Positive sign

With its annual general meeting just days away, the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce still was pleading for members to step forward to serve on the board of directors.
Well, the call was answered—and then some—as 15 people put their names forward for the 13 seats, meaning the membership now has until Dec. 10 to mark their ballots and send them in to the Chamber office.
With our local economy facing very real challenges thanks to the recession, the uncertain future of AbitibiBowater as well as its employee pensions, and a high Canadian dollar, it’s a positive sign to see so many businessess willing to take on the mantle of leadership when it might be just as easy to wave the white flag.
Particularly gratifying is the number of new faces tossing their hats in the ring at a time when our community certainly could use an injection of fresh ideas and energy to counter the volunteer burnout that’s been prevalent here of late, whether it’s among boards, committees, service clubs, and those staging events like the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship and Fun in the Sun.
After all, a community is only as strong as its volunteer base.
And hopefully this also will extend to local politics. With nominations opening Jan. 4 for next fall’s municipal election, a large slate of candidates representing a wide cross-section of residents and interests would foster debate and platforms that’s not only key to moving our town forward, but is at the core of our democratic process.
Frankly, it would illustrate we’re a vibrant community, not a stagnant one.
Our problems won’t be solved overnight, but having people willing to tackle the issues is an essential first step.