Keddie named ‘Citizen of the Year’

FORT FRANCES—June Keddie was announced as the 2006 “Citizen of the Year” in Fort Frances at Monday night’s town council meeting.
Keddie, involved with the Canadian Cancer Society, “Spirit of Christmas,” and Breast Health Network, among other things, was recommended by the “Citizen of the Year” selection committee, which met last Thursday to make its decision.
“We met and looked at several very, very good nominations for ‘Citizen of the Year,’” said Mayor Dan Onichuk, who sits on the selection committee along with Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft and past “Citizens of the Year” Bill Gushulak and Mark Kowalchuk.
But Keddie, who had several letters of support included in her nomination, ultimately was picked for her years of dedication to the community.
The selection committee is hoping that Keddie, who currently is in England, will be back here in time to be formally honoured at the town’s annual appreciation banquet on Friday, Nov. 17 at La Place Rendez-Vous.
If not, she will be back to take part in the annual Santa Claus parade on Nov. 25.
In other news, with Remembrance Day falling this Saturday and the municipal election happening on Monday (Nov., 13), the Town of Fort Frances wants the public to know it will be closed this Friday for the purposes of town business.
However, the Civic Centre will be open from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for those wishing to drop off their mail-in ballots in person.
As well, CAO Mark McCaig noted Monday night that the Parks and Cemetery staff has been busy doing upgrades to the cenotaph in recent months, including cleaning and repainting it, putting a new sidewalk around it, relocating flower beds, and installing a permanent electrical outlet for a sound system.
“Hopefully, it will enhance the Remembrance Day ceremony,” said McCaig.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•heard a presentation from local resident Leslie Danielson on the continued need for the town to hire crossing guards to help children safely cross King’s Highway on their way to school.
•declared Nov. 6-10 as “College Week” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•approved a break-open ticket licence application from the Rainycrest Auxiliary at 364 Food Store from Dec. 1, 2006-May 31, 2007;
•approved a request from Trisha Law of the GIS Day committee to proclaim Nov. 15, 2006 as “GIS Day” in the Town of Fort Frances; and
•referred a request from Fort Frances Meals on Wheels for financial support of its 2007 program to the Administration and Finance executive committee for a recommendation.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)