Duane Hicks
Following last month announcement regarding layoffs at the mill here, council has been keeping the town’s economic future in sight and struck a subcommittee to focus on the issue.
“I would like to reaffirm to the citizens of our community that we, as a council, are working very diligently trying to follow up and be on a fact-finding mission to try and find out exactly what we can do moving forward,” Mayor Roy Avis said at Monday night’s meeting.
“Nov. 20 was a very sad day for many residents of our community,” he noted. “In my career in business, as a councillor and as your mayor, I have never experienced such a devastating blow.
“This will affect not only the people and families of those who have been laid off, but also all businesses that rely on people to keep their doors open, as well as allied professionals.
“I have had many people approach me and ask, ‘What is your position and what are you doing?’” the mayor added.
“I can assure you that your council has been very active in seeking ways that we can support the well-being of our citizens.”
Mayor Avis noted there have been meetings with senior levels of government, notably Natural Resources minister Michael Gravelle and Thunder-Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro, the parliamentary assistant to Northern Development and Mines minister Rick Bartolucci.
“We have been in conversation with Resolute and been assured they are investigating the possibilities of producing new products in an effort to re-position the mill,” the mayor said.
“At this time, there are many issues being discussed and future meetings are planned.”
The mayor also noted he has taken steps to strike a subcommittee to “look at our economic future as we go forward through these turbulent times.”
“This responsibility will be under my direction as mayor,” he vowed.
Mayor Avis also said he’s received many e-mails of support from municipal partners, including Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield and Red Lake Mayor Phil Vinet.
But he added he has not personally heard from local MPP Sarah Campbell nor MP John Rafferty.
“Going forward, I know we will win,” Mayor Avis stressed. “But we must keep focused on securing our future with a new economic strategy and council will work with the stakeholders on just that.”
He added “our doors are open, we’re looking for ideas, and we’re going to take anything we get presented in a reasonable manner forward to our local MPs, our MPPs, and to Resolute.”
Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft thanked Mayor Avis for being at the forefront the past few weeks.
“You have made significant contacts, your e-mail is probably buzzing constantly, you’re on the phone constantly,” he noted.
“On behalf of council, you’ve done a great job.
“And on behalf of the people of Fort Frances, I would like to thank you, Mr. Mayor, because you’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty on this one,” Coun. Wiedenhoeft added.
