Concerns Still with Board Busing Policy

Some parents say proposed changes the Rainy River District School Board is making to its busing policy still don't meet their needs.

The board is looking at changes it says provides for more flexibility, especially for children in joint-custody arrangements.

Andrew Labbe of Fort Frances says many shift-working parents like him don't fall within the board's criteria of a regular weekly schedule.

"From what I'm reading it won't accommodate a four on-four off schedule," says Labbe. "Four on-four off schedule is eight days, not seven, so it wouldn't work in a management weekly schedule."

The board's gathering input into the policy until March 25.

Condo Project Still a Go

(An open house for the new condominium project yesterday attracted many interested residents)

The developer of a condominium project in Fort Frances says he's got the project back on track.

Robert Zanetti says he takes full responsibility for a nearly two-year delay in getting construction started.

He says he's got a new team in place to make it happen this year.

"We've got the local contractor all set up," says Zanetti. "We've made all our final selections. We've added Kathy (Judson) from ReMax. I just got overwhelmed in Thunder Bay so we're restarting and hoping to get going by summer time."

Zanetti says no changes have been made to the plans for the 23-unit building.

Firefighters Award Clarified

The town of Fort Frances says the total cost of an arbitration award for its unionized firefighters is much greater than it first reported.

The four-year agreement announced last month includes wage increases totalling 16 per cent.

The town had said it would cost $171-thousand.

It now says that figure only relates to the final year of the deal.

The total costs are now pegged at $335-thousand.

C-501 Passes to Next Level

A private member's bill that aims to protect severance and termination pay in bankruptcy cases has passed a key legislative vote in the House of Commons.

M-P's voted 164-119 in favour of moving Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty's bill from the Report Stage to a third reading.

Rafferty was hoping to have that vote last Friday.

He says it could now take place as early as June.

LGA Discussed with Governor

Civic leaders from around Minnesota have expressed the importance of local government aid to Governor Mark Dayton.

About two dozen mayors and other city leaders met Dayton at an event arranged by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.

International Falls councillor Cynthia Jaksa was among them.

The Municipal officials says further cuts to the aid program will only hurt their ability to provide services and maintain facilities.

Lakes Get Reviewed

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on management plans for several lakes and streams in the International Falls area.

The DNR is reviewing plans for twelve separate bodies of water.

The plans can be found at the Department's International Falls office with comments accepted until March 25.

Buckets of Love

A village in Haiti will be the benefactor of a fundraising effort by students at St. Francis School in Fort Frances.

Grade 7 student Ann Jean says for the next six weeks, they'll be collecting money to help a village get access to fresh, clean drinking water.

"We're supporting an organization called Free the Children that helps other countries around the world," says Jean. "Most of the students are pretty excited to get the chance to help."

The "Buckets of Love" campaign hopes to raise at least one thousand dollars.