A study shows the Northern Ontario School of Medicine is providing big economic and social boosts to the region.
The study, commissioned by the school, shows about $37-million is spent by the school and its medical students annually.
And recirculation of the funds generates up to $82-million in communities which are involved in NOSM programs.
Sudbury and Thunder Bay get most of the money but Kenora and Fort Frances also benefit.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Accounts Written Off
The town of Fort Frances is writing off more than $28-hundred in outstanding accounts.
Five of the accounts pertaining to users of the Fort Frances Children's Complex.
Another is related to an account at the Memorial Sports Centre.
Town officials says all efforts to collect the money have been exhausted.
Five of the accounts pertaining to users of the Fort Frances Children's Complex.
Another is related to an account at the Memorial Sports Centre.
Town officials says all efforts to collect the money have been exhausted.
Area Streetviews On-Line
Internet giant Google has expanded its popular Street View technology to include much of the Rainy River district and Koochiching County.
Google Street View is a feature of the Internet site’s map application that allows viewers to essentially take a virtual tour of any area recorded by Google’s vehicle-top cameras.
Area roads were photographed last summer.
Google Street View is a feature of the Internet site’s map application that allows viewers to essentially take a virtual tour of any area recorded by Google’s vehicle-top cameras.
Area roads were photographed last summer.
Contract Vote Today
College teachers across Ontario -- who have threatened to go on strike next week -- vote on a contract offer today.
The colleges say it's their final offer and vow not to return to the bargaining table if it is voted down.
The instructors have set a February 17 strike date -- a move that would end classes for 200-thousand full-time students.
The colleges say it's their final offer and vow not to return to the bargaining table if it is voted down.
The instructors have set a February 17 strike date -- a move that would end classes for 200-thousand full-time students.
Jail Work Planned
(Left: Fort Frances Jail - Gov't of Ontario photo)Some improvements to the Fort Frances jail are being planned.
The work is to include upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and is estimated at between $200-and-$300 thousand.
The Ontario Realty Corporation is expected to select a contractor for the job next Tuesday.
Water Rates Approved
A Fort Frances councillor is worried about the impact another double digit increase to sewer and water rates will have on the town's industrial, commercial and institutional sectors.
Councillors approved Monday a 17 per cent hike in the variable water rates to the ICI class and a 16-per cent increase in sewer rates.
Ken Perry says combined with last year's rate, it's a significant increase.
"Last year we upped ICI 11.96 per cent," says Perry. "To me that's a substantial increase. When are we going to hit a breaking point for these guys? All in one year and now another 17.39. That's a 29 per cent increase over two years."
Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the increases are to bring I-C-I rates more in line with the costs paid by residential users which are going up 2 per cent in March.
Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says the town's approach will help ease the potential of that gap being legislatively reduced.
Currently, a private member's bill introduced at Queen's Park is proposing the development of a provincial water regulatory board that would oversee such things as water standards and rates.
Councillors approved Monday a 17 per cent hike in the variable water rates to the ICI class and a 16-per cent increase in sewer rates.
Ken Perry says combined with last year's rate, it's a significant increase.
"Last year we upped ICI 11.96 per cent," says Perry. "To me that's a substantial increase. When are we going to hit a breaking point for these guys? All in one year and now another 17.39. That's a 29 per cent increase over two years."
Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the increases are to bring I-C-I rates more in line with the costs paid by residential users which are going up 2 per cent in March.
Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says the town's approach will help ease the potential of that gap being legislatively reduced.
Currently, a private member's bill introduced at Queen's Park is proposing the development of a provincial water regulatory board that would oversee such things as water standards and rates.
Where's the Savings?
The town of Fort Frances wants to know if the province's decision to take back the responsibility of paying for some social welfare services will translate into actual savings for the municipality.
The province says the town will receive $3.1 million dollars in funding this year to help offset the cost of social programs, and will realize savings of 276-thousand through the phased upload of the Ontario Disability Support Program and Ontario Works.
Treasurer Laurie Witherspoon says that should reflect in a smaller pay-out to the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board.
"Our share for DSSAB is about 36 per cent for the district," says Witherspoon, "so when we look at savings of $276-thousand the province is paying on our behalf, the town itself should realize some savings."
Other communities in the Rainy River district are also expected to see their costs toward the district's social program be reduced as well.
According to information from the Ministry of Finance, savings to the township of Chapple are pegged at $38-thousand. Emo is listed as seeing a reduction of $33-thousand while the township of Alberton is expected to see savings totalling $35-thousand.
Meantime, Fort Frances officials plan to meet with representatives from DSSAB to discuss the numbers further.
The province says the town will receive $3.1 million dollars in funding this year to help offset the cost of social programs, and will realize savings of 276-thousand through the phased upload of the Ontario Disability Support Program and Ontario Works.
Treasurer Laurie Witherspoon says that should reflect in a smaller pay-out to the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board.
"Our share for DSSAB is about 36 per cent for the district," says Witherspoon, "so when we look at savings of $276-thousand the province is paying on our behalf, the town itself should realize some savings."
Other communities in the Rainy River district are also expected to see their costs toward the district's social program be reduced as well.
According to information from the Ministry of Finance, savings to the township of Chapple are pegged at $38-thousand. Emo is listed as seeing a reduction of $33-thousand while the township of Alberton is expected to see savings totalling $35-thousand.
Meantime, Fort Frances officials plan to meet with representatives from DSSAB to discuss the numbers further.
McMaster Leaves
The Rainy River District School Board is losing its director of Education.
Jack McMaster tendered his resignation this morning after trustees with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board voted last night to accept him as their next director.
He's expected to take on his new role by the end of March.
McMaster has been the director of the Rainy River Board for the past five years, and says he's enjoyed his time here.
"I have had a great opportunity to grow," says McMaster. "A fabulous group of trustees who knew their role as policy governance and supported my role with operations."
Trustees with the Rainy River District School Board will hold an in-camera meeting next Tuesday night to discuss McMaster's resignation.
Board chair Dan Belluz says the search for a new director will start immediately, noting McMaster has agreed to stay on until a replacement is found.
By accepting the position with Keewatin-Patricia, McMaster returns to the board where he was a superintendent of education before joining the Rainy River board.
Jack McMaster tendered his resignation this morning after trustees with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board voted last night to accept him as their next director.
He's expected to take on his new role by the end of March.
McMaster has been the director of the Rainy River Board for the past five years, and says he's enjoyed his time here.
"I have had a great opportunity to grow," says McMaster. "A fabulous group of trustees who knew their role as policy governance and supported my role with operations."
Trustees with the Rainy River District School Board will hold an in-camera meeting next Tuesday night to discuss McMaster's resignation.
Board chair Dan Belluz says the search for a new director will start immediately, noting McMaster has agreed to stay on until a replacement is found.
By accepting the position with Keewatin-Patricia, McMaster returns to the board where he was a superintendent of education before joining the Rainy River board.
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