BIA looking to cut down on bike racks

The number of bicycle stands on Scott Street likely will be reduced by half in the near future because the Business Improvement Association’s board of directors has decided they haven’t seen much use in recent years.
Town council is being asked to consider this request from the BIA at tonight’s regular council meeting, which gets underway at 6:30 p.m. at the Civic Centre.
“It has been brought to our attention from some of the members that these stands are rarely used and that we would probably benefit more from the additional parking spots,” BIA co-ordinator Harlene Lowey stated in a written request to the town.
“At our most recent BIA board of membership meeting . . . it was decided that we should remove two of the [four] stands,” she noted. “If possible, we would like to request that the one in front of the Bonnie Blue and the one in front of the Royal Bank be taken away.
“If you can help us out with this, we would greatly appreciate it,” Lowey added.
The matter will not be decided on tonight, but likely referred to various committees for recommendation and then brought back to council to be voted on at a later date.
Other items on the agenda for tonight’s council meeting include:
•a presentation by Geoff Mc- Clain, provincial Liberal candidate for Kenora-Rainy River District, regarding the discussion of current regional issues of interest prior to the November federal election;
•the presentation of an “Award of Excellence” to Youth Justice Program co-ordinator Steve Latimer from the Ontario Crime Control Commission;
•a request and petition from certain residents regarding road upgrades on Elizabeth Street West and York Avenue North (Fifth Street West to Sixth Street West);
•a request from Terry Johnson about town fill on walking trails;
•a request from the Economic Development Advisory Committee for support of its resolution regarding the Northern Ontario Tax Incentive Zone Program; and
•a request from the City of Greater Sudbury for support of its resolution regarding Union Gas Ltd. rate increases.
The committee of the whole will meet first downstairs at 5:30.