Duane Hicks
Famed CBC hockey commentator Don Cherry is as well-known for his wardrobe as his opinions, and those visiting the Memorial Sports Centre soon may be treated to a display of one of his suits.
At last night’s council meeting, Coun. Sharon Tibbs said while she was in London, Ont., she put a successful bid in at a Ducks Unlimited auction for a Don Cherry autographed blazer and shirt ensemble—and now would like to give the public a chance to see it.
“Our family would like to share this with the community, and feel that an appropriate place would be the Memorial complex,” she noted.
Coun. Tibbs said the jacket, along with a shirt, ties, cufflinks, flower, and certificate of authenticity, is in a display case.
“We can work with [George] Bell to have it displayed in a secure place that would be highly-visible for the public to enjoy,” she remarked.
“We just thought it would be a nice thing to do,” she added. “I don’t think there’s anybody who doesn’t know who Don Cherry is.”
Coun. Tibbs also said it’s possible kids might want to have their photo taken with the display.
Council referred the request to the Community Services executive committee for its recommendation.
Also at last night’s meeting, council heard input on the 2012 budget from three people, including Becky Holden of the Active Transportation Plan steering committee, who asked council to help with the implementation of plans for bike trails in 2012.
Resident Wayne Lundstrom, meanwhile, asked council to consider keeping the sidewalk clear on the east side of Victoria
Avenue, from his home on the 800 block of Victoria Avenue to Scott Street, during the winter months.
Lundstrom, who is blind, said it’s essential this path remains clear for him and his future guide dog to use.
Finally, BIA board of management chair Connie Cuthbertson asked council to work with the BIA to help revitalize the downtown core.
All input will be considered during budget talks in the coming months.
In other news, council declared Oct. 16-22 as “Local Government Week” in Fort Frances.
Clerk Glenn Treftlin said he is working on putting together activities for this week, and wants council to participate.
He has been in contact with local schools, and hopes to arrange student tours of town facilities, including the courthouse, OPP detachment, fire hall, and Civic Centre.
As well, the town will hold an essay contest for students, and arrange for in-school presentations where the mayor, council, and Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig will speak about municipal government.
In other business, council:
•heard a quarterly activity report (April 1-June 30, 2011) from regional economic developer Geoff Gillon of the Rainy River Future Development Corp.;
•passed a bylaw to approve a five-year lease agreement with Eldon Mose at the Fort Frances Airport;
•directed that a break-open ticket licence application from the La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary at the Bonnie Blue for Oct. 12, 2011-April 11, 2012 be processed in conformance with provincial regulations and rules; and
•authorized the mayor, council, and CAO Mark McCaig to attend the Walkerton Clean Water Centre Standard of Care training course being held here Oct. 12.
