A familiar face will be back with the Liberals in the Thunder Bay-Rainy River in the next federal election.
Former Thunder Bay Mayor and two-term Liberal MP Ken Boshcoff was acclaimed yesterday as the party's candidate for the riding.
Boshcoff lost the last federal election to the NDP’s John Rafferty after holding the seat since 2004.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
New Sign for Tourist Centre Suggested
The town of Fort Frances feels its time someone else take the lead in lobbying for improve access access to the province's tourist information centre.
The number of visitors to the Fort Frances facility has decline since the relocation of the Canada Customs facility.
Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft feels the town already worked too hard on trying to find a solution without success.
"If members of the region want to pursue this and take the lead on it, I think it's time for someone else to take the ball on this," says Wiedenhoeft. "We've spent too much time, too much money, too much brain power at this issue and we're getting no where with it."
The Ministry of Tourism is proposing to erect a new sign directing visitors across the border to the centre, but town officials say it doesn't address problems of visitors getting to the facility.
The number of visitors to the Fort Frances facility has decline since the relocation of the Canada Customs facility.
Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft feels the town already worked too hard on trying to find a solution without success.
"If members of the region want to pursue this and take the lead on it, I think it's time for someone else to take the ball on this," says Wiedenhoeft. "We've spent too much time, too much money, too much brain power at this issue and we're getting no where with it."
The Ministry of Tourism is proposing to erect a new sign directing visitors across the border to the centre, but town officials say it doesn't address problems of visitors getting to the facility.
More Funding Requests Made
Meantime, a desire by the federal government to hand out money has the town of Fort Frances with its hand out.
It's made three applications to Industry Canada.
One is for new domed sand-and salt storage unit at the public works yard costing $525 thousand.
Funding requests are also being made for new tennis courts at St. Francis Sports Fields estimated at $550 thousand and a new $72 thousand dollar above ground gasoline storage tank at the Sorting Gap Marina.
It's made three applications to Industry Canada.
One is for new domed sand-and salt storage unit at the public works yard costing $525 thousand.
Funding requests are also being made for new tennis courts at St. Francis Sports Fields estimated at $550 thousand and a new $72 thousand dollar above ground gasoline storage tank at the Sorting Gap Marina.
More Funding Sought for Library
Although the project has been fully funding, the town of Fort Frances is searching for more money for the library and technology centre.
The town is resubmitting an application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for money for a new self-checkout centre.
Community Services Manager George Bell says a previous submission was rejected because of the uncertainty of the project, but they've been encouraged to reapply.
The town is resubmitting an application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for money for a new self-checkout centre.
Community Services Manager George Bell says a previous submission was rejected because of the uncertainty of the project, but they've been encouraged to reapply.
Library Board Reaction to Library Project
The chair of the Fort Frances Library Board says its been a roller coaster ride of emotions over the past two years with the library and technology project.
Monday, town council approved a construction contract, paving the way for the new library to be built.
Joyce Cunningham says it's was a sense of relief to have the project finally move forward.
"The excitement will be when those pick trucks get out there and start the project," says Cunningham, "and that we hope will be very soon."
The eventual start of construction is also expected to help with efforts to collect the $850 thousand in local pledges. About $200 thousand is still outstanding.
Monday, town council approved a construction contract, paving the way for the new library to be built.
Joyce Cunningham says it's was a sense of relief to have the project finally move forward.
"The excitement will be when those pick trucks get out there and start the project," says Cunningham, "and that we hope will be very soon."
The eventual start of construction is also expected to help with efforts to collect the $850 thousand in local pledges. About $200 thousand is still outstanding.
INAC Looking at Contaminated Site
Indian and Northern Affairs says it's currently reviewing a proposal that calls for further testing of a contaminated site in Couchiching First Nations.
High levels of dioxins and furans were first identified on a former sawmill property in 2007 that led to two families being relocated.
INAC Spokesperson Tony Prudori says additional tests are necessary to better identify the extent of the problem.
"Before we look into the mediation phase, we have to figure out exactly what's there, where's it's coming from, how big an area are we talking about," says Prudori. "Based on those, what the best way of dealing with it."
Prudori says INAC also paid for fencing to be placed around the known contaminated sites and to assist families who were moved from their homes for precautionary measures.
High levels of dioxins and furans were first identified on a former sawmill property in 2007 that led to two families being relocated.
INAC Spokesperson Tony Prudori says additional tests are necessary to better identify the extent of the problem.
"Before we look into the mediation phase, we have to figure out exactly what's there, where's it's coming from, how big an area are we talking about," says Prudori. "Based on those, what the best way of dealing with it."
Prudori says INAC also paid for fencing to be placed around the known contaminated sites and to assist families who were moved from their homes for precautionary measures.
Liquor Stores to Open
It will be business as usual at the LCBO today after the strike deadline passed and the two sides continue to talk.
OPSEU and the liquor board extended the deadline and both sides said they would stay at the table until they reach an agreement or one side walks away.
Union official Vanda Klumper said they wouldn't have extended the deadline if they didn't think they could get an agreement.
Just the possibility of a strike sent restaurateurs and residents to stock up on booze yesterday.
The key negotiating issue for the union is the rights of casual workers. The union says those employees don't receive vacation, sick time or benefits, and can be called in to work for as little as two hour sat a time. LCBO spokesman Chris Layton says they make up to $18.00 an hour, well above the wage for private retail outlets.
OPSEU and the liquor board extended the deadline and both sides said they would stay at the table until they reach an agreement or one side walks away.
Union official Vanda Klumper said they wouldn't have extended the deadline if they didn't think they could get an agreement.
Just the possibility of a strike sent restaurateurs and residents to stock up on booze yesterday.
The key negotiating issue for the union is the rights of casual workers. The union says those employees don't receive vacation, sick time or benefits, and can be called in to work for as little as two hour sat a time. LCBO spokesman Chris Layton says they make up to $18.00 an hour, well above the wage for private retail outlets.
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