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On April 17th, a Telegraph-Journal write up tells of Ivan Court's pleasure that the city's inside workers' union had endorsed his mayoralty bid.

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Perhaps before the union takes this stand, they should take a look at Mr. Court's comments on the city pension.

In my opinion, the city pension is the greatest issue the city taxpayers have to face. Mr. Court is quoted as saying "An independent expert suggested a month ago that the pension is not in bad shape." Perhaps he should talk with the City Manager about this. Either he fails to understand the plan, or is painting a rosy picture to capture the unions' favour.

The facts do not support his statement. The scary part is that Ivan Court may end up as our mayor and automatically become chairman of the pension board. In spite of Mr. Court's comments, the securities markets are still very volatile and tougher times may be ahead.

Councillor Court says it will take "A major world disaster" to make us forget the pension woes. I would suggest that if the council elected on May 12th does nothing about the major flaws in this plan and its management, a major world disaster will not be necessary. The city will be spending more on propping up the pension plan than on any other item. The union and other employees of the city would be wise to become familiar with the facts in the pension debate and support the major changes that will soon become necessary.

EARL CAMPBELL

Saint John

Unions' favours taint campaign

What are candidates thinking, accepting endorsements from the local firefighter's union? We don't want the firefighters controlling the politicians who are suppose to be controlling them.

This is not how our system is suppose to work. I expect elected councillors and our mayor to be politically neutral and sit around the horseshoe representing me, a Saint John taxpayer, with my best interests at heart. This cannot occur if you owe favours to a group.

I think this is inappropriate behaviour by both the firefighter's union and the candidates that sold their impartiality. I think that Saint Johners are perfectly capable of choosing their own candidates themselves based on their own criteria without the help of others.

ANDREW CHASE

Saint John

Lt.-Gov. Chiasson is superlative

This newspaper is to be commended for a recent editorial noting the "superlative performance" of Lieutenant-Governor Herménégilde Chiasson, which has led to the extension of his term as the representative of Queen Elizabeth in New Brunswick.

Lt.-Gov. Chiasson is a proud Acadian and loyal Canadian, who effectively represents both the highly refined culture of France and the British genius for parliamentary democracy and principles of rule of law.

As an intellectual, artiste and educator, His Honour has worked to blend the contributions of our two European founding peoples into a complementary and vibrant community in this historic province. As stated by former Lieutenant-Governor Marilyn Trenholme-Counsell, "He represents humanity at its best."

KEITH DOW

Long Reach

Smart decision on vehicles

Saint John Common Council made a smart decision, at their last meeting, to replace larger, more expensive, and environmental unfriendly service vehicles with four Smart Cars.

These Green Fleet Vehicles are environmentally friendly vehicles, and they represent a better way of doing business. They provide financial savings to taxpayers through both reduced fuel consumption and reduced purchase price, and they provide environmental savings though reduced CO2 emissions. Two thumbs up to Councillor Stephen Chase for his leadership on this better way of delivering environmentally friendly services to the citizens of Saint John. I know I can breathe easier knowing that city vehicles are producing less pollution and my taxes are being spent wisely.

VERN STILES

Saint John

Harbour Bridge is a hazard

It has been most unfortunate that the lanes in which commuters must shuttle through on the Harbour Bridge are incredibly narrow, causing me two tire blow-outs within a year! I have to say, I sympathize with those who may have vision problems, as I have 20/20 vision myself and still manage to miscalculate.

I am a single working mother of three and just don't have the finances set aside for these type of unforseen accidents. The time it takes to follow-up on any compensation for the cost of the damages to my vehicle is unthinkable, as every moment I have I spend trying to provide for my family - not to mention you are usually fighting a losing battle when dealing with the city.

If there is anyone else out there who is experiencing the same situation as me, please let me know how you made out with recovering costs for the damage caused to your vehicle. Driving hazards like these can be avoided when we, the taxpayers, collectively act as one voice to make a change that will be a benefit to those who cannot speak on their own behalf.

TINA GUIMOND

Saint John

Give immersion new resources

I found the editorial, "Give students equal access" quite disturbing.

The comment that a disproportionate number of early French immersion students come from families who "are better educated and better off financially" is a non-sequitur. In fact, it is inflammatory and has nothing to do with students from "less educated" families performing different from than their "more educated" friends.

Admission to the public school system has never been based on a family's net worth. If a student is not learning, it is usually because the proper resources are not available to help that student.

For years, early immersion has been starved of adequate funding; that's the underlying issue. If another reason is given, it is just spin. Students who don't require extra "help" will excel no matter the programme they're in, but their good grades do not come at the expense of lower performing students. When did achieving good grades become a bad thing?

Education expert Doug Wilms was quoted as acknowledging "the earlier a student begins learning, the better." I couldn't agree more and it flies in the face of scraping early immersion. He continues that the "results of Lamrock's reforms won't be measurable for at least a decade." No one can't wait that long, and Mr. Lamrock does not have the moral authority to implement such an experiment. He has no proven track record in education reform.

This government must turn its focus to measuring student learning rather than teaching and start building a professional learning community.

MICHAEL GEORGE

Saint John

Will Premier save school system?

The following is an open letter to Premier Shawn Graham.

By this time you may be wondering whether or not you made the right decision in supporting your minister of education. The number of French second language experts who have gone on record opposing your minister's decision should make you have second thoughts about your support.

The minister's decision will mean that the only bilingual province in Canada will begin all French instruction to anglophone students at the age of 10. This means that children in all other provinces will begin French instruction five years before any child in New Brunswick.

Before it is too late, I recommend that you take time from your busy schedule and go visit some of the elementary schools of the province. I recommend that you take the time to sit in core French classes in grades 1 to 4. I ask that you sit in some language arts classes, math classes and science classes in both the English stream and French immersion. I ask that you do this and see for yourself whether or not New Brunswick has a segregated school system. Please Mr. Premier, go take a look and make a decision. This is too important an issue for you to do less than that.

BOB BERNIER

Mill Brook

N.B. should cover drug costs

Being an avid supporter of the Cancer Society, I always believed that I was helping someone out with the payments of the drugs and a future complete cure for the deadly disease. Now the shoe is on the other foot, with the news that my wife's father was diagnosed with liver cancer and given a short time left on this Earth with chemotherapy and an extra six months or so more if he takes the drug Avastin.

This leads me to believe the rich live longer in this country because the average Joe can not afford drugs like this one, which costs $6,200 a month. This province, unlike NFLD and B.C. doesn't cover Avastin in its drug plan.

The millions or maybe even billions of dollars being made makes me wonder why some drugs are so out of reach to purchase. Our family will scrape up the money somewhere or somehow, but it will be a long time before I will reach into my wallet for a donation.

KENNETH KAY

Saint John