Huffman School Proposal Pitched

A senior's group is pressing its case for making the former Huffman School in Fort Frances an extension of the Sister Kennedy Centre.

Members of the Fort Frances Seniors Advisory Committee outlined its proposal to town council last night.

Spokesperson Allan Bedard says their plan fits with the town's own strategic plan relating to seniors.

Bedard says dollars needed to reopen the building could be taken out of the Centre's reserve fund with various grants helping to cover the ongoing operating costs.

Council will now review the proposal at the committee level

New Councillor Appointed

Doug Kitowski (l) sworn into office

The vacancy on Fort Frances council has been filled.

Doug Kitowski was selected by the remaining members of council to fill the seat for the remainder of the term.

The owner of a local trucking firm has served on a number of town committees in the past.


Kitowski says he joins with no personal agenda and says the first few months will be learning how things operate.

New Chief Building Officials Appointed

Travis Rob shown here on right

The town of Fort Frances has a new chief building official.

Travis Rob takes over from Rick Hallam who is retiring at the end of this month.

Hallam, though, will continue to serve as needed in a deputy capacity.

Water System Scores High Marks

Fort Frances' water system is getting good marks from the province.

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says it came following a comprehensive review of the system by the Ministry of Environment.

Overall, the Ministry gave it a score of 96 per cent.

The Ministry did find a couple of minor non-compliance issues relating to sampling and data recording.

Wiedenhoeft credits staff for the high marks.

NDP Questions Casino Expansion Plans

Ontario's New Democrats want the province to put the kibosh on its plans to build new casinos.

The NDP is warning that the property values of some existing casinos have plunged dramatically.

But Premier Wynne defends the government's plans, saying new casinos are needed because some of the older ones close to the U.S. border aren't bringing in as much money as they used to.

NDP Blasts Harper Government On Commitment To Northern Ontario

The federal NDP is accusing the Harper government of abandoning northern Ontario.

MP Glenn Thibeault points to the cut in FEDNOR's budget while at the same time increasing funding for an economic development agency in southern Ontario.

NDP add the only reference to northern Ontario in the federal budget comes in a passing reference in a section related to economic development in southern Ontario.