The decision last week by the Fort Frances Rotary Club to turn in its charter has left our community weaker for it. On the one hand, it’s just another in a list of casualties among local service clubs, such as the Jaycees and Kinsmen. But on the other, is it […]
Editorials
Taken on its own, word last week that Abitibi-Consolidated is cutting its salaried staff at the mill here by about 10 positions over the coming year, and not replacing them, was not earth-shattering news. The same holds true with the news that both Bob Jeffery and Ken Allan are leaving […]
To say our “blue box” recycling program is in deep trouble may be the understatement of 2002—and the year is barely two weeks old. Kenora was the first to serve notice it intended to leave the Northwest Ontario Recycle Association when its current contract expires in June. And area municipalities […]
Should town council pass a bylaw to make our community smoke-free? That’s what the Northwestern Health Unit will be asking residents through a petition being mailed out next week. And there’s no doubt which side of the issue the health unit is on, claiming such a bylaw is needed to […]
One doesn’t have to look very hard to find a reason to feel pessimistic—even downright gloomy—these days. The aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks still lingers, with people nervously wondering when and where another strike will be launched. India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers, are threatening to go to […]
When the mayor and council announced their strategic plan, they did more than announce the direction the town would take during the balance this council’s mandate—they set in place their own goals for Fort Frances. It may be symbolic the document was published on red paper, but this council will […]
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said to unto […]
Finance minister Paul Martin, in his budget Monday, has proven he’s a master juggler, capable of tackling the crises of the day while holding to fiscal responsibility. The budget may not be what Rainy River District would want, but it does address the need for this area’s residents to feel […]
The “Re-inventing Fort Frances” committee is generating quite a buzz among residents here these days, at least as far as the weekly poll on the Times’ Web site was concerned. In what was sure to be a record in terms of number of responses (at least, until the Web site […]
Finger-pointing. Name-calling. Tit for tat. Nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah. These are the kinds of things you’d expect to hear on an elementary school yard, not coming from those we’ve entrusted to lead us. Yet that’s precisely the petty garbage we’ve been inundated with since Monday between Premier Mike Harris and Prime Minister Jean […]
A study that currently exists in draft stage indicates a major marketing effort is required to persuade the millions of U.S. tourists who vacation in northern Minnesota that Canada is a safe place to visit, or an alternative vacation destination. It is a major task. The Canadian border is seen […]
Last night before Fort Frances council, 12 items were placed “in-camera” (behind closed doors). The Ontario Municipal Act clearly specifies those matters which may be discussed in secret. Section 55 of the Municipal Act leaves no doubt about how councils must conduct themselves: “Except as provided in this section, all […]
