Town council will consider a local resident’s proposal for a “ghost centre” on the La Verendrye Parkway at their regular meeting tonight at the Civic Centre.
In a letter to council, Melvin Haukaas has proposed taking down the “Walking path only” signs along the waterfront and putting up new signs encouraging people to share the pathways.
“When people see a sign that says ‘Walking path only,’ they don’t respect anybody who’s not walking,” Haukaas said. “People could be more courteous, and they would be more courteous if that sign was not there.
“An invisible centre line, is what it is,” Haukaas continued, comparing his idea to side streets without a dividing centre line. “People stay to one side, out of courtesy,” he said.
Haukaas said cyclists like himself sometimes prefer to use the walking path, but that pedestrians are not always willing to share the space.
“I enjoy the lower level because you’re away from the traffic. It’s quieter and less polluted,” he said.
“Bicyclists are sharing with walkers already on the upper pathway.”^His suggestion includes putting up signs that read “Shared Pathways Ghost Centre,” as well as a board explaining the meaning.
“The info boards will explain that the spirit of sharing is from the Holy Ghost,” he said.
Haukaas has already spoken to each councillor, who “felt there was merit in the suggestion,” he said.
He has also come up with a slogan, “Fort Frances has At-It-Two’d,” for marketing purposes, adding that a “Ghost Centre” could serve as a tourist attraction.
Other business at this evening’s meeting will include:
•recognition for town employees who participated in the “Relay for Life” and the recent pancake breakfast, as well as Laurie A. Witherspoon for her Certified Municipal Officer Accreditation;
•a break-open ticket licence application from the Rainbow Rhythmics Club at We-R-Entertainment;
•Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board 2003 cost apportionment;
•a response from the Rainy River Future Development Corporation regarding their agreement to take the lead and set up a working group to forward the Re-Inventing Fort Frances Project;
•a request from Robert S.
Hamilton of Little Beaver Snow Park for review of By-Law No. 23/00 for regulate the discharge of paintball guns within the boundaries of the town;
•a request from Ray Calder Jr. regarding reimbursement of landfill tipping fee costs;
•a request for easement from Bruce Caldwell for the purposes of constructing a bridge to access a portion of his property;
•a request from the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association for support for their draft resolution regarding P2 planning requirements on ammonia, chloramines and chlorinated effluents; and
•a request from Industry Canada for participation in consultations pertaining to the siting of antenna towers.
Tonight’s council meeting starts at 8 p.m., and is preceded by the committee of the whole meeting downstairs at 5:30.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
