Oakville Residents for Public Education has learned the school board is now projecting the renovation for Maple Grove Public School to not be complete until March 2011.
While this doesn't come as a surprise to the community it is the second time the Board has moved the September 2010 date into the future.
The major question now is how to address the transitions and moves of the children in the existing schools. O.R.P.E. is requesting the Board develop a strategy of only one move per child. In other words, no children move until the construction is complete at ALL schools. We have heard the board has considered at least 2 transition plans, but no decision has yet been made.
It wasn't 3 months ago when the community was told all construction would be complete by September 2010. Now we are looking at a minimum of a 6 month delay, assuming the Board has properly forecast a realistic date.
We are urging all concerned individuals to contact the Board voicing your opinion for a transition plan that ensures only one move for every student, waiting until all construction is complete.
A 620MW gas-fired power plant, currently under construction, suffered an explosion killing at least 5 people. The plant is located away from residential areas, approximately 25 kilometres from Hartford Connecticut. The results would have been devastating if the plant was located within a residential community.
The Ontario Government and it's agency, OPA, have signed an agreement with TransCanada to built a 950MW gas-fired power plant a mere 400 metres from 2 Oakville residential communities. The plant will be located on Royal Windsor Drive just past the dead-end on the North end of Maple Grove.
Residents of Oakville are now asking has the Province or its various agencies conducted or studied the effects of an accident or explosion from a residentialy located power plant. How safe is a gas-fired plant located in a community setting ? If this accident has occurred at the TransCanada site one could only image the possible death-toll. Also located within a small radius are at least 4 schools with over 1,000 children attending. Does this Province consider this an acceptable risk ?
We would also like to know how many gas-fired power plants are there in Canada and their proximity to residential communities ? Does it make any sense located an industrial complex with such explosive capability in a residential community ?
According to Twitter posts by the Mayor and others, Mayor Burton announced at this week's Oakville Chamber of Commerce Breakfast meeting he will be seeking re-election in the fall of 2010.
MyOakville plans to offer a colum available to the Mayor, Councillors, trustees and candidates for the upcoming election.