Duane Hicks
The local Doctor Recruitment and Retention Committee is keeping its fingers crossed that Fort Frances will have a couple of more doctors in the new year.
Coun. Wendy Brunetta, the council representative on the committee, said the town continues to be underserviced and needs five more family practice doctors.
But the situation is improving, she noted.
One new family doctor—Dr. Steven Brake—started Sept. 28, Coun. Brunetta reported.
She added physician recruiter Todd Hamilton is in contact with several other promising recruits.
The committee is hopeful that one will start in February and that a second one will start as soon as her licensing comes through, which could be as early as December or January.
The committee also is forecasting a year-end deficit, and so will be approaching all municipalities and funding sources to determine their ability or interest in increasing their contributions to doctor recruitment efforts.
Meanwhile, the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce has a significant deficit and will take steps to bolster its coffers, reported Coun. Brunetta, who also is the council rep on that board.
Steps so far have included moving to a new location in the lower level of the Children and Family Services building on Oct. 1, which has saved the Chamber $400 a month in rent.
The Chamber also will look at increasing membership rates and increasing its number of members through referrals.
Other possible fundraising opportunities might include training presentations and activities, where a sponsor would cover the venue rental and advertising.
The Chamber will discontinue or amend services and events that have seen little or declining revenue.
Chamber gift certificates will be discontinued. They will honour any of those out in the community for a full year.
The home show did not see a very good turnout this year, so it may be scheduled to take place earlier in the year and relocated from the arena to the Fort Frances Curling Club.
The Great Canadian Chili Cook-off saw a decline in attendance this year after it was promoted mainly through social media.
The Chamber will look at increasing attendance next year.
And “Oktoberfest” was cancelled this year due to the work involved in moving to the new office location.
The Chamber also is shopping around at various banks to see which one can offer the best rate for a non-secured loan to cover its operating deficit.
A portion of this will be offset by money the Chamber has locked into a GIC that will become available next year.
