There will be change to how municipalities provide funding to the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board.
Despite Fort Frances concerns, the board agreed to a new funding formula at its meeting last Thursday.
Councillor Sharon Tibbs says she was able to delay implementation until next year.
"I asked them that we're already half way through our budget year and it's a considerable impact on Fort Frances' budget," says Tibbs. "and they have agreed they they will continue with option 2 for the rest of this year and in 2001 they will be sending out their billing using option 3."
Tibbs says the change will mean Fort Frances will pay end up paying more than 100-thousand dollars extra for social services programming.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Library Needs More Bricks
The Fort Frances Public Library is a few bricks short of being complete.
Community Services Manager George Bell says the masonry contractor failed to order enough stone for the exterior work, but expects the outside work to continue next week.
"The manufacturer of the stone has rerouted a truck of stone up to Fort Frances and is to be here next week," says Bell. "It will be here next Monday and hopeful the masons will be back at work to finish the job."
Bell is still hopeful the Library can open to the public next week as scheduled.
Community Services Manager George Bell says the masonry contractor failed to order enough stone for the exterior work, but expects the outside work to continue next week.
"The manufacturer of the stone has rerouted a truck of stone up to Fort Frances and is to be here next week," says Bell. "It will be here next Monday and hopeful the masons will be back at work to finish the job."
Bell is still hopeful the Library can open to the public next week as scheduled.
Tackle Industry Opportunities
Rainy River Future Development Corporation is exploring local interest in getting involved in the fishing tackle industry with companies in the U.S.
Client Services Manager Geoff Gillon says they have at least two U.S. firms interesting in doing businesses in Canada and are pitching the idea locally.
"From what we've been able to put together there are people who have been historically involved in the fishing industry and in distribution and representation of products," says Gillon. "There are people we hope in the community that would like to look into that and explore it."
Gillon says a meeting last night was intended as first step in matching potential businesses with the unnamed U.S. firms.
Client Services Manager Geoff Gillon says they have at least two U.S. firms interesting in doing businesses in Canada and are pitching the idea locally.
"From what we've been able to put together there are people who have been historically involved in the fishing industry and in distribution and representation of products," says Gillon. "There are people we hope in the community that would like to look into that and explore it."
Gillon says a meeting last night was intended as first step in matching potential businesses with the unnamed U.S. firms.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
More Exploration Underway
TerraX Minerals says it's begun a drilling program on potential gold-bearing property near Atikokan.
The Vancouver-based company is exploring an area known as the Blackfly zone, about 10 kilometres northwest of the community.
The company says it's similar to the nearby Hammond Reef deposit.
The Vancouver-based company is exploring an area known as the Blackfly zone, about 10 kilometres northwest of the community.
The company says it's similar to the nearby Hammond Reef deposit.
Toll Latest
Provincial police they'll continue to maintain a strong presence at the toll booth on Couchiching First Nation.
The band has been asking motorists on highway 11 to pay a dollar fee since Friday.
OPP Inspector John Kendrick says its created a unique situation for police.
"We're in a unique situation where we have officers on scene and have been on scene for some time," says Kendrick. "This is a complex issue that's under review by many involved provincial authorities. The OPP are currently in a situation where they're trying to mediate a difficult situation."
Police have issued notices to those manning the toll to "discontinue their interference with traffic," but Kendrick says no arrests have been made at this time.
Still, OPP say motorists should feel safe when passing through the toll.
Constable Anne McCoy says they're making sure traffic moves smoothly through the site.
"We are their primarily to keep the peace and to protect the public," says McCoy, "but also to ensure there is an orderly flow of traffic which we do have with minimal wait times."
McCoy says police can't say if motorists should or should not be pay the toll being asked.
The discussion of the toll on Facebook is also being closely monitored.
Police say there have been more than 700 threats of violence found online against Couchiching First Nations.
Couchiching Chief Chuck McPherson says many of the threats were anonymous, although some people did use their names.
He says none of the threats originated from Couchiching.
Meantime, efforts to hold a public meeting in Fort Frances regarding Couchiching First Nations' toll.
Band leaders say they would like the opportunity to explain the reasons behind their actions to others in the district.
