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I attended one of the open houses on French-language education this past weekend, curious to see if these would offer an opportunity to provide my views by speaking to someone from the Department of Education in person.

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However, the officials in attendance were only there to provide information and answer questions.

In order to voice an opinion, I was directed to a table where I could write comments on one of the forms provided or to a computer where I could submit my views online.

This experience confirmed a serious problem with the process. This public consultation offers no opportunity for concerned citizens to provide their views orally.

Given that a recent study by the Canadian Council on Learning reported that almost 50 per cent of New Brunswick adults lack essential literacy skills, the exclusive use of the written format for submitting opinions effectively bars a large percentage of the population from participation.

This is hardly consistent with Justice Hugh McLellan's ruling that any further decision be made "in accordance with the principles of fairness after an appropriate opportunity for interested citizens and organized groups to be heard."

The failure to provide any mechanism for oral submissions is just one more reason why this truncated consultation process cannot be considered an adequate basis "either politically or legally" for making major changes to the education system this September.

Paul Howe

Fredericton

French immersion inaccessible in province's rural areas

Education Minister Kelly Lamrock's comments on the poor and early French immersion during a recent provincewide radio phone-in discussion show that he is either ill-informed or continuing in his old ways.

He stated repeatedly that the poor don't have access to immersion education. He ought to know that there is no financial barrier whatsoever to enrolling a child in EFI: it costs no more than core French, and it makes no additional financial demands on parents.

If what he means is that poorer people don't enrol in it as much as the wealthier, he should consider the fact that current rules disadvantage people in rural communities who wish to enrol their children in immersion classes because these people are often unable to muster the required full class of children.

In an area with only one regional school, if only 11 are interested, they are out of luck.

The minister needs to be honest about this. The Croll-Lee recommendations, which he continues to support, do nothing to remedy this situation.

Under those recommendations, the same rules would apply to the late French immersion as do today to early and late. The urban poor will still have access if they wish; the rural, much less so.

Johanna Doherty

Harvey Station

McBrine made vital mark as mental-health advocate

I had the pleasure of attending the retirement celebration for longtime mental-health champion and executive director of the local Canadian Mental Health Association, Jean McBrine.

Jean's dedication to individuals and families dealing with mental illness can't be overstated. She takes a personal interest in advocacy and education, and has recently facilitated many workshops in applied suicide intervention skills training, as well as strengthening families together, among many other valuable initiatives.

Colleagues, clients and friends expressed great appreciation for her leadership and dedication.

There is much work to be done to alleviate the suffering and stigma of mental illness, and we can only hope for more people like Jean to join the battle.

Cathy White

Fredericton

CFB Gagetown decisions impacted many negatively

Kudos to the Base Gagetown Community History Association. Its effort to maintain the history of 20 communities that were expropriated in order to create Canadian Forces base Gagetown is to be commended.

I suspect those families ordered to move were the first but definitely not the last to see and live the effects of government policymakers.

CFB Gagetown has a long history of bad decisions being made by politicians and policymakers that have hurt many over the years.

One only need ask those people impacted by the defoliant spraying at CFB Gagetown.

The Department of National Defence (DND) being so helpful in opening the base for individuals to tour leaves me with suspicion.

I am sure this will be a perfect photo-op for DND to show how "safe" the base is from deadly defoliants.

There will be plenty of pictures of infants and smiling grandmothers and of course smiling politicians. This will be propaganda at its finest.

Art Connolly

London, Ont.

School sports decision is too restrictive

The New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association's decision to prevent sports teams from missing school instructional time could be more balanced.

It also imposed restrictions on travel to games this fall, which is very restrictive.

Sports, like so many other extra-curricular activities such as music, glee club, debating, public speaking, musicals, drama, art, chess, etc, are responsible for promoting and enhancing character development, friendships that last a lifetime, knowledge, discipline, self-esteem and community involvement.

Administrators, teachers and parents are concerned about classroom learning that is missed when activities take place during school time.

Accountability has always been required of students and coaches with significant support, co-operation and input from teachers and parents.

Athletes, as well as the majority of extra-curricular participants, are usually talented, outstanding, focused and committed students who represent themselves, their families, their schools and communities with pride.

Administrators, teachers, coaches and parents have made it abundantly clear that their marks, work and attitude have to be exemplary or they lose the opportunity and privilege of representing their school.

My experiences have been that most of the students involved in extra-curricular activities are often the leaders in their school who make a positive contribution to the classroom learning environment.

Dialogue and compromise can make this policy more balanced, flexible and accommodating. My proposal is that all stakeholders should be held accountable.

Harold Phalen

Fredericton

Help during flood greatly appreciated

On April 30, due to the flooding of the Saint John River, the residents of the J.J. Fraser Farraline Home at 776 Queen St.in Fredericton were evacuated to safety with family and friends.

The community of Fredericton came together to help, and the residents were able to return to their home May 9.

The board of directors of the J.J. Fraser Farraline Home Inc., the administrator, the staff and the residents wish to acknowledge the professional, friendly and timely services of Kone Inc., Maverick Construction Ltd., Hetherington Electric Ltd., Service Master, Consolidated Services Ltd., Wandlyn Inns, the Canadian Red Cross, Moonbeam Services and the many willing volunteers who gave generously of their time and resources to the residents.

We would be remiss if the extraordinary efforts of the staff of the Farraline Home and administrator Judy O'Donnell weren't included. They indeed went above and beyond.

Thank you.

Michele LeBlanc

Secretary, board of directors

J.J. Fraser Farraline Home Inc.

Fredericton

McAdam's decision to honour fallen soldiers applauded

Recently in one of your papers an article appeared in reference to the renaming of a couple of streets in McAdam after recently fallen soldiers.

This was an excellent idea, and the McAdam council should be congragulated for doing so.

Indeed, it was a very good choice.

Joseph A. Cyr

Fredericton