Confidentiality Breach

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2011 $1.19 plus 6 HST, $1.25 U.S.
Printed in Canada Volume 117 Number 41

INSIDE
Local talent is set to shine
later this month for what has
been dubbed the Hometown
Heroes concert.
Featuring comedian Ryan
McMahon, as well as Wab
Kinew, Lac La Croixs Angus
Jourdain, Mack Sickz, and
Larissa Desrosiers, the con-
cert is slated for the evening
of Saturday, Feb. 26 at the
Couchiching multi-use facil-
ity.
Concert to feature
local Heroes
A Fort Frances bush pi-
lot said he feels honoured to
have witnessed history after
an ordinary vacation to Egypt
ended up with him caught
in the midst of an uprising
that has leapt onto the world
stage.
Local witnesses
Egyptian uprising
If Team Canada is in need
of some goaltending prospects
for the womens hockey tour-
nament at the 2014 Winter
Olympics in Sochi, Russia, they
only had to look as far as the
Memorial Sports Centre last
weekend to see some of the
top netminders of the future.
Girl goalies
grab spotlight
See story on B1
See story on A3
See story on A5
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ATTENTION TRUCKERS...just arrived!
St. Michaels students Roman and Ander Spuzak, along with
Koda Radigan and Hailey Boshey (not pictured), stacked up
100 blocks as high as they could during activities yesterday
morning to mark the 100th day of school.
Peggy Revell photo
100-block tower
By Duane Hicks
Staff writer
The chief librarian and CEO of
the Fort Frances Public Library
Technology Centre was honoured
as Public Librarian of the Year
for 2011 by the Ontario Library
Boards Association last week.
Margaret Sedgwick was present-
ed with the W.J. Robertson Medal-
lion for outstanding leadership in
the advancement of public library
services in Ontario on Thursday
in Toronto at the annual public
library awards dinner held in con-
junction with the OLBAs annual
Super Conference (Feb. 2-5).
I am very honoured to receive
this prestigious award, Sedgwick
said Monday, having just returned
from the conference.
Sedgwick was nominated for the
award by Arlene Georgeson, vice-
chair of the Fort Frances Public
Library board, who credited Sedg-
wick for her dedication in getting
the new Fort Frances Public Li-
brary Technology Centre built.
For the past 15 years, Mar-
garets focus has been a new
library building for Fort Frances,
Georgeson wrote in her nomina-
tion.
During the past three years,
that focus was intensified, begin-
ning with a fundraising campaign
that raised over $865,000 in a
town with a population of less
than 9,000, she noted.
Then came the grant writing,
the planning, the hundreds of
hours in meetings, and hurdle af-
ter hurdle culminating in the idea
of not just a new library building,
but a Library Technology Centre,
focusing on the new public library
as it exists in the 21st century,
Georgeson added.
Sedgwicks contributions to-
wards the building of the Fort
Frances Public Library Technology
Centre were many, and through-
out the project she was open,
adaptable, inviting, and stubborn,
continued Georgeson.
She would stand solidly on
topics dear to her heart and the
hearts of patrons, but would offer
inspiration and encouragement at
times when there was doubt and
disappointment.
And no one involved in its
completion will forget the smile
on Margarets face at the grand
opening, giving heartfelt thanks
to everyone involved, praising her
staff, the library board, all levels
of government and individuals too
numerous to remember.
Its Margarets contagious
By Duane Hicks
Staff writer
The Alzheimer Society of Ke-
nora-Rainy River Districts sixth-
annual Chefs Charitable Dinner
and Auction was a success this
past Sunday at the Adventure Inn
here, raising $6,500 for the further
promotion of Alzheimer awareness
and education.
Executive director Lynn Moffatt
said more than 70 people attended
the fundraiser, which she consid-
ered a success.
We are grateful for all the com-
munity support of those who at-
tended the dinner, volunteers and
local business and chefs that do-
nated towards the menu and prize
auctions, she remarked.
The event was a huge success
with proceeds of approximately
$6,500, which allows us to raise
awareness and provide support to
families and make a real differ-
ence, Moffatt added.
She noted Alzheimers disease
is extremely heartbreaking for
those diagnosed with it, as well
as their loved ones, and the lo-
cal Alzheimer Society is working
very hard to offer increase support
and educational services to support
families and the growing number of
Alzheimers patients.
The menu for the sit-down din-
ner was prepared by local chefs
and donated by local businesses.
It featured starters, like a cheese
trey donated by Canada Safeway,
whitefish cakes with wild rice salad
prepare by Seven Generations Edu-
cation Institute the Culinary Arts
Program students under the guid-
ance of chef Ryan Parisien, Orien-
tal Thai salad (Lee Garden), and
penne pasta with red sauce (Boston
Pizza).
This was followed up by the
entredate-stuffed pork tender-
loin (donated by Cloverleaf and
prepared by Seven Generations),
baked rosemary potatoes (Cater 2
U), carrot and green bean medley
(La Flambe), and dinner rolls (The
Place and Canada Safeway).
A selection of pies, cheesecakes,
cookies, and cakes were served
up courtesy of the Circle D Family
Restaurant, Emo Inn, Iris Gogosha,
Subway Sandwiches and Salads,
and Rainycrest.
Coffee and tea was provided by
Tim Hortons, with A&W donating
the cream and sugar, and CC Com-
plex/Chester Fried Chicken offer-
ing assorted juices.
The evening also was a chance
to showcase the Alzheimer Society,
what it does, and the impact of the
disease on an increasing number of
people.
Annual
chefs
dinner
raises
$6,500
By Peggy Revell
Staff writer
Rainy River District School Board
trustee David Kircher has been ac-
cused of breaching confidential-
ity after information on changes
to senior administration severance
packages approved by the former
board at its final meeting was
made public.
Concern over a possible breach
was raised during last weeks
monthly board meeting when for-
mer chair and current trustee Dan
Belluz stated that following Janu-
arys board meeting, he went out
for coffee and information dis-
cussed during the in-camera ses-
sion was the topic of conversation.
Belluz noted that when he
brought the possible breach to the
attention of the director of educa-
tion, who then notified board chair
Michael Lewis, he did not name
any trustee.
But when given time by Lewis
to state their sides at last weeks
meeting, Kircher stated he had
been the one to share the informa-
tion, although he disagreed with it
being a breach of the Trustee Code
of Conduct.
In fact, the activities of the 2010
board are in stark contrast to the
defined intent and rationale of the
Code of Conduct, he charged.
The fact of the matter is the
2010 board, by resolution, amend-
ed the contracts of senior manage-
ment by quadrupling the sever-
ance payout for dismissal, Kircher
noted.
Said amendments created a new
potential cost to the current board
of about $1.3 million, or three per-
cent of the boards current budget,
he remarked, noting this decision
was not reported as required dur-
ing the open session of the Nov. 2
meeting.
Kircher also said the former
board had the audacity to do this
after the results of the October mu-
nicipal election were known and
only two of seven trustees would
be returning.
Mr. Belluz, as chair of the 2010
board, does not want this amend-
ment out in the public arena, as he
may have to explain the activities
of the previous board to [his] con-
stituents, Kircher said.
The shroud of secrecy surround-
ing the 2010 board has, at least in
this matter, been pierced.
The new board first addressed
the issue over the amended con-
tracts for both Education Director
Trustee accused of confidentiality breach
Please see Trustee, A6
Please see Annual, A7
Sedgwick saluted
as top librarian
Margaret Sedgwick, chief librarian and CEO of the Fort
Frances Public Library Technology Centre, proudly dis-
played her W.J. Robertson Medallion for outstanding
leadership in the advancement of public library services in
Ontario. Duane Hicks photo Please see Sedgwick, A6
A6 FORT FRANCES TIMES Wednesday, February 9, 2011
More from A1
Heather Campbell and Superinten-
dent of Education Laura Mills dur-
ing Januarys in-camera session
with the board moving to report in
public that the contracts had been
amended.
Following this meeting, the Fort
Frances Times requested more
details concerning the amended
contracts from Lewis and board
administration, who declined com-
ment with further information.
Currently, the Times has filed a
request with the board under the
provinces Freedom of Information
Act for the contract details, and is
awaiting the 30-day time period
before the board is required to
respond.
But following the boards in-cam-
era meeting last month, Kircher
stated he believed the new board
had decided the information was
open to the public, citing the Mu-
nicipal Freedom of Information
Act which he believes makes this
information exempt from privacy
and non-disclosure policies.
The 2010 board, by its various
actions, demonstrated its desire to
keep what the board had enacted
out of the public arena and away
from the current board for as long
as possible, contrary to both the
Education Act and the MFIPP
Act, Kircher charged.
Belluz refused to make any pub-
lic comment on the letters of
intent (which the contract amend-
ments are referred to as) because
he said it is unclear whether the
exact nature of the information in-
cluded in them was public or not.
Belluz defended the actions of
the old board, however, pointing
to the section of the Education
Act pertaining to the disclosure of
intimate personal or financial infor-
mation, and how the he had sought
legal advice from a lawyer when
the old board was dealing with this
matter.
His suggestion was that since
it was a personal contract, it falls
under this part of the legislation,
and we followed his advice, said
Belluz, declining to tell Kircher the
name of the lawyer from whom
advice was sought.
My concern is that when we go
in-camera and we have a discus-
sion, and the next day one trustee
decides that it should have not
been in-camera and he discusses
the in-camera, comes back to this
board and we, as a board, decide,
Well, maybe we shouldnt have
discussed that in-camera because
its public information I guess
my question is, why did we even
discuss it in-camera period at that
time? Belluz asked.
If the majority of the board felt
the discussion should be done in
public, they should have ceased
discussion in-camera and brought
it to the public agenda, Belluz ar-
gued.
