The meetings were brief, but productive.
Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis led a delegation of municipal councillors to Ottawa last week to the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario meeting where they met with some members of the McGuinty cabinet.
Avis says a meeting with the Transportation Ministry's Parliamentary assistant Linda Jefferies was held to discuss the province's decision to announced roads funding at the height of the local construction season.
"It puts us in undo hardship for ourselves and the contractor," says Avis. "It also is hard to award a contract at this time for completion in the fall. We stressed that we must know earlier in the fall and come up with a program where were not left to hand out to dry."
Pither's Point Park was a topic of discussion during a meeting with Ontario's Aboriginal Affairs Minister Brad Duguid.
Avis says their discussion with the Minister was productive.
"We had very good dialogue and a good exchange of ideas. We left him with the idea that Fort Frances is always open to communication over this very sensitive manner."
Both the municipality and area native bands reach an agreement earlier this year to allow park to remain open this year, even though a 99-year lease signed by the town expired in May.
[CLIP] 18 seconds OC: to dry.
Avis says they also meet with Aboriginal Affairs Minister Brad Duguid regarding Pither's Point Park.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Official Plan Work Continues
The town of Fort Frances continues its work on a review of its official plan.
The plan gives guidance to the town on development in the community.
Town planner Faye Flatt says consultants helping with the review will be in the community next week for a series of workshops and public meetings being planned.
Flatt says a first draft of the new official plan is also expected out next week.
The plan gives guidance to the town on development in the community.
Town planner Faye Flatt says consultants helping with the review will be in the community next week for a series of workshops and public meetings being planned.
Flatt says a first draft of the new official plan is also expected out next week.
Gas Tax Money Used on Roads
The town of Fort Frances says it will use its share of federal gas tax revenue toward the cost of repairing roads and sidewalks along the Victoria, Nelson and Portage Avenue areas.
The town received 489-thousand dollars from the program this year.
The total cost of the reconstruction project is $5.4 million, with about two-million already being covered through provincial grants.
The project is on track to be complete by mid-September.
The town received 489-thousand dollars from the program this year.
The total cost of the reconstruction project is $5.4 million, with about two-million already being covered through provincial grants.
The project is on track to be complete by mid-September.
Lake Levels Discussed
There were mixed feelings how water levels are being managed on Rainy Lake.
About forty people attended a meeting by the International Rainy Lake Board of Control in International Falls last night.
The board's U.S. engineering advisor Ed Eaton says nature played a big role on lake levels this year.
"Spring and early summer inflows were strong this year," says Eaton. "That was due to a combination of the record-setting precipitation over the winter from the November to March period and above normal, but not extraordinary, persistent spring rain fall."
Some property owners, who suffered shoreline damage this year, felt the board's so-called "upper rule curve" which set optimum lake levels over the year were set to high.
Others felt the board was doing a good job managing levels.
About forty people attended a meeting by the International Rainy Lake Board of Control in International Falls last night.
The board's U.S. engineering advisor Ed Eaton says nature played a big role on lake levels this year.
"Spring and early summer inflows were strong this year," says Eaton. "That was due to a combination of the record-setting precipitation over the winter from the November to March period and above normal, but not extraordinary, persistent spring rain fall."
Some property owners, who suffered shoreline damage this year, felt the board's so-called "upper rule curve" which set optimum lake levels over the year were set to high.
Others felt the board was doing a good job managing levels.
Local Push for Junior A Hockey Team
A return of junior A hockey to Fort Frances has now become a local effort.
This after word that a potential sale of the Fort Frances Sabres by the Thunder Bay ownership group failed.
Wayne Strachan, who coached the team in the Superior International Junior Hockey League, says he and the team's scouting director Grant Perrault have launched a campaign to make the team a community-owned and operated.
"I definitely think the community, even the district, can rally around this," says Strachan, "could rally around this and do something like the Sioux Lookout Flyers have went and successfully now operated their for a year and a half now. They have stability beyond next year and it's all community funded and owned."
Strachan is hoping to secure at least 15 sponsors and 75 season ticket holders within the next two weeks to start the season.
Anyone want to help can call Wayne at 276-1831 or Grant at 276-1625.
This after word that a potential sale of the Fort Frances Sabres by the Thunder Bay ownership group failed.