The band says they've been in contact with Mayor Roy Avis about a possible meeting, but so far no arrangements have been announced.
The band has been asking motorists on highway 11 to pay a dollar fee since Friday.
OPP Inspector John Kendrick says its created a unique situation for police.
"We're in a unique situation where we have officers on scene and have been on scene for some time," says Kendrick. "This is a complex issue that's under review by many involved provincial authorities. The OPP are currently in a situation where they're trying to mediate a difficult situation."
Police have issued notices to those manning the toll to "discontinue their interference with traffic," but Kendrick says no arrests have been made at this time.
Still, OPP say motorists should feel safe when passing through the toll.
Constable Anne McCoy says they're making sure traffic moves smoothly through the site.
"We are their primarily to keep the peace and to protect the public," says McCoy, "but also to ensure there is an orderly flow of traffic which we do have with minimal wait times."
McCoy says police can't say if motorists should or should not be pay the toll being asked.
The discussion of the toll on Facebook is also being closely monitored.
Police say there have been more than 700 threats of violence found online against Couchiching First Nations.
Couchiching Chief Chuck McPherson says many of the threats were anonymous, although some people did use their names.
He says none of the threats originated from Couchiching.
Meantime, efforts to hold a public meeting in Fort Frances regarding Couchiching First Nations' toll.
Band leaders say they would like the opportunity to explain the reasons behind their actions to others in the district.
The band says they've been in contact with Mayor Roy Avis about a possible meeting, but so far no arrangements have been announced.
Power Outage
A storm knocked out power in parts of the Rainy River district overnight.
About 240 Hydro One customers were without power for about three hours beginning at 11 p.m.
About twenty homes are still in the dark and Hydro One expects to have power restored to them by 9:30 a.m. today.
Some Fort Frances residents were also affected by an power outage yesterday.
Parts of the north end and the downtown area lost power at around 10:30 a.m.
Crews with Fort Frances Power Corporation had power restored to all areas by about 1 p.m.
About 240 Hydro One customers were without power for about three hours beginning at 11 p.m.
About twenty homes are still in the dark and Hydro One expects to have power restored to them by 9:30 a.m. today.
Some Fort Frances residents were also affected by an power outage yesterday.
Parts of the north end and the downtown area lost power at around 10:30 a.m.
Crews with Fort Frances Power Corporation had power restored to all areas by about 1 p.m.
Forest Fire in District
Another forest fires in the Rainy River district over the weekend.
A lightning caused fire, about 35-kilometres northeast of Fort Frances, is still listed as active.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says it be on the watch for more lightning caused fires today as yesterday's storm moves out of the region.
A lightning caused fire, about 35-kilometres northeast of Fort Frances, is still listed as active.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says it be on the watch for more lightning caused fires today as yesterday's storm moves out of the region.
Fun in the Sun Committee Meets Tonight
Members of the Fun in the Sun Committee will meet tonight to discuss this year's events.
The group says it's committed to carrying out the Canada Day parade and fireworks, but is hoping others will come forward to help stage other events planned.
Tonight's meeting is at the 52 Canadians meeting room at 6:30 p.m..
The group says it's committed to carrying out the Canada Day parade and fireworks, but is hoping others will come forward to help stage other events planned.
Tonight's meeting is at the 52 Canadians meeting room at 6:30 p.m..
Bass Championship Entertainment Released
Four acts will highlight the entertainment at this year's Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship in July.
Entertainment director Anthony Mason says it starts with two well-known Canadian country artists.
"We have George Canyon coming to town and Julian Austin," says Mason. "We have Pushing Daisies from Winnipeg and A is A coming back."
Advance tickets are expected to go on sale this Friday costing 50-dollars which is good for both the Friday and Saturday night performances."
Entertainment director Anthony Mason says it starts with two well-known Canadian country artists.
"We have George Canyon coming to town and Julian Austin," says Mason. "We have Pushing Daisies from Winnipeg and A is A coming back."
Advance tickets are expected to go on sale this Friday costing 50-dollars which is good for both the Friday and Saturday night performances."
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Toll Booth Update
Couchiching First Nation's protest over its grievances with the federal and provincial governments is to continue today.