[Chair Lewis], after the meet-
ing, had reported quite correctly
that we had discussed two letters
of intent, and thats the only infor-
mation that [he] disclosed, Belluz
said about what followed the in-
camera session.
But Kircher said that when Lew-
is reporting discussion of the letter
of intent, alongside the majority
of the board feeling the former
boards actions should be public,
meant the issue no longer was an
in-camera one.
Citing Section. 14.1(f) of the
Freedom of Information legislation,
Kircher stated that disclosure of
personal information is permitted
if the disclosure does not constitute
an unjustified invasion of personal
privacy.
To determine if the disclosure of
personal information constitutes an
justified invasion of privacy, the act
states that a disclosure of personal
information is desirable for the
purpose of subjecting the activities
of the institution to public scru-
tiny, argued Kircher, something
that the 2010 board and current
board should be subjected to.
As well, Kircher pointed to Sec.
14.(4).(a) of the act, which excludes
the classifications salary ranges and
benefits of employment responsi-
bilities of an individual who is, or
was, an officer of employee of the
institution from non-disclosure.
Kircher also highlighted Section
16 the act, which states that: If
there is compelling public interest
in the disclosure of the personal
information that clearly outweighs
the purpose of the exemptions
from disclosure, Section 16 waives
the exemptions from disclosure
contained in Sections 7, 9, 11, 13,
and 14 of the Act.
The intent being [that] publicly-
funded institutions not use person-
al information to conduct board
business, in-camera, particularly
when the business involves public
fund, he argued.
Kircher said this case also shows
the need for lame duck legisla-
tion, where outgoing boards can-
not impose financial burdens on
the incoming ones.
And with the statements from
the trustees being taken over the
breach, Kircher requested that
the board not go in-camera to dis-
cuss his fate.
But Lewis stated that given the
nature of the issue, this is basi-
cally the trustees that have to de-
cide whether this is a breach, and
trustees should decide amongst
themselves if there is a breach with
people not present first.
Once this is decided, Lewis said
they would announce the decision
publicly.
As per policy when it comes to
breaches of the Trustee Code of
Conducts, the board met privately
following the end of the last weeks
regular meeting to discuss whether
or not there was a breach.
Following this, Lewis reported
to the Times that trustees hadnt
been able to reach a decision, and
the issue will be held over to be
discussed at Marchs meeting.
More from A1
enthusiasm, her concern for librar-
ies as a whole, that makes us most
proud, Georgeson concluded.
The next generation of librar-
ians will most certainly have to
look to the efforts of our librarian
[Margaret] to see how far they can
go.
In her acceptance speech, Sedg-
wick said the building of the new
Fort Frances Public Library Tech-
nology Centre has certainly been
the highlight of my career.
While planning for the new
facility, each year for at least the
past seven years when we came
to the warm south for OLA, my
board chair and I would rent a car
and visit new or renovated libraries
within driving distance of Toronto,
she noted.
Over the years, we visited,
and sometimes re-visited, over
55 libraries. The connections and
friendships we made with those
visits is testimony to the generosity
and sharing nature of the library
community, Sedgwick said.
Sedgwick graduated from the
School of Library and Information
Science at the University of West-
ern Ontario in 1977 and her first
job out of school was chief librarian
of the Fort Frances Public Library,
where shes remained ever since.
As we all know, libraries are al-
ways changing and evolving, said
Sedgwick. Thats why it wasnt
difficult to stay in the same position
throughout my career.
We all work to make our librar-
ies the best they can be and right
now, I can honestly say right at this
moment, Fort Frances is close to
the top of the heap, she added.
Now comes the challenge to
continue to grow and advance.
I would like to extend a warm
welcome to everyone planning a
trip to Western Canada to stop by
and visit our beautiful new facility,
concluded Sedgwick.
Its worth the trip.
The award is named after Wil-
liam John Robertson, a founding
member of the OLBA and among
the 33 originals who established
the first constitution at the first an-
nual meeting of the association in
April, 1901.
Robertson became the fourth
OLBA president in 1905, and was
the first trustee to be elected into
the position.
Robertson was twice chair of the
St. Catharines Free Library Board.
The W.J. Robertson Medallion
recognizes and honours significant
contributions to the library profes-
sion.
The president of the association
always presents the medallion at
the annual public library awards
dinner held in conjunction with the
annual Super Conference.
The OLBA receives nominations
for the award, with selection of
the successful candidate based on
significant contributions in at least
one of the following criteria:
demonstrated innovation in the
advancement of the library profes-
sion;
promotion of library services
through any means of dissemina-
tion of information;
demonstrated creative uses of
technology in the delivery of li-
brary and information services;
and
creation of original work, regard-
less of the medium used, which
substantially contributes to the im-
provement of library services.
Sedgwick saluted as top librarian
Trustee accused of confidentiality breach
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-21 / -11
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FORECAST FOR THIS WEEK
www.weathertec.mb.ca
2011 Weather Tec Services. Inc.
Temperatures shown on the map are
NORMALS averaged over a thirty
year periiod. Arrows indicate general
WIND FLOW patterns.
Thursday, February 10th ... Cloudy skies.
Occasional snow. Normal termperatures
Low near -25C. High near -13C.
Friday, February 11th ... Cloudy skies.
Occasional snow. Milder temperatures.
Saturday, February 12th ... Cloudy skies.
Occasional snow. Mild temperatures.
Outlook for Sunday, February 13th to Saturday, February 19th, 2011 ... Cloudy
skies with occasional snow on Sunday. A mix of sun and cloud expected on Monday
to Wednesday. Cloudy skies with occasional flurries on Thursday to Saturday.
Temperatures will be mild to normal.
Lows will be -18to -12C. Highs will be -6 to -1C.
Daylight on February 10th lasts for 9 Hours and 57 Minutes.
Sunrise: 7:30 AM. and Sunset: 5:27 PM.
Fort Frances
-23 / -9
International Falls
Rainy River
Baudette
Nestor
Falls
Sioux
Narrows
Kenora
Vermillion
Bay Dryden
Upsala
Atikokan
Emo
FEB. 10 to 12.
Normal to mild
temperatures.
Cloudy skies.
Occasional snow.
FEB. 13 to 16.
Mild temperatures.
A mix of sun
and cloud.
FEB. 17 to 19.
Mild to normal
temperatures.
Cloudy skies.
Occasional flurries
WeatherTec
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F 95 86 77 68 59 50 41 32 23 14 5 -4 -13
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INSIDE
Shes been called inspira-
tional, genuine, and an amaz-
ing speaker, which is why
Sandy Skirten, director of ser-
vices with the local branch of
the Canadian Mental Health
Association, is sure tickets for
Margaret Trudeaus upcoming
talk here will sell out quickly.
Trudeau talk
likely to sell out
Fort High students are or-
ganizing an art auction and
dinner to raise money for a
trip to the Big Apple later
this spring.
The Taste of New York
fundraiser is slated for this
Monday (March 7) from 6-8
p.m. at the high school cafete-
ria.
Auction to
benet art trip
It wasnt the results they
wanted but the experience of
vying for a provincial crown
on home ice was something
Judy LaBelle and Roz Broman
certainly will remember.
Local rinks
fall short
See story on B1
See story on A2
See story on A5
By Duane Hicks
Staff writer
In response to a question from
council as to why the Town of Fort
Frances seemingly has a higher-
than-average number of police of-
ficers, the local Police Services
Board is suggesting the OPP make
a presentation to council address-
ing this query and much more.
At its monthly meeting Friday,
the Police Services Board discussed
the question brought up by Coun.
Ken Perry at the Feb. 14 council
meeting, when he wondered why
the national average for police offi-
cers in communities is 2.0 officers
per 1,000 people, but the ratio
here is about 2.5 per 1,000?
OPP detachment commander
A/Insp. Steve Shouldice said hes
spoken to OPP S/Sgt. Rod Case,
senior analyst and case manager,
and is not aware of any place in
Canada where police staffing is
based on a ratio.
Rather, its based on calls for
serviceand only after the fact
would such a ratio be calculated.
He added the OPP is looking
at updating its staffing formula
further so it better suits the area
policed, as it currently fits south-
ern Ontario better than Northern
Ontario.
For example, it does not include
Mental Health Act or Liquor Li-
cence Act occurrences, but it does
include calls out to alarms going
off at residences, which are far
more common in the south than in
the north.
So its kind of skewed, admit-
ted A/Insp. Shouldice.
Were looking at catering it
for a detachment arealets get a
snapshot of what that detachment
should look like in order to be
able to adequately and effectively
police, he added.
He also noted S/Sgt. Case is
willing to come here and talk to
council about staffing, as well as
contracts, adding S/Sgt. Case went
to Atikokan when it renewed its
contract with the OPP.
With the town looking at re-
newing its contract with the OPP,
Police Services Board chair John
McTaggart said that maybe council
should be provided with more in-
formation.
Would a presentation on ad-
equacy and effectiveness and what
that entails for policing, and some
of the services that are included
in this contract but not paid for
as such, to council by Steve [be a
Board suggests OPP
talk to town council
By Duane Hicks
Staff writer
Those behind the proposed La
Verendrye Parkway Village con-
dominium here are excited about
the renewed interest in the proj-
ect, with an open house sched-
uled for next Wednesday (March
9) at the Civic Centre.
The public is encouraged to
drop by from 5-8 p.m. to meet
Thunder Bay developer Robert
Zanette, as well as builder Wayne
Kaun of Ed Kaun & Sons Ltd. and
Re/Max sales rep Kathy Judson.
They will be on hand to answer
questions as well as show floor
plans and other drawings of the
project, which is proposed to be
built on a riverfront lot located at
Front Street and Mosher Avenue
(to the east of the current River-
walk Condominiums).
Basically, we want people to
know that, yes, we are here, we
are in, we are doing this, so come
out and ask any questions you
want to, Judson said in an inter-
view Monday.
