Pubdate: Fri, 29 Jan 2010
Source: North Shore News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 North Shore News
Contact:  http://www.nsnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/311
Author: Roger Bassam

TORY MAILOUT FEAR MONGERS ON THE TAXPAYER'S DIME

Dear Editor:

I recently received the latest offering from our MP. The picture is 
of a faceless hooded figure staring at an empty playground -- ominous 
to say the least. The message is that the Conservatives are going to 
do something about the drug dealers who fill our schoolyards and 
threaten our children.

As a parent of two young children, I was shocked to learn that my 
local school is being overrun by drug dealers. I always assumed the 
people hanging around the schoolyard when I pick up my children were 
other parents. Yet when I think about it, some of them couldn't 
possibly be parents, they're too old. And the way these old people 
are greeted by the kids, the hugging and laughing -- well, what 
seven-year-old doesn't want to hug their drug dealer? Or maybe these 
strangers are actually grandparents, like my mother who picks up the 
kids on Mondays. (Thanks, Mom!)

I jest, but this is no laughing matter. The only text in this 
pamphlet that rang true was the statement that "parents have enough 
to worry about without fearing for their children's safety."

The fact is our schools are safe and vibrant parts of our community. 
We have active parent advisory councils and many great teachers, 
administrators and parent volunteers who are committed to educating 
and protecting our children. Stoking the fears of parents by sending 
out this misleading drivel is shameful. Using taxpayer money and MP 
mailing privileges to fear monger is shameful. As a parent and 
taxpayer consider me twice unimpressed. As an elected official, I 
outright reject the suggestion that the children in our community are 
in danger.

Roger Bassam, councillor District of North Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom