The “Fun in the Sun” celebrations here may get a boost from the town in the future after council agreed last night to refer a request from FITS for $10,000 to pay for fireworks and other activities to the 2008 budget process.
“I think we should support ‘Fun in the Sun’ the best we can,” said Coun. John Albanese, adding the group has been around since the 1970s and always been fiscally responsible.
He noted that in recent years, however, the FITS committee has been “scrambling” to make ends meet—and is in danger of folding.
“‘Fun in the Sun’ is something every single person in this community can participate in,” noted Coun. Sharon Tibbs, adding the $10,000 requested breaks down to just $1.32 per capita (using the 2007 Ontario municipal directory population of 7,565 for Fort Frances).
She noted the FITS committee’s request for funding also was made well in advance of the 2008 Canada Day celebration, and not at the last-minute for this year.
“I totally support this,” said Coun. Andrew Hallikas while Mayor Roy Avis referred to FITS as a “key element to the community.”
Council’s referral of the item to the 2008 budget, however, is pending the receipt of the operational budget and current financial statements from the FITS committee.
This condition is town policy, noted Coun. Tannis Drysdale.
Also at last night’s meeting, council:
•referred several requests from the Fort Frances Jr. Sabres to the Community Services executive committee, with input from the Administration and Finance executive committee, for its recommendation;
•heard a presentation by Hugh Dennis, co-ordinator of the Rainy River District Substance Abuse Prevention Team, on that group’s role in the community;
•referred a request to reconsider the business licensing bylaw from Brad Norris to the Planning and Development executive committee for its recommendation;
•referred a request from the Township of Alberton to place a gateway sign on the unopened road allowance which extends north of Highway 11-71 between Alberton and Fort Frances to the Planning and Development executive committee for its recommendation (this road allowance falls under the joint jurisdiction of both Alberton and Fort Frances);
•referred a financial request from the Ontario 911 Advisory Board to the 2008 budget for consideration;
•passed a bylaw to authorize the delivery of marriage solemnization service through the Office of the Clerk for the Corporation of the Town of Fort Frances;
•passed a bylaw to authorize the signing of an agreement between C. Grimard and the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local #65;
•passed a bylaw to authorize a lease financing agreement with CitiCapital Technology Finance Ltd. for a telephone system at Public Works and upgrades to voicemail system at the Civic Centre;
•passed a bylaw to approve an agreement with the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board for child care services; and
•passed a bylaw to amend Zoning Bylaw 8/98 (to add a single family dwelling at 825 Colonization Rd. E., and reduce the required side yard setback on the north side of the property).
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