She said all parties involved
are looking to get going with the
project, which has gained a more
local marketing focus with the ad-
dition of her to the team.
The project had first been talk-
ed about in 2008, with an open
house last held in May, 2009.
But the project has been some-
what slow going until recently.
Judson said one of the difficul-
ties has been that Zanette has
been extremely busy with real
estate contracts in Thunder Bay,
Phoenix, and Kelowna.
Likewise, Re/Max broker Ma-
rio Tegola, who was in charge of
selling units, also was based in
Thunder Bay and busy with mat-
ters there.
Judson, whos worked on con-
dominium conversions, new con-
struction projects and resale units
in Vancouver, Winnipeg and the
Greater Toronto Area over the
past three decades, came into the
picture last summer when she
returned home to Emo to care for
her mother.
After her mothers passing, she
decided to move her from To-
ronto, reactivate her real estate
license and stay in the district.
So, I looked around and de-
cided to join Re/Max, Judson
recalled.
With a project like this,
By Duane Hicks
Staff writer
Starting in 2008, the province
began uploading various programs
it previously had downloaded to
the Rainy River District Social Ser-
vices Administration Board, reduc-
ing some of the DSSABs pro-
gram costs and, theoretically, the
levy amount district municipalities
should have to pay.
But the Town of Fort Frances
feels it and other district munici-
palities have not been getting the
full benefit of the uploadingand is
asking the province for answers.
According to information con-
tained in the 2011 Ontario Munici-
pal Partnership Fund (OMPF) allo-
cation notice Fort Frances received,
the town says it should be realizing
$420,400 in savings from upload-
ed programs, including a Ontario
Drug Benefit (ODB) of $57,900,
Ontario Disability Support Program
(ODSP) administration component
($48,500), ODSP benefits com-
ponent ($307,700), and Ontario
Works benefits ($6,300).
Based on the 2011 allocation
notices for other district municipali-
ties, the total 2011 uploaded sav-
ings for Rainy River District should
be more than $887,200 (this total
does not include the Town of Rainy
River, which had not received its
2011 OMPF notice as of Monday).
However, the DSSAB has indi-
cated the total uploaded savings
for the entire district this year is
only $448,238. It says the town is
misinterpreting the numbers.
Coun. Ken Perry, who is the
Fort Frances rep on the DSSAB
board, said the allocation notices
are pretty straightforward and he
cant understand where DSSABs
administration is coming from.
[The OMPF allocation notice]
tells you what is there, and theyve
interpreted them a different way
and I have no idea why, Coun.
Perry noted in an interview Mon-
day.
The numbers are the numbers
and I have presented them at board
meetings, I have presented them to
other board members, and theyve
been convinced by the DSSAB ad-
ministration that the numbers that
we got from the province arent
really correct, he added.
I dont know what else I can
say.
This is driving me crazy, Coun.
Board finds Kircher breached code
By Peggy Revell
Staff writer
By a 4-2 vote last night, the
Rainy River District School Board
found newly-elected trustee David
Kircher had breached confidential-
ity, but current trustees remain
outraged over the outgoing school
boards actions to amend senior
administration contracts at its final
meeting.
Bottom line, if Im sanctioned,
I certainly think its worth the
censure to go through that and
have this information public as
opposed to not, Kircher said af-
ter the vote, which came after he
shared with members of the public
that the outgoing board had voted
behind closed doors in November
to amend the contracts of both
the director of education (Heath-
er Campbell) and superintendent
of business (Laura Mills) so each
would receive four years salary
plus benefits in severance pay if let
go by the new board.
The new board originally dis-
cussed the contract issue in-camera
at its meeting in January, and
that the two contracts had been
changed was noted in the public
minutes.
The issue arose again in public
discussion at Februarys meeting
when trustee Dan Belluz, chair
of the former board, stated more
details concerning the contract
amendments originally discussed
in-camera had been shared with
the publican action Kircher took
responsibility for.
The 4-2 vote at last nights meet-
ingheld at Donald Young School
in Emowas in favour of a resolu-
tion that Kircher had breached the
Trustee Code of Conduct.
I was a little surprised, but
not overwhelmed or anything,
Kircher said. I can appreciate the
other trustees thinking that I had
breached the Trustee Code of Con-
duct and theyre entitled, obvi-
ously, to their opinion.
I didnt breach, as far as Im
concerned, the in-camera portion
of anythingI just publicly stated
what the amendments were about,
Kircher said, standing by the expla-
nation he gave at Februarys board
meeting as to why sharing this
information wasnt a breach, in-
cluding that the amendments were
put into open session and that both
the Freedom of Information Act
and Education Act dictate that
the substance of the amendments
is public information and should
have been disclosed.
Kircher now has 14 days to re-
spond to trustees. Then at Aprils
board meeting, trustees will vote
to confirm or reject the motion
passed last night, explained board
chair Michael Lewis.
If confirmed, there then will be
a recommendation for a conse-
quence, Lewis noted, the least of
which would be a censurespecifi-
cally, a letter of reprimand.
I dont know what the board
will do, conceded Lewis, who was
joined by trustee Ralph Hill in vot-
ing against last nights resolution.
By April 5, I certainly will make
a recommendation as to what I
think the consequence will be and
then the board can vote on that,
yea or nay, he explained.
I really struggled with [the deci-
sion] because I also believe it was
information that should have been
in the public in the first place,
said board vice-chair Dianne Mc-
Cormick, who ultimately voted that
there was a breach of confidential-
ity.
Basically, whether or not the
Please see Board, A6
Town
asking
where
savings
went
Please see Town, A7
Carla Harris Grade 1 class at St. Michaels School here
was the winner of the Winter Book Challenge held there
through January and February. The goal was for the stu-
dents to read 2,011 books collectively, but they exceed that
amount by reading a total of 2,991. Harris class read 448
books, with each student receiving a poster for being the
top class.
Heather Latter photo
Book challenge
Condo open house
set for next week
Please see Condo, A7 Please see Board, A7
A6 FORT FRANCES TIMES Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Board finds Kircher breached code
More from A1
issues should have been dealt with
in-camera or not, it was still be-
ing discussed in-camera, she rea-
soned.
The proper course would have
been for it to be publicly released
in one form or another before
trustees spoke about itwhether
or not they believe it should have
been, she added.
Belluz, who voted that there was
a breach, refused to comment to
the media following last nights
meeting.
Also voting in favour of the reso-
lution was Marg Heyens and Chief
Earl Klyne, who represents the
areas First Nations on the board.
Kircher did not vote.
Im very concerned about the
process that took place on Nov. 2,
2010, stressed Lewis. I believe it
was not right.
It was legal, but I dont think it
was ethical, he added, pointing to
how it was known in November
that only two trustees from the old
board would be returning.
Lewis also said lame duck
legislation already in place for
municipal councilsneeds to apply
to school boards by 2014.
What [the former board] did
was effectively, theoretically, har-
ness this board with a possible
payout which was considerable,
he argued.
I dont believe that will ever
come to pass, he added. It doesnt
matter, though, as in theory it
could.
I didnt accept their reason-
ing that somehow or other this
nefarious group of trustees who
had just been elected were going
to come down and do something
silly like fire administrators, Lewis
remarked.
While Kircher had been vocal
about issues such as the miss-
ing funds from Fort Frances High
School, he never mentioned any-
thing about getting rid of employ-
ees, Lewis noted, nor have the
other new trustees.
Lewis said he wrote to local MPP
Howard Hampton as a citizen this
past fall concerning lame duck
legislation after actually hearing
rumours on the street that such
contract amendments were in the
works.
Which to me is kind of odd
because that would mean that
someone on that [former] board
breached the code of conduct, or
how would I know [through ru-
mours] that they were going to do
that? he reasoned.
Since the new board learned of
the contract amendments in Janu-
ary, Lewis said hes since written
to all three provincial party leaders
over the issue but has received no
response so far.
He said he also contacted the
Ministry of Education, who told
him that it was a Ministry of Mu-
nicipal Affairs problem, and was,
in turn, told by Municipal Affairs
that it was a Ministry of Education
problem.
Lewis also wrote to the Ministry
of Government Services, but has
not yet received a response.
Meanwhile, the need for lame
duck legislation for school boards
was something Hill brought up this
past weekend when he was in To-
ronto for an Ontario Public School
Boards Association meeting.
As the local boards rep to the
OPSBA, Hill raised the issue with
other members, including the
OPSBAs executive director and
first vice-president, who will be
looking into the issue, getting a
legal opinion, and seeing how to
proceed.
One of them felt it makes all
public school boards look bad to
the public, and it also makes them
look bad to the Ministry of Educa-
tion, Hill said of the reaction to the
former boards actions here.
I certainly talked with people
from Stratton to Emo to Sault Ste.
Marie to Toronto and everyone is
disgusted with the actions of the
old board, he added.
Thats 100 percent unanimous.
People felt that after an election
to make that kind of [decision]
everyone is absolutely disgusted,
he remarked.
As for a breach of confidential-
ity, Hill agreed with Kircher that
the release of this information falls
under the Freedom of Information
Act.
Public money, as much as possi-
ble, should be public, he stressed.
To me, the crime in no way,
shape, or form is the breach of
trust, but is the actual act of put-
ting us on the hook for $1.3 million
after being voted out.
Date set for
Bag Lunch
Wab Kinew entertained a full house Saturday night during the
Hometown Heroes concert at the Couchiching multi-use facil-
ity. Organized by the United Native Friendship Centres Cultural
Connections for Aboriginal Youth program as a trip fundraiser, the
concert also featured performances by comedian Ryan McMahon,
as well as singers Angus Johnson, Larissa Desrosiers, and Mack
Sickz (with special guest Dustin Davis a.k.a DUBZ).
