Dear Editor,
A situation is taking place that I feel the public should be made aware of and if not remedied immediately will have an adverse effect on the Barrhead Air Cadet Squadron #526.
When they use the elementary school for their Wednesday, and sometimes Monday, night training sessions, the squadron is being charged a "fee" to open and close the sliding doors that enlarge the size of the gym.
Contact was made by the president of the Squadron Sponsoring Committee with a member of the Pembina Hills school board and was advised it was up to the school principal to made a decision to charge or not. A meeting was held with the principal and still no change.
As one of the members of the squadron sponsoring committee and the Royal Canadian Legion, let me make you aware of what the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #75 does for the school and the squadron
• It donates $2,500 a year to the squadron
• It donates $300 a year to the squadron for their assistance on the sale of poppies for Remembrance Day
• It donates two $500 scholarshps and two $500 bursaries every year to the school.
This year the Royal Canadian Legion ran a raffle in order to provide the $2,500 to the squadron. The squadron provides a place and program for young people 12 to 18 years of age. The program is free — uniforms are free, members learn deportment, working with others, being able to take orders and carry them out, week-end survival training, map reading. There are summer camps at military bases, gliding at airports and much more. They can also train to obtain their pilots license. What better place for their training than the school?
I am told this squadron has been training at our elementary school for over 60 years.
The legion, which is the sponsor (financially), will not be able to cover the new expense imposed by the school which will exceed $1,800 a year. The legion is having a difficult time with its own financial situation. Membership is declining and volunteers getting fewer and fewer. Without volunteers to run the programs, the legion clannot continue to donate to the squadron, the school as well as the community programs such as; Scouts, Girl Guides, Little Rocks, Golden Age Bowlers, Keir Centre, Shepherd's Care, our hospital and many others.
The "fee" to open and close the doors is uncalled for ... the school is for all our children.
Respectfully,
J. Curt Svendsen Sr. CD
