School Board elections just two weeks away

In the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, however, there is no shortage of candidates or lack of resolve to attempt to win seats as elections will take place in 15 out of the 19 wards. On Laval island, which accounts for just under 50% of the Laurier Board's council of commissioners, the process racks up a perfect score as nine out of nine available seats are being contested. Of the other 10 seats that represent the area north of Laval (as far north as Mont Laurier), six are being contested.

Challenging Mr. Bletas for ward 13 (Auteuil) representation is Mr. Luigi Lapolla, leader of Partners Actively Committed to Education (PACE), the only other officially recognized electoral ticket in the Laurier Board elections.

Asked about the PFS's decision to refrain from running candidates in three of the four Laval island seats held by independents – ward 11 (Albina Pace), ward 12 (Steve Kmec), and ward 19 (Walter Fogel) – Mr. Bletas emphasized that these three commissioners had done a very good job representing their constituencies and were considered high-quality contributors to the accomplishments of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board. "So, in essence, why attempt to change a good thing," Mr. Bletas specified.

Mr. Bletas, who has been the Laurier Board's one and only chairman, serving two terms in that capacity since 1998, described the PFS candidates as "true visionaries who want only the best for our students."

In his address, Mr. Bletas gave a history of the work of the PFS, pointing to its many successes, enumerating the various partnerships developed by the Board over the years. Mr. Bletas also identified the focus groups held to elaborate the Board's strategic plan, and listed the numerous schools and centers opened under the leadership of the PFS team.

"There's no doubt in my mind that their level of experience and their passion for education will continue to benefit the schools of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, Mr. Bletas stated, referring to the 12 PFS candidates and four returning commissioners who have retained their seats by acclamation.

"Not only are we visionaries, I'd say we are light years ahead of others on this one," Mr. Bletas suggested, ending his address with a quote from Henry Ford: "Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, working together is success.