Showcasing talent
Press release
Previously known as the Old
Bags Lunch, the Riverside Foun-
dation for Health Care has sched-
uled Saturday, April 16 as the
date for this years event.
To be held once again at the
Fort Frances High School cafete-
ria, it will include a buffet-style
lunch, goodie bags, entertainment,
and lots of fun and games.
Tickets, as well as more infor-
mation, will be available at a later
date.
Reservations for tables of eight
also will be available again this
year.
If it aint broke, dont fix it,
reasoned new Foundation director
Nicke Baird.
So were planning a very simi-
lar event to previous years, but
with a new menu and a new look
on the promotional end of things,
she explained.
Were excited to be planning
this event and are going to play a
lot of the games that were played
in the previous years, echoed
Allison Hyatt, new chair of the
Foundations special events com-
mittee.
Were also going to put togeth-
er some great goodie bags, Hyatt
added.
Were already receiving bag
donations, noted Baird. But we
are looking for more donations for
our different bag categories, in-
cluding every-day purses, evening
purses, kids bags, foreign bags,
and designer bags.
We would also like to feature
local artist bags, and have a table
for local business bags to promote
artists and businesses in the area,
she added.
Donations can be dropped off in
the garage at 911 Frenette Ave.,
at 525 Scott St., or at the Founda-
tion office.
You also can call Baird or Hyatt
for a pick-up at 274-4803 or
276-0029.
We only have 160 tickets avail-
able and already have some on
hold, noted Baird.
Submit your photos
online
at
www.fortfrances.com
The proper course would have
been for it to be publicly released in
one form or another before trustees
spoke about itwhether or not they
believe it should have been.
Dianne McCormick
THE CORPORATION OF THE
TOWNSHIP OF ALBERTON
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR CONSENT
Section 53(5)(a) of the Planning Act
The following Application for Consent has been received and will be
considered by the Committee of Adjustment for The Corporation of the
Township of Alberton at a Public Meeting on Thursday, March 17, 2011
at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Alberton Municipal Ofce.
APPLICATION NO. C1-2011--Applicants: Marlyce Huitikka (for
owners Olavi Huitikka and Marlyce Huitikka) in respect of the property
described as Part of PIN 56021-0069 (LT), Parcel 14920, See Rainy River,
being Part of Lot 7, River Range, Crozier, as in SLT57134 & SLT57135,
Municipality of Alberton. The purpose of the application is to create one
new residential lot.
The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of the nature of the
application, to invite public input, to advise on how to make comments on
the application and to inform the public of future notication and appeal
rights.
Inquiries and written submissions may be made to the Secretary of the
Alberton Committee of Adjustment by telephone at (807)274-6053 or by
fax at (807)274-8449. Information about the application is available to the
public at the Alberton Municipal Ofce during regular ofce hours.
Appeal of a decision of the Township of Alberton Committee of
Adjustment in respect of the above application may be made by any person
or public body no later than 20 days after notice of the decision is given.
If you wish to be notied of the decision rendered by the Township of
Alberton Committee of Adjustment in respect of the proposed consent,
you must make a written request to the Secretary at the address below.
If a person or public body who les an appeal in respect of the proposed
consent does not submit written comments to the Secretary before the
Township of Alberton Committee of Adjustment gives a consent, the
Ontario Municipal Board may dismiss the appeal.
DATED this 2nd day of March, 2011.
Dawn Hayes, CMO, Secretary of
Alberton Committee of Adjustment
RR#1-B2, #3 Hwy 611 South
Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3M2
Phone: (807)274-6053
Fax: (807)274-8449
SHARI HAS MOVED!
Shari Humphrey has moved to
A LITTLE OFF THE TOP
(Next to McTaggarts)
Im looking
forward to seeing old friends,
as well as new ones, in my chair.
274-0336
Tuesday & Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday & Friday 1pm- 9pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm
All gift certicates and coupons with Shari will be redeemable at A Little Off The Top
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS
throughout the Rainy River District
TAKE NOTICE
The Rainy River District Womens Shelter of Hope
has received special funding from the Department of Justice
Canada to complete a Needs Assessment Survey of the Rainy River
District to compile data to be returned to each of the participants
at the end of March 2011 for your use in your own agency.
Ms. Connie Terlesky is the Research Project Coordinator, and she
will be contacting community service providers over the next few
weeks for assistance with this. If you work with people, and have
not received a survey by March 15, please phone Connie
at (807)597-2425 or complete the survey online at:
www.surveymonkey.com/s/RRCommunityNeedsSurvey
Your input is critical to achieve an accurate idea of the problems
facing our district. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
In appreciation of your participation, you will be invited to a
workshop at the end of March which we will host free of charge,
which will conclude with amazing entertainment!
Help an extraordinary
Ontarian get recognition
Dr. Sher Ali Mirza of Thunder Bay
An authority on structural
engineering practice
2006 Order of Ontario appointee Paid for by the Government of Ontario
Nominate someone from
your community for the
Order of Ontario.
orderofontario.ca
Deadline for
nominations:
March 16, 2011
March at the Museum
Opening here March 8 until closing April 16.
the ever popular Threadworks!
Yes, you can still register for the
Genealogy Workshop
with Janis Higgins
on Saturday, March 12
1-3 p.m. at the
Fort Frances Library
There is a $10 fee.
This years theme is Trees.
Come see the exceptional creativity
and talent expressed through hand-
stitching, beadwork and embroidery.
Truly a must-see!
March Break Activities
Keeping in mind our
Threadworks exhibit, well be
incorporating both textiles and trees!
Mon. Mar 14Beaded Bracelets
Learn how to weave together
embroidery thread and beads.
Tues. Mar 15Fabric Art
Using many of the same items as the
artists in our Threadworks exhibit, well
make our own masterpieces with fabric,
thread, beads and buttons.
Wed. Mar 16
Rug-hooking & Cross-stitch
This is your chance to work on two
heritage crafts: Work on our community
What Hooks You Here project, or learn
the simple art of cross-stitching.
Thurs. & Fri. Mar 17 & 18
Re-creating Treebeard.
Remember the Ents in Lord of the Rings?
Thursday will be spent making a papier
mach mask; on Friday, well complete it
with paint and accessories.
All classes run 1-3 p.m. $3.50 per day
per child covers the cost of supplies.
Please call 274-7891 to reserve a spot.
259 Scott Street, Fort Frances 274-7891
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
Moffat Family Fund
Fort Frances has the good fortune of being selected to
receive endowment funding of $37,500.00 for 2011 through the
Winnipeg Foundation, specically the Moffat Family Fund, to
support children, families and less advantaged communities.
Organizations from outside of the Town of Fort Frances whose
activities do not have a direct benet to residents of Fort Frances,
will not be considered.
Individuals and organizations are invited to submit their requests
stating the amount requested together with supporting rationale.
Submissions should be typewritten and double spaced.
In addition, charitable numbers for organizations must be included
with their submission. Pease indicate if you have received funding
for this project from any other sources. Please le your 2-5 page
document on or before:
2:00 p.m. Friday, April 1, 2011
addressed and delivered to:
Town of Fort Frances
Attention: M. McCaig, Administrator
320 Portage Avenue
Fort Frances, Ontario
P9A 3P9
Fax: 274-8479
Email: [email protected]
An information package is available upon request at the above address
or by phoning the information desk at the Civic Centre at 274-5323.
Includes 4 days in class and 13 private in-car
lessons. Call 274-1309, please leave your name
and mailing address and an information package
will be sent to you. www.drivewisesafety.com
NEXT COURSE STARTS IN APRIL
Seats
are lling fast-
-Were 60% full
already!
An ideal student
age is about 3
months prior to
their 16th
birthday.
-16 / -6
-18 / -5
-19 / -6
-20 / -6
-19 / -6
-18 / -4
-15 / -4
-21 / -5
-20 / -5
WIND FLOW patterns.
Thursday, March 3rd ... Cloudy skies.
Occasional flurries. Normal termperatures
Friday, March 4th ... A mix of sun and
cloud. Normal temperatures.
Saturday, March 5th ... Mostly sunny
skies. Cooler temperatures.
Outlook for Sunday, March 6th to Saturday, March 12th, 2011 ... Mostly sunny
skies on Sunday. Cloudy periods with occasional flurries expected on Monday to
Wednesday. Mostly sunny skies on Thursday to Saturday. Temperatures will be normal
to cool.
Lows will be -22 to -17C. Highs will be -10 to -4C.
Daylight on March 3rd lasts for 11 Hours and 8 Minutes.
Fort Frances
-18 / -4
International Falls
Rainy River
Baudette
Nestor
Falls
Sioux
Narrows
Kenora
Vermillion
Bay Dryden
Upsala
Atikokan
Emo
MAR. 3, 7 to 9.
Normal temperatures.
Cloudy periods.
Occasional flurries.
MAR. 4 to 6, 10 to 12.
Cooler temperatures.
Mostly sunny skies.
WeatherTec
Services Inc.
C 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25
F 95 86 77 68 59 50 41 32 23 14 5 -4 -13
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011 $1.19 plus 6 HST, $1.25 U.S. Printed in Canada Volume 117 Number 49
INSIDE
The NCDS Transition Cen-
tre, which opened last April at
242 Scott St., closed its doors
Thursday after the province
did not renew funding for the
one-year pilot project.
The Workforce Literacy
and Essential Skills program
here was one of 33 in Ontario
launched last year.
Funding dries up
for pilot project
Grand Rapids will host some
of the top young wrestlers in
Minnesota as the annual state
championship is held there
this Saturday.
However, there will be a
Canadian flavor to the tour-
nament again this year as
a handful of wrestlers will
be taking on their American
counterparts.
Wrestlers heading
to state tourney
The Border Skating Clubs
39th-annual ice show on the
weekend marked the final
time two senior members took
to the ice to dazzle the audi-
ence.