Wayne Strachan, who coached the team in the Superior International Junior Hockey League, says he and the team's scouting director Grant Perrault have launched a campaign to make the team a community-owned and operated.
"I definitely think the community, even the district, can rally around this," says Strachan, "could rally around this and do something like the Sioux Lookout Flyers have went and successfully now operated their for a year and a half now. They have stability beyond next year and it's all community funded and owned."
Strachan is hoping to secure at least 15 sponsors and 75 season ticket holders within the next two weeks to start the season.
Anyone want to help can call Wayne at 276-1831 or Grant at 276-1625.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Mac Voisen Visits
A visit yesterday from one of the founders of M and M Meat Shops.
Mac Voisen was in Fort Frances as part of regular visits to stores he makes during the year.
"Every month I pick a different area," says Voisen, "usually spend about an hour there to talk to, not only our franchisee, but product consultants ,our customers and just find out what's going on in the community, how to people feel about M & M Shops, what are doing right, what are we doing wrong, how can we improve what we're doing."
Voisen began his day in Thompson, Manitoba before visiting Fort Frances and Dryden later in the day.
Mac Voisen was in Fort Frances as part of regular visits to stores he makes during the year.
"Every month I pick a different area," says Voisen, "usually spend about an hour there to talk to, not only our franchisee, but product consultants ,our customers and just find out what's going on in the community, how to people feel about M & M Shops, what are doing right, what are we doing wrong, how can we improve what we're doing."
Voisen began his day in Thompson, Manitoba before visiting Fort Frances and Dryden later in the day.
Doc Program Extended
The province is increasing the money going into a program to attract doctors to underserviced communities.
The province's free tuition program now offers up to 40-thousand dollars to doctors who agree to work in hard-pressed communities.
The free-tuition will be available to doctors in all municipalities -- except in the Ottawa and the greater Toronto area.
The province's free tuition program now offers up to 40-thousand dollars to doctors who agree to work in hard-pressed communities.
The free-tuition will be available to doctors in all municipalities -- except in the Ottawa and the greater Toronto area.
Ontario Still Helping B.C.
Ontario continues to provide forest firefighting support to British Columbia.
A rotation of Ministry of Natural Resources personnel yesterday saw 91 fireRangers and support staff head to B-C while 120 ended their two-week deployment.
Nearly 300 MNR personnel are still working in the west coast.
A rotation of Ministry of Natural Resources personnel yesterday saw 91 fireRangers and support staff head to B-C while 120 ended their two-week deployment.
Nearly 300 MNR personnel are still working in the west coast.
Water Levels Discussed Tonight
Water levels on Rainy Lake and Rainy River will be discussed at a public meeting in International Falls tonight.
The meeting is being hosted by the International Rainy Lake Board of Control and the International Rainy River Water Pollution Board.
It's part of a series of sessions the two groups will have this week.
Private talks also planned with the local mills and government agencies.
Tonight's public session at Rainy River Community College begins at 7 p.m.
The meeting is being hosted by the International Rainy Lake Board of Control and the International Rainy River Water Pollution Board.
It's part of a series of sessions the two groups will have this week.
Private talks also planned with the local mills and government agencies.
Tonight's public session at Rainy River Community College begins at 7 p.m.
Hydro One Identifies Potential Site
Hydro One has come up with a preferred location for a new transformer station in the township of Chapple.
It's identified a site in Barwick north of Highway 11 near Westover Road.
The new station would replace an aging one near Fort Frances.
The public will get an opportunity to comment on Hydro One's plans at an open house tonight at the Chapple Recreation Centre from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
It's identified a site in Barwick north of Highway 11 near Westover Road.
The new station would replace an aging one near Fort Frances.
The public will get an opportunity to comment on Hydro One's plans at an open house tonight at the Chapple Recreation Centre from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fort Frances Budget Meeting Next Month
The town of Fort Frances is getting set to begin work on its 2010 budget.
It will begin with a public meeting on September 14th which Mayor Roy Avis says is the public's opportunity to have a say how town coffers should be utilized.
"If anybody has any questions or concerns or want to put forward anything they want to see happen, that is the opportunity to do so," says Avis.
