Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Avis to File

A second member of Fort Frances town council is poised to file nomination papers for this October's municipal election.

Mayor Roy Avis told members of the media last night that he intends to file for re-election today.

Avis has been on council for the past 13 years, the last four as mayor.

The only official candidate so far is Sharon Tibbs, who's seeking re-election as councillor

Council Meets With Cabinet


The town of Fort Frances had the ear of a few members of the McGuinty cabinet last week.

Mayor Roy Avis, councillor Paul Ryan and CAO Mark McCaig met with Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley and Community and Social Services Minister Sandra Pupatello during the Association of Ontario Municipalities conference in Toronto.

Ryan says the meeting were short, but too the point.

"They have to respond to our briefs and we'll see what kind of result we get out of it," says Ryan. "I can tell you our discussions were very frank and to the point."

Topics included policing costs, First Nations blockades and the costs paid for social services.

North End Road Work


Expect plenty of work this week in Fort Frances' north end.

Paving of Portage Avenue between First and Sixth Streets is expected next week and Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says there will be some road closures in advance.

Bay City Contracting will be working in the intersection of Second Street and Portage Avenue Wednesday 7:00 am to approximately 11:00 am to the remove the recycling asphalt paving material and install granular " A" material.

As a result traffic will re-routed onto First Street and Third Street around this intersection.

On Thursday, crews will be working in the intersection of Third and Portage 9:00 am to approximately 1:00 pm.

As a result the Portage Avenue Underpass between Third and Fifth Streets will be closed.

Next Tuesday, Bay City Contracting will be working in the intersection of Fifth Street and Portage Avenue from 9:00 am to approximately 3:00 pm, again result in a closure of the underpass during this time.

A surface treatment of Fifth Street is also expected to begin tomorrow.

Lions' Park Help

The Fort Frances Lion Club is hoping for some help from the town in completing a walkway at Lion's Park in Fort Frances.

The club wants to finish off the link between the fountain and kiosk this year, but some of the costs have come well over budget.

It's now asked if the town will assist in the installation.

The request has gone to the town's operations and facilities committee for further discussion.

New Insurance Rules


New rules impacting auto insurance policies in Ontario are not sitting well with Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton.

Drivers face an array of new choices when they renew their auto insurance policies under the rules that kick in September 1.

But Hampton says the changes don't look good.

"People will be paying more for their auto insurance," says Hampton, "but if they read the fine print of the auto insurance contract, people will be getting much less. That's why we need public auto insurance because you get decent coverages without having to pay and arm and a leg."

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan says the choices will let consumers lower their premiums and dismisses claims the new system will be too confusing for consumers.


Hayes Head to U.S. Singing Contest

A former winner of Quest for the Best will take her talents to Wadena, Minnesota this week to participate in a national singing contest.

Brittany Hayes is competing in the state finals of the Colgate Country Showdown which is looking a new up and coming country artist.

"I've been singing in my basement everyday trying to get my songs worked out," says Hayes. "I'm going to be doing Carrie Underwood's 'Cowboy Casanova' and Garth Brooks 'The Dance.' I'm really, really excited and we get to perform with a live band."

Hayes earned the berth to the August 27 event after winning an event at Detroit Lake earlier this year.

Hayes won the 2009 Quest for the Best with this rendition of Janis Joplin's 'Cry Baby.'