Michael Nelson and Sarah
DeGagne took part in their
last ice show before departing
the club at months end.
Nelson, DeGagne
take final bows
See story on B5
See story on A3
See story on B1
189 HWY 11-71, Fort Frances 274-4444
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New customers receive up to a
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Standing room only crowd backs Kircher
By Peggy Revell
Staff writer
Outrage over the actions of the
former Rainy River District School
Board made for standing room
only at last nights meeting as
members of the public came out
to show support for trustee David
Kircher, who had been found to
have breached the trustee Code of
Conduct.
More than 60 people packed
the boardroom, and spilled out
into the hallway, to hear the new
boards decision on punishment for
the breach, which occurred when
Kircher admitted to sharing details
with members of the public about
the outgoing boards move during
the in-camera session of its final
meeting in November to amend
the contracts of both the director
of education and superintendent
of business so any severance pay
would total four years worth of
salary and benefits, not one.
Kircher has maintained that
details concerning the contract
amendments were open and avail-
able to the public given the new
board had publicly noted the con-
tracts had been amended at its
January meeting.
As well, contract information
such as this is covered under the
Freedom of Information Act.
But in a 4-2 vote at last months
meeting, the board found a breach
had occurred. And since no trustee
wished to change their original
vote, this decision was confirmed
at last nights meeting.
As a result, another resolution
was passed to censure Kircher for
this breach, with board chairman
Mike Lewis to write a letter to that
effect.
This is basically a letter of rep-
rimand, Lewis explained following
the meeting, noting it will indicate
that according to the vote, Kircher
broke the confidentiality part of
the Code of Conduct.
Its the least of all the conse-
quences, he said, with the most
significant ones being along the
lines of removing Kircher from
committees, for example.
But that wouldnt serve any-
ones purpose, Lewis reasoned.
Well move on from here, and well
be as open and transparent as we
possibly can.
Its a new board and thats the
dedication that people want to put
into itto have that transparency,
he stressed.
Kircher said afterwards that he
saw the results as fair, although he
still doesnt regret his actions.
After tonights meeting, its indi-
cated to all trustees that theres no
one above any school board policy.
Everybody must adhere, said for-
mer board chair Dan Belluz, who
originally reported these contract
amendment details had been made
public
But this was not a sentiment
shared by the crowd that came out
to the meeting to show support for
Kircher, including local ratepayer
Walter Horban, who made a public
presentation to trustees last night.
Horban asked for answers con-
cerning the missing funds at Fort
Frances High School several years
ago, the amended severance pack-
ages for senior administration, and
board transparency.
I think, as taxpayers, we are
owed that. Wed like to see where
our money goes, said Horban,
By Duane Hicks
Staff writer
Some may call it a miracle.
Local resident Samantha Sam
Pearson, 24, is making a remark-
able recovery at the University
of Ottawa Heart Institute after
she experienced heart failure two
weeks ago, and could be coming
back to Fort Frances in the next
couple of days.
She is quite a phenomenon
around here, said Pearsons
mother, Ellen Gagne, who called
the Times yesterday from Ot-
tawa.
Actually, right now as we speak,
we have her out on a day pass.
She may be heading home as
early as this Thursday, Gagne
added, noting doctors currently
are fine-tuning the heart medica-
tions Pearson is on.
We couldnt be happier, en-
thused Gagne, saying that with
the exception of herself and her
husband, Peter Gagne, Pearsons
family has left Ottawa in anticipa-
tion of her coming home soon.
Were all hoping to head home
Thursday or Friday, said Gagne,
noting the goal is to be at her
fathers place at Reef Point on
Sunday, sitting round a fire and
looking at the lake.
Gagne said her daughter will
have to return to Ottawa in three
months. In the meantime, she will
be followed clinically over the
phone or through her doctor here,
Dr. Robert Nugent.
Gagne gave heartfelt thanks to
Dr. Nugent.
That man got her to the right
place at the right time. He never
gave up, he never stopped, she
stressed.
I am so thankful for him; we all
are.
As reported in Fridays Daily
Bulletin, Pearson had been taking
the immunosuppressant predni-
sone due to a severe allergic
reaction to a drug given to her for
rheumatoid arthritis.
She was being weened off the
drug, had another reaction, had
her dosage increase, and was
Staff
With news last week that the
Town of Fort Frances is reducing
the number of full-time firefighters
from eight to six, Fort Frances Pro-
fessional Fire Fighters Local 1012
is expressing concern for both the
reduction of staff and comments
made to residents with regards to
level of service.
Many residents may not be
aware that the corporation has
been reducing the amount of full-
time firefighters within the com-
munity for over 10 years, the
union said in a media release sent
to the Times.
As a result of their actions, we
have gone from a department con-
sisting of a fire chief, deputy chief,
and 10 full-time staff to a depart-
ment now comprised of a fire chief
and seven full-time staffwith the
indication that this number is soon
to be six through a possible layoff.
Many of these reductions have
come after negotiated contracts
and our recent arbitration award,
the release noted.
Although verbally supporting
staffing levels in the past, councils
actions have proven otherwise,
the union charged.
Will the towns commitment
to a staffing level of six be further
reduced to five, four, or three, if
or when the opportunity presents
itself?
Your taxes are paying for a
full-time fire service with the ex-
pectation that, when needed, we
will provide an acceptable level of
service, the union continued.
The taxpayers can only hope
that this time the mayor and coun-
cils commitment to maintain six
firefighters and staff the fire hall
with 24-hour coverage is cred-
ible.
The Fort Frances Professional
Fire Fighters want to reassure resi-
dents that although they remain
dedicated to the community and
serving its residents, a further
reduction of two full-time firefight-
ers will provide us with additional
challenges that may have an im-
pact on our ability to serve you.
Any way you look at it, a loss of
staff at any level equates to a re-
duction in responding trained pro-
fessionals, the release concluded.
As reported last week, council
also opted to strike a new five-year
contract with the OPP, which will
see the reduction of 1.95 full-time
equivalent staff, bringing the com-
plement of constables here from
18 to 16.
It should be noted policing costs
are paid for through multiple
sources, including municipal taxes,
cost-recovery (i.e., fines and
Staffing
cutback
concerns
firemen
Local Confederation College campus director Anne Renaud
maneuvered dirt with a virtual excavator while demonstrat-
ing one of the two simulators the college has acquired for its
heavy equipment operator program. With foot pedals and
controls hooked up to a computer and large screen, the new
equipment allows students to practise different scenarios with
different equipment while tracking information on how well
they perform these tasks. Peggy Revell photo
Virtual training
By Duane Hicks
Staff writer
Theres good news for boaters
who have had trouble getting un-
der the Canadian National Railway
lift bridge at Ranierthe bridge will
be manned 24 hours a day from
May 1-Oct. 15.
A U.S. Coast Guard regulation re-
ceived federal approval last week,
which will ensure that CN man the
bridge, which currently is operated
remotely, during that period.
From Oct. 16-April 30 each year,
the bridge would open for vessels
if 12 hours advance notice is pro-
vided.
Additionally, the regulation re-
quires the bridge owner to post
and maintain a clearance gauge to
indicate to vessels the water levels
and available clearance while the
bridge is in the closed-to-navigation
position.
Currently, there is no regulation
for this lift bridge or waterway. It
is required to open on signal at all
times in accordance with the gen-
eral opening requirements.
The lift bridge was remotely-
operated for several years with-
out explicit approval by the Coast
Guard.
CNR had requested approval to
continue using remote operation
equipment and operate the lift
bridge with remotely-located draw-
tenders.
But in the last year, the Coast
Guard was informed the draw-
bridge is routinely unresponsive to
signals and communications from
vessels for bridge openings, it
noted in a report.
In addition, the presence of gov-
ernment and public vessels operat-
ing between Rainy River and Rainy
Lake has magnified the need for
the drawbridge to be responsive
and reliable for all vessel traffic, it
continued.
Back on Dec. 27, the Coast
Guard published a notice of pro-
posed rule-making (NPRM), enti-
tled Drawbridge Operation Regu-
lation; Rainy River, Ranier, Mn.,
in the Federal Register (75 FR
32381).
At that time, it received seven
positive comments and one
Manning Ranier bridge
good news for boaters
Please see Standing, A6
Please see Staffing, A7
Woman making
amazing recovery
Please see Woman, A6
Please see Bridge, A6
A6 FORT FRANCES TIMES Wednesday, April 6, 2011
More from A1
being weened off it a second time
when she had heart failure on
March 21.
She went to the intensive care
unit at La Verendrye Hospital, was
flown to Thunder Bay, and then
flown to the University of Ottawa
Heart Institute.
In the first few days, doctors
didnt know if Pearson would make
it or not and were looking to give
her a heart transplant.
She then began to make a re-
markable recovery, improving
each day through the use of heart
medications.
Gagne said doctors have theo-
rized that her daughter caught
viral myocarditisan inflammation
of the heart muscle (myocardium),
which resembles a heart attack but
where the coronary arteries are
not blocked.
We still dont know what caused
it in the first place, and I dont
know if well ever know, she ad-
mitted.
But all we know is shes coming
back [home] and shes just doing
great.
Woman making recovery
More from A1
negative comment.
The positive comments support-
ed the proposed regulation, as
written, including letters of support
from the City of International Falls,
the City of Ranier, and the Koochi-
ching County Board of Commis-
sioners.
Tim Chopper McBride, coun-
cillor-at-large for the City of In-
ternational Falls, said the ruling is
welcome news, adding the county
board worked hard, with the sup-
port of the two cities, to lobby for
it.
I think its great. I think its
good, he enthused. I think in the
end, CN will adapt to it well.
Its economic development with
jobs, and its great to make the
ability to access the upper Rainy
River and Rainy Lake a lot easier,
McBride added.
