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Both Frefich and Special Education programs get provincial grams for extra “Negotiations on the next contract haven't broken down,” said Negotiations Chairman Kirby Brock, "it’s just that our first priority happens to be class size. Our team feels that all the other issues can be settled once we‘ve reached agreement with the board on this." It claims expansion of programs could raise that figure in excess of 30. causing regular classroom students to suffer the effects of larger classes. According to YCETAF (York County Elementary Teachers' Association of Federations) the average class size in York ex- ceeds 28 elementary pupils. While they milled about outside the board room and passed out buttons with a beseeching ‘Reduce class size now!‘ slogan on them. trustees spent an hour in closed session debating a staff report requesting the hiring of 27 new teachers for next September. The enthusiastic but orderly group comprised only half the number of teachers who attended an earlier meeting where unanimous support was given to their salary negotiating team over the major issue of the number of pupils in regular classes. Nearly 300 elementary school teachers streamed into the Administrative Centre at Aurora Monday night to impress upon school trustees they are unwilling to accept increasing class sizes throughout the region. Elementary teachers say no to larger class sizes _ A Metrospan Community Newspaper Don't forget. This Sunday, April 29 at 2 a.m., daylight saving time goes into effect. Don‘t forget. we can thank Benjamin Franklin for the extra hour of daylight we enjOy as a result of daylight saving time. Benjamin Franklin suggested the idea of moving clocks ahead in a whimsical essay written in 1784 and the idea was adopted during the first world war when clocks were moved ahead one hour to help reduce fuel con- sumption. The rule "spring forward and fall backward" is sure to help you remember to set your clocks ahead one hour April 29. The Ku Klux Klan strikes again â€"â€"- in Richmond Hill. Sometime between the hour of midnight and 4 a.m. Saturdav the election sign for NDP candidate Bruce Searle. was set ablaze and remained flaming for minutes on Pat Gregg’s front lawn at 55 Loverock Avenue. When the Greggs awoke. there on the front lawn were the charred remains. With the goal to construct a playground at Roselawn School on Carrville Road. a meeting will be held Monday, April 30. at 7.30 p.m.,v to plan such a project. Officials are hopeful that residents of the area will attend the meeting and bring along ideas of how the playground can be built. For further information, call 889-6653. Separate School supporters would pay $857.66 with $209.44 going for secondary school taxes and $278.60 to elementary school. The tax bill in 1975 for public school support was $614.88 and Separate School $650.14. Rates for 1979 are estimated and may change slightly when final taxable assessment totals are known. If you own a Richmond Hill home assessed at $20,000 and you support the public school system, your taxes this year will be approximately $822.44 The Finance Department issued estimated 1979 Mill Rates last week showing a breakdown of this amount as $124.82 to the region of York. $244.80 to the Town of Rich mond Hill and $452.82 to the school board. The course is open to anyone planning to hold a public firework display this year; and. as a matter of fact, you MUST take the course to supervise such a display. Around noon, members'of the Richmond Hill Fire Department will stand by while the course gets down to the nitty-gritty ..... setting off fireworks which are guaranteed to rattle your windows. Hold your ears. The annual fireworks supervisor’s course will take place in and around the Richmond Hill Arena tomorrow, April 26, beginning at 9 a.m.' Community Pulse Where your money goes Playground wan ted The Klan strikes? Ben started it... Noisy course “Things like guidance time. library time and administration time will also have to suffer if we PTR now stands at 21.23:}. Class size is the average number of pupils in regular day classes and many teachers. like YCETAF President Dean Bodkin, fear the larger they're allowed to get the more programs that will have to be cut back. Mrs. Zajac said these teachers will be hired outside the PTR (pupil-teacher ratio). Class size and PTR are figures not totally related: PTR is determined by dividing the total number of full time equivalent teachers into the number of full time equivalent pupils; it is a negotiable item in salary negotiations and something Mr. Brock said his team will “negotiate hard on, even though part of the problem lies with the ministry”. “I think it was a responsible decision by the board,“ said Dorothy Zajac, chairman of the board‘s elementary team. “Since we are putting in new programs we had to go ahead with the decision to hire teachers.” After hearing a report from Director Sam Chapman stating the need to conform to Ministry Regulation 704, which states special education classes may have a maximum of 12 pupils per class, the hiring of 27 new teachers was approved. staffing and the board must recognize the impact of staffing requirements for special programs, said a release from the teachers. During its preâ€"meeting closed session, the board did just that. Ratcliffs of Canada on Yonge Street in Richmond Hill was the scene of two pre-dawn fires; one on Friday morning about 3:30 and the other early' Monday Richmond Hill Fire Depart- ment was kept hopping as men and equipment responded to no fewer than 20 grass fires and eight bonfires, all since Thursday of last week. Dan Davidson, 35, a professional engineer from 'l‘hornhill, nominated to represent the party in this area, said the Libertarian party would like to see more personal treedom and less government in Canada. "People don't need to be governed from cradle to grave,“ said Mr. Davidson, “they can make some decisions for themselves." Other