Robert Moore School Remembered

A celebration of Robert Moore School last night.

Students and teachers, past and present, gathered to reminisce and enjoy talent from current students.

Event organizer and teacher Cynthia Donald says it gave people a chance to visit the school one final time

"It is a big part of this town," says Donald, "so I thought, you know, people see it and think its going to be here forever. There's just so much history with it."

Vice-principal Cam Keast says last night was a time to reminisce.

"A lot of people are here to look at some of the memorabilia that's been placed around the school to see," says Keast. "It's just great to see such a nice turnout tonight."

Vivian Olson, a student in 1942, was among those to return.

"I really loved public school," says Olson. "That's why I kept this autograph book from way back when. I got all these people in it and teacher who wrote in it. Some painted little pictures."

Grace Roy a graduate from the class of 1949 walked the halls again with many fond memories

"All my family went here," says Roy. "All my brothers and sisters had the same teacher. She was Joan Brown and become Joan Benson. Everyone of us had her and there's a 24-year span from the oldest to the youngest."

The school closes its doors after 97 years with students moving to new facilities in the fall.

Full-Day Kindergarten Announced for Fort Frances

The new Robert Moore School will among two Fort Frances schools to offer full-day kindergarten in the fall of 2011.

Education Director for the Rainy River District School Board Heather Campbell says the new school will be prepared to handle the young students.

"When we designed the new Robert Moore we had already designed two additional classrooms to accommodate the early learning program," says Campbell. "Talking to our community partners we realize there will be great interest in Fort Frances so we definitely looked to the new school."

Early learning for four and five-year-olds will also be offered at St. Michael's School.

This fall the program will be offered in Atikokan at St. Patrick's School and North Star Community School.

More Public Input Requested

A call for more public input at Fort Frances town council meetings.

Residents wanting to address council must first seek permission to be added an agenda.

John Reader says he's like that changed.

"I find it frustrating that while we can attend the regular council meetings we can't say anything unless we're on a formal agenda," says Reader. "Is there anyway the public can comment or participate without having an appointment."

Reader also wants more opportunities for the public at budget time than the two sessions now provided at the beginning and end.

HST Deal for Natives Pending

The federal government is reportedly set to give aboriginals a major concession on Ontario's new harmonized sales tax.

The move comes amid threats that protesters will "shut down the country'' during the upcoming G8 and G20 summits.

Until this month, Ottawa had ignored natives' pleas for a province-wide point-of-sale exemption from the HST after it takes effect on July 1.

MNR Fire Crews to Quebec

Additional Ontario fire personnel are being dispatched to Quebec to assist on a 12-hundred hectare fire burning northwest of Montreal.

Twenty-one personnel were dispatched on Monday and the ministry says an additional 42 are being sent today.

Ontario also has two forest fire behaviour specialists assisting in the Northwest Territories.

Blue-Green Algae Bloom Warning

The Northwestern Health Unit is advising the public to be alert for blue-green algae blooms.

The blooms are blue-green and may cover the water with a florescent paint-like scum.

Fresh blooms smell like freshly cut grass while older blooms smell like rotting garbage.

Public Health Inspector Brian Norris says there can be health effects associated with them.

"Human health effects from contact with these toxins may include itching, irritated eyes and skin," says Norris. "If the toxins are swallowed, symptoms such as headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting may occur."

If you experience any of these symptoms contact your physician.

Mobile Signs Debate Continues

An attempt to place limits on the usage of portable mobile signs in Fort Frances failed to reach a resolve at town council Monday night.

A vote on a maximum 8-month period was defeated in a split vote after Councillor Andrew Hallikas was had to leave the meeting before the vote was taken.

Mark Belluz, of Belluz Concrete and Rental which rents the signs, sought a 10-month limit, feeling a six-month limit, as outlined in a proposed by-law was too short.

"You're really restricting a business in only generating income on a half a year on a long term rent," says Belluz.

Chief Building Official Rick Hallam worries a length time frame would impact on the intent of the proposed by-law of better regulating the signs usage.

Council is to vote again on the matter when it knows it has a full quorum.