Scrapping With the Bureaucrats 2
January 25th, 1926
The Deputy Minister
Department of Education - Ed
Sir
I brought this matter of "Rural" versus "Village" before Annual Meeting. This is the minute. -
"The Letter from Department, dated Dec. 31/25 was read, re this Sylvan School District again becoming a Rural District.
After considerable discussion the meeting requested the Board, with Secretary, to settle the question & send answers"
After the way you took from us, in 1923, SE9-54-4-5, and S1/2 10-54-4-5 without giving our poor District the equivalent, notwithstanding our righteous protests. - After the way you refused to listen to our request in 1924, as to putting the S1/2 34-53-4-5 into our District giving as the reason the question of Children, which was altogether foreign to this matter, as it was solely a question of money (not children) with us - my Board (end of p.140)
To the Education Department
considers it would be useless for us, in this or any other case, to express an opinion, for it is always treated with contempt.
Our Assessment arrangement for 2 years has worked smoothly -"Never an appeal"
Of course if you insist on our going back to "Rural", it will alter my new Assessment Roll, and the unused Assessment & Tax Notices will be useless.
Then Sir, how am I to get at this revised and equalized Assessment? I have made this Assessment, and without pay, the last 2 years, and everything done without a protest
Whatever Assessment you order, of course we must have just the same income
A new Assessment won't help our Taxpayers.
Yours respectfully
Thomas Street
Sec.
(141)
March 8th, 1926
The Secretary
Department of Education - Ed
(3890-26)
Sir
At Board Meeting held on the 6th
"'The resolution of Annual Meeting re the Sylvan School District again ceasing to make own Assessment, and accepting Municipal District Assessment, was considered, and it was proposed by Trustee Kruse, seconded by Trustee McGuire, and carried "That, for the present Sylvan shall continue to be a Village for Assessment Purposes only"'
Annual Meeting left matter with Board.
As my Board said "1926 Board wishes things to remain as they are, but the 1927 may hold a different opinion". Further, Sir, in 1927 I shall probably have ceased to be Secretary for I shall be 73 years old, and shall have served the District, as Secretary, 10 years. (end of p.143)
Department of Education
According to your letter Department consents to my Board's decision.
Re your last remark -
If you can find on file my letter to Department, dated Feb. 27/23 (0-6846-23) you will find that ours was made a Village District for Assessment Purposes simply and solely because the M.D. valuations were no earthly use to us. In fact, as to Morthern M.D., which embraces most of our Farms, the Assessment was not available, as nearly every Taxpayer was appealing.
So, for three years, we have made our own Assessment, and "never an appeal"
Is it not best to let well alone? I can send you a copy of this letter if you cannot find original.
I don't believe in any changes, without necessity.
Yours respectfully
Thomas Street
Sec.
(144)