Tuesday, September 29, 2009

NDP to Support Conservatives

Don't expect the NDP to help the Liberals topple the Harper government this week.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says there's too much at stake that helps unemployed Canadians to force an election at this time.

"We're interested in seeing these E.I. reforms through," says Rafferty, "and we'll be prompting the government to continue with some of our suggestions such as pension reform which they have indicated this past week that they're going to do. So we're interested at least for the next little while in keeping this government going."

Rafferty adds yesterday's economic update from the Prime Minister did not indicate how much infrastructure money has been spend, but isn't an issue that should force an election.

Sorority Group Honoured

The group that has provided usher services at the Townsend Theatre for the past ten years has been honoured by the town of Fort Frances.

Councillor Sharon Tibbs says a plaque recognizing the volunteer efforts of the local chapter of Beta Sigma Phi will be installed outside the theatre doors.

"When the Townsend Theatre opened, we had Beta Sigma Phi make a commitment to great and usher audiences," says Tibbs. "They have done this for ten years under that title and probably taught us all some theatre manners."

The sorority group decided it no longer wanted to continue to job and is turning it over to a new group of local volunteers.

Fire Prevention Week Planned

Stay Fire Smart - Don't Get Burned.

That's the theme for Fire Prevention Week that kicks off across the province Sunday.

Fire chief for the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service Gerry Armstrong says its a message that should be practiced year round.

"Just because it's a week that we celebrate fire prevention," says Armstrong, "it's a message we want the public to be aware of year round."

The Fire Service will kick off its activities this Saturday with a display at Canadian Tire.

Crack Pavement Still Examined

The town's operations and facilities manager says it's still now certain what measures will be taken to repair a number of cracks that have appearing the newly paved Portage Avenue underpass.

A total of 29 cracks have been identified along joints where concrete was laid underneath.

Doug Brown says the cracks aren't all that worrisome.

"It's made to crack in these locations because of the concrete slabs underneath it," says Brown. "It's normal. It was there before. Because it's brand new you don't like to see the asphalt crack."

Brown says a decision to repair the cracks has yet to be made.

Agency Renews Lease

Weechi-it-te-win Family Services won't be moving its Training and Learning Centre to the township of Alberton any time soon.

The native agency has opted against appealing an August decision by the township council which prohibited Weechi-it-te-win from purchasing property in Alberton for its centre.

The agency's lawyer Clint Calder says they felt the appeal would be too lengthy and costly.

He says instead they've signed a new three-year lease at its Watten township site, but will continue to actively search for a new location.

Power Interruption Planned

A power outage in Fort Frances that was only going to be ten minutes this Sunday has now been extended to last eight hours.

Fort Frances Power Corporation says Hydro One will be interrupting the supply of power to the town beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday to allow crews to perform maintenance work.

The power is not expected back on until 5 p.m.

Muskies Football to Continue

There will be more football played at Fort Frances high school.

Coaches, players, parents and school officials meet yesterday afternoon to discuss the program after the Muskies cancelled their last game due to a lack of available bodies.

Coach Andrew George says it's the players themselves who helped keep the program going.

"Players really stepped up big and went out and recruited about 15 guys," says George. "On their part, they showed a lot of leadership during these tough times and we're really proud of their effort."

George says they now could use some additional support on the sidelines.

"We need to have more people to help out. We need to train coaches to get them at the level we need to be competitive. We just don't have that right now. We're doing our best with the guys we got and everyone from coaches to players we have have been great."

George says they'll now focus on getting the team prepared for its next game this Thursday in Winnipeg.