Plenty of discuss about Couchiching First Nation's toll booth last night at Fort Frances town council.
OPP Detachment Commander Inspector John Kendrick fielded a number of questions over the police's response to the Highway 11 toll.
Kendrick says ensuring public safety has been their main objective.
"There are many, many police officers around doing many, many different things in order to keep what has occurred over the past several day in the status it is currently is," says Kendrick. "That's to keep the highway open and no one to date being hurt."
But some members of council question whether motorists passing the toll should be paying the dollar charged by the band.
Councillor Sharon Tibbs says some motorists feel intimidated by the band's actions.
"You can talk about it being a personal decision that you make on your own," says Tibbs. "However what is happening here is an illegal action in progress and regardless of how we're going to carry on to try to get this resolved, the bottom line is people are feeling intimidated."
Kendrick says police could not advise motorists on whether to pay, noting it has been a conscience decision by each person who passes.
Couchiching First Nation says motorists could be fined for trespassing if they don't pay the toll.
In a news release, the band says its not impeding motorists who are unwilling to pay, but Chief and Council support the application of a section of the Indian Act that states a person found guilty of trespassing on reserve land can face a fine of up to $50.00.
The band says a majority of motorists crossing the toll have been courteous, but admit they have faced several others who have refused to pay.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
DSSAB Approve Change
There will be change to how municipalities provide funding to the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board.
Despite Fort Frances concerns, the board agreed to a new funding formula at its meeting last Thursday.
Councillor Sharon Tibbs says she was able to delay implementation until next year.
"I asked them that we're already half way through our budget year and it's a considerable impact on Fort Frances' budget," says Tibbs. "and they have agreed they they will continue with option 2 for the rest of this year and in 2001 they will be sending out their billing using option 3."
Tibbs says the change will mean Fort Frances will pay end up paying more than 100-thousand dollars extra for social services programming.
Despite Fort Frances concerns, the board agreed to a new funding formula at its meeting last Thursday.
Councillor Sharon Tibbs says she was able to delay implementation until next year.
"I asked them that we're already half way through our budget year and it's a considerable impact on Fort Frances' budget," says Tibbs. "and they have agreed they they will continue with option 2 for the rest of this year and in 2001 they will be sending out their billing using option 3."
Tibbs says the change will mean Fort Frances will pay end up paying more than 100-thousand dollars extra for social services programming.
Library Needs More Bricks
The Fort Frances Public Library is a few bricks short of being complete.
Community Services Manager George Bell says the masonry contractor failed to order enough stone for the exterior work, but expects the outside work to continue next week.
"The manufacturer of the stone has rerouted a truck of stone up to Fort Frances and is to be here next week," says Bell. "It will be here next Monday and hopeful the masons will be back at work to finish the job."
Bell is still hopeful the Library can open to the public next week as scheduled.
Community Services Manager George Bell says the masonry contractor failed to order enough stone for the exterior work, but expects the outside work to continue next week.
"The manufacturer of the stone has rerouted a truck of stone up to Fort Frances and is to be here next week," says Bell. "It will be here next Monday and hopeful the masons will be back at work to finish the job."
Bell is still hopeful the Library can open to the public next week as scheduled.
Tackle Industry Opportunities
Rainy River Future Development Corporation is exploring local interest in getting involved in the fishing tackle industry with companies in the U.S.
Client Services Manager Geoff Gillon says they have at least two U.S. firms interesting in doing businesses in Canada and are pitching the idea locally.
"From what we've been able to put together there are people who have been historically involved in the fishing industry and in distribution and representation of products," says Gillon. "There are people we hope in the community that would like to look into that and explore it."
Gillon says a meeting last night was intended as first step in matching potential businesses with the unnamed U.S. firms.
Client Services Manager Geoff Gillon says they have at least two U.S. firms interesting in doing businesses in Canada and are pitching the idea locally.
"From what we've been able to put together there are people who have been historically involved in the fishing industry and in distribution and representation of products," says Gillon. "There are people we hope in the community that would like to look into that and explore it."
Gillon says a meeting last night was intended as first step in matching potential businesses with the unnamed U.S. firms.
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