Rural Communities Need Help

2009-05-26

12:55:05

A new report says rural communities across the country are in crisis.

The report by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities urges the federal government to develop a long-term plan to diversify rural economies.

Rural areas have been struggling for decades with shrinking populations and tax bases,  lower-than-average incomes, and higher rates of poverty and chronic health problems.

The federation says rural communities need `a champion' at the federal cabinet table to ensure their priorities receive the proper resources and attention.

Missing Woman Found

2009-05-26

12:54:14

Police have found the body of a 61-year-old woman from Orillia in the bush in northwestern Ontario.

The body of Nancy Stafford was recovered near Angler Creek, west of Marathon, late last night.

Provincial police started searching the area Saturday, one week after Stafford's empty van was spotted on the Trans-Canada Highway.

A post-mortem examination is scheduled for today in Thunder Bay although investigators don't suspect foul play.

Highway 502 MVA

2009-05-26

12:53:39

Some American anglers escaped serious injury following an accident on Highway 502 early yesterday morning.

Provincial police say a truck, towing a boat, left the highway near Rattlesnake Creek, and struck a rock cut after the driver swerved to avoid a bear.

Both the truck and boat suffered extensive damage.

Native School Study

2009-05-26

12:52:51

A new report suggests the Harper government is shortchanging native schools while cutting the number of new ones that get built.

The parliamentary budget officer says Indian Affairs built an average of 35 schools a year on reserves under the Liberals.

Eight have been finished since the Conservatives took power in 2006.

Another 10 new schools have been announced but the report says there's no clear criteria to justify where they will be built.

Area Trustee Named to Provincial Board

2009-05-26

12:52:18

The vice-chair of the Northwest Catholic District School Board has been appointed to a provincial board.

John Borst will serve as a director-at-large for region 3 for the Ontario Catholic District School Trustees Association.

The appointment was made at the association's recent meeting in Toronto.

Drive to Work Caravan Coming

2009-05-26

12:44:30

Ontario's labour groups will be given area residents another avenue to talk about how the economy is hurting them.

The Ontario Federation of Labour will kick off its "Drive to Work" caravan in Kenora on June 8th with stopped planned in Dryden, Fort Frances and Atikokan.

Luc Quesnel of the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union says the campaign will help get northerners concerns heard.

"The noise and the publicity we're going to get," says Quesnel, with the president of the OFL going on this campaign starting in Kenora, it will be a good response especially with the way a lot of the industries are going and there's starting to be some talk federal and provincially. We'll see what happens."

Labour officials will also be promoting a buy-Ontario policy to the area's municipal leaders.
 

Interim Deputy Mayor Appointed

2009-05-26

12:43:43

John Albanese will be taking over the role as deputy mayor for the town of Fort Frances on an interim basis.

The move was made after town councillors were informed current deputy mayor, councillor Sharon Tibbs would be away from council for the next six weeks due to medical reasons.

Council agreed to hand duties of deputy mayor to the chair of the committee of the whole meeting, a post currently held by Albanese.

Concessions Contract Renewed

2009-05-26

12:42:54

Fort Frances town council has approved a new contract with the operator of the concessions at the Memorial Sports Centre.

The three-year deal with Carol's Canteen will see the town receiving 12-per cent of all sales generated.

Progress Made in Road Work

2009-05-26

12:37:50

Significant progress is being reported at the only road project underway in Fort Frances.

At town council last night, Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown said along with the roadwork on Victoria Avenue and Nelson Street, a new parking lot in the area is taking shape and some of new sewer line has been installed.

"There's been two crews working," says Brown. One started at the intersection of Veterans Drive and Nelson and moving eastward. They've installed 93.8 metres of 450 millimetre diameter sewer pipe. The other crew was at Victoria and Nelson. As of Sunday, they had 76 metres of 250 millimetre diameter pipe in place."

Brown says work at the Portage Avenue underpass is still anticipated this year, but is still waiting for a work schedule from the contractor. The town was hoping to begin repairs to Scott Street between Reid Avenue and Colonization Road East, but Brown says provincial money for it has yet to arrive.

"There's been several letters written to the Minister of Transportation Jim Bradley and there's been no response. We have a short construction season and we have to get on with it if we're going to do the work this year."

Fire Master Plan Delivered

2009-05-26

12:27:36

The Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service is looking to the future.

It's put forward a comprehensive Master Plan for council's to consider. Fire Chief Gerry Armstrong says it gives the department some direction on where it wants to be in five years.

"So we have some idea of where we're going to be, what we're going to be doing," says Armstrong. "and how we're going to be able to sustaining our present services to the level we can provide them."

Armstrong says the document also reflects changes in legislation and the changing role of fire services.

"For the most part it's an administrative kind of plan which is the biggest part of our legislative requirement right now that we must provide specifics in public education and enforcement. Suppression is certainly part of the service we must provide, but it's at a lesser focus than some of the other things."

The plan includes efforts to expand the department's service training capabilities and increase the  sharing of resources with nearby communities. Armstrong says increasing capital costs may lead area communities to reconsider how future purchases are made and relying more on each others resources.

"Who's to say Fort Frances may own one pumper truck, maybe Alberton owns a tanker truck and LaVallee owns a different kind of fire vehicle and we share it. So when Fort Frances needs a tanker, Alberton comes. When Alberton needs a pumper, Fort Frances arrives and we share the costs."

Armstrong says they're already working toward an administrative district fire service with the town now providing administrative services to seven area municipalities.