Health team, underpass among top priorities: Avis

Whether it’s economic development or fixing the underpass, there’s no shortage of objectives for Fort Frances town council in 2007, Mayor Roy Avis said in an interview yesterday.
Mayor Avis noted one of the foremost priorities of council will be the continued work towards the development of a community-owned, not-for-profit clinic and Family Health Team here, stressing it’s important to address the physician shortage as soon as possible.
“We have been meeting with the interim board [the Fort France Community Clinic] but that’s about all I can release at the present time,” noted the mayor.
“There has been talks going on, and I’d really like to see them through.”
Another high priority will be to work with local businesses and groups, such as the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, to help revitalize the economy.
“We also have to develop a strong relationship with the Rainy River Future Development Corp. to try and attract new business to the community. That’s a major factor,” Mayor Avis stressed.
Town council heard a presentation by RRFDC chair Russ Fortier and economic development officer Geoff Gillon at Monday night’s regular meeting which proposed enhancing economic development activities for Fort Frances at no additional cost.
While a new three-year service agreement with the RRFDC will be determined in the 2007 budget, Mayor Avis said he personally supports the RRFDC’s pitch.
“I was very happy with that. The proposal they put forward is a win-win for both parties,” he remarked.
Another focus the mayor sees for the town in 2007 is infrastructure repairs of local roads, as well as the water and sewer system.
“One of the major projects I would like to see is the Portage Avenue underpass,” the mayor said. “It’s been on the books for over four years.
“I was on the Operations and Facilities committee when we did the engineering and that for it. It would be really nice to see that get done.
“There’s funding mechanisms in place,” the mayor added. “There’s a possibility it will proceed this year, but it’s not a hundred percent.
“It still has to go through the budget process.”
As he also said in his inaugural address last month, Mayor Avis again stressed he’ll strive for overall fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers of Fort Frances.