Staff
Mayor Roy Avis is expected to name the 2014 “Citizen of the Year” at tonight’s council meeting, which is scheduled to start shortly after 5:30 p.m.
The selection committee met Friday in order to make a recommendation to council in time for this evening’s meeting.
The committee was comprised of Gord McBride, Nick Wihnan (“Citizen of the Year 2011”), Linda Hamilton (“Citizen of the Year 2009”), and Couns. Andrew Hallikas and Paul Ryan.
Mayor Avis is an ex-officio member.
The timing of the selection is so that the recipient can participate in the annual Santa Claus parade here on Saturday, Nov. 29 (in conjunction with the “Festival of Frost”).
The “Citizen of the Year” then will be formally honoured at the town’s annual appreciation dinner next May at Sunny Cove, and also be asked to take part in any other parades.
Also tonight, Mayor Avis will provide a verbal update on the forest tenure issue.
As previously reported, district municipal leaders and First Nations’ chiefs are lobbying the provincial government to change the current Sustainable Forest Licence for the Crossroute Forest to an Enhanced Sustainable Forest Licence.
The move would see Resolute Forest Products, Expera Specialty Solutions, and Ainsworth sharing the wood supply from the Crossroute Forest, where there’s enough wood for all parties.
Other business on the
agenda tonight includes:
•a recommendation re: sanitary sewer service line spot repair at 118 Third St. W.;
•a travel expense claim for Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig;
•a request to reconsider the bylaw to limit the tenure of office of appointments by council to town boards and committees;
•a delegation from resident Jerry Darvell (626 Church St.) re: sewer damage;
•a report from RRFDC regional economic developer Geoff Gillon re: the quarterly economic development activity;
•a hearing to consider an application for tax adjustment at 525 Portage Ave. (Reid’s Voyageur Inn), which was damaged by fire, smoke, and water damage back in March;
•a bylaw to approve a contract awarded through public tender process to M.C. Lough Electric Inc. for a stand-by generator system at the water treatment plant;
•a request for financial assistance from Jennifer Greenhalgh of the Boundary Waters Dragon Boat Club; and
•an invitation from Resolute Forest Products to community discussions on the future of Ontario’s boreal forest in Thunder Bay on Nov. 25, with a second session in Atikokan on Nov. 26.