If CN will be able to operate
how it needs to operate, the boat-
ing traffic will be able to operate,
and youll have four or five guys
working there.
Thats cool, he remarked.
McBride said hes fully aware of
the issues boaters have been fac-
ing.
Its tough for the Canadians
over at the [Sorting Gap] marina
. . . If that bridge is down, youre
about a foot-and-a-half from your
head sometimes, he noted.
The negative comment was sub-
mitted by the CNR, which ques-
tioned the justification to require
drawtenders due to infrequent
bridge openings for vessels in re-
cent years.
CNR also requested that the
Coast Guard alter the proposed
dates and times that drawtenders
would be required to be at the lift
bridge.
CNR reported no bridge open-
ing requests were received until
June 20 last year, and that be-
tween Memorial Day and Labour
Day last year, the bridge was re-
quired to be opened a total of 31
times, resulting in an average of
2.2 bridge openings per week.
But based on the information
provided by other comments re-
ceived in response to the NPRM,
the Coast Guard was concerned
about the lift bridge being re-
sponsive to requests for bridge
openingsand not being operated
in accordance with federal draw-
bridge regulations.
The new rule is expected to
provide for the reasonable balance
of all modes of transportation and
effectively accomplish the request-
ed goal of improving bridge open-
ings and communications between
vessel operators and the [CNR]
drawtender[s], the Coast Guard
stated.
The Coast Guard believes the
Ranier lift bridge has not been
operated in accordance with the
drawbridge regulations, and this
rule is expected to bring the draw-
bridge into full compliance with the
federal drawbridge regulations.
Bridge to be manned
More from A1
outlining what facts are publicly
known about all of these issues.
This comes down as a matter of
interpretation. I feel that Mr. Kirch-
er was right and the Freedom of
Information Act confirms it, what
do you think? Horban said to the
crowd, which broke in applause in
response.
Was Mr. Kircher fulfilling his
obligation to the 1,570 people
who voted for him? I think so, he
said to another round of applause.
All the business of was he right
or was he not in the revelation
of the severance amendment ob-
scures one really important point
and that is why was the amend-
ment even considered and brought
up? Horban remarked.
Addressing questions especially
towards Belluz, Horban listed those
the public has been asking, includ-
ing whether it was administration
or the board that brought forward
the changes, research and com-
parisons of the changes compared
to other administrations across the
province, as well as the impact
such changes would have on ne-
gotiations at other boards and,
ultimately, the effect on education.
He also asked about a possible
link between this amendment and
the new board investigating the
missing funds at Fort High, or
making it costly should the new
board want to make changes in
administration.
Having the severance packages
returned to their former status is
the morally correct thing to do,
Horban told the new board.
As well, many people in Fort
Frances are waiting for answers,
answers to questions that have
been on our mind for several years
now, he said about the Fort High
funds, in which hundreds of thou-
sands of dollars went missing over
a 38-month period.
Fawn Lindberg faces charges in
the matter, which is still before the
courts.
Horban questioned how the
missing funds could have gone on
for such a time period without be-
ing discovered.
Didnt somebody have the re-
sponsibility to look after these
funds? Wasnt anyone accountable?
Who was minding our finances at
the school? he asked.
Didnt annual reviews point
out that something was seriously
wrong with the numbers? Whose
job is it to notice this and request
an audit?
This could have been solved
much sooner, Horban argued, re-
calling that when Kircher began
asking questions as a ratepayer, he
was stonewalledhaving to re-
sort to the Freedom of Information
Act to obtain facts pertinent to the
issue at the cost of $400.
Horban asked that the public
be given the final figures when it
comes to what the matter has cost
the board, and wondered how the
current court case has to do with
why the board hasnt answered
these sort of questions yet.
We the public, to this day, have
no assurance that anything has
been done to implement and moni-
tor sound financial accounting pro-
cedures at all employment levels,
although I suspect that it has, he
remarked.
Theres been no formal recog-
nition of the [missing funds] from
the board, to date it has not been
publicly acknowledged, he added,
asking the new board what has
been done, and what more can
be done, to secure and ensure
proper financial procedures are
followed?
The actions of the former board
over the severance pay amend-
ments also begs the question,
whether or not there has been any
other financial transaction which
has not been revealed, which we
dont know about, Horban ques-
tioned.
Does this indicate the need for
a forensic audit?
The amendment to senior ad-
ministration contracts and the
method by which it was done,
in my, our, opinion, I hope, is a
violation of the public trust that
the previous board was charged to
protect, argued Horban, placing a
share of the responsibility for these
actions on both Belluz and Marg
Heyensthe only two trustees who
returned to the board following the
last falls election.
Its my opinion, and Im hoping
that you will agree, that these two
members would do us all a favour
if they resigned from the board,
Horban said to more applause
from the crowd.
With the severance issue having
been discussed in-camera by the
board in January, then in public
session in February, as well as in
the local media, Lewis replied that
at this time this board can say
about the issue thats not already
been said.
But the board did pass a resolu-
tion last night authorizing the chair
to contact the boards legal counsel
on labour relations to determine
what discussion took place with
him that led to the November,
2010 in-camera resolutions.
As to the missing funds, Lewis
reiterated that because the case
is still in front of the courts, the
board cannot comment further on
what is already known in public
until that court case has been con-
cluded.
But he added current trustees
are as anxious as any citizen to
know the complete details of this
ongoing case.
This board cannot account for
any lack of transparency for any
previous board, it can only be held
accountable for its own actions,
Lewis told the crowd.
And I can tell you that this cur-
rent board will be open and trans-
parent, he vowed.
It will also protect the privacy
of individuals when it is required
to do under the Education Act and
or the Freedom of Information/
Protection of Privacy Act, Lewis
stressed.
Standing room only crowd backs Kircher
Walter Horban addressed the Rainy River District School Board last night over public con-
cerns with the former boards amendments to senior administration severance packages, the
missing funds at Fort High, and board transparency, It was standing room only at the meet-
ing as more than 60 people came out to show support for trustee David Kircher, who was
found by the new board to have breached the trustee Code of Conduct after sharing details
of the contract amendments. Peggy Revell photo
AUTOS VANS TRUCKS RVS BOATS
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Shuttle Service and
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NOTICE OF STUDY
COMMENCEMENT
Culvert Replacements
Highway 11 and Highway 602
THE PROJECT
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained Hatch Mott
MacDonald Ltd. to undertake a structural design study to replace the
culverts at:
Wo|f Creek
Highway 602, 3.5 km east of the junction of Highway 11 at Emo
Ra|ny R|ver Tr|butary
Highway 602, 4.0 km west of the junction of Highway 11 at
Fort Frances
Moosehorn Lake Tr|butary
Highway 11, 6.7 km west of Highway 502
Culvert replacement options using prefabricated elements will be
considered to accelerate construction and minimize disruption.
A single lane will remain open to signalized traffic during construction.
THE PROCESS
This study will follow the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial
Transportation Facilities process for a Group 'B' project, with the
opportunity for public input throughout. Based on the information
collected during the study, an environmental screening will determine
whether any of the proposed works pose any significant environmental
effects, which may require the preparation of a Transportation
Environmental Study Report. This report would be made available for
public review and comment.
If there are no significant issues, the study may be stepped-down
and follow the process for a Group C project. If the project is
'stepped-down', a report will not be made available for public review.
A notice advising of this decision will be published and there will be
opportunity for public comment.
COMMENTS
We are interested in any comments or concerns you may have. Please
submit your comments to:
Philip Murray, M.Eng., P.Eng.
Manager Bridges
Hatch Mott MacDonald
2800 Speakman Dr|ve
Mississauga, ON L5K 2R7
tel: 905-403-4265 (call collect)
fax: 905-855-2607
e-mail: [email protected]
Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of
Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal
information, all comments will become part of the public record.
-5 / +5
-6 / +6
-7 / +6
-7 / +6
-7 / +6
-6 / +7
-5 / +7
-8 / +5
-8 / +6
WIND FLOW patterns.
Thursday, April 7th ... Mostly sunny skies.
Mild termperatures
Low near -5C. High near +12C.
Friday, April 8th ... A mix of sun and cloud.
Mild temperatures.
Saturday, April 9th ... Cloudy periods.
Mild temperatures.
Outlook for Sunday, April 10th to Saturday, April 15th, 2011 ... Mostly sunny skies
on Sunday. Cloudy perios with occasional showers expected on Monday and Tuesday.
A mix of sun and cloud on Wednesday to Saturday. Temperatures will be mild to
normal.
Lows will be -6 to -1C. Highs will be +1 to 10C.
Daylight on April 7th lasts for 13 Hours and 14 Minutes.
Fort Frances
-6 / +7
International Falls
Rainy River
Baudette
Nestor
Falls
Sioux
Narrows
Kenora
Vermillion
Bay Dryden
Upsala
Atikokan
Emo
APR. 11 + 12.
Cloudy periods.
Occasional showers.
APR. 13 + 14.
A mix of sun and cloud.
APR. 7 to 10, 15.
Mild temperatures.
A mix of sun and cloud.
WeatherTec
Services Inc.
C 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25
F 95 86 77 68 59 50 41 32 23 14 5 -4 -13
NOTIFICATION
Notice of Completion
Mine Centre Waste Disposal Site
(WDS) Closure Plan
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Fort Frances
District, has completed a Closure Plan for the Mine Centre WDS,
located on the north side of Highway 11 in the hamlet of Mine
Centre. The MNR proposes to close this WDS in 2012 as it has
reached its maximum capacity. The MNR does not intend to close
this site until a new location or alternative method of managing the
communitys household waste is identied.
A review and assessment of the current condition of the WDS was
carried out. The Closure Plan meets all Ministry of the Environment
(MOE) requirements to successfully close this site in 2012. The Plan
includes barriers to accessing the site, capping and returning the
site to a green area and a monitoring program for both ground and
surface water quality. A rst public notice was issued on
November 24, 2010.
