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On Aug. 5, Education Minister Kelly Lamrock will announce (again) his plans for French Second Language in our schools.

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He has acknowledged that the plan he proposed in March did not strike a balance between equality and bilingualism, and he is now going to try again.

I have read many of the letters on the FSL consultation website, and what strikes me is that those who support his March Plan, a) don't appear to place much value on bilingualism and b) offer practically nothing in terms of compromise.

And yet, that is what he asked for.

On the other side, the vast majority of those who support EFI backed up their reasons with research, offered new ideas, and were willing to compromise.

So, we have been told to expect something different than what was offered in March. It will be a new plan.

Since the deputy minister of education, John Kershaw, said in his affidavit presented to court in June that it was "too late" to stop the March plan, I have to wonder, how can it now be enough time to roll out this new plan for September?

I will likely get on board with the new plan; however, I have grave misgivings about the chaos and turmoil that will occur should it all be rolled out in just a few weeks.

Do it right, Lamrock, for the children and the schools. This is not about your political optics anymore.

Joan Wilson

Saint John, N.B.

Veterans' widows deserve more than the poverty line

It is a crying shame that in order to be entitled to the Veterans Independence Program granted to widows back to the Second World War and the Korean War, the veterans' widows must only be receiving the Old Age Security and Supplementary Income.

This is $1,100 or very little more a month, which everyone knows is below the poverty line. It's either that or the veteran's widow must be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit.

These veterans' widows are only granted $800 a year for groundskeeping and $1,600 a year for housekeeping, whereas veterans' widows back to 1981 receive $1,239.79 a year for groundskeeping and there was no limit for housekeeping.

A veteran's widow, age 89, wrote to tell me she would soon be getting the VIP. It is very sad and tragic to think she had to reach the age of 89 before receiving this help, with her poverty income and the pittance of VIP, she will still be in jeopardy of having to leave her home.

Contrary to what the government thinks is going to enable the veterans' widows to stay in their own home, the reality in this day and age is no one is able to maintain their home and make ends meet from one month to the next on $12,000 a year.

There is no justification in denying any veterans or veterans widows the VIP, regardless of their income. Each and everyone of them should be granted the VIP - the same amount as the veterans' widows back to 1981 are receiving.

The government needs to live up to its commitments, on behalf of all veterans and veterans' widows.

Please do the right thing and rectify this urgent issue with no further ado.

Joyce Carter

St. Peter's, N.S.

Gunter family reunion set for Aug. 10

I wish to inform your readers of a Gunter family reunion being held on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 10, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Women's Institute Hall in Jemseg.

There will be a brief meeting, followed by a pot luck meal.

For further information, feel free to contact me at 488-3003.

John Gunter

Whites Cove, N.B.

Few churches are open to the gay community

What sobering information in the news story called Church shooting caused by liberal views: police.

The Knoxville, Tennessee congregation of the Unitarian-Universalist church, like others in that denomination, promotes progressive social work, including advocacy of women and gay rights.

It is alleged that the man accused of shooting in that church was upset by the policies embodied there.

Of course, this happened in the U.S.A., where same-gender marriage is restricted to a few states, and certainly not permitted in Tennessee.

Yet the attitudes are deep seated in our continental culture, though we are less blatant in our expressions of prejudice. Thankfully, same sex couples can marry any place in Canada. The civil authorities must oblige - the window is open.

For gay couples who are religious, the opportunities in New Brunswick are much more restricted. In spite of the fact that the United Church of Canada is noted for its liberal practices, local congregations must buy in, in order that same gender weddings can occur.

The province is profusely peppered with United Church congregations, yet those with open doors are a very decided minority.

As a gay rights activist, I am profoundly grateful to the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Fredericton. Early, consistently, and convincingly, that fellowship has been open in policy and practice to all members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.

And now, this is a religious institution with windows fully open to gay and lesbian couples anywhere in the province: a beacon to all faiths and religions.

Eldon Hay

Sackville, N.B.

Your land could be next

All citizens take note. The rights of Bev and Darlene Hazlett are being trampled and yours will be too.

Has it ever, in recent memory, been more evident that government, even municipal government, is evil?

Yes, I know it is a necessary evil, but evil nonetheless - somewhat like a prescription drug. Just as a drug that in proper dosage can save your life, an overdose of government can be fatal. Don't believe me? Just ask the Hazletts.

We, as Canadians, have a lifelong partner - a partner that has unimaginable power. Power that you do not have. A power no individual has, will have or should have. This partner has the legal power to use force - deadly force - to accomplish its goals.

You have no choice here. Your friend, your elected government, is just going to walk up to you, introduce itself, hand you a few forms to fill out, and move right in. Say hello to your own personal one-tonne gorilla. Having this friend is no cheap proposition either. On average this partnership will cost you 40 per cent of what you earn for the rest of your life and, in outrageous cases like the Hazletts, it will cost you what generations of your family before you made.

So here I am saying negative things about government. Be clear on this: It is not wrong to distrust government. It is not wrong to fear government. In cases like this Killarney Park debacle, it is not even wrong to despise government.

The next time you step into a voting booth, I hope you remember which of your neighbours was instrumental in stealing the Hazletts' property.

Believe me, if another pet project of Mayor Woodside that is as "vital" as another park arises and it's your property in question, you will have your property stolen as well.

Les Vail

Fredericton