fires also kept everyone busy. Mr. Stong's Bill was intended to protect the reputation of an ac- cused person until guilt or in- nocence should be established by the courts. The Libertarian Party, com- mitted to protect private en- terprise in Canada, now has a candidate in York North riding. Mr. Davidson said he was referrjng broadly to areas such Markham Fire Department responded to 17 grass fires in a five-day period from last Wed- nesday to Monday of this week. “And the NDP Justice Critic missed the point." he said. “He thought I wanted trials closed to the public." Grass fire season arrived with all its fury last week in Richmond Hill and Markham. The Yorkâ€"Centre MLA was disappointed but not beaten when his Bill â€" “The Innocent Persons Protection Act â€" went down to defeat by 15 votes Thursday night. Mr. Stong told The Liberal Monday there simply wasn’t enough time allow‘ed to debate the Bill. The Richmond Hill Chamber ofi 11. Commerce will sponsor an All- Included will be the four Candidates Night, Friday, May candidates seekingthe seat in the Chamber to sponsor allâ€"candidates night Queen‘s Park hasn‘t heard the last of Alf Stong’s Private Member‘s Bill. The grass fire season hit with full force last week as Richmond Hill fire fighters and citizens combined to bring some 20 blazes under control. This one broke out The teachers‘ show of numbers was supposed to influence the board to re-examine its position on class size. Many of those who had stood outside the boardroom Libertarian candidate is selected can't break this deadlock with board negotiators. I‘d say the library of a school is a key room. the focal point of the school," he said THE RICHMOND HILL Stong’s bill is defeated Wednesday, April 25, 1979 20 grass flies...30 far “There is no recourse, either." Chamber directors will he said. “You can’t replace a meet again tonight to continue reputation." planning the event. “I‘m still very interested in it.” he said. “In 12 years as a defense counsel. I‘ve seen people who are acquitted left holding the bag, so to speak. While the Bill is considered “dead”, it can be reintroduced in another form at another time, Mr. Stong said. “A longer debate.“ Mr. Stong said. “would have made it clear the issue narrowed down to a choice between the protection of the reputation of an individual or the freedom of the media to market the news, all of which refer to the time period prior to the beginning of a trial." The present government is “gobbling up” a lot of dollars in taxes, he said, but the taxpayers have little to say how the money is spent Mr. Davidson's party would like to see taxes lowered and Libertarians would like to change the tax system in Canada‘ said Mr. Davidson. The Libertarian Party feels a person in a position of running a small business should be in a position to make these kinds of decisions himself. said the candidate as unemployment insurance minimum wage laws and over time restrictions. A faulty {an in the building is said to be the cause of these fires, and it will be repaired. A cut-rate gas bar on Yonge Street in Oak Ridges caused some moments of apprehension Monday afternoon as smoke could be seen coming out of the roof. Fire fighters responded and no serious damage resulted from the blaze, that was quickly ex- tinguished. The cause of this fire is still under investigation and at present. there is no estimate of the damages. morning Mr. Brock said he is confident other issues being negotiated will fall into place once progress is made on class sizes. The team is requesting a salary increase which would keep up with‘the cost of living or one comparable with a secondary for more than an hour left 90 minutes into the meeting. TOTAL DOWN Richmond Hill Fire Chief Bob 20 Cents Friday on Yonge Street north of the Summit Golf Club, and consumed about two acres of grass and bush before flames were extinguished. Members of Richmond Hill’s Citizens Advisory Group had also planned to hold such an event. but decided to work with Chamber members to assure the success of the meeting May 11. While some details remain to be worked out. it is expected the format for the evening will in clude a panel of media personnel. and questions from the audience. But, there are three proper functions for government, he said. the judicial system, the armed forces to protect the country and the police force to handle disputes between in- dividuals. The event will be held at Don Head Secondary School in Rich~ mond Hill‘ beginning at 7.30 p.m. “We would work very hard to eliminate government,“ said Mr. Davidson. Kennedy says this is because in March the ground, is still pretty wet and fires don‘t really have the chance to get going. . .not as well as they do in April once the ground has dried out. Mail deliilery is a good example. he said. The Libertarians feel there are many areas in which the government is nowinvolved that could be far better handled by private enterprise. federal riding of York-North May 22. - They are Liberal incumbent Barney Danson; Libertarian Dan Davidson; Progressive Con- servative John Gamble; and New Democratic Party‘s Bruce Searle. When school children were home for the old Easter holidays, there used to be many more grass fires‘ but now that there are no more holidays at Easter and the kids are home for a week in March instead, the total has dropped. people pay for privileges they desnre. is dowu compared with‘other years, and he attributes the decrease to the change in school holidays. " Kennedy says the grass fire total school contract. for example. The team also wants a teacher’s years of service to be taken into account before his contract can be ended due' to declining enrollment. “We‘re not looking at other boards â€" we must deal with what we have here, within the bounds of York County," said Mr. Brock. 