addressed issues such as decreasing cases of anaphylactic shock in our schools and combating cheating and plagiarism.
We provided new computers at South Hull, Eardley and Symmes-D’Arcy, better internet access, installed new soccer and football fields, renovated Eardley and South Hull and delivered Symmes-D’Arcy, a brand new school.
I’m excited to continue being a part of this team that will build an environment in which our children are well prepared to face future challenges and further improve our community.
Since being elected School Commissioner in Aylmer in 2003, every decision I’ve made has always been in the best interests of the students.
I stand on my record, my commitment to family values and my dedication to education.
I am working as a Press Secretary and Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister.
I am married and Elizabeth and I have just welcomed our first baby into our family.
The cornerstone of the future is our children. Let’s keep moving forward together!
Dimitri Soudas
School Commissioner (Ward 16), Western Quebec School Board
Two new bridge locations added to lengthy list
Julie Murray
On Octobre 23, the NCC announced that it will add two more locations to the list of possible new Gatineau-Ottawa bridges. The first, east of Lower Duck Island, would connect the Airport Boulevard in Gatineau with an existing road north of Highway 174 in Ottawa. In the west, the bridge would connect Riddell Parkway in Kanata with Highway 148, at Pink Road or another link between Pink Road and Allumettières Boulevard. The consulting firm Roche-NCE will also study the possibility of using the Prince-of-Wales trailway bridge to move passengers and merchandise.
Both Ottawa and Gatineau councillors dislike the eastern location. Ottawa’s Rainer Bloess, Innes ward, says, “It’s the worst-case scenario for us because the traffic will arrive between Orleans and Beacon Hill. I understand an environmental study must take into account all the options, but council already said it would prefer a bridge at Kettle Island.”
“The [eastern] bridge would cross a protected area that is about to become a wildlife reserve,” adds Councillor Yvon Boucher. “There are three hundred species of birds in this area, and even hundred year-old turtles that have just laid eggs. I think they’re floating trial balloons to see the politicians’ reactions. I really have to wonder what motivates these people. I have serious reservations about a bridge in this area.”
Aylmer bridge
As for the western location, Aylmer Councillor Alain Riel says that the bridge would pass right over his house. “It’s far too early for an opinion on the subject, but we are in an era of public transportation.” He also notes that enlarging the Champlain Bridge led to a reduction in the use of green-friendly transportation. Ottawa’s Bay Ward Councillor Alex Cullen says he doesn’t understand consultants’ choice of two areas that would go over Deschenes Lake, the widest point in the Ottawa River. One suggested west location would cross Andrew Haydon Park and the other, connect to Moodie Drive. “These choices make no sense. This is a colossal waste of time.,” charged Cullen. “How can we even consider destroying Andrew Haydon Park?”
However, planners say Aylmer has been the growth hot spot for the city and will grow even more, and without Rapibus and with very poor transit connections, a bridge is a natural in the west end.
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