THIS UNION FOUND 'IRRITATING'

Dear Sir:

I would like to comment on the front page article that you published. I
have never in all my life commented on an article in a paper but this one
begs a reply, (June 12, 2002 edition entitled "Union slams drug education
plan".)

I have been a member of the RCMP for twenty-eight years. During that time I
have had many training courses and I have been taught by a variety of
instructors from university and college instructors, other RCMP members,
lawyers, nurses, doctors, even teachers.

I have been truly blessed to have such a diverse education. While some of
it has been formal and has helped me advance in my job, most of it has been
learning to humble myself and accepting that I do not know everything and
am in desperate need of continuous education and learning.

When I transferred to Terrace in 1997 I went with the detachment commander
to the school board and made a presentation to them about the DARE program.
They were enthusiastic but alas echoed the voice of Mr. Frank Rowe and the
TDTU that is stated in your article. This position is the same now as it
was five years ago.

It appears that Mr. Rowe and the TDTU want the exclusive right to be the
only persons involved in teaching our children.

While I applaud the noble calling of teachers they must be responsive to
the needs of our changing society. They are not the only ones that can do
the job nor should they be.

As a parent and a grandparent I feel strongly that our children need to be
exposed to a variety of experience and open to all forms of learning and
education that can be only taught by those with the experience in real life
situation and not just those who have been schooled to teach a curriculum.
The second part of my comment is to Mr. Rowe and the TDTU. This is
something that I as a peace officer hear on a regular basis and it
irritates me to no end but it is the truth. I pay your wages through my tax
dollars and our democracy. I demand a voice in your affairs as you are a
public body essential to the health of our society. Never forget whom you
serve. We ought not cut off the voice of those that we are to serve.

The schools and students are not the exclusive property of the teachers and
while they do have a contract to provide a service, it still takes a
community to raise children.

I celebrate our diverse society. Although it is not perfect, we can make a
difference if we will but listen and participate.

Darcy Gollan,

Queen Charlotte, B.C.

(Ed note: Sergeant Darcy Gollan was stationed in Terrace from 1997 - 2001.)