30 pages Striking workers at Reynolds Extrusion Company Limited on Edward Avenue in Richmond Hill are hopeful that a meeting set for tomorrow, April 26, will be productive. President of striking local 8412 of the United Steelworkers of America, Dennis Smith, said the Minister of Labour called the meeting for Thursday and he is optimistic about the results. Mr. Beatty said workers were asking for a ten per cent wage increase the first year and the same the second year of the contract. At this time the company has Workers at Stran-Steel feel they are being discriminated against as they make far less than their fellow workers at the “mother” plant, Westeel Rosco in Rexdale. Another steel plant is on strike in Richmond Hill. Swan-Steel is a division of Westeel-Rosco Limited. Norm Gunn, a worker at Stran- Steel for five years, now picketing the plant, said “We‘re the worst paid steel shop around”. Last Wednesday, 52 workers in local 847 of the Teamsters Union went on. strike against Stran-Steel Building Systems, on Industrial Road. George Beatty, captain of the striking local, said 100 per cent of the members voted to strike when negotiations broke down with the company. Workers, who have been without 'a contract since December 31, 1978, are asking the company for higher wages and benefits. “Why should we be treated like second class citizens,“ said Mr. Gunn. 52 workers strike at Stranâ€"Steel plant He hoped Travelways could be persuaded to detour the one and one-half miles along Gormley Sideroad to serve the Rich- mond Hill residents living in Gormley. Mr. Newton said he would look into other alternatives in- cluding the Travelways bus travelling to the subway from the north along Don Mills Road. “Is public transit to 55rve the pilbllc 0}in hie money?" asked Dr. Gold, suggesting if that was the case, 75 percent of TTC routes would be cancelled immediately Councillor Mike Burnie assured Dr. Gold he personally would look into the matter immediately and if GO Transit could not be persuaded to continue the service, Engineering Administrator. Bud Newton, would be asked to look into the cost of running a town has to the area. The Gormley bus originated in Stouffvilie. travelled along the Gormley Sideroad to Bayview Avenue where it turned south to meet the Bayview GO Transit service and proceeded to the Finch subway station; According to Dr. Gold. six to seven residents depend on this service to ride to Toronto in the morning and home in the evening, each work day. The Engineering Committee for the town' of Richmond Hill was informed by Dr. Gold about this loss of service. Bayview bus route undergoes changes Gormley resident. Dr. Gerry Gold. said last week the Toronto Area Transit Operating Authority (TATOA) presented passengers of a twice daily Gormley bus service. with a notice advising the service would terminate. By the end of April residents of Gormley will no longer have a bus service. Meeting tomorrow may resolve strike To protect the Markham Transit buses running the 'same route down Bayview, GO Transit would pick up passengers to Highway 7, but after this point the bus would only stop to let Dr. Gold said a repres'entative from TATOA informed him this ‘tag enq‘:_service through Gormley was too costly. At this time the bus goes south on Bayview Avenue to Steeles Avenue, where it crosses to Yonge Street. Gorm/ey to lose GO Bus service Engineering Adminis~ trator, Bud Newton, said the town engineering committee decided to choose the alternative. routing the Bayview GO Transit bus across John Street in Thornhiii and down Yonge Street to the Finch subway station. The Ministry of Tran- sportation and Com- munications (MTC) sent proposals to the municipality subject to approval by the Toronto Area Transit Operating Authority (TATOA) board, outlining variations of the existing route. Changes are proposed for the Bayview Avenue bus service from Richmond Hill to Finch subway station â€" some good, and some bad. *‘k‘k Mr Smith said he felt it was in the interest of both parties in- volved to settle this dispute as quickly as possible. About 170 members of the local are striking against Reynolds Extrusion in Richmond Hill as a result of a stalemate over union demands for better fringe benefits. “After 14 weeks, you have to be"' he said. Stran-Steel in Richmond Hill manufactures pre-engineered steel shells of buildings such as plants. arenas and other buildings for contractors to erect and finish the interiors. Mr. Hurst said he had no idea when negotiations will resume. Glenn Hurst. Industrial Relations Manager for Westeel- Rosco would not comment on the company position but did say the union's statements about inequality with the mother company were “not correct statements“ Workers are picketing the plant 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Office staff is allowed in but already trucks delivering materials and salesmen have been turned away by the picketers. “We'll stay out until we get what we ask for," said Mr. Beatty. Local 847 of the Teamsters Union Would also like to have better life insurance coverage, a dental plan, company paid pension plan and sick pay to equal their fellow workers at Westeel-Rosco, said Mr. Beatty. There is no im- plementation date for the revised service at this time, said Mr. Newton, who stressed it is only at the proposal stage and has yet to be approved by TATOA. offered nine per cent the first year and five and one-half per cent the second year, said the union captain. A member of the engineering committee for the town. Councillor Mike Burnie. said this was not acceptable to Richmond Hill. ' “We want it to operate during the day," he said, requesting Mr. Newton to advise TATOA of the town‘s stand. MTC also recommended this Bayview bus service be only a peak hour ser- vice, 6:30 am. to 9 am. and 3 pm. to 6 pm. and buses running at other times be eliminated. The positive fa_ctor in the proposal is the fare will drop from 60 cents a trip to 40 cents; passengers disembark. The new proposal also means buses would leave on a 30-minute peak rush hour basis rather than every 15 minutes as it does now, and there would be no buses on ‘weekends. *‘k‘k