Duane Hicks
Dr. Brian Johnstone is the town’s 27th “Citizen of the Year.”
Dr. Johnstone, who retired early this year at the age of 90, was named as the honouree for 2014 at last night’s council meeting.
“I think that’s an exceptional decision that the committee made,” said Mayor Roy Avis.
“His contributions to our community for the past number of years has been phenomenal, and I think it’s about time our community recognized him for what he has done,” the mayor added.
Dr. Johnstone could not attend last night’s meeting but has agreed to accept the mantle, and hopefully will appear at the next council meeting (Nov. 24) to be honoured in person.
He also has been asked to appear in the Santa Claus parade on Nov. 29.
Dr. Johnstone will be formally recognized during the town’s annual volunteer and employee appreciation dinner next spring or early summer.
He has been a doctor for more than six decades, including 48 years spent in Fort Frances.
In other news from last night’s meeting, Resolute Forest Products has invited council to attend a town-hall meeting regarding the future of Ontario’s boreal forest in Atikokan on Nov. 26.
Mayor Avis said he wants as many councillors as possible to attend.
“What amazes me more than anything is there is a meeting the day before in Thunder Bay and now there’s a meeting in Atikokan,” he noted after last night’s meeting.
“It’s two towns that have assets of Resolute that are operating or proposed to operate, and yet Fort Frances, who’s [had a mill] operating here for years under the banner of Resolute, we don’t even get a chance to have a meeting,” Mayor Avis remarked.
“So there is a problem.”
Meanwhile, since Mayor Avis will not be at the Nov. 24 council meeting, he thanked outgoing Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft for serving with him over the past 11 years.
“You did a fantastic job,” he said, adding Coun. Wiedenhoeft’s contributions have been noticed.
While Mayor Avis hopes Coun. Wiedenhoeft will enjoy his retirement, he also hinted there are quite a few town boards and committees that need members, to which Coun. Wiedenhoeft replied he’s already signed up for two.
“It’s been my pleasure,” said Coun. Wiedenhoeft of his 11 years on council.
Also at last night’s meeting, council:
•approved a report to ensure the town will complete a spot repair on the existing service line for 118 Third St. W. by accessing the repair site through the existing sanitary manhole, and that the cost to complete the repair is estimated at less than $1,000 (property owners Jack and Camie Gray will be responsible for the exact cost to repair);
•approved a travel expense claim for Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig in the amount of $147 for the recent Rainy River District delegation to Queen’s Park;
•received a presentation from resident Jerry Darvell (626 Church St.) re: sewer damage;
•referred the policy regarding boards and committees, and the pertinent bylaw, to the four executive committees for review and recommendation;
•heard a report from RRFDC regional economic developer Geoff Gillon re: quarterly activity;
•approved an application for a tax adjustment at 525 Portage Ave. (the former Reid’s Voyageur Inn was damaged by fire, smoke, and water this past March);
•passed a bylaw to approve a contract awarded through public tender process to M.C. Lough Electric Inc., for a stand-by generator system at the water treatment plant, in the amount of $186,111;
•referred a request for financial assistance in the amount of $2,500, from Jennifer Greenhalgh of the Boundary Waters Dragon Boat Club, to the Administration & Finance executive committee for inclusion in the 2015 budget process; and
•proclaimed the week of Nov. 16-22 as “Louis Riel Week” in the Town of Fort Frances, as per a request from the Sunset Country Métis.
