Thursday, July 16, 2009

NAN Election Candidates Announced

There's a full slate of candidates seeking to become the next grand chief of Nishnaw-be Aski Nation.

Incumbent grand chief Stan Beardy is facing challenge from current deputy chiefs Alvin Fiddler and RoseAnne Archibald, as well as David Neegan.

Ten people are running for one of three deputy grand chief positions.

Elections will be held August 12.

Positions in Bass Tournament Still Available

There are still some opening at this year's Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

About 125 angling teams are currently registered.

Chair Tom Fry says their hoping to have a full field of 150 by next week.

"We're going to be taking teams right up to start of the rules meeting which is next Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.," says Fry. "Those teams getting in right now can take advantage of the new rules and be one of the first boats out on the water during the second day of fishing."

Anglers are coming from as far away as California, Texas and Alberta to compete for the $127,500 up for grabs.

Small Town Mayors Seek 'Smart Moratorium'

Small town mayors across the province are calling for a "smart moratorium" on the closing of rural schools.

The Community Schools Alliance, made up of several municipal representatives from across the province, is pushing to get the province to change how rural and small urban schools are assessed for closing.

Chair Doug Reycroft says there needs to be a better system on how schools are now closed.

"A better system would better respect and value the input of students, parents, the community and the municipality in the accommodation review process," says Reycroft.

Next week, the alliance plans to ask for support via e-mail to all councils and councillors in rural and small-urban communities.

It's also hoping to meet with Education Minister Kathleen Wynne next month.

Robert Moore Construction Planned for Next Week

The start of construction of the new Robert Moore School in Fort Frances is set to begin next week.

Manager of Plant Operations for the Rainy River District School board Raymond Roy says a building permit is to be obtained today.

Earlier this week, town council signed off on a site management plan for the nearly 15-million dollar project.

Approval of an amendment to the town's official plan from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs was also expected today.

New Native Schools Announced

The Federal Government is planning to build new schools in two northwestern Ontario first nation communities.

Construction on a new school in Lac Seul near Sioux Lookout is set to begin this year and will open in September 2011.

Officials are also hoping break ground on a school in Cat Lake in 2011.

Water Problems in Ignace

Despite a new water treatment plant, a boil water advisory remains in effect in Ignace.

A number of problems with the control systems have plagued the plant since it opened in June.

Mayor Lionel Cloutier expects the problems to be corrected soon and residents should have clean drinking water from their taps within a matter of weeks.

Delta Seeking Airline Subsidy

Delta Airlines has filed a notice saying it can no longer provide service at the International Falls Airport without government help.

The airline, which merged with Norwest Airlines last fall, filed a notice with the U-S Department of Transportation to discontinue service because it is no longer financially self sustaining.

The move is considered a formality for the airline to be able to apply for money under the essential air service program.

A decision on the subsidy is expected in the next 90 days.

Heritage Project Ahead of Schedule

Work to relocate the tugboat Hallet and former fire tower from Pither's Point Park to the Fort Frances waterfront is slightly ahead of schedule.

Community Services Manager George Bell says much of the work by Tom Jones Construction so far has focused around creating the new resting places for the local landmarks.

"According to their schedule they're a little bit ahead on the pile driving and on the concrete work," says Bell, "but they haven't started pressure washing the tower yet. They were supposed to have that completed by this time, but they've moved on the foundation and piling instead."

Bell says work on the banners and signage has also started.

No Money for Scott Street

A section of Scott Street in Fort Frances won't be improved this year.

The town was informed earlier this month that the improvements between Reid Avenue and Colonization Road would not qualify for dollars under the province's connecting link fund.

Mayor Roy Avis says its disappointing.

"I feel the provincial government dropped the ball on this one," says Avis, "because they asked us to do a five-year plan. We sit down and do that. Those roads are funded 90-per cent by the provincial government, 10 per cent by the municipality, so it impossible for us to go ahead without having their support."

The town plans to continue lobbying for funding with hopes of putting the project into next year's capital budget.

Closure Planned at AbitibiBowater Mill

There is news today of another shutdown of AbitibiBowater's operations in Fort Frances.

A one week shutdown of paper machines numbers five and 7 is to occur starting Monday.

They will restart on July 26th.

Both machines were idled for a lengthy period earlier this year.

Production at machine number 6 will also remain shutdown.

No word yet when it will resume.