The town has targeted the end of next April for completion of the budget.
It will begin with a public meeting on September 14th which Mayor Roy Avis says is the public's opportunity to have a say how town coffers should be utilized.
"If anybody has any questions or concerns or want to put forward anything they want to see happen, that is the opportunity to do so," says Avis.
The town has targeted the end of next April for completion of the budget.
Hallet Moving Today
Another final voyage for the tugboat Hallet.
Fort Frances Community Services Manager George Bell says the local landmark will be moved from its current location at Pither's Point Park today.
"They will be lifting the Hallet out and putting on a flatbed," says Bell, "driving it over to the Armstrong dock at Seven Oaks and then lifting it with cranes again back into the water. It will be towed to the existing site with Armstrong's tugboat."
Cranes will then move the boat into its final resting spot near the Sorting Gap Marina.
The exact time of the move is still to be determined.
Fort Frances Community Services Manager George Bell says the local landmark will be moved from its current location at Pither's Point Park today.
"They will be lifting the Hallet out and putting on a flatbed," says Bell, "driving it over to the Armstrong dock at Seven Oaks and then lifting it with cranes again back into the water. It will be towed to the existing site with Armstrong's tugboat."
Cranes will then move the boat into its final resting spot near the Sorting Gap Marina.
The exact time of the move is still to be determined.
Portage Underpass Opening Soon
Traffic could be moving through the Portage Avenue underpass next week.
Fort Frances town council was informed at its meeting last night that paving operations will begin Monday, following the curing of cement recently put down.
Transportation Superintendent Milt Strachan says the closure to allow that work was worth it.
"They would be allowed to do it with such efficiency with one lane," says Strachan, "I would even say we'd be lucky to be halfway to the point where we are right now without closing the road down."
However, exactly when the road will reopen to traffic must still be determined when town officials meet with the contractor later this week.
Fort Frances town council was informed at its meeting last night that paving operations will begin Monday, following the curing of cement recently put down.
Transportation Superintendent Milt Strachan says the closure to allow that work was worth it.
"They would be allowed to do it with such efficiency with one lane," says Strachan, "I would even say we'd be lucky to be halfway to the point where we are right now without closing the road down."
However, exactly when the road will reopen to traffic must still be determined when town officials meet with the contractor later this week.
Monday, August 24, 2009
H1N1 Slows
The H1N1 flu virus hasn't completely disappeared yet in northwestern Ontario.
The Ministry of Health reports three cases of the virus this past week, one of which was in the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area.
The province says it is a sign the spread of the virus is slowing down.
The Ministry of Health reports three cases of the virus this past week, one of which was in the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area.
The province says it is a sign the spread of the virus is slowing down.
Rainy River Community College Resumes
Today marks the start of the fall session at Rainy River Community College in International Falls.
College officials are very excited about the year with about full-time equivalent registrations at about 280.
Provost Mike Johnson says they also start the year with a new program and the reopening of a remodelled Rainy Hall.
"We were hoping to have 50 students in the remodeled dorm," says Johnson. "and as of Wednesday we had 55. So we probably have another 7 or 8 beds left, and the dorm looks absolutely beautiful. About 350 thousand dollars (was spent) on remodeling."
Also new this year is a two-year Green and Sustainable Construction Technology program which has attracted 14 students.
Baseball has been added to the list of college's sports teams offered.
College officials are very excited about the year with about full-time equivalent registrations at about 280.
Provost Mike Johnson says they also start the year with a new program and the reopening of a remodelled Rainy Hall.
"We were hoping to have 50 students in the remodeled dorm," says Johnson. "and as of Wednesday we had 55. So we probably have another 7 or 8 beds left, and the dorm looks absolutely beautiful. About 350 thousand dollars (was spent) on remodeling."
Also new this year is a two-year Green and Sustainable Construction Technology program which has attracted 14 students.
Baseball has been added to the list of college's sports teams offered.
Metis Meet in Sudbury
Listening closely to the needs of Ontario's Metis population is top of mind at the Annual General Assembly underway in Sudbury.
Metis Nation of Ontario president Gary Lipinski says his leadership has been actively working on a strategic plan which reflects concerns brought forward over the past year.
