I have been impressed by the interest in this year’s Fort Frances municipal election. Never in my lifetime have I seen so many signs posted throughout the community promoting all the candidates. It is a positive look at the future of Fort Frances.
The candidates have all laid out their campaign wishes for more economic growth, with more housing for newcomers to our community and creating housing for the homeless. None really disagree with each other, outside of the steps they would take to accomplish their goals. All the candidates have shown respect and civility with each other. That is a good first step in building a team for the future.
In my 50-some years of following municipal politics, I only remember one instance under Mayor Aimo Marshall that saw a reduction in taxes. Fort Frances had just retired a major debenture, and not having to continue to pay down that debenture, he used the money to reduce municipal taxes. That came at the expense of accelerating road, sewer and water replacement throughout the community. This group of candidates has clearly promised to be frugal with the town’s money.
So has every council since Aimo Marshall.
The last major building boom in Fort Frances saw two major housing contractors come to town, and homes went up on Fourth and Fifth Street in the east end and Second and Third Street in the West End.
Other homes were built too, one at a time, by local contractors. The last major apartment block constructed in Fort Frances was financed and built by a contractor from Steinbach. To increase apartment block building, row housing, and multiple single-family dwellings, Fort Frances will need to persuade outside contractors to risk investing here.
Both the federal and provincial governments have programs designed to assist in closing the housing gap in communities in Ontario and the rest of Canada. The incoming council must mandate the administration to spare no tardiness in finding and attracting those builders and investors in the community.
One of the emotional issues facing this new council will be Sunny Cove Camp. Various solutions have been proposed, primarily by creating a group of cities to raise funds and operate the camp for future generations. Groups like Girl Guides Canada and Boy Scouts Canada have been selling off camps because the new rules and health regulations make these not-for-profit camps unaffordable to operate and staff.
There will be disagreements between council members in the coming four years. That is good. A professor told a class at the University of Waterloo, “If everyone is thinking the same thing, then someone isn’t thinking.” The important rule for all is that they need to continue to speak and share ideas with each other with no rancour or hidden agendas.
