Bridge committee to meet this month

The international bridge committee finally is scheduled to have its first meeting this month.
After struggling to find matching schedules since the beginning of the year, Fort Frances and International Falls councillors will meet at the Civic Centre here June 26 to discuss the feasibility of a new international border bridge as well as the possibility of implementing “passes” for local commuters.
The committee–made up of the mayor and two councillors from Fort Frances, three councillors from International Falls, and three residents from each of the towns–also will discuss the possibility of purchasing the bridge from the mills.
“I believe we should further that query June 26 at 7 p.m. with the contingent of International Falls councillors,” Mayor Glenn Witherspoon noted during last night’s council meeting.
In other news, council also received an update on the condominium project on the corner of Crowe Avenue and Front Street. CAO Bill Naturkach said about 60 people attended a meeting last Thursday to ask questions about the proposed 36-unit condo.
“The next step we are about to do is the marketing strategy,” said Naturkach.
In total, 13 deposits already have been made on units, and others are invited to make a deposit and choose a unit at Naturkach’s office at the Civic Centre.
“What we can’t emphasize enough is that this project is needed as part of a waterfront development project,” noted Mayor Witherspoon.
Because most speculative buyers were more interested in the two-bedroom units than the one-bedroom ones, developer Penn-Co Inc. is reviewing the plans for the building.
Council also discussed a Calder family plaque which was to hang on the Pither’s Point monument. Because the family’s plaque is bigger than the existing one on the monument, council suggested the family build a second monument in the park.
“If they stayed here and survived this long, I’m sure they can figure this out,” noted Coun. Sharon Tibbs.
Council last night also passed a bylaw approving a new contract with the Ontario Provincial Police.
“[Monday] afternoon at 3:30 p.m., we had an official ceremony in this very room,” said Mayor Witherspoon. “We have now signed a new agreement for five years of policing in Fort Frances with the OPP.”