Hydro Assets Still on Chopping Block

AbitibiBowater's is still looking to sell off its hydro assets in Ontario.

That includes its hydro dam in Fort Frances.

Executive vice-president William Harvey says any sale, though, will be done without impacting mill operations.

"Anything we move there, of course, we are not going to do anything to impact the cost structure of the mills associated in Ontario," says Harvey. "That's one of our first priorities."

Harvey says any proceeds for the sale will go towards reducing the company's debt.

More Cost Cutting to Come

AbitibiBowater is planning further cost cutting at some of its Canadian mills.

CEO Richard Garneau says with the Canadian dollar hovering around par with the U.S. greenback, the company needs to have a similar cost structure on both sides of the border.

Garneau declined to identify the targeted mills or indicate how much more costly they are to operate than their U.S. counterparts.

Hope for Atikokan Forest Products

Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown isn't giving up hope on Atikokan Forest Products.

The mill, located at Sapawe which closed in 2008, is now in receivership.

Brown believes it's a mill that can easily reopen.

"It's a very modern mill," says Brown. "Mr. Buchanan and his group spent a lot of money over the years and I'm sure it's going to be an asset for another organization, another company to purchase and continue operating."

Brown says the town's willing to work with the receiver to help find a buyer and get former employees back to work.

Budget Discussion Begins

Fort Frances town councillors sit down today to begin discussing the 2011 budget.

The preliminary operating budget is at about $21-million while the capital budget is sitting at almost $8.5 million.

The figures, though, don't include costs for such things as town's levy to the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board, a policing cost increase or a fire department arbitration award.

New NOMA President Selected

O'Connor township Mayor Ron Nelson has been elected the new president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.

Nelson's selection was needed because of the October election loss by former president Anne Krassilowski of Dryden.

Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown, who held the position on an interim bases, maintains his seat on the board as a past-president.

Get Your Flu Shot

Northwestern Health Unit's medical officer of health says the new strain of flu concerning health officials this year isn't causing much concern to this area yet.

H3N2 has strained medical services elsewhere.

Doctor James Arthurs says because of its inactivity here people shouldn't avoid getting the flu shot.

"I think this is our opportunity to encourage people to go out, if they haven't already gotten their flu shot vaccination," says Dr. Arthurs, "we would certainly encourage them to do that."

Arthurs says this year's flu shot includes a vaccine to combat the new strain.

Driven to Quit

The Northwestern Health Unit and Canadian Cancer Society have once again teamed up to offer the Annual Driven to Quit Challenge.

Society Spokesperson Naomi McNeill says a number of prizes are for grabs for smokers who butt out for the month of March.

"Such Honda Hybrids, a five-thousand dollar vacation get-a-way and buddy prizes as well," says McNeill.

Visit any Health Unit office or go on-line at http://www.driventoquit.ca/ to register.