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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2011

Printed in Canada Volume 117 Number 36

INSIDE

Mayor bullish on year ahead

By Duane Hicks Staff writer While town council will have its plate full once again this year, Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis is more optimistic about 2011 than he was in 2010. Its nice to see our major employer come out of bankruptcy protection, he said in an interview last week. I think that gives us solid footing in Fort Frances. With that, and with the things that are happening in the district, the mining developments, I think it looks very, very good for the upcoming year, Mayor Avis added. I am much more optimistic now, he stressed. We do have some hurdles, but I think, with everything remaining equal, were getting there. On another positive note, Mayor Avis noted the town recently acquired two pieces of propertythe old Huffman school and the former Fort Frances Public Libraryand council will try to find the best use for them. Theres been interest shown [in the library] by different parties in the community, Mayor Avis said. Theres been interest shown in the Huffman school property. Thats all on councils table this year, and moving forward I think well see those occupied within the year, he added. One of the first items on the agenda for 2011 is the budget, which town administration and the executive committees have been working on for several months. I wanted to see us maintain a budget that was in line with the rate of inflation for 2010, the mayor said. Please see Mayor, A6

Pension bill highlight of 2010

A bill to protect pensions was the centrepiece of 2010 for Thunder Bay Rainy-River MP John Raffertyand will continue to be a focal point for his efforts heading into 2011.

See story on A3

Here we go!
Gabi Peters, left, Stephanie Lizotte, and Hailey Wirtz of Dancemakers jumped together into Sand Bay on New Years Day during the Voyageur Lions Clubs 111th-annual Polar Plunge. Altogether, Dancemakers students raised $1,695 for the charity event, with half going to the dance school and half to the Lions. The event raised more than $13,400 and saw a record 71 jumpers this year. See story, more photos A5. Duane Hicks photo

On the road to being a dentist

Having taken her first step into the dental world as a high school co-op student with Dr. Mike Botsford and Dr. Steve Chown, Joanna McQuarrie is now on the road to becoming a dentistwith plans of returning to Fort Frances to practice in a couple more years.

District optimistic heading into 2011

By Peggy Revell and Duane Hicks Staff writers Although district municipal leaders arent expecting stimulus funding for any more big projects this year, theyre optimistic about what 2011 holds in store. La Vallee Reeve Ross Donaldson said he is feeling pretty positive about the upcoming year, although at this point its much about getting council up to speed following Octobers municipal election. With the mix of new and old councillors, I think its going to be a really good experience, Reeve Donaldson said, noting to this point council just has been working to sort out such things as who is sitting on which committees. The first year is a learning experience, he reasoned. You almost have to get into the middle of the term before you do big things. Last year saw the completion of the bridge project, with Reeve Donaldson saying this year the township will be looking into some new equipment. There also is a road rebuild scheduled inbut this depends on the townships budget, which has yet to be laid out. We have lots of work that needs to be done, Reeve Donaldson admitted. Of course, thats the difficulty to prioritize because its always a trade-off between what we would like to do and what we can afford to do. He certainly doesnt see the infrastructure funding coming from senior levels of government continuing into this year at the same amount. So its going to be tough for us to do some of the bigger projects like the [completed] bridgetheres no way we could have afforded to do that on our local tax base, Reeve Donaldson noted. Were really at the mercy of the provincial and federal governments for a lot of our bigger project because thats the only way we can afford them, he stressed. For Chapple Reeve Peter Van Heyst, the biggest highlight of the past year was the replacement of the Barron Bridge north of Barwicka nearly $2-million project which hopefully will be completed this spring. Theres always the goal to maintain what we have, he said about the upcoming year, noting there are quite a number of bridges in the township that need to be upgraded and lots of roads to look after. If theres any more funding that Please see District, A6

See story on B1

Health care, economy tops for Hampton

By Peggy Revell Staff writer Health care and the economy will be the focus for local MPP Howard Hampton heading into 2011. Theres real pressures in the health-care system, especially in long-term care, and those are probably going to get worse, Hampton warned, noting many constituents have contacted him over concern for their parents and grandparents and the care that theyre receiving, or increasingly the care that theyre not receiving. Institutions like Rainycrest are not receiving the funding they need, Hampton charged. And that situation is probably going to get worse, he said. Our homes for the aged increasingly are not homes for the agethey are becoming very much underfunded nursing homes and the quality of care is suffering as a result of that. This is through no fault of the staff at places like Rainycrest, Hampton stressed, but because they arent getting enough budgetPlease see Health, A6

Lakers dump Clydesdales

Fort Frances wrapped up 2010 on the right note, putting an end to a season-high five-game winless streak as they skated past the expansion Duluth Clydesdales 7-2 on New Years Eve at the Heritage Sports Center.