"This plan kind of outlines a number of key areas and key priorities that Metis people who told us what we should be working on," says Lipinski. "So we're putting that plan in front of them seeking their approval and ratification. That will us some areas to focus on as we go forward in the next few years."
Yesterday, the Nation signed an agreement of understanding with the province's Ministry of Education.
The assembly runs till tomorrow.
Metis Nation of Ontario president Gary Lipinski says his leadership has been actively working on a strategic plan which reflects concerns brought forward over the past year.
"This plan kind of outlines a number of key areas and key priorities that Metis people who told us what we should be working on," says Lipinski. "So we're putting that plan in front of them seeking their approval and ratification. That will us some areas to focus on as we go forward in the next few years."
Yesterday, the Nation signed an agreement of understanding with the province's Ministry of Education.
The assembly runs till tomorrow.
Invasive Species Monitored
Boaters appear to be getting the message about the impact invasive species can have on area waters.
An initiative between the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources helped monitor invasive species across northern Ontario this summer.
Rylee Nixon, an outreach liaison in this area, says boaters seem well aware of the measures to prevent the species spread
"It was pretty good," says Nixon. "Some American who come fishing here all new about it because they have lot of information in Minnesota. They were really aware of washing their boat, making sure everything is clean, checking for weeds."
Nixon says during her work this summer, she did find presence of rusty crayfish in Lake of the Woods and spiny water fleas in Rainy Lake with reports of sea lamprey in Quetico Provincial Park.
An initiative between the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources helped monitor invasive species across northern Ontario this summer.
Rylee Nixon, an outreach liaison in this area, says boaters seem well aware of the measures to prevent the species spread
"It was pretty good," says Nixon. "Some American who come fishing here all new about it because they have lot of information in Minnesota. They were really aware of washing their boat, making sure everything is clean, checking for weeds."
Nixon says during her work this summer, she did find presence of rusty crayfish in Lake of the Woods and spiny water fleas in Rainy Lake with reports of sea lamprey in Quetico Provincial Park.
Fort Frances Council Tonight
Fort Frances town council will be getting ready to deal with its 2010 budget.
A timetable to bring down that budget will come before council at its meeting tonight.
Councillors will also receive another update on work projects in the community.
Mayor Roy Avis is expected to report on talks with provincial cabinet ministers held during last week's Association of Municipalities of Ontario meeting in Ottawa.
The public portion of tonight's meeting gets underway at about 6:20 p.m.
A timetable to bring down that budget will come before council at its meeting tonight.
Councillors will also receive another update on work projects in the community.
Mayor Roy Avis is expected to report on talks with provincial cabinet ministers held during last week's Association of Municipalities of Ontario meeting in Ottawa.
The public portion of tonight's meeting gets underway at about 6:20 p.m.
DriveTest Centre Closed
There are no pickets up, but the province's DriveTest centre in Fort Frances is closed.
Ontario's driving examiners are on strike after talks aimed at forging a new contract collapsed Friday.
The strike affects people who need to be tested before getting a licence -- not drivers who need a simple renewal.
The province says it is granting automatic extensions for drivers' licences that normally require a test before they are renewed.
About 500 workers represented by the United Steelworkers union are off the job at 55 test centres.
Ontario's driving examiners are on strike after talks aimed at forging a new contract collapsed Friday.
The strike affects people who need to be tested before getting a licence -- not drivers who need a simple renewal.
The province says it is granting automatic extensions for drivers' licences that normally require a test before they are renewed.
About 500 workers represented by the United Steelworkers union are off the job at 55 test centres.
Friends of Animals Restructure
Fort Frances Friends of Animals is selling off its property in Watten township.
The one-point-four acre site includes a home used to house and care for abused or abandoned animals.
The local organization cites financial reasons behind a restructuring of its animal care services.
Difficulties for members to maintain the animals at the homes on a regular basis is also identified.
The Friends have enlisted a Windsor firm in hopes of attracting interest from another group in taking over the site.
The one-point-four acre site includes a home used to house and care for abused or abandoned animals.
The local organization cites financial reasons behind a restructuring of its animal care services.
Difficulties for members to maintain the animals at the homes on a regular basis is also identified.
The Friends have enlisted a Windsor firm in hopes of attracting interest from another group in taking over the site.
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