Friday, September 10, 2010

Municipal Candidate Filings Close Today


Today's the deadline for candidates to file their nomination papers for this October's civic elections in Ontario.

Across the Rainy River district, there will be some races shaping up.

In the Lake of the Woods Township, longtime Mayor Valerie Pizey is facing a challenge from Gerald Fisk.

Glenn Anderson, April Chojko-Bolec, Colleen Fadden, Nancy Gate, JoAnn Moen, Rockford Moen, Hugh O'Hare and Tony Speers are seeking the four councillor seats.

Ross Donaldson, an earlier candidate for councillor in the township of LaVallee is now running as Reeve.

Harold Kellar, Freeda Carmody, Jim Belluz, Donald (Darcy) Robson, Brian Trimble, Dale Stamarski and Dennis Allen are on the ballot so far for the councillor seats.

The only race in the township of Chapple so far is for councillor's seat in Ward four where incumbent Rick Neilson and Murray Gerula are running.

Other on the ballot include Peter Van Heyst, seeking another term as reeve.

Ken Wilson is running for councillor in Ward 1, Rilla Race in Ward 2 and James Gibson in Ward 3.

In Dawson Township, Eltjo Wiersema is running for mayor.

Linda Armstrong, Aime Desaulniers, Bennett Drenna and Brenda Jodoin are running for the four councillor seats.

In Fort Frances, all of the incumbents, including Mayor Roy Avis, are seeking reelection and are not yet facing any opposition.

Some communities do not yet have enough candidates to fill positions.

In Rainy River, just three candidates, Ashley Stamler, Gordon Armstrong and Larry Armstrong have filled for the four councillor seats.

Deb Ewald is seeking re-election as Mayor.

In the township of Morley just two candidates, George Heyens and Maury Neilson, are running for re-election on council while no one has yet stepped forward for the Reeve's chair.

Three councillors, incumbents Peter Spuzak, Doug Mitchell and Barb Cournoyer, have filed for re-election in the township of Alberton with no one yet filing for Reeve.

The deadline to file is 2 p.m. today.

Atikokan Plant Celebrates 25th


Ontario Power Generation is celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of its coal-fired generating station in Atikokan tomorrow.

Station manager Ed Enge says they're inviting the public to visit the plant.

"Our anniversary date is actually November 27," says Enge, "but because the weather is better in September, we're having an open house at the station. There will be historical displays and display on biomass to provide information on plans for the station going forward."

Tours will be allowed but visitors should wear closed toed shoes with a low heel.

The event runs from noon to 4 p.m.

Park Wins Online Contest

(Minnesota DNR photo)


A Minnesota state park has been named America's favorite in a nationwide campaign sponsored by Coca-Cola.

Bear Head Lake State Park, near Ely won the online contest and received a gift of 100-thousand dollar.

Park manager Jen Westlund says they'll use the money to construction a new trail centre.

Boshcoff Takes Another Run at Municipal Politics


After saying he didn't want the mayor's job again, Ken Boshcoff is now eyeing a different seat at the Thunder Bay council table.

He's planning to run as a councillor at large in this October's elections.

Boshcoff doesn't call it a change of heart, just a change of priorities involving his private business.

Boshcoff is also the federal Liberal candidate for the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding.

Man Hit by Train


OPP are investigating a fatality on the CP train tracks in Kenora.

Police say a man was killed after being struck by a train at around 7 p.m. Wednesday night in an area known as Tunnel Island.

The name of the deceased has not been released.