New Years baby

Little Jaxson Speaker was welcomed to the world on New Years Day as the districts first baby of 2011. He was born at 5:40 p.m. at La Verendrye Hospital here, weighing in at eight pounds, five oz. Proud parents are Whitney and Jeremiah Speaker of Rainy River, along with older sister, Kathleen, two. Each year, gifts and gift baskets are provided for the New Years baby courtesy of Canada Safeway, Fort Floral, Pharmasave, Wal-Mart, and Shoppers Drug Mart. Peggy Revell photo

See story on B5

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A6 FORT FRANCES TIMES

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Mayor bullish on year ahead

More from A1 In doing that, it doesnt give us too much wiggle room, he admitted. But council is taking a good look at the overall costs of services, every cost. Were hoping to get the best bang for our buck. Council members have been reviewing the draft budget at an executive committee level, with the mayor saying theres no real surprises so far. Its kind of a lean and mean budget were coming up with, he remarked. At least council and each department and each division is aware of where were going to be. Mayor Avis said bi-weekly budget meetings will start by mid-January, at which time the cutting will start and each department will try to fit into the parameters council has set. Another issue expected to see discussion this year is assisted living, which last year was designated a high priority by Seniors and Law Enforcement Togethers Assisted Living Action Group. Theres a need for assisted living housing that council would support, Mayor Avis said. It cant be a totally Town of Fort Frances-driven solution, but council would definitely support items like that. Thats one of the main ones. The town also will continue to pursue Connecting Link funding for road projects. Were always trying to secure more capital from the provincial government so we can maintain our roads infrastructure, especially those roads coming in and out of the community, the mayor said. Weve got what we call a shelf-ready project for the east end of Scott Street, he noted. Weve been waiting for a couple of years for that funding. If were successful, that would be a go-ahead for 2011. In addition to the reconstruction of Scott Street (from just east of Reid Avenue to Colonization Road East), a project initially tendered by the town back in January, 2009, other priority projectsif the town can secure Connecting Link funding would include asphalt patching on the west lane of Colonization Road East from Second Street to Fifth Street, on the west lane of Mill Road from the Eighth Street intersection to the School Road intersection, and on Kings Highway from just east of the Wright Avenue intersection to 100 metres east of the York Av-