The proposal and consultation process was carried out according to
the Category B requirements of the Class Environmental Assessment
for MNR Resource Stewardship and Facility Development Projects. A
copy of the Closure Plan is available at the MNR Fort Frances District
ofce during normal business hours.
If at the end of this notice period the MNR considers that there are
no signicant outstanding concerns, it may proceed to implement the
project without further public notice.
Where concerns remain about this project that cannot be resolved
with the MNR, concerned parties may request a Part II Order requiring
an individual environmental assessment under the Environmental
Assessment Act. As this decision rests with the MOE, please direct
your inquiries to the Minister of the Environment, Ferguson Block,
77 Wellesley Street West, 11th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M7A 2T5 by
May 12, 2011, with a copy to the MNR at the address noted below.
However, prior to making such a request, concerned parties are
encouraged to consult the MNR to seek a resolution of their concerns.
Comments and personal information regarding this proposal are
collected under the authority of the Environmental Assessment Act,
Environmental Protection Act, and Public Lands Act to assist the MNR
in making decisions. Comments not constituting personal information
as dened by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy
Act will be shared among the MNR and others as appropriate, and
may be included in documentation available for public review.
Personal information will remain condential unless prior consent to
disclose is obtained. This information may be used by the MNR to
seek public input on other projects.
For further information on the project, to inspect the project le
during normal business hours or to submit comments, please contact:
Cheryl Gartley, IRM Technical Specialist
Ministry of Natural Resources
922 Scott Street
Fort Frances, ON P9A 1J4
tel: 807-274-8626
fax: 807-274-4438
e-mail: [email protected]
Hair & Body Care Shoppe in Emo
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She has just graduated from MC College
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CORRECTION NOTICE
==========================
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
For our yer effective Apr. 1 - 7/11.
Page 1: Nescafe Dolce Gusto by T-Fal (#1532660)
does not include cappuccino cup and saucer and latte glass
and it is not exactly as shown.
Page 5: Glade Scented Oil Candle Value Pack #1361225
will be available at a later date.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2011 $1.19 plus 6 HST, $1.25 U.S. Printed in Canada Volume 118 Number 6
INSIDE
After spending more than
two years concerned about
the level of contamination in
their backyards, Couchiching
residents who live on the site
of the former J.A. Mathieu
sawmill will move into new
homes beginning this sum-
mer.
Families moving
off soiled site
Shes been compared to the
likes of Bessie Smith, Ma Rain-
ey, Billie Holiday, and Ella
Fitzgerald, but blues singer
Sunday Wilde says shes just a
small-town girl working hard
to share her music with the
world.
Area woman
sings the blues
Following two consecutive
rain-outs, the 2011 racing sea-
son kicked into high gear un-
der clear skies Saturday eve-
ning at the Emo Speedway.
Racing season
starts in Emo
See story on B1
See story on A3
See story on A6
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Building a new deck,
garage, home or addition?
By Heather Latter
Staff writer
To help address the need of pro-
viding safe, affordable housing to
aboriginal people living off-reserve,
Wahkaihganun Futures Corp. yes-
terday held the ground-breaking
for a 10-unit apartment complex,
which will be located at 237 Eighth
St. W.
We have long recognized that
the urban aboriginal population is
growing, noted Peggy Loyie, sec-
retary/treasurer of Wahkaihganun
Futures Corp.
And we are very excited over
the current development.
The board has been working for
several years towards developing
aboriginal housing in Fort Frances.
Funding for the new rental apart-
ment is provided through the First
Nation, Inuit, Mtis Urban and Ru-
ral Housing program being admin-
istered by the Ontario Aboriginal
Housing Services (OAHS).
OAHS was allocated funds by the
Ontario government.
Several dignitaries were on hand
By Peggy Revell
Staff writer
Rainy River District School
Board voted 5-2 last night to re-
scind the changes madebehind
closed doorsto severance pack-
ages of senior administration by
the former board.
While actual conditions of the
contracts could not be reversed
unilaterally, the motion was
brought forward by trustee Ralph
Hill so the public would know the
current board was not in favour of
the previous boards actions.
The controversy surrounding
the severance packages first arose
when the new board discovered in
January that the outgoing one had
amended the contracts in-camera
at its final meeting back in Novem-
ber.
These amendments saw the sev-
erance package of both Education
Director Heather Campbell and
Superintendent of Business Laura
Mills increased to four years worth
of pay and benefits (instead of one
and two years, respectively) if let
go.
Voting in favour of the motion
at last nights regular board meet-
ing were Hill, Michael Lewis, Earl
Klyne, Dianne McCormack, and
David Kircher.
Voting against the motion were
Dan Belluz and Marg Heyens
the only two trustees to return to
the board following last falls mu-
nicipal election (with Belluz being
the former chair of the board, as
well).
During the meeting, Belluz ob-
jected to the motion, citing Rob-
erts Rules of Order and arguing
that it was not present on the given
agenda for Junes meeting.
But chairman Michael Lewis
ruled against this objection, saying
Hill gave notice of the motion at
the May meeting and all trustees
were informed of it.
While Belluz said he accepted
Lewis ruling on this aspect, he also
asked if the motion is in order,
pointing to Roberts Rules of Order
whereby the motion to rescind
can only be applied to votes on nay
motions, with the following excep-
tions: votes cannot be rescinded on
something has been done as a re-
sult of that vote that the assembly
cannot undo; or where it is in the
nature of a contract and the other
party is informed of the fact.
Its a motion that youre mak-
ing, and possibly passing or reject-
ing, that can have no value, Belluz
said, arguing that if the board
wanted to make a statement, then
By Zoey Duncan
Summer reporter
My mom is going to die in
Rainycrest. Theres no doubt about
it.
June Caul is heartbroken when
she speaks about her mother. At
87, Mary Caul lives at the local
long-term care facility after a series
of strokes prompted her family to
move her there three years ago.
But Caul has watched her moth-
er fall into depression in those
years spent living in a facility that
is not equipped to support people
who are well enough to clothe
and feed themselves, enjoy taking
walks on the lake, have strong,
healthy memories, and who simply
crave more independence.
Im really frustrated, said Caul,
who tries to take her mother out
of Rainycrest at least three times a
week for visits.
And just really sad to think that
this is what her life has to be.
Shes depressed all the time and
she is able to do more than what
goes on there, and it breaks my
heart to see her so sad and she
hates it in there.
Wayne Woods, CEO of River-
side Health Care Facilities, Inc.,
acknowledged that Rainycrest and
other local health services cur-
rently cant meet all the needs of
the aging community.
Obviously, there is definitely
a need in the community. I think
people are recognizing that, he re-
marked. Right now, your options
are the hospital long-term care or
try and do some home care.
But there has to be a different
level for people that just need a
little bit of assistance, Woods con-
ceded.
Locally, 18.9 percent of the
population is over age 65, com-
pared to 13.7 percent of Canadas
population, according to the 2006
census.
And 37 percent of the popula-
tion here3,035 individuals as of
2006is over 50.
Many local seniors and their
families will, at some point, have to
face the decision of what kind of
care they need to live healthy and
happy lives as they age and their
needs change.
Provincially, the government has
encouraged programs that keep
people living in their own homes
longer, such as the billion-dollar
Aging At Home Strategy, which,
according to the Ministry of Health
and Long-Term care, aims to en-
sure that seniors homes support
them, that seniors have supportive
social environments, that senior-
centered care is easy to access, and
identifying innovative solutions to
keep seniors healthy.
The local Assisted Living Action
Group is hoping to make a new
option available herea place for
people like Mary Caul who no
longer can live safely alone in their
homes but who are capable of
many independent activities.
People have left Fort Frances
and the district because there is
With prayers and thanks, participants in the annual Mother
Earth Water Walk offered tobacco last Wednesday afternoon
to the waters at the Ranier rapids, where Rainy Lake ows into
the Rainy River. The walkwhich has seen a copper pail lled
with water from the Hudson Bay travelling by foot southwards
passed through the district on its way to Bad River, Wis., where
walkers carrying water from the Pacic, Atlantic, and Gulf of
Mexico will meet up on the shores of Lake Superior. See story,
more photos on A2.
Peggy Revell photo
Celebrating water
Scott Jolicoeur tried out the pilot seat of Pat-
rick Langevins Grumman Tiger four-seater
plane Saturday during the 12th-annual Fly-
in, Drive-in BBQ at the Fort Frances Airport.
The eventdesigned to showcase the local
airport by having private pilots y in here for
the dayfeatured a number of planes as well
as antique cars and motorcycles.
At the controls
Elderly in need of more care here
School
board
rescinds
contract
changes
Native
housing
project
launched
Please see Elderly, A5
Please see Native, A5
Please see Trustees, A5
no facility like that, said Robert
Schulz, co-chair of the Seniors
and Law Enforcement Together
(S.A.L.T.), which oversees the
ALAG.
Were looking at the private
sector to get involved here. But we
have to show a contractor that its
a valuable project to get into, he
noted.
The group has asked town coun-
cil to support its effort by provid-
ing future considerations in the
towns strategic plan.
Fellow S.A.L.T. co-chair Bob Ar-
mit questions the existence of a
long-term plan for the towns ag-
ing population.
We build our cemeteries along
the river and we build our long-
term care facilities in a swamp, he
noted.
If a long-term plan was in
place, would that have happened?
Were not pointing fingers at
this [town] administration, Armit
stressed. Its just that they didnt
always plan long-term back then.
All our group is looking for in
this is that we would like to have
the seniors retiring in a healthy,
enjoyable retirement setting, he
reasoned.
Assisted living facilities vary in
design across the country, but
Schulz said hed like to see a facil-
ity in Fort Frances provide meals
and a 24-hour nurse.
