Fort Frances Times - Jan 8, 2014

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2014

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Printed in Canada Volume 120 Number 37

New faces on council likely INSIDE

Only two so far plan to run again By Duane Hicks Staff writer With the municipal election coming up in October, some current members of council are looking forward to running again—maybe even for mayor—

‘Hope’ tickets available now Tickets for the Canadian Cancer Society’s second “Hope and the City” event here are on sale now at La Place Rendez-Vous, Fort Floral, and Gillons’ Insurance.

See story on A3

Journey called ‘life changing’ “I expect [it] to be a blessing and to be blessed, challenged, and inspired.” That’s what local resident Melissa Friesen wrote in a blog back in October, 2012 before she embarked on a missions journey to 11 countries in 11 months through a program called “The World Race.”

See story on A5

Two more wins for Lakers The Fort Frances Lakers muddled through the postholiday mire but still came away with their winning streak intact.

See story on B1

while others are stepping aside. Coun. Andrew Hallikas, in his second four-year term, said his name will be on the ballot this fall. “I’m definitely going to [run],” he pledged. “The work never stops. There’s a great deal of work to be done,” added Coun. Hallikas, though noting he hasn’t decided at this point if he’ll run for councillor or mayor. Coun. Hallikas said he’s hoping to see new faces amongst the candidates this election.

“I am really hoping we get a response from the community in terms of people who are interested in helping Fort Frances move forward,” he remarked. “These are pretty tough times and there’s a lot of talent out there. “I really would like to see a better balance on council that reflects the demographics of our community,” added Coun. Hallikas, referring to a balance of men and women on council, as well as representatives of different age groups and from

the Métis and First Nations’ populations. “You can never predict what people are going to do but I’m hoping we can encourage people interested in running to put their name forward and step up.” Coun. Ken Perry, who first joined council in 2008, confirmed he will be running again, but wouldn’t specify whether it would be for councillor or mayor. “I have given it much thought,” he noted. “I will be

Time of school meeting slammed By Heather Latter Staff writer Jackie McCormick, chair of the accommodation review committee at Sturgeon Creek School, is urging the public to attend a committee of the whole meeting scheduled for next Wednesday (Jan. 15) at 1 p.m. at the Rainy River District School Board office here. The intention of the meeting is for trustees to discuss the possible consolidation of Sturgeon Creek, Donald Young, and Crossroads schools. “I think we need to know how the trustees are feeling,” reasoned McCormick. “We need to know what their opinions are, their thoughts on the process, and what’s going to happen,” she stressed. “It’s going to give us a good indication, I think, as to how they are going to vote.” The future of these schools has been up for review since June, 2011, when concerns about declining enrolment and surplus capacity, facility condition, and loss of funding for small schools were brought forward. A committee of the whole meeting in November saw senior administration provided trustees with an analysis of the recent pupil accommodation reviews—with the recommendation to consolidate the three schools. Trustees originally had been expected to vote on the consolidation at the regular school board meeting Jan. 7. But they decided last month that they wanted another chance to get together to discuss it—delaying the vote until at least February. While committee of the whole meetings are open to the public to observe, McCormick is not happy with the timing for the meeting—in the afternoon when many parents are working. “It does seem a little bit like a ploy to have as few people there as possible,” she charged, especially given the November meeting was held in the evening at La Place Rendez-Vous in order to accommodate spectators. “Now they have moved it to Please see “Meeting,” A10

Icy plunge FFHS Travel Club students Mason Whatley and Jenny Hammond plunged into the icy waters of Rainy Lake on New Year’s Day to help raise money for their spring trip to Italy. Fellow students Shawn Brady and Jonah Cawston, along with

teacher Owen Johnston, were right behind them. The Voyageur Lions Club’s annual “Polar Plunge” saw 25 jumpers raise $6,581 in all. See story, more photos A3. —Sarah Pruys photo

Campbell, Rafferty set to tackle issues By Heather Latter Staff writer

New Year’s baby Robyn and Tyson Dennis of Fort Frances welcomed their newborn daughter, Jasper Isla Dennis, who was the first baby of 2014 in Rainy River District. She was born Jan. 1 at 8:37 a.m., weighing in at seven pounds, 15 oz. Big brother is Blase Dennis. The family will be provided gifts and gift baskets courtesy of Canada Safeway, Fort Floral, Pharmasave, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Ink Spotz Apparel +. —Heather Latter photo

The new year will be a busy one for both local MP John Rafferty and MPP Sarah Campbell as they continue to tackle several issues to ensure the best for the residents of Northwestern Ontario. The issues at the top of Campbell’s list are winter highway maintenance and the cost of hydro. “Given the fact that the rates are expected to go up 42 percent over the next five years, there are a lot of people concerned,” she remarked. “And plus, it’s not completely clear what the Liberals plans are going to be in terms of distribution, like LDCs, which is also a concern for people living in Fort Frances proper,” she added. And as for the winter highway maintenance, Campbell wants the minister of transportation to take some action. “It should be a relatively easy

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running for a position. “I think I have lots to offer the town yet,” Coun. Perry added. “I think I can do a lot to help this town, and I am not going to miss out on the opportunity.” Mayor Roy Avis, who has been at the helm since 2006 and a councillor for nine years before that, said it’s too soon to declare his intention to run again. “I won’t comment on that at this present time,” he said in an interview in late December. Please see “New,” A10

• After Hours: 807-274-5497 • Email: ryellowega@hotmail.com 990 McIrvine Road, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3W5

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issue to solve,” she reasoned. “Right now, I’m certainly doing everything within my power to make sure the minister is well aware of the issue, why it is an issue, and help come up with some suggested solutions,” Campbell pledged. “But it really is up to the minister to take action to make sure our roads are safe to travel on in the winter. And I haven’t been seeing that so far. . . . “We’re still seeing these issues across the northwest and quite poor maintenance that has resulted in accidents and, sadly, fatalities,” she noted, though adding she’s hopeful the minister will act on this. Another issue on Campbell’s radar in 2014 is the decision of the Liberal government to expand public transit in the greater Toronto/Hamilton area—and what that will mean for people living in Northwestern Ontario. “Toronto right now, they suffer from pretty extreme gridlock and we’re all sympathetic Please see “Issues,” A10

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