District optimistic heading into 2011

More from A1 comes throughinfrastructure fundingwe probably will do another project, Reeve Van Heyst remarked. But the government has been cutting back, so its going to be difficult to do any big project this time, he added, echoing Reeve Donaldson, while also noting that Chapples budget has yet to be set for this year. Thats always the challengeto work within the budget and fulfilling the expectations of the ratepayers, he explained. But economically speaking, Reeve Van Heyst was optimistic about 2011. I think that things are looking up a little more for agriculture and forestry, we hope, and then theres a fair amount of mining activity in our township, in Richardson Township, and that creates employment and it helps boosts the economy some, he noted. Were always open for new business ideas, he stressed. If people are willing to come to our township, were open and will help wherever we can. Working to attract new businesses and initiatives is an area which the Township of Emo also is focusing on in the upcoming year, said Vincent Sheppard, who was elected mayor back in October. I think from what people see, a lot of the district population is declining, so were looking at least [of] trying to hold our own, he remarked. Mining developments in the region, and the employment which comes from it, are positive, he added. Keep our fingers crossed on that one. Minings always touchy, Mayor Sheppard warned. With the exception of incumbent Gary Judson, Octobers election in Emo saw a whole new council chosen to take on the next four years. Weve had a couple meetings now, and are getting to work together, said Mayor Sheppard, noting the projects going so far include working to make buildings such as the public library, curling club, and rec centre handicapped accessible and up to standards. As well, Emo is looking into the expansion of the water system and water plant, as well as a new sewer lagoon, he added, noting council is waiting to hear back about funding for all of these projects. Other than that, were just taking it as it comes, the mayor said. Revisiting the towns official plan is already in the works, Mayor Sheppard continued, as well as reinstating the Ontario Ombudsmen as the townships closed meeting investigator. Meanwhile, having just wrapped up an eventful year which saw the completion of major projects in Alberton, Reeve Mike Hammond conceded 2011 wont be as busy. We completed quite a bit last year, he noted. We had a fire hall addition that was sponsored by the infrastructure stimulus fund. At the Millennium Park, we had renovations and an extension to the rink shack, Reeve Hammond added, noting this was funded through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program and Ontario Recreation Program. As well, new equipment was installed at the parkpaid for through the township and rec centre reserve fund. The final lift of hard surfacing also was laid down on the hill on the north part of Ducharme Road, which was paid for through federal gas tax funding and road surfacing reserve. There was a lot of stimulus funding. We took advantage of it, Reeve Hammond said. Theres no more to come, I dont think. As such, Reeve Hammond doesnt expect there will be any big capital projects for 2011 in Alberton, but noted theres been some people musing about putting in a beach volleyball court at the Millennium Park. It sounds kind of good. Not expensive. And you see a lot of them around now, he remarked. It hasnt been priced, but it probably will become a reality because the cost isnt that much. You go to a lot of towns and you see that kind of stuff, Reeve Hammond continued. So, for the price, I could probably go for that one. 2011 also will hold challenges and issues the district as a whole will have to address, Reeve Donaldson stressed. The Fort Frances Airport is going to be an interesting issue that were going to have to address, he noted, referring to the recent call by the Town of Fort Frances that district municipalities help foot the cost to operate and maintain the facility. As well, Fort Frances has brought the issue of OPP policing costs to a forefront, Reeve Donaldson added. Again, the [Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board] is a big one, the health unit, what they call uncontrollable costs, he said. But theyre not uncontrollable, we just have to control them, he stressed. Reeve Donaldsonwho sits on the local DSSABsaid one of the main issues for him is working to try and control costs while still providing the services. I think what these things bring up is how we have to stick together as municipalities, he remarked. The [Rainy River District] Municipal Association and NOMA really work because we all have the same concerns. We have to stick together, he reiterated.

I am much more optimistic now. We do have some hurdles, but I think, with everything remaining equal, were getting there. Roy Avis
enue intersection. Other priorities in the year ahead include the doctor shortage, petitioning senior levels of government for legislative change that would empower council to have more control over taxation, economic development, as well as the towns sewer and water services and aging infrastructure. In his inaugural address last month for the 2010-14 term, the mayor said the town has worked extensively developing strategies that will fund shortfalls in local sewer and water utilities, and must continue its plan for replacing aged infrastructure. At that time, he also had said towns economic development committeewith its new mandatewill have the support of council, adding theyll work together to attract new business and development here while retaining current ones. He would like to see council work with the local BIA and Chamber of Commerce to improve the downtown core area and support initiatives brought forward for the betterment of our community as a whole. The terms of all municipal boards and committees elapsed at the end of November. Mayor Avis said councillors have been appointed to various boards and committees for the new term, and every day more citizens are coming forward to sit on those same committees. Council really appreciates that, the mayor stressed. Its excellent to see the people in the community get involved. It gives us a sounding board, as well as it gives them some idea as to how the community operates, he noted. Mayor Avis concluded by saying hed like to wish all citizens a happy and prosperous new year.

