Staff
It will be a showdown at high noon as Fort Frances faces off against International Falls in a cross-border tug-of-war this Friday (July 2) at the Sorting Gap Marina.
Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis encouraged citizens to come out and make it “three out of three” for Canada, at the close of last evening’s council meeting, noting that this event is the only tug-of-war across the 49th parallel.
Canada won the last two rounds against International Falls in the earlier show downs of 2006 and 2007.
While this year’s tug-of-war was originally slated to take place on June 4 alongside the grand opening of Phase II of the Heritage Tourism Project, weather caused the event to be delayed.
“We took the initiative to cancel the activity when we had our opening of the waterfront because of the weather, the inclimate weather,” explained Coun. Sharon Tibbs. “There’s rumours, there were comments made about how we were afraid to do this—because of their supposed strength.”
“And I’d just like to go on record as saying that as responsible people we decided that if there’s lightening in the sky, we shouldn’t be standing out on the river tugging a rope,” she said. “And that’s what our decision was based on.”
And with July 1 approaching fast, Mayor Avis also took the time to wish all the citizens at Happy Canada Day.
“I’d like to thank the Fun in the Sun committee that got together,” he said, thanking them for their time spent organizing the days’ celebrations which include the Canada Day parade at 11 a.m. which proceed along Front Street from the Shevlin woodyard west to Victoria Avenue, and a full day of activities at Pither’s Point, including fireworks at 10 p.m.
Also at last night’s meeting, council:
•presented a total of $37,500 in Moffat funding to various community groups.
•authorized the mayor and treasurer to sign a specialized transit funding agreement with the Ministry of Transportation and direct the clerk to prepare the necessary by-law;
•made a declaration of surplus land at 1003 Frog Creek Rd.;
•denied a Community Broadcasting Services advertising request;
•received the Minutes of Settlement request for reconsideration re: 406 Sixth St. W.;
•approved a report for revisions to water system management bylaw 16/06;
•heard executive committee chairpersons’ oral report on division activities;
•received an official plan update from consultant;
•approved a break-open ticket licence application from La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary at The Bonnie Blue from July 15, 2010-Jan. 14, 2011;
•referred a request for a letter of support from the Downtown Business Improvement Association (the BIA is applying for a $10,000 loan through the Rainy River Future Development Corp.) to Administration and Finance Executive Committee for recommendation;
•referred a financial request from Ontario Good Roads Association re: minimum maintenance standards litigation fund to Administration and Finance Executive Committee for recommendation with input from Operations and Facilities Executive Committee;
•referred a request from the Northwestern Health Unit re: “We Play Here” signs to Operations and Facilities Executive Committee for recommendation with input from Bylaw Enforcement;
•referred a request from the Police Services Board re: proceeds of this year’s OPP auction to Administration and Finance Executive Committee for recommendation;
•approved a bylaw to approve an amendment to an agreement with the Fort Frances Curling Club to provide for a plan for payment of outstanding taxes;
•approved a bylaw to deem part of registered plan SM-127, namely Lots 13-15, and part of Lot 12, not to be a registered plan of subdivision;
•approved a bylaw to deem part of registered plan Townplot of Alberton, namely part of Lot 191 and part of Lot 192, not to be a registered plan of subdivision;
•approved a bylaw to authorize an agreement of option to purchase municipal lands by Skypower Ltd.;
•approved a bylaw to approve an agreement re: the Dedicated Gas Tax Funds for Public Transportation Program;
•received a letter from the Ministry of Transportation re: the town’s “Connecting Link” funding request, and its denial for the 2010 year; and
•terminated the a private lot lease agreement with the Estate of W. Seis and authorized and authorized entering into a 25-year private lot land lease with Brian Church as of July 1, 2010.
