Pat Bell Optimistic About School Closings

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 05:14 PM

Prince George, B.C. - Forest Minister Pat Bell (who’s riding includes Nukko Lake and Mackenzie) along with Highways Minister Shirley Bond whose riding covers Dunster , one of 14 rural school scheduled for closing say they have met with School District 57 officials about the proposed closing of the rural schools .

The School Board, Bell says, “Is putting forward a worst case scenario. We believe that the March 2^nd budget will be much better than they have been thinking about the issue."

Bell says he is quite concerned about Nukko Lake School, “That’s a long haul for those kids to come to the Hart “, Bell says , he worked to keep other rural schools open until they simply got to the point that there were too few students to remain open. "I don’t think that’s the case with a number of these schools."

School District 57 is into the consultation stage with the public before making final decisions on the proposed closure of 11 schools and reconfiguration three others. The School District says the closures are necessary as they try to rectify a $7 million dollar shortfall.

Final decisions on the closures are expected at the end of March.

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Posted on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 05:14 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: My3Centsworth on February 10 2010 5:51 PM

I'm confused now. Is Bell saying that there is going to be more money than expected? Or, is the promise of money going to be there and when the school district goes to spend it, it will be pulled back again? I guess Bond had nothing to say.

Posted by: rjm on February 10 2010 7:16 PM

this is dust another diversion to make things go away until after the gong show.

then, once the olympics are over, it will be back to societal deconstruction on the basis of 'economic need'.

of course, no matter how obvious or enormous the olympic debt, the myriad of social spending cuts will be sold as a response to 'uncontrolled and external circumstances'.

we need to be rid of these thieves once and for all.

rjm

Posted by: noisy on February 10 2010 7:42 PM

No matter what Bond and Bell have to say, it's the trustees that make the decisions. If they get extra cash flow, I would bet every cent of it that it doesn't change their minds about a thing. They're not listening.

Posted by: Denaljo on February 10 2010 8:00 PM

Optimistic about the closings?? Does that mean he is all for them shutting down???

Posted by: Andyfreeze on February 10 2010 8:09 PM

I watched Pat Bell grinning from ear to ear behind the Education Minister today on the news when she was answering questions in the house.
He obviously thinks this is quite funny and everyone else is stupid.
The picture was a bit bright though because of the lights refelecting of the top of his bald head.
Now that was funny!
There is actually nothing funny about this...unless you are a Liberal hack who can only do and say what they are told to do and say.

Posted by: dirtcheap on February 10 2010 8:25 PM

Mr. Minister of Forests and Lands at his best again spreading false hope.The man is so optimistic about everything, he obviously has not missed too many meals or pay cheques and is not too worried about his pension either. That clown reminds me of Gordon Campbell who also makes me ill every time he shows his face!

Posted by: Charlie B on February 10 2010 10:45 PM

IT is amazing how your pessimistic ignorant attitude shines through . And what have you couple of morons contributed to society. As I have said before if you don't like it put your name on the ballot

Posted by: acrider54 on February 11 2010 5:36 AM

Pat'shad his Bell rung too many times me thinks.

Posted by: metalman on February 11 2010 6:53 AM

Opinions are like @@@!!! everybody has one.
I think that Bell is rather smug, he has a guaranteed income for the rest of his life, that kind of thing tends to make people smug. Not to play down the years he spent actually working for a living, but now, as a BC Provincial MLA who has "served his time" his pension is not only far more golden than most of us will ever dream of receiving, it is also guaranteed. A few bad investment decisions by pension fund administrators will not affect the MLA pensions, will it?
metalman.

Posted by: Wileycoyote on February 11 2010 7:11 AM

In a reply to RJM saying we have to get rid of these thieves once and for all. Who the heck does he propose to replace the thieves??? The NDP????? HAHAHAHAHA I'd seriously consider moving to Alberta the next time the NDP ever formed government again in BC.

Posted by: Municca on February 11 2010 8:15 AM

And once again there is the notion that there is only the NDP and the LIEBERALS. Good excuse to continously ruin this province by voting one of these two in. When or if you vote, please move the pencil down farther to the next box on the list.

Posted by: Charlie B on February 11 2010 8:43 AM

Which is ?? I'm sure the Marijuana party would do real good on the world stage.

Posted by: My3Centsworth on February 11 2010 8:43 AM

Ditto!

Posted by: Municca on February 11 2010 8:49 AM

How do you know? Have you ever actually gone and looked into their platform. It was the Lieberals and the NDP that stuck this party with the "Marijauna" stigma. And you bought it hook line and sinker. Sheeples following the scam.

Posted by: IMO on February 11 2010 8:52 AM

I agree Munica! Everyone is complaining about how the Liberals and Ndp have ruined this country yet they will not stop voting for them. STUPID! And even if marijuana was the only thing the other party stood for, at least the government could make the money that the crooks are making and give the tax payers the break they need.

Posted by: IMO on February 11 2010 9:03 AM

Maybe this will help those of you that think BC only has two parties.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/bcvotes2009/story/2009/04/09/bcv-other-parties.html

Posted by: IMO on February 11 2010 9:06 AM

And here is another link just in case you do not like CBC. LOL

http://www.altstuff.com/bc.htm

Posted by: Loki on February 11 2010 10:06 AM

non-partisan party

Posted by: Charlie B on February 11 2010 10:33 AM

Really... The official name they are registered under is "B.C. Marijuana Party" I am suprised that someone with any leadership ability would let the NDP or Liberals name their party

Posted by: CaringSoul on February 11 2010 11:19 AM

And Campbell looks good on the world stage? He does not even look good in BC! Yes keep voting the Liberals and the NDP! You deserve them. This province is done anyway.

Posted by: woodwoman on February 11 2010 11:47 AM

At the last set of closures, Pat Bell and Shirley Bond did NOTHING - if anyone actually believe that either will do something now - think again - Mackenzie Elementary is on the hook - Pat was at the "Save Mackenzie rally" - planes were to be flying back and forth to the oil sands in Alberta and everyone could remain in Mackenzie - the planes never came, the jobs never materialized and the people moved on .
What Pat and Shirley need to understand is that this district is underfunded thanks to the Liberal government who believes that private education is better than public education.. Shirley set down from the Education post because she knew what was coming.

Posted by: dirtcheap on February 11 2010 7:56 PM

Charlie B: I guess the truth hurts.Opinions are welcome here, calling people morons just goes to show us where certain peoples heads are.Good post as always "woodwoman".Somehow we have to hold our elected leaders accountable for their promises.