Over $90,000 from the Winnepeg-based Moffat Family Fund was distributed to 17 organizations and groups that work with children during last night’s council meeting.
Mayor June Caul said because of the great work done by the Moffat Fund recipients in the past and the need for more funding locally, the town received significantly more funds this year to dole out, compared to the approximately $60,000 they have received in the past.
She added that every single person who accepted cheques at last night’s received the maximum amount they requested in their application.
Also at last night’s meeting, Mayor Caul spoke about her involvement in the Community Emergency Management Training Team, which conducts emergency management planning and recently held training sessions with Canadian National (CN).
“We’ll continue to do that in the future to make sure that we are prepared for any kind of a disaster which might hit Fort Frances,” she noted.
Mayor Caul also said she attended the ground-breaking ceremony yesterday at the new OPP detachment on Colonization Road West.
“It’s been a long time coming,” she remarked. “We needed it badly.
“Our detachment centre here is very old; it’s not up to date as far as technology goes.”
The brand new “state of the art” detachment should be built by the fall of 2020.
Coun. Judson said this is an exciting investment for the community that will support their efforts to provide modern and efficient services.
“These investments in justice infrastructure are critical to ensure all Ontarians, no matter where they live, can benefit from the same level of service and treatment when they come into contact with law enforcement,” he explained.
Although, Coun. Judson said he’s thankful to the province for this investment, he recognized the other elements of the local justice system are lacking, such as the judicial vacancy that has existed here since 2012.
“I continue to liaise with our MPP on this file in collaboration with other stakeholders in the justice sector and we certainly hope our new Attorney General Doug Downey will prioritize this file in his portfolio,” he noted.
At the meeting, Coun. Douglas Judson also commended the community for coming out “full force” in support of Pride Week which wrapped up on June 9.
“It is tremendously important that we continue our efforts to position our community as a vibrant and inclusive place welcome to visitors new residents and entrepreneurs alike. A place where everyone can live or visit comfortable in the respect they will receive from us,” he said.
“I encourage those who felt energized by the events to reach out to Borderland Pride and ask how you or your organization can get involved in future programming.”
Coun. Judson also commented on moderating a panel hosted by the Northwest Community Legal Clinic last Tuesday evening that featured leaders from various public sector organizations to see how the province’s cuts might impact them.
“We explored and tried to dig into what some of the headlines about cuts from provincial funding pools mean for them at the local level,” he recalled.
“We did some myth busting, we probed what those service differences would be like on the local level and we had a frank and open discussion for those in attendance”
He urges those who are concerned about policy or funding changes to reach out to the organizations impacted and voice their concerns.
Meanwhile operations and facilities manager Travis Rob noted that Bay City Contracting will soon start on the reconstruction of the 300 block of Second Street.
“They are still ready and set to be gearing up right after the July long weekend, so first week of July they’re going to be starting that project,” he remarked.
Coun. Rick Weidenhoeft commented on the Fort Frances Family Centre relocating off of Scott Street and into the Volunteer Bureau on Fourth Street West.
He said negotiations will be completed this Thursday and the centre should start up very early in July.
Also at last night’s meeting, council:
- passed a motion that provides Memorial Sports Centre discounts for staff
- heard a presentation of the 2018 financial statements by BDO Canada LLP
- received a letter from the Kim Jo Bliss, treasurer of the Rainy River Vet Services Committee re: vet assistance trust fund; and
- approved a bylaw to authorize the entering into of a land use agreement with Goodday Wholesales (Crozier Ltd.) o/a The Sleepy Owl. This agreement is to install a billboard sign on town property located at 1003 Frog Creek Road; and
- approved a bylaw to authorize the entering into of an agreement with Rainy Lake Gymnastics Academy to use the Memorial Sports Centre auditorium this fall.