Health care, economy tops for Hampton

More from A1 wise to allow them to do the work they want and need to do for patients. Meanwhile, on the economic front, Hampton said his focus especially will be on the mining sector in 2011. I think that we need to do all that we can to ensure that the mining opportunities that are out there for our part of the province achieve some success, he remarked. We have far too many people who are out of a job or who are facing job insecurity, and [the] mining sector is probably the best bet to ensure that people actually can obtain jobs that will sustain families and sustain communities. With the demand for gold growing, especially in the face of the U.S. deficit and more and more countries wanting to hold gold as a sort of currency protection, Hampton predicted there will be a significant mining announcement for the west end of Rainy River District sometime this year, which also could mean a number of jobs. For Northern Ontario as a whole, I think youre going to see more and more focus and concentration on mining as an opportuhydro rates as something that will continue to affect people in northern communities. I think most people would say the HST has had a real impact on their life, he noted. I think most ordinary folks, if theyre lucky, their income has remained steady over the last three or four years, but for many their income has actually declined, he added, pointing to workers at the local mill who have taken a pay cut and others who have had their pay frozen. And yet the HST represents a very substantial increase in taxes at the same time that people are either taking a pay cut or pay freeze, Hampton said. I think that hurt a lot of people. Hand in hand with the HST, Hampton cited skyrocketing hydro bills seen this past year. I think people are going to get another electricity shock, he warned. The hydro bills are going to continue to skyrocket. You know I make no bones about that. I think the current government has made a number of bad decisions when it comes to Ontarios hydro electricity and now the chickens are coming home to roost as the cost of those bad decisions are hitting people on their hydro bills, and that will happen again some more this year. Yet despite the economic downturn across the globe, Hampton said Fort Frances through to Rainy River has been probably lucky compared to most other people in Northern Ontario over this past year. If anything, if you looked across Northern Ontario, the Rainy River Valley was probably the bright spot in all of Northern Ontario in the sense that you didnt see the shutdown of a major employer and the loss of hundreds of jobs all at once, he remarked, comparing the area to communities like Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Nipigon, Red Rock, and Marathon where hundreds of people have lost their jobs. Its especially a positive if you compare us with whats been going on south of the border, where you literally have tens of millions of Americans out of work, Hampton added. So relatively speaking, we did well in the Rainy River Valley compared to elsewhere in Canada, the United States.

Howard Hampton
nity for people to attain good jobs and as the basis for the economy for a lot of communities, he said. And while the tourism industry has been hit hard over the past few years, Hampton is optimistic this year will see a bit of a rebound as Americans who are the areas mainstay may not be a lot better off, but they arent worse off. But carrying over from 2010, Hampton sees the HST and rising

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Fort Frances Area Forecast

Kenora

-21 / -13
Vermillion Bay Dryden

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525 Mowat Avenue Fort Frances Or call toll free 1-888-259-1119

-25 / -12
Sioux Narrows

-22 / -13

Upsala

-23 / -11 JAN. 11 TO 15. Normal temperatures. Mostly sunny skies.

397 Scott Street, Fort Frances

Celestes
274-3462

-22 / -12
Nestor Falls

-22 / -12
Rainy River Emo

JAN. 6 + 7. Cool temperatures. Mostly sunny skies.

EVERYONE WELCOME!!!
The Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society

-23 / -11

-23 / -11
Fort Frances

Baudette

-20 / -11
International Falls

Atikokan

-24 / -10

www.weathertec.mb.ca 2011 Weather Tec Services. Inc.

ANNUAL MEETING
Will be held on

Temperatures shown on the map are NORMALS averaged over a thirty year periiod. Arrows indicate general WIND FLOW patterns.

JAN. 8 to 10. Normal temperatures. A mix of sun and cloud.

Thursday, January 6th ... Sunny skies. Cool termperatures Low near -24C. High near -18C. Friday, January 7th ... Sunny skies. Cool temperatures. Low near -27C. High near -15C.

FORECAST FOR THIS WEEK

Saturday, January 8th ... A mix of sun and cloud. Normal temperatures. Low near -19C. High near -12C.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2011

AT 7:30 PM EMO/LAVALLEE COMMUNITY CENTRE Election of of cers and Directors for 2011
Memberships for the coming year may be purchased for $1000 A membership is required to vote.

Outlook for Sunday, January 9th to Saturday, January 15th, 2011 ... A mix of sun and cloud on Sunday and Monday. Mostly sunny skies expected on Tuesday to Saturday. Temperatures will be near normal. Lows will be -24 to -19C. Highs will be -14 to -10C. Daylight on January 6th lasts for 8 Hours and 29 Minutes. Sunrise: 8:05 AM. and Sunset: 4:34 PM.

Yesterdays solution
-4 -13

WeatherTec Services Inc.

METRIC CONVERSION (to change mm to inches divide by 25) C 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25

F 95 86 77 68 59 50 41 32 23 14