Town to clean up during ‘Pitch-In Week”

In light of the centennial celebration this year, the town is looking to do a little more spring cleaning than usual as a participant in the nation-wide “Pitch-In Canada Week” this April 21-27.
The decision came at Monday night’s council meeting as councillors approved a report from Operations and Facilities manager Pat Hickerson.
“[The] Operations and Facilities executive committee have discussed a more concerted effort for clean up in conjunction with our centennial, and our participation in this program would be a good fit,” he noted in his report to council.
As the appointed co-ordinator to spearhead the clean-up effort, Hickerson will schedule a meeting for all potentially interested groups, organizations, and schools in the near future.
“We don’t feel we have the manpower on our own, so we’re looking for a few volunteers,” noted Bruce Spottiswood, Superintendent of Works (Facilities), who was representing Hickerson at last night’s meeting.
“But we think we could have a really successful project with this,” he added.
“I think it’s a good idea,” said Coun. Neil Kabel.
“I think it’s definitely needed since Walter Horban’s group doesn’t do it any more,” echoed Coun. Struchan Gilson, referring to the spring clean-up that used to be done by high school students.
While details still are being worked out, “Pitch-In Canada Week” here could include a curbside pick-up similar to the one previously done by Fort High students.
In related news, council referred a request for support from the Economic Development advisory committee to proclaim April as “Amnesty Clean-up” in the Town of Fort Frances to the Operations and Facilities executive committee.
Committee member Deane Cunningham noted a month-long “Amnesty Clean-up,” which would mean waiving tipping fees at the municipal landfill for an entire month, was unreasonable.
He added the recommendation that would come back from the Operations and Facilities executive committee likely would be for the amnesty period to run during “Pitch-In Canada Week.”
0002000003950000084038F, Council also was treated Monday night to a presentation entitled, “The Important Thing About Fort Frances,” by Robert Moore teacher Keira Main’s Grade 1 class.
Mayor Witherspoon and the rest of council applauded the class on its efforts, which were a response to a request from the town’s centennial committee for schools to participate in the 2003 celebration of their community.
Also at last night’s meeting, council:
•observed a moment of silence before the meeting in honour of former Coun. Ron MacGregor, who passed away suddenly earlier this month;
•received a final report from the “Re-Inventing Fort Frances” committee and referred two requests to the Administration and Finance executive committee for a recommendation;
•received an update from Jeff Trudeau, district director of regional operations, and Jeff McIntyre, director of Canadian operations for American Water Services Canada Corp.;
00020000058300000BCF57D, •passed Bylaw No. 15/03 to authorize the entering into of certain lease agreements at the Fort Frances Municipal Airport. The lease agreements are with Ivey Aviation (parking spaces and terminal building space), North Air Services (terminal building space and parking spaces), William Pruys (hangar lot), and Bearskin Airline Service Ltd. (terminal building space);
•referred a request from the “Relay for Life” steering committee for financial support for the June 27-28 fundraiser to the Operations and Facilities executive committee for a recommendation (council did approve in-kind usage of the committee room at the Civic Centre for meetings);
•referred a request from Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc. regarding the building of a sidewalk on their future parking area at La Verendrye hospital’s Front Street entrance to the Operations and Facilities executive committee for a recommendation;
•agreed to proclaim March as “Youth Science Festival Month” in the Town of Fort Frances, as per the request of Sci-Tech Ontario;
•referred an invitation for nominations for the Ontario Crime Commission’s “Awards of Excellence for Fighting Crime” to the local Police Services Board for a recommendation; and
•agreed to respond to a request from the Ministry of Natural Resources to send a letter of support for the Ontario Lumber Manufacturer’s Association’s efforts to obtain Canada wood funding.