Fort Upset With MPAC But Will Pay Its Bill

Fort Frances will be paying its bill, but is standing behind other municipalities in seeking changes to how the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation does its job.

Town council has approved a lengthy resolution calling on the province to hold MPAC accountable for its decisions.

Mayor Roy Avis says there's been a little movement by the province to hear from communities impacted.

He'll be joining others for a meeting in Toronto on Monday to outline their concerns to the Deputy Finance Minister.

Some communities, who are suffering huge drops in assessment to large industries, are withholding money owed to MPAC in their demands for change.

Budget Now Complete

The 2013 budget is now in the books for the town of Fort Frances.

Council gave formal approval to the documents at its meeting last night.

Treasurer Laurie Witherspoon says the town is projected to spend about $22.5 million dollars over the next year.

Most of the tax dollars collected will go to services the town has no control over.

The spending includes the tax rebate owing to Resolute Forest Products due to a lowering of its assessment.

Meeting On Huffman Subdivision Tonight

Fort Frances council will meet again tonight for a special meeting regarding the Huffman School subdivision.

It's to outline to prospective buyers the project and the lottery to sell off the 16 available lots.

The meeting is at 7 p.m. at the Civic Centre.

Input Gathered Into Aging With Dignity Initiative

File photo

The group working towards an assisted living facility for the Rainy River district continues to gather input.

The Assisted Living Action Group recently completed a series of community presentations.

Chair Erma Armit says they're happy with the feedback received to date.

The group will be at this weekend's Business Expo to gather more input for a final report in June.

Trillium Funding Announced

A couple of groups in the Rainy River district are the latest recipients of funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The township of Atikokan is receiving $50-thousand to install new playground equipment at Centennial Park.

Halkirk township Fire Protection Team will use over $13-thousand to purchase equipment and upgrade the exterior of its fire and community hall.

School Reviews Continue

The public reviews of two schools continue tonight.

A committee reviewing Crossroads School in Devlin will hold a public meeting at the Naicatchewenin First Nation Community Centre at 6:30 p.m.

A committee reviewing Our Lady of the Way School holds a meeting at the Stratton school beginning at 6 p.m.

Riverside Dealing With Health Issues

Riverside Health Care Facilities is dealing with a couple of health issues at its facilities.

Visitor restrictions have been imposed at the long-term care unit of Rainy River Health Centre because of a number of cases of gastroenteritis.

Only family members can visit with those visits restricted to a patients room.

Meantime, Riverside has declared an outbreak at Rainycrest Long Term Care Home after several residents experienced mild respiratory symptoms.

Visits there are still permitted, but residents experiencing any symptoms of ill health are asked stay away until you're better.

Local Resident Recognized For Volunteerism

Tyson Grinsell (l)

A Fort Frances resident is being recognized by the province for his volunteerism.

Tyson Grinsell is among nine people receiving Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers Awards.

Grinsell is being honoured for starting a math tutoring program for grade 9 students at Fort Frances High, later expanding it to all math students preparing for their exams.

He received the award during a ceremony in Toronto on Monday.