Band members are expected to continue a traffic slowdown near the site of a toll that's to be in place tomorrow at noon.
They began handing out leaflets yesterday.
Chief Chuck McPherson says an offer received from the province was rejected at a meeting last night.
Band members are expected to continue a traffic slowdown near the site of a toll that's to be in place tomorrow at noon.
They began handing out leaflets yesterday.
Chief Chuck McPherson says an offer received from the province was rejected at a meeting last night.
Forest Tenure Meetings Underway
The Ontario Forest Industry Association remains critical of the Province's changes to the forest tenure system.
Public meetings started this week, and manager of Forest Policy Scott Jackson says the changes will undermine the government's recent good work.
"We think the government has completely overshot the mark here," says Jackson. "We're concerned that the proposal they're putting in place will lead to less fibre being available to the sector as a whole which is going to reduce investment and employment opportunities over the short, mid and long-term."
Jackson says an open auction for wood supply will impact all forestry businesses from big to small.
Public meetings started this week, and manager of Forest Policy Scott Jackson says the changes will undermine the government's recent good work.
"We think the government has completely overshot the mark here," says Jackson. "We're concerned that the proposal they're putting in place will lead to less fibre being available to the sector as a whole which is going to reduce investment and employment opportunities over the short, mid and long-term."
Jackson says an open auction for wood supply will impact all forestry businesses from big to small.
Not All Environmentalists Happy
At least one environmental group remains unhappy with recent efforts to protect the Boreal forest.
Earthroots thinks more needs to be done even though 21 forest companies have agreed to stop logging in 29-million hectares of the forest.
Spokesperson David Stone says it's not time to back down.
"We're still very concerned that clear cut logging is continuing," says Stone. "Most of Ontario forests are being logged at a rate that's very unsustainable and doesn't leave enough to protect the clean water and clean air that we depend on."
AbitibiBowater says the deal won't have an impact on its ability to access fibre for the Fort Frances mill.
Earthroots thinks more needs to be done even though 21 forest companies have agreed to stop logging in 29-million hectares of the forest.
Spokesperson David Stone says it's not time to back down.
"We're still very concerned that clear cut logging is continuing," says Stone. "Most of Ontario forests are being logged at a rate that's very unsustainable and doesn't leave enough to protect the clean water and clean air that we depend on."
AbitibiBowater says the deal won't have an impact on its ability to access fibre for the Fort Frances mill.
Flights Increased
There will be more flights out of International Falls this summer.
An $1.3 million agreement between Mesaba Airlines and the U.S. Department of Transportation will see the Delta-owned airline flying 14 flights per week in and out of Falls International Airport beginning in June.
U.S. Senator Al Franken, who helped secure the grant, says the money provides stability for the airport and bolsters the region’s commerce, economic development, and tourism.
An $1.3 million agreement between Mesaba Airlines and the U.S. Department of Transportation will see the Delta-owned airline flying 14 flights per week in and out of Falls International Airport beginning in June.
U.S. Senator Al Franken, who helped secure the grant, says the money provides stability for the airport and bolsters the region’s commerce, economic development, and tourism.
Appreciation Week Plans
The planning continues for physician appreciation week in Fort Frances.
It happens during the week of May 31.
Chair of the Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee Andrew Hallikas says tickets for a community gathering on June 3 are now available.
"We're going to have a mix and mingle at 6 p.m. with dinner starting at 6:30 p.m.," says Halikas. "This is a community event. We would really like people and families to come out and celebrate their family physician and with their family physician."
Tickets are available at Pharmasave or Shoppers Drug Mart or by calling the Riverside Foundation for Health Care office.
It happens during the week of May 31.
Chair of the Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee Andrew Hallikas says tickets for a community gathering on June 3 are now available.
"We're going to have a mix and mingle at 6 p.m. with dinner starting at 6:30 p.m.," says Halikas. "This is a community event. We would really like people and families to come out and celebrate their family physician and with their family physician."
Tickets are available at Pharmasave or Shoppers Drug Mart or by calling the Riverside Foundation for Health Care office.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Rafferty Seeks Meeting with Minister over Toll
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is making another plea to the federal Indian Affairs Minister to meet with Couchiching First Nations in hopes of avoiding a planned toll booth on Highway 11.
