Back in late September, just as the municipal election campaign was getting underway, almost 57 percent of the 141 respondents to the Times’ weekly web poll said they supported the mail-in ballot system. But in the wake of all the rejected ballots and other problems encountered with the mail-in system […]
Editorials
The recent municipal election campaign here lacked much direct debate, traditional stumping, and the drama of 11th-hour momentum swings, but that didn’t stop it from being one of the nastiest in recent memory. And too often, the rampant accusations, crass insults, fear-mongering, and mud-slinging left everyone—the candidates and voters alike—looking […]
While no one can argue against the need to protect Canada’s food supply, the Northwestern Health Unit’s abrupt closure of Sunrise Meat and Sausage in Barwick last week is a prime case of a regulation that flies in the face of common sense. How is it that a moose carcass, […]
Most people appreciate a little recognition for their contributions, but unfortunately we all can be somewhat negligent in giving it. Others, especially the young people in our community, don’t consider what they do to be deserving of recognition. Yet, a little recognition goes a long way to reinforce the importance […]
“If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost.” —Aristotle There are 10 municipalities in Rainy River District, as well as 10 First Nations. The population approximates […]
Accountability, honesty, integrity, and openness were flung about council chambers during last night’s candidates’ forum—and these four words sum up the issues of this municipal election in Fort Frances. For the past three years, Fort Frances council, and those in most of Rainy River District, have had as many secret […]
With one letter last week and three more today all calling for the ouster of the present council, it looks like a heated campaign is shaping up here in Fort Frances leading up to the Nov. 13 election, right? Well, maybe. While it’s obvious some residents are expressing strong opinions, […]
District tourist camp owners, along with local politicians from both sides of the border, deserve praise for their role in helping convince the U.S. Congress to delay implementation of Washington’s passport requirement for those entering the country via land crossings until June 1, 2009. But while getting the reprieve is […]
The deal hammered out to transfer ownership of Rainycrest Home for the Aged here to Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc. is a successful conclusion to a complicated and controversial issue—and should be supported by district municipalities. At first glance, the deal’s biggest benefit is that our home for the aged […]
Fort Frances resident Leslie Danielson, in a letter to the editor in this week’s Times, is concerned about the lack of crossing guards around town to protect elementary students who have to cross a busy street to get to school—and wants to form a group to ask town council to […]
Rainy River District residents are notorious for being “last-minute” when it comes to purchasing tickets for fundraisers and events, or signing up to participate in this or that. “tour de Fort” passport sales and the supper/auction coming up in Emo in support of the district handi-transit van are just two […]
The province’s plan to introduce legislation this fall to overhaul the Provincial Land Tax Act is long overdue—and one that warrants swift passage at Queen’s Park. If passed, the reforms likely won’t be popular with most residents in unorganized areas around here, such as those owning lake property, as their […]
