Uploading Answers Sought

Fort Frances councillors will consider a political route in search of answers regarding the provincial uploading of municipal costs to the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board.

The board approved a $15-million budget last week, but councillor Ken Perry says any savings the province suggests aren't been seen by the municipalities.

"We're going to pull some changes and rattle some cages," says Perry. "The answers we're getting from everyone concerned are not consistent. That's my problem. show me some consistency. If we're right, we're right and if we're wrong, we're wrong. We can put it to bed one way or another."

Council will look to writing the Premier and having a question posed in the legislature.

Museum Assistant On Hold

The town of Fort Frances is holding off on the hiring of a museum assistant at the Fort Frances Museum.

The position became vacant with the move of Sherry George to curator.

Councillors last night decided to hold off filling the vacancy this year, allowing George time to assess staffing needs in the future.

Library Board Budget Rejected

(Fort Frances Library photo)

The Fort Frances Library Board is being asked to go back to the table to reduce its budget requirements for the new library.

It's budget has come in at about $22-thousand more than last year.

Town Councillors say they aren't prepared to provide any more than the $453-thousand allocated in 2010.

Regional Cyclotron in Budget

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the region's two NDP MP's may be about to put a kibosh on $4 million for a cyclotron for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

The Conservative MP says the money is included in the federal budget, but approval rests with the NDP.

"Are they prepared for to vote against probably one of the most significant medical advancements in medical research for Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario in a long time?," asks Rickford.

Rickford says the money would be in jeopardy if an election is called.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

A walk that encourages men to lend their voice to end gender violence will take place next month in International Falls.

The "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" is organized by the Friends Against Abuse.

Executive director LeeAnn Meer says this year's walk will be an international affair.

"We are partnering with Fort Frances to do this," says Meer. "We have the groups over there, Victims Services and some of the others group, we are working with and planning it. Hopefully they will be joining us with the walk over here. So we are really reaching across borders to discuss a topic that really needs to be discussed."

The event takes place April 28