Nault scolds mayor for challenge

Local MP Robert Nault criticized Mayor Glenn Witherspoon yesterday for repeating a challenge for hospital funding.
“My response to the mayor, which is not usually one done through newspapers–I would prefer the mayor give us a phone call–is I sent a letter to him some time ago outlining our National Infrastructure Program which would help health capital.
“And I’m waiting for his response,” Nault said.
Mayor Witherspoon repeated a challenge Nault allegedly had made during the BIA’s annual luncheon here back in April when the town last week approved a $300,000 contribution over three years to the “Care Close to Home” campaign on top of its $100,000 contribution for the year 2000.
“I will be exercising a challenge that was put to me by Bob Nault,” the mayor said at the Dec. 11 council meeting. “In my arithmetic, which is not complicated, I believe he owes us $400,000.”
At the BIA luncheon, Mayor Witherspoon had asked Nault if Ottawa would be able to match funds raised locally for a dialysis unit at La Verendrye hospital here.
The challenge was echoed by Rainy River First Nation Chief Jim Leonard afterwards.
“We were at the BIA lunch and Mayor Witherspoon asked Nault if we could expect government support and after a few words, Nault pledged $500,000,” Chief Leonard had said at the time.
Rainy River First Nation has since contributed $600,000 to the “Care Close to Home” campaign.
Nault declined further comment on the topic yesterday as he said he would prefer the mayor talk to him in person but chastised the mayor again for repeating the challenge.
“If I had any regrets about the BIA meeting, it’s that the mayor stood up and issued that challenge,” he said.