Band members reportedly started construction of the toll yesterday and will start collecting from motorists Friday.
Rafferty says he's made four requests in the past two weeks asking Chuck Strahl to meet with the band over its concerns.
He fells there still time to find some resolution, but the Minister must "step up to the plate" and set up a meeting.
Meantime, Couchiching First Nations has announced the fees it will charge at its toll.
Band members say they'll collect one dollar from every vehicle that passes in or out of the reserve.
Commercial vehicles will be required to pay 10-dollars each way.
The band is also making monthly passess available costing passenger vehicles 25-dollars and commercial vehicles $100.00
Portage Avenue Re-opening Delayed
A need for additional work is delaying the re-opening of the Portage Avenue underpass by more than a week.
Fort Frances town officials says work crews need to install a storm sewer manhole at the intersection of Portage and 3rd Street.
Officials says records had indicated the presence of the manhole, but was found to be missing when crews started digging up the road this past week.
Work on the two intersections blocking the underpass is now expected to be completed by May 29.
Logging Deal
AbitibiBowater says a deal to halt logging in the boreal forest should have little impact to mill operations in Fort Frances.
The agreement between the forest industry and environmental groups was announced yesterday.
Pulp and paper companies have promised to stop cutting trees on 29-million hectares of forest while the environmentalists say they will abandon their ''do-not-buy'' campaigns.
Other conservation initiatives in the agreement include a promise to protect herds of endangered caribou.
But AbitibiBowater vice-president Roger Barber says it should not hurt the Fort Frances mill's ability to access fibre.
"Fort Frances is a bit unique," says Barber, "in that the forest area right around Fort Frances is outside the boreal and is outside of this agreement."
Barber says it will mean some changes in forestry practices elsewhere, but feels the agreement will aid in developing those plans.
Endowment Fund Established
(Sandra and Eric "Doc" Johnson - photo courtesy Riverside Foundation for Health Care)Riverside Foundation for Health Care is receiving a sizable contribution from a long-time Fort Frances couple.
Director Teresa Hazel says Eric "Doc" Johnson and his wife Sandra established an endowment fund for use at La Verendrye Hospital.
"They've always been long time supporters of the Foundation," says Hazel, "and they just wanted to make a more meaningful and lasting gift to the hospital because they've been so pleased with the services and have used the services."
Endowment funds set aside the principal amount that is given and Riverside only uses the interest generated to help purchase medical equipment, support programs and services and assist with facility upgrades.
"They've always been long time supporters of the Foundation," says Hazel, "and they just wanted to make a more meaningful and lasting gift to the hospital because they've been so pleased with the services and have used the services."
Endowment funds set aside the principal amount that is given and Riverside only uses the interest generated to help purchase medical equipment, support programs and services and assist with facility upgrades.
It's the third such fund for local health care since the Foundation was formed 13 years ago.
Mobile Command Unit in Service
Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service showed off its new mobile command unit to the public yesterday.
Fire Chief Gerry Armstrong says it will serve as a base for operations during any type of emergency.
"We'll be able to set up at a scene and have a kind of office if you will," says Armstrong. "It will duplicate as a site coordination area. Obviously it's important for rehabilitation of people if you have them on scene for a long period of time."
The trailer unit replaces an older one that had been in use since 1975 and was purchase in part with funding from the federal government.
Writer Wins Award
A Fort Frances writer has won a literacy award from the Northwestern Ontario Writer's Workshop.
Judy Johanson story entitled "Picker's Kid" was named the region's top children's story at a ceremony held over the weekend.
"I've had this story in mind for a number of years," says Johanson. "The subject matter is bullying at an elementary school age. (It's based on) Just various stories I've heard about bullying and experiences in my own childhood, and it really compelled me to write this."
It's Johanson's first award from the Writer's Workshop.
Judy Johanson story entitled "Picker's Kid" was named the region's top children's story at a ceremony held over the weekend.
"I've had this story in mind for a number of years," says Johanson. "The subject matter is bullying at an elementary school age. (It's based on) Just various stories I've heard about bullying and experiences in my own childhood, and it really compelled me to write this."
It's Johanson's first award from the Writer's Workshop.
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