Town adopting volunteer slogan

Taking a cue from 2007 “Citizen of the Year” Dr. Robert Lidkea, the Town of Fort Frances is going to keep his motto—“Volunteering is the tax you pay for living in a good community”—out in the open as an inspiration to the community.
At Monday night’s council meeting, Coun. Sharon Tibbs, who also sat on the “Citizen of the Year” selection committee, said she’s been thinking about that slogan ever since Dr. Lidkea was honoured by the Town of Fort Frances as the 2007 “Citizen of the Year” at its annual appreciation dinner Nov. 16 at La Place Rendez-Vous.
“I would like to see some signage to that effect go up in Fort Frances. I’m thinking in the office where we have the pictures of the ‘Citizens of the Year,’” she added.
“I really think that one statement that Dr. Lidkea said says it all—‘Volunteering is the tax you pay for living in a good community.’”
“I’d like to see it there. I’d like to see it at the sports centre so that it tells all the volunteers . . . they do a lot of things. And I think by putting that somewhere significant . . . people will think about what they do,” noted Coun. Tibbs.
“I agree. That’s a very good idea,” said Coun. Paul Ryan.
“It’s a terrific slogan. Let’s use it,” said Coun. Tibbs.
Mayor Roy Avis noted perhaps signage with the slogan on it should be attributed to Dr. Lidkea to give credit where it’s due.
Council referred the matter to the Community Services executive committee for implementation.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•approved a report on the impact of changes to minimum wages, and agreed to adjust the student wage schedule accordingly;
•approved a report from municipal planner directing that a bylaw be prepared to designate the property known as 520 Eighth St. East as a site plan control area and authorize a site plan agreement with the Ontario Realty Corporation. This is regarding the construction of the proposed youth justice facility;
•approved a report directing the municipal planner make the necessary arrangements with TD Commercial Banking to release the remaining 10 percent of the Letter of Credit to the owner of the now-vacant Fort Frances Bingo Hall;
•authorized the annual review of the Town of Fort Frances Occupational Health and Safety Policy;
•approved a financial request from the Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal for advertising costs of the MasoniCh.i.p. child identification program in the amount of $75; and
•approved CAO Mark McCaig’s purchase card expenses in the amount of $249.66.