Duane Hicks
While the annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association/Ontario Good Roads Association conference in Toronto normally is a chance for local delegates to bend the ears of various ministers, there won’t be any of that for Fort Frances’ reps this year.
Mayor Roy Avis, Couns. John Albanese and Rick Wiedenhoeft, and Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig will attend the Feb. 26-29 conference.
But the mayor said this morning almost none of the ministries the town sought meetings with responded to their requests.
He added there probably were half-a-dozen requests made.
The Ministry of Transportation responded but declined to schedule a meeting.
The Ministry of Environment agreed to a meeting at 11 a.m. on Sunday, which is before local delegates arrive in Toronto.
While the chance to meet ministers or ministry staff is a benefit to municipalities attending such conferences, Mayor Avis did note it still looks to be worthwhile.
“We will find out more about the Drummond Report, there should be a lot of conversation,” he noted.
“The premier will be speaking. There is a lot of workshops.
“Especially with this Drummond Report out now and what’s going to happen, and with a minority government, I think it’s very wise that we go,” Mayor Avis added.
