While nominations forms for the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce’s annual business awards normally are made available in January, that won’t be the case this year, Chamber co-ordinator Dawn Booth on Monday.
“We’ve decided to postpone it [the business awards banquet] to coincide with Small Business Week, which is usually the last week in October,” noted Chamber co-ordinator Dawn Booth.
“We haven’t confirmed it yet, but we’ve talked about having it Oct. 24,” she added.
The awards previously were handed out during a ceremony in March.
With the date pushed back until fall, Booth said those wanting to nominate individuals and businesses for awards will have to wait until late summer to do so.
Nominations forms will be available then at the Chamber office on Scott Street, its website (www.fortfranceschamber.com), and advertised in the newspaper.
In other news, Booth said the Chamber’s new board of directors will be meeting next week for the first time since being appointed in November.
“We’ll be going through a list of ideas for events and activities for the new year,” she noted.
One of these items up for discussion is the Chamber’s annual trade show, which currently is slated May 7-8 at the Ice for Kids Arena. The theme for year’s show is “Spring Carnival,” said Booth.
As previously reported, the new board consists of Cathy Emes (Envision North), John Evans (BDO Dunwoody), John Cummings (Norfab Building Components), Ala Dulas (B93-FM), Kelly Spicer (Robin’s Donuts), Louise Holzer (Royal Bank), Gus MacDonnell (IQON Financial), Debbie Williamson (Fort Frances Clinic Dispensary), and Amy Wrigley (Fort Frances and District Association for Community Living).
The Chamber’s executive for 2004 includes president Alan Tibbetts, first vice-president Gary Rogozinski, second vice-president Christine Denby, and treasurer Brian Kahler (Brown Cow Productions).
The position of past president, previously held by Roberta Oliver, is vacant.
Larry Syrovy (Business Improvement Association), Geoff Gillon (Rainy River Future Development Corp.), and Christine Jourdain (Couchiching First Nation) are all appointees to the board.
Tannis Drysdale and Jane Gillon (Ministry of Northern Development and Mines) are ex-officio members.
The Town of Fort Frances has yet to appoint a replacement for former mayor Glenn Witherspoon on the Chamber board, but Booth noted this matter should come before the new town council sometime this month.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
