Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Ken Boshcoff attended last night’s town council meeting to offer greetings to the newly-elected mayor and councillors.
“I came to offer this council my co-operation to work with you on those items which our orders of government may find some measure of an attempt to revitalize our community, our economy here in Northwestern Ontario,” said Boshcoff, who earlier in the day had volunteered to man a Christmas kettle for the local Salvation Army.
“We are fortunate we have an association such as NOMA [the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association] which represents each and every municipality,” he added.
“It’s singularly unique in Canada in that everybody belongs to it, which means we get to speak with one voice.”
Boshcoff urged council to also strive to work with other communities in Northwestern Ontario and the district, namely First Nations and the Métis community, as their co-operation and support is needed “if our message is going to be received by the other orders of government, being provincial and federal.”
“The Town of Fort Frances has a long history of being a leader not only in the district but Northwestern Ontario, and when I see the chemistry this council has, I know that augurs well for your future,” Boshcoff remarked.
That said, he added council should keep in mind the “pool of talent” at its disposal, including those who ran in the recent municipal election but lost.
“It’s important for us to build on the experience we’ve seen previously to revitalize our economy,” Boshcoff stressed.
Boshcoff concluded that he or his local constituency officer, Wanda Botsford, easily can be reached, and that the town should not hesitate to contact him.
He also wished council a happy holiday season.
“On behalf of council, Mr. Boshcoff, I would wish you season’s greetings and all the best in the new year,” replied Mayor Roy Avis.
Also at last night’s meeting, council:
•approved applications for tax adjustment at 1330 Woodward St., 450-452 Scott St., and 460 Scott St.;
•passed a bylaw to designate Mayor Avis as the head of the municipality for the purposes of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act;
•passed a bylaw to authorize temporary borrowing to meet current expenditures of the corporation for 2007;
•passed a bylaw to authorize a credit agreement with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce;
•appointed Coun. Sharon Tibbs to the Regional Economic Development Committee (REDC); and
•deferred appointing council members to the Rainy River District Veterinary Committee, Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society, and the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association board and executives until the Rainy River District Municipal Association general meeting Jan. 27 in Emo.
The next meeting of council will not be held until Jan. 8.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
