The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce decided Tuesday to hold a public forum on the issues related to the possibility of a “big box” retailer coming to town.
Last month, the Chamber sent a letter written by Pharmasave owner Kim Metke to its members. In it, he raised some concerns about town council’s recent re-zoning of a property at 1250 King’s Highway for a large retail business, which is rumoured to be Wal-Mart.
Along with the letter, the Chamber sent a request to its members to submit any comments or opinions they had regarding the possibility of a “big box” retailer moving here.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t [get many responses],” Chamber co-ordinator Dawn Booth said. “We had a very small proportion of our members respond, that’s why we thought a forum would be a better format to get people’s opinion.
“If nobody shows up, we know there aren’t any concerns,” she reasoned.
“It’s just what I’ve been trying to encourage all along,” said Metke, who also has filed an appeal of the re-zoning decision with the Ontario Municipal Board.
“To me it’s a very important decision. I want to see some public discussion,” he stressed. “It’s amazing this doesn’t see more debate either way.”
Metke believes there is a general apathy in the community over the town’s priorities and direction.
“The town is saying, ‘Trust us,”’ he remarked. “Where’s the transparency? We need a plan as a community.
“You have to admit, with the current state of the old high school and the condo development, I’m worried about it,” Metke added.
“By far, the majority of people in town are in support of Wal-Mart,” he noted. “I don’t think people think that through.
“Wal-Mart changes the fibre of the community,” Metke argued, adding the retailer takes money out of the community and doesn’t do things like sponsor local teams and events.
In the meantime, the Chamber has referred the issue on to its Government Relations committee for further discussion and to set a date for the public forum.
“We need time to get some background information and do some research,” Booth said. “Probably in April, sometime. It’s in their hands now.”
“It concerns me,” Metke said of an April date. “If we’re gonna have a debate, we need to get it going.
“A debate in April is better than no debate at all,” he conceded.
The forum will help the Chamber decide on a stance to take on the issue that concurs with the opinions of its membership.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
