Duane Hicks
Mayor Roy Avis has joined International Falls Mayor Shawn Mason in signing letters to ask Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama to declare July 2 as “Peaceful Borders Day.”
At last night’s council meeting, International Falls city administrator Rod Otterness and Coun. Cynthia Jacksa said they would appreciate council’s support of “Peaceful Borders Day,” which again will be highlighted by the international tug-of-war across the Rainy River.
“The event is building and building,” said Coun. Jacksa. “It’s becoming fairly well-known across the region and across the nation, and I think in Canada, as well.
“It’s something we can be very proud of,” she added, noting the tug-of-war is an opportunity for “cementing our relationships,” and “sending the message that we can be peaceful, and we can be better if we’re peaceful neighbours.”
“The tremendous relationship that we share between our two countries, that is so well-mirrored in the tremendous relationship our two communities enjoy, really does mirror the celebration,” echoed Otterness.
Reading from Mayor Mason’s letter, Otterness noted: “We celebrate what we value, and as we celebrate Peaceful Borders Day, let us recommit to the building of lasting relationships around the world so that all nations can know the blessings of good friends and good neighbours across peaceful borders.”
Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig thanked Otterness and other Falls’ representatives for all their work on the tug-of-war in the past.
“Every time that we’ve had the event, it’s been great,” he remarked, adding last year’s was extra special as it coincided with a rock concert.
“You’ve done a tremendous job promoting this, and we’ve kind of picked up the tail end of it,” said Mayor Avis.
Also last night, council approved the new fee schedule for the 2012 sewer and water rates, which among other increases, will see residential rates go up one percent.
Water will be going up from $35.47 to $35.82 a month while sewer jump from $31.29 to $31.61 a month.
Combined, this means residential sewer and water bills will go from $133.52 every two months to $134.86.
In other business, council:
•authorized the mayor and clerk to sign a Forest Fire Management Agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources and prepare the necessary bylaw;
•authorized the mayor and clerk to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the Canadian Red Cross Society for the provision of disaster relief services;
•approved the transfer of two emergency services capital purchases from the revenue fund to the capital fund for budget purposes (these items, an Oceanid RDC water rescue craft and Hurst electric extrication tool, already have been purchased);
•denied a request from the Sunset Country Métis to forego the $1 per seat fee, as well as the rental costs for the Townshend Theatre on Feb. 15-16, based on a recommendation from the Community Services executive committee, with input from the Administration and Finance executive committee;
•authorized a “platinum” level quarter-page ad in the 2011-12 Fort Frances High School at a cost of $100; and
•approved the write-off of uncollectable accounts receivable account #4341 (Sioux Lookout Flyers) in the amount of $108.37.
