Alberton councillor to run for reeve

Alberton Coun. Bill Morrison has become the first declared candidate for reeve there in the November municipal election.
The 32-year-old Abitibi-Consolidated employee said he reached the decision late last week after consulting with his family and township residents.
“I’ve had a lot of residents ask me to run for reeve over the past six months,” said Coun. Morrison.
“I had some health issues in the past year and was unsure if it was in my best interest and Alberton’s best interest to run or not,” he noted.
“I also wanted to make sure my family was behind me, as I’m the type of person who dedicates a great deal of time to anything I do,” Coun. Morrison added.
“My health is now much better, my family is behind me, and I’m ready to run.”^During his current three-year term, Coun. Morrison was active in a number of contentious issues. He vigorously opposed the plan to close Alberton Central School and spearheaded the effort to fight the Northwestern Health Unit’s plan to ban smoking in all enclosed public places.
That matter is still before the courts.
Coun. Morrison also was active in the ultimately unsuccessful attempt to prevent cutting Rainy River District from the federal riding of Kenora-Rainy River and joining it to Thunder Bay-Atikokan.
Coun. Morrison declined to disclose specific plans for Alberton’s future, but did stress he intends to ensure the township maintains its rural distinctiveness while developing its future potential.
“My family and I plan on spending the rest of our lives here and I would like to be a part of any future development that takes place while ensuring that Alberton remains a separate rural community,” he remarked.
Coun. Morrison is married and the father of two young daughters.
Reeve John Milling said this morning he still was weighing whether to seek re-election in November.