Duane Hicks
Town council will vote tonight on amending a bylaw to prohibit smoking nine metres from the front overhang and west entrance to the Memorial Sports Centre, and that the “no smoking” zone be clearly marked.
The recommendation for the bylaw amendment was made by the Community Services executive committee, with input from the Planning and Development executive committee.
Coun. Andrew Hallikas, who chairs the Community Services executive committee, said the bylaw amendment was spurred by a letter from Dr. Lorena Jenks, but noted such a bylaw is something the town already should have had in place.
“I support it 100 percent,” he noted. “Quite frankly, I don’t know why we didn’t act on this sooner.
“What we have there is a facility that’s basically dedicated to the health and fitness of members of the community, in particular the youth,” added Coun. Hallikas. “What kind of example are we setting if we have people smoking at the entrances of the facility?
“We want to set a good example for our youth,” he stressed.
In her letter received by council at its Oct. 27 meeting, Dr. Jenks noted current provincial law dictates there is to be no smoking nine metres from the entrance to a public facility, such as hospital and schools, and suggested the town be proactive by also including the arena in the ban since smoking sets a bad example for the hundreds of children who enter the arena complex each day.
It forces non-smokers to walk through second-hand smoke, with all its attendant health risks.
Tonight’s council meeting is scheduled to start at 7:20 p.m. The committee of the whole will meet first at 5:30 p.m., but is expected to be in-camera until 6:30.
Business on the committee of the whole agenda includes:
•a recommendation regarding a request from the Police Services Board re: By-Law 66/90-A Amendment;
•a report on 2009 parks and cemetery flowers;
•a report on 2009 user fees and charges for the Operations and Facilities Division;
•a letter from local resident Ted Brockie;
•an item regarding 501 Sixth St. W. (rental property);
•a report on Investing in Ontario Act Funding (transfer to reserve for roads);
•a recommendation regarding a Police Services Board financial request;
•a recommendation regarding a financial request regarding the Dominion 2009 Northern Ontario men’s curling championship;
•a recommendation regarding Fort Frances High School yearbook advertising;
•a travel expense and per diem claim for Coun. Sharon Tibbs;
•the appointment of deputy mayor and councillors to serve on boards, committees, and commissions;
•a report on Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre Spatial Requirements; and
•a report regarding the execution of an agreement for GIS software.
Business on the council agenda includes:
•a presentation from Grace Silander, patient safety/risk management co-ordinator for Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc. regarding the “Medication Recorder Challenge”;
•a break-open ticket licence application from La Verendrye General Hospital Auxiliary at the Bonnie Blue from Nov. 26, 2008-May 26, 2009;
•a financial request from B. Pryde re: 2009 Meals on Wheels program;
•a request from Alzheimer Society of Kenora/Rainy River Districts re: annual “Chefs’ Charitable Dinner and Auction” on Jan. 25, 2009;
•a municipal planner’s memorandum re: appeal of zoning amendment 8/98-II (1345 Emo Rd.);
•a bylaw to authorize entering into of a lease agreement at the Fort Frances Municipal Airport;
•a bylaw to approve a contract awarded to Pryde, Schropp, McComb Inc. for the development and implementation of safety management systems at the Municipal Airport (Tender No. 08-OF-11);
•a request for executive and committee nominations from the Rainy River District Municipal Association; and
•a notice from the Ministry of Finance re: pre-budget consultation (Dec. 1).
