Ken Johnston
About 60 people attended the annual meeting of the Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association last Wednesday night in Stratton.
RRCA president Ken McKinnon did not have to face an election again this year after a motion was passed last year stating, “To keep the existing board of directors until such a time as the outstanding legal action is resolved.”
McKinnon also informed members the legal action has not been resolved.
“Since it is a confidential matter, I cannot comment on it,” he stressed.
He did, however, tell them that he thinks: “It is a great waste of time and energy, and hopefully it will be resolved in the coming year.”
Legal action was launched last year by former Stratton sales barn manager Russell Richards for wrongful dismissal.
McKinnon did say the RRCA had a successful year outside of the lawsuit.
“A project that has been dear to my heart is the barn infrastructure improvements,” he noted.
McKinnon commended the many members who volunteered to make the upgrades a reality. There were 1,889 hours of volunteer labour ($28,335 value) and $11,570 of equipment use donated.
The Rainy River Future Development Corp. also donated $5,000 worth of administration for the project.
As well, funds were received from the CFID program ($18,425), Northern Ontario Heritage Fund ($97,450), and FedNor ($171,000).
The total cost for the project was $354,813.54, with the RRCA’s financial responsibility being $23,033.54.
The Stratton sales barn now has all-steel pens, a new electrical system, new plumbing, and water bowls in every pen.
“You people should be very happy,” McKinnon enthused. “It is a great thing to have that kind of money spent in the community. We will see benefits from it for years to come!”
At last year’s meeting, however, RRCA member Steve Loshaw had noted: “I don’t know what the impact of the pending lawsuit will be, but the only assets we [RRCA] own is the cattle barn.”
“As members that is what is at stake,” he had warned.
