Dear Fort Frances,
I have been privileged to represent this community as your mayor for the last four years. I have worked in good faith for the betterment of our residents through everything I have done. We have seen many improvements and projects during this term: I personally have been involved with discussions and preliminary work to secure an Immigration Pilot Project here, a Quarry business operation, bringing awareness to the homelessness situation and advocating for services for the homeless, and advocating for seniors’ housing. I was asked by Her Worship Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, to be a panel member and participated at the Shaping Sustainability in Ontario Conference in 2021.
I have attended and participated in many flag raisings and spoke at countless promotional and community events: parades, annual Confederation College graduations, the opening of Seven Generations Education Institute, the Sports Hall of Fame galas, Pride events, Culturama, NOMA Conference, Legion and Veterans Appreciation events, the 908 Air Cadet Squadron Annual Ceremonial Reviews, the F.F. Canadian Bass Championship, the Treaty 3 Police Services Awards, Senior Centre Fairs, events on Couchiching for Agency 1 spring and fall ceremonies, fall harvests, Remembrance Day services, the ricing harvest, Tribal Health ceremonies, Treaty 3 events, and the donation of a fire truck. I have participated in ribbon cutting ceremonies: the Fine Line Art gallery, Gymnastics Academy, a new state-of-the-art O.P.P. Detachment, a new regional Bus Service and Aazagon International Bridge.
This term, council renamed Colonization Road as we endeavoured to educate and promote reconciliation; we became the first community in Ontario to ban plastics in an effort to begin action toward climate change, a spray park is in the works, we have refurbished and rebuilt many critical roads, and old water and sewer lines, we have lobbied for the homeless, bought critical equipment and a much needed pumper fire truck, created more residential space with Erin Crescent and worked with local residential housing initiatives, we began and supported the beginning constructions on Shevlin Woodyard, and continue to work with BMI and Aazagon on new developments at the former mill site. We have approved a solar farm to be built at the former lagoon property and FFPC is beginning a feasibility study for a micro grid which will improve power here in F.F. We have new generators at the high school, water and sewage treatment plants to protect the town and residents in case of emergencies. Sidewalks by area schools and residential areas, support for new businesses, renovations to the Sportsplex, an intent and friendship declaration toward true partnership endeavours, new marina docks, new cemetery columbariums, work to improve parks and the airport and many more projects by community partners, organizations, and residents.
All this was done through four historically unprecedented years: the decision of Resolute to not allow the sale of the paper and kraft mills to interested forestry companies leaving us to tirelessly try to find potential new business and industry for our community, two declarations of states of emergencies because of the Covid-19 pandemic and 2022 flood event, and other adversarial issues.
I want to thank this entire corporation, administration and staff for your support and guidance during the last four years. I especially want to thank my family and close friends for their love and unwavering support; and thank you to the very vast community support from all residents who trusted in me and never wavered from your faith in knowing that I have always acted in the best interest of this community. I will not be slowing down entirely; I will still be involved many community activities: President of Rainycrest Auxiliary, Kiwanis Club, SAPT, Safe Communities Committee, Right Relations Committee, Church Council Chair and lay minister at Zion Lutheran Church. The Lord has kept me strong and hopeful for a bright future for this great community.
Kind Regards,
June Caul
