The provincial government is calling its meeting with Couchiching First Nations Chief Chuck McPherson productive.
The chief was in Toronto to meet with officials from the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs over a land claim issue impacting Highway 11 - one of the issues that has led to a toll booth being set up by the band since last Friday.
Details of the talks were not released, but in an e-mail to B-93, a Ministry spokesperson says they were productive and that their discussions with the First Nation would continue.
McPherson also met with officials from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs last night regarding the contamination of certain lands.
Days after one site closed, a new Facebook site has appeared for people to discuss the toll booth.
Jason Supinski set up the site called "Don't Pay the Toll at Couch."
He says he'll be able to better control people's comments.
"You can't write comments, but you can add your name to it and support it," says Supinski. "If you send me a comment and I feel it's appropriate I will post it. That was the problem the OPP had with the other site is with the racial comments and the hate. Other than that they have no problem with it."
Supinski shut the other site down because of concerns with some of the postings.
He admits with nearly 800 members it was becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Crime Up in Fort Frances
(Left: OPP Detachment Commander Inspector John Kendrick addressing Fort Frances Town Council)OPP say they're beginning to see more assaults and property crimes occurring in Fort Frances.
Statistics for the first three months of 2010 show violent crimes up 15 per cent over last year while property crimes are up 40 per cent.
Detachment Commander Inspector John Kendrick says the public should not be alarmed as the advent of warm weather often leads to an increase of criminal activity.
Bill into Committee Level
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty's private members bill aimed at protecting workers' pensions is finally headed to the committee level for further debate.
The proposed bill passed a key vote this week.
"There were a dozen or so members on the Conservative side who also supported it," says Rafferty. "Unfortunately, Mr. (Greg) Rickford (PC Kenora MP) was not one of the them, but there was support among the Conservatives and I was pleased to see that."
Rafferty says he's not concern with the bill being watered down during discussions by members of the Industry Committee, noting he'd welcome amendments.
Forest Fire Hazard High
(Left: MNR file photo)Ministry of Natural Resources fire crews are trying to get a handle on a massive wildfire near Pikangikum First Nation north of Red Lake.
Two waterbombers and 15 FireRanger crews are battling the three-thousand-hectare blaze, 15 kilometres northeast of the community.
The blaze was started by lightning earlier in the week.
Meantime, the forest fire hazard is high in the Rainy River district.
The MNR reports six active fires, mainly located in the Quetico Park and Atikokan areas.
Young Women's Conference
More than fifty young women from the Rainy River district will gather this weekend at Luther Village near Kenora.
Jenna Baker, vice-principal at J.W. Walker School says girls in grades 7 to 12 will participate in the annual Young Women's Conference.
"The ultimate goal of the conference is to support young women with information and a positive view for a hopeful future," says Baker. "The conference itself provides information on the indicators of violence against young women and ways to support themselves and others in the future at the school level as well as in the community."
This is the conference's eleventh year.
Jenna Baker, vice-principal at J.W. Walker School says girls in grades 7 to 12 will participate in the annual Young Women's Conference.
"The ultimate goal of the conference is to support young women with information and a positive view for a hopeful future," says Baker. "The conference itself provides information on the indicators of violence against young women and ways to support themselves and others in the future at the school level as well as in the community."
This is the conference's eleventh year.
Toll Update for Thursday May 27
It looks like the toll road protest in Couchiching First Nation is finally catching the attention of government officials in Toronto and Ottawa.
Chief Chuck McPherson is in Toronto to discuss the band's concerns over contaminated land and a Highway 11 land claim - the reasons behind the toll.
He's expect to meet with officials from the department of Indian Affairs and was also planning to meet with Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley.
Successful negotiations could close the dollar-a-vehicle toll booth that was set up last Friday by the band near the Noden Causeway.
A Facebook site that provided an avenue for residents to discuss the controversial toll booth on Couchiching First Nation has apparently been shutdown.
The site had attract more than 700 members, but some of the postings were causing concern to both to band leaders and the OPP.
Provincial police confirm they did approach the local administrator about the site, who voluntarily shut it down late Tuesday.
Chief Chuck McPherson is in Toronto to discuss the band's concerns over contaminated land and a Highway 11 land claim - the reasons behind the toll.
He's expect to meet with officials from the department of Indian Affairs and was also planning to meet with Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley.
Successful negotiations could close the dollar-a-vehicle toll booth that was set up last Friday by the band near the Noden Causeway.
A Facebook site that provided an avenue for residents to discuss the controversial toll booth on Couchiching First Nation has apparently been shutdown.
The site had attract more than 700 members, but some of the postings were causing concern to both to band leaders and the OPP.
Provincial police confirm they did approach the local administrator about the site, who voluntarily shut it down late Tuesday.
Demolision Deadline Given
The owners of the former Fort Frances High School have been given until the end of this September to demolish the J.A. Mathieu section of the old school.
The deadline is among seven conditions added to a development agreement between the town and property owners.
The developers will also receive about 6-thousand tonnes of material, being excavated from the Portage Avenue road construction project, for fill.
The owners indicated to council earlier this month that they had plans to knock down the old school within the next couple of months.
The deadline is among seven conditions added to a development agreement between the town and property owners.
The developers will also receive about 6-thousand tonnes of material, being excavated from the Portage Avenue road construction project, for fill.
The owners indicated to council earlier this month that they had plans to knock down the old school within the next couple of months.
Club Gets Extension
The Fort Frances Curling Club has received an extension from the town of Fort Frances to make its first payment on an outstanding tax bill.
The club was to pay the first instalment of $6,100 in July.
It's now been given until September to make that payment.
The club was to pay the first instalment of $6,100 in July.
It's now been given until September to make that payment.
Banners Destroyed
The town of Fort Frances is being forced to replace a number of promotional banners put up only recently.
Community Services Manager George Bell says a storm that pass through the Fort Frances area earlier this week damaged nearly half of the banners placed along Colonization Road.
Many banners were ripped and their metal arms bent.
Bell says they are looking to have them replaced by next week's official opening of the tower and Hallet.
Community Services Manager George Bell says a storm that pass through the Fort Frances area earlier this week damaged nearly half of the banners placed along Colonization Road.
Many banners were ripped and their metal arms bent.
Bell says they are looking to have them replaced by next week's official opening of the tower and Hallet.
OPG Still on Track
(Left: Ontario Power Generation photo)Ontario Power Generation says its still in the early stages of seeking potential suppliers of wood-based biomass fuel for its generating station in Atikokan.
OPG sought requests back in March and senior vice-president Bruce Boland says there was considerable interest.
"We're going through them at the present time," says Boland. "We're at the beginning of the process. This would then lead to a review and subsequent processes would be a more formalized process ultimately and potentially leading to a commercial agreement."
Boland says they are still on target to convert the coal-fired plant by 2012.
Customer Service Awards Presented
The Rainy River Future Development Corporation recognized a number of area businesses Wednesday night for their ability go a little further for their customers.
A total of ten businesses received this year's Customer Service awards with another five identified with honourable mentions.
The winners were Boston Pizza, Cloverleaf Family Foods, Fort Frances General Supply, Kreger Sales & Service, Northern Lights Credit Union ~ Rainy River, Northwoods Gallery and Gift, Service Ontario ~ Fort Frances , Super 8 Motel, The UPS Store and Warehouse One - The Jean Store.
Honourable mentions went to Fort Frances Clinic Dispensary, Norlund Oil, The Ear Clinic, The Enhanced Hearing Centre and Vianet Internet Solutions
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