FORT FRANCES—Upon a recommendation from the Administration and Finance executive committee, town council approved a one-time donation of $1,000 towards a new bursary being established in honour of former councillor Struchan Gilson at its regular meeting Monday night.
“Thank you for the generous donation,” said Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft, who proposed the bursary in Gilson’s honour, which will awarded to graduating Fort Frances High School students who are going on to post-secondary education in the fields of sport, recreation, or physical education.
“This bursary is going to go on for many, many years,” he added.
“I think it was a very positive move the Administration and Finance [committee] recommended,” Mayor Roy Avis said in an interview Tuesday morning.
“Coun. Gilson was a very active councillor and well-known, especially for his work with the young people of the community,” he added. “If you look at his funeral that was held at the ’52 Canadians Arena, it shows how many lives he’s touched in this community.
“I think it was an appropriate gesture by the town to make this contribution.”
Coun. Wiedenhoeft noted he also is anticipating donations from the Rainy River District School Board, Gilson’s family, and the local ladies’ volleyball league.
He added he’s aware the latter will be donating $1,000 this year, and as much as $200 per year after that.
Coun. Wiedenhoeft said anyone who would like to make a donation to the bursary is encouraged to do so by contacting Bill Fisher at the FFHS guidance department (274-7747).
He will issue receipts for tax purposes.
Coun. Wiedenhoeft hopes to build up the bursary fund to around $5,000 so that it will be able to provide $300-$500 every year without touching the principal.
There should be enough money in place to give out the first-time bursary at this year’s FFHS graduation, he added, but donations will be accepted year-round in order to build up the fund and keep it going annually.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•referred a request from the Fort Frances Aquanauts Swim Team for financial support of its 2007 banner fundraiser to the Administration and Finance executive committee for a recommendation;
•referred a deeming request from Paul Morrison regarding lots 22 and 23 on Plan SM-69-902 Crowe Ave. to municipal planner Faye Flatt for processing;
•agreed to a request from Hon. Jim Bradley to proclaim June as “Seniors’ Month” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•agreed to a request from the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors to proclaim April 28-May 6 as “Naturopathic Medicine Week” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•passed a bylaw to authorize the signing of an agreement with Todd Plourde and the Professional Fire Fighters Association;
•passed a bylaw to establish tax ratios for prescribed property classes;
•passed a bylaw to authorize increasing the cap to taxes for commercial, industrial, and multi-residential properties, and to establish a minimum threshold for certain eligible properties; and
•referred a request from the Economic Development Advisory Committee, to send local representation to the first Canadian Wireless Applications Conference and Exhibition coming up May 28-30 in Toronto, to Fort Frances Network Services for its input.
Fort Frances Times
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