Former LHIN CEO Salary Questioned

The salary of a former government health agency CEO is taking centre stage.

Gwen Dubois-Wing made $276 thousand last year as the head of the Northwest Local Health Integration Network, but held left in February.

Board Chair Jan Beazley won't say why.

"Our CEO contracts are negotiated between the CEO and the board," says Beazley,"including any seperation packages that may be applicable. It's a human resource issue and the details of the contract are confidential."

The reason Dubois-Wing left the position has never been made public.

Building Code Change Concerns

The chief building official with the town of Fort Frances is opposing a change to the provincial building code.

The change will allow builders to connect non-potable water services to an existing municipal line.

Rick Hallam says it opens the door for toxins getting into the local water system.

"It could have anything in it," says Hallam, "from chemicals that are spilled, noxious or toxic, even to excrement from animals to human. We don't know. You have no control over what goes into that non-potable water supply."

Hallam is making his opposition known in a submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

News Mine Centre School Name Selected

A committee, tasked with finding a name for the new elementary school in Mine Centre, is recommending it remain Mine Centre School.

In a report to Rainy River District School Board trustees, the committee says there were lots of suggestions offered, but submissions put forward by students interested it the most.

Their submissions focused on the historical aspect of Mine Centre School.

Trustees are to vote on the proposed name at their meeting tomorrow.

Rafferty Opens Office

One of the first candidate campaign offices to open in Fort Frances happens tonight.

NDP incumbent John Rafferty will hold an official opening for his office on Mowatt Avenue tonight at 7 p.m.

Dry March

March turned out to be a dry month for much of the Rainy River district.

Statistics compiled by Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw show Fort Frances received 16 millimetres of precipitation in March, almost two-thirds of its normal for the month.

Atikokan's precipitation of almost 9 millimetres was about 80 per cent below normal.

Festival Starts Today

The 71st annual Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts gets underway today.

Piano competitions begin at the Townshend Theatre at 9 a.m. and later tonight at Knox United Church.

All events are open to the public.

Pennies for Play Carnival

Purple Pride was well on display Saturday in International Falls.

A group, trying to raise money for new playground equipment at Kerry Park, staged a football-themed carnival at Falls High School.

Three former Minnesota Vikings were on hand to lend their support.

Doug Sutherland, a member of the famed Purple People Eater defence, travelled from his home in Duluth to take part.

"It's giving back to the communities," says Sutherland, "and meeting some of the fans who were fans back then and new fans. It's just fun to be around."

Frank Youso, an original member of the first Vikings team, lives in International Falls.

He says the Pennies for Play campaign is a great initiative.

"I think it's wonderful," says Youso. "I think we need this. I think the playground at Kerry Park is run down and we'd like to build it up again. It's my pleasure to help."

Fellow alumni Matt Blair also attended.

Former Teacher Pens Second book

(Author Frank Maraj (l) with Randy Thoms and family)

A former Fort Frances High School teacher is out with his second book.

Snapshots II continues an autobiography Frank Maraj's first told in an early book.

"After the demand for the book, I though I would chronicle the university years," says Maraj. "So this book specifically addresses the events while I was a student at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay."

The book will soon be available at select stores in the Fort Frances area.