Leadership lacking

Dear sir:
The recent resolution by town council to table any action on the announcement to increase tolls on our international bridge, coupled with the loss of toll booth jobs to the International Falls side, was a severe mistake and a lack of leadership.
It should not require a public petition demanding council to act on an issue where council should be leading and not following on. May I recommend the following course of action be taken:
1. Council send a very strong letter to Abitibi-Consolidated and Boise Cascade announcing this community’s displeasure with their actions and the necessity of maintaining low toll prices on an international bridge.
Both the economies of Fort Frances and International Falls will be affected due to the negative financial impact on the local and travelling public.
2. Call an immediate meeting with MP Robert Nault, MPP Howard Hampton, and American reps Bob Lessard, Irv Anderson, and Gov. Jesse Ventura, along with Boise and Abitibi officials, to announce our extreme displeasure with the corporate decision already made.
3. Failure by the parties to achieve a reasonable outcome, we should then seek a joint U.S. and Canadian expropriation order, at fair market value, for the bridge, or in the alternative build a new bridge.
4. The $5 million Robert Nault has for new Custom facilities should be placed on hold until these discussions are complete. This money could be seed money for a new bridge.
5. If council is of the opinion they do not have the expertise to lead this debate, then I suggest our elected members (Hampton, Nault) take over.
In all respect, council should demand Hampton and Nault’s full support of Fort Frances’ position, and require their presence and capacity to open access to resources they may be required once the parties meet.
It must be a serious and tough set of discussions with the corporations. It must end with them yielding to the demands of their community responsibilities.
I trust I have provided you with at least my opinion; maybe you agree or disagree. The main point I’m making is “we can’t afford to sit back and do nothing; if we do, we lose.”
Let’s see that leadership you promised to provide at the last election. We are counting on you.
Yours truly,
Allan T. Bedard
Advocate, Northern
Action Group (NAG)