Wendy Derendorf is a case man-
ager with the North West Commu-
nity Care Access Centre, where
she assesses the service needs of
elderly clients. She noted health
care ideally should be holistica
goal assisted living can meet.
Derendorf has a positive impres-
sion of assisted living after visiting
a family member in a Ranier, Mn.
residence a few years ago.
You walked in, it had a huge
sunroom, it had a huge living
room, the dining room, she re-
called. And then it had a huge
kitchen, and then the bedrooms
were separated, men and women,
sort of on a wing.
Assistance there included medi-
cation reminders, shower assis-
tance, and meals, added Deren-
dorf, though it was not meant to
support individuals with severe
health issues.
Adapting
Since there is no equivalent
locally, seniors and their families
are adaptingor at least trying to
adaptin other ways.
My husband, hes hurt himself
and hes got a bad heart [but] as
long as Im around, I can help
him, noted Joyce LaFreniere.
But if something should happen
to me, I know he wouldnt want to
head for Rainycrest, whereas as-
sisted living would be something
that certainly would be much
more conducive for him.
As we get older, were all won-
dering and I dont want to go with
family, LaFreniere added. That
is not an option for me.
Other seniors have looked to
Meals on Wheels for help when
concerns such as arthritis or fail-
ing vision impairs their ability to
prepare their own meals.
Theres lots of elderly people
in this community who should be
on Meals on Wheels and theyre
not because theres no room for
them and thats a tragedy, said
local program co-ordinator Gaby
Hanzuk.
That is absolutely a terrible,
terrible thing.
Fort Frances resident Kate
Meadwell said she previously had
wanted to use Meals on Wheels
because arthritis in her hands
makes meal preparation difficult.
She is one of the lucky ones,
though, with family support avail-
able to balance her otherwise
healthy life.
My daughters being very nice,
shes bringing meals over for me
once in a while, Meadwell noted.
There are quite a few people
I know that would like Meals on
Wheels, but they cant: there are
no volunteers, she stressed.
Meadwell has looked into as-
sisted living facilities in Thun-
der Bay, which she said sounded
wonderful, but she couldnt bring
herself to leave her family here in
Fort Frances.
Hanzuk said for some people,
getting help from their children
simply is not an optioneven if a
son or daughter lives locally.
I dont care what anybody says,
if your relationship with your par-
ents was rocky, they are elderly
and vulnerable, do you really
want to put people in that situa-
tion? she asked.
Hanzuk warned that creating
that pressure between parents and
children can lead to elder abuse,
financial or otherwise.
I know of people who do take
advantage of that situation be-
cause they disliked their parents
all their lives for one reason or
another, and now all of a sudden,
mom and dad have to depend on
them, she noted.
And sometimes its not a good
situation and I think that to keep
elderly people not just happy, but
safe and make them happy in their
own home at the end of their life,
they should have that choice.
June Cauls aunt, Betty Martin-
son, 90, made a difficult choice to
move from here, where shes lived
since age 16, into assisted living in
Winnipeg. She has family in her
new city, but left behind a lifetime
of friendships.
I know she would have stayed
here if there would have been
something, Caul said. She talks
about her friends. And my mom
is her only sister living now and
theyll probably never, ever see
one another again.
That was hard for her and hard
for us.
Its hard to make good friends,
agreed Derendorf, who has seen
many people move away from
town for health reasons. And I
think the older we get, the harder
it is to make those connections.
So its a shame somebody would
have to leave a place theyve lived
for the last 40, 50 years.
The next step for the Assisted
Living Action Group is to identify
exactly what the public wants from
such a facility, and to bring com-
munity groups together to make
assisted living a reality.
Hopefully, the community can
come together to do something
about that, Armit said.
Its a challenge, actually, he
admitted. All the organizations
and the general public, what do
they want?
For his part, Riverside CEO
Wayne Woods said he thinks cur-
rent services could be integrated
into a future plan.
Weve got the infrastructure
and things to at least help the
group, he reasoned. Weve got a
lot of resources we can rely on.
Were going to be in there and
try and see what we can do to
help out the group, push it along
and see what happens.
As for June Caul, her worries
are shifting from just her mothers
well-being to include her own.
Us baby-boomers are soon
going to be ready to move into a
place like thata place where we
need a little bit more assistance,
she noted.
And what are we going to
do?
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 FORT FRANCES TIMES A5
It was the stupidest bet Ive ever
madejust plain stupid.
A week ago Tuesday (May 31), a
crew of us from work had nothing
better to do during the noon hour
than invent a contest that would
have each of us give up something
for 30 days.
I plumped up my feathers and
said, Ill give up eating choco-
late.
Im not even sure what the win-
ner gets. All I know is that besides
the five bucks I forked out to be
in the stupid contest, Ive already
had to cough up two penalty pay-
ments.
And the farm rooster hadnt
even crowed yet when I mindlessly
shoved two homemade chocolate
brownies in my face and washed
them down with Caldwell Coffee
before I realized Id cheated.
And it was 7 a.m. on June
1Day One.
Im about to close the door
on Day Eight and my willpower
already has had to be duct-taped
to the wall three times to keep it
together.
It would appear I have an infatu-
ation with chocolate, or perhaps
Im in denial and Im addicted. Ive
come to the sobering conclusion
that the next 22 days are going to
be the bane of my existence.
And I may be going crazy but I
think Willie Wonkas Chocolate
Factory has stepped off the big
screen and into my shadow as part
of an elaborate Universal plot to
sabotage the single greatest chal-
lenge of my entire life.
By comparison, I quit drinking
alcohol three-and-a-half years ago.
I drank a lot before that (more
than anyone who knows me might
have realized) but choosing to quit
was, by far, easier for me than lay-
ing a wager that I could give up
chocolate for a month.
That was the stupidest bet Ive
ever madejust plain stupid is
my new mantra as I jump up and
down in tantrum fits, kicking and
screaming against the insanity of it
all.
So as one can imagine, chocolate
is on my mind a lot these days.
And how many sleeps is there
until I can sink my teeth into the
solid chocolate bunny from Easter
that I found still untouched in
the kitchen cupboard when I was
spring cleaning this past weekend?
Again, I reiterate the Universal
conspiracy theory.
The last time I found surprise
chocolate was when I was smart
enough not to be in the middle of
a 30-day famine. I was cleaning
my closet out and found a box of
Pot of Gold chocolates Id forgot-
ten to give as a gift.
It was all over in under 15 min-
utes. The little morsels never knew
what hit them.
Hence everywhere I turn during
this month-long fiasco, there it is.
Choco-awareness is unrelenting. If
its not in the candy bars dancing
at me on the shelf at the grocery
till, its the wafer covering on the
bottom of nutrition bars, in cook-
ies and muffins, flavored in coffee,
and in the ice cream.
Cant have that, cant have that.
I swear at this moment, I can
hear the bag of milk chocolate
chips calling my name from the
pantry. I can feel my age spots
returning and my crows feet elon-
gating with each passing day Im
separated from my sublime choco-
late experience.
Ive always believed that those of
us who eat chocolate will live lon-
ger than those who dont. I knew
it long before the scientific studies
claimed it so.
My plan always has been to
become a super centenarian us-
ing chocolate as my life preserver.
Frankly, I want to follow in the
footsteps of Jeanne Calment, who
was born in 1875. She lived to be
122 years old and ate two pounds
of chocolate of week until the age
of 119.
Regular consumption of choco-
late has been thought to have
circulatory benefits, aid in muscle
recovery, be a cough preventer,
anti-cancer agent, brain stimulator,
and a migraine prophylactic.
Well, Ive abstained for eight
days and my cognitive abilities
have wavered, I have a cough, my
feet are cold, I have a headache,
and a backache. In a word, Im a
wreck!
However, I am not among the
50 percent of women who sup-
posedly prefer chocolate to sex
or at least not latelyalthough I
do agree with the following wise
words of a fellow connoisseur:
I am a serious chocoholic. For
the serious chocoholic, chocolate is
better than sex. If you believe that,
you REALLY need to meet that
special someone who can change
your mind.
If you HAVE met that special
someone and still believe that, I
REALLY NEED to know where
you get your chocolate!!!
I also would now agree with the
sage who figured out that if you
eat a chocolate bar before each
meal, it takes the edge off your ap-
petite and youll eat less.
In the past eight days, Im sure
Ive gained five pounds.
All I know for sure is that Id
rather pull stewed raisins out of a
babys nostril and deal with poopy
diapers than go without chocolate
for the next 22 days.
And no, my children, this is not
a shout out to you about my baby-
sitting services.
Unless, of course, you arrive
bearing lots of chocolatefor Day
31.
Trustees rescind
contract changes
it simply could take a show of
hands and issue a press release.
I believe that the motion is in
order, [and] there are people who
believe it does have value in mak-
ing a statement, countered Lewis.
If the assumption is that its
not going to do any good, what is
going to prevent the other two par-
ties from doing the right thing and
rescinding [the contract changes],
as well? added Hill.
It could actually be very use-
fulthe ball is back in their court
to do the right thing.
It does not have to be a useless
exercise, Hill stressed.
Campbell declined to comment
on the matter while Mills was not
available to comment following the
meeting.
As noted and approved in the
minutes of Mays meeting, Lewis
had reported that he had been in
contact with the boards labour
relations legal counsel regarding
the details of the discussion on the
two senior administrators contract
amendments that were presented
to the board in November.
Lewis noted the discussion with
legal counsel was mainly about
procedure and had little to do
with the proposed content of the
amendments being proposed.
Procedurally, the counsel con-
firmed the regular practice of the
board was to pass motions in-
camera and then approve the in-
camera minutes by motion in the
public sessionalthough counsel
confirmed this may be in con-
trast to the fact that motions or
agreements made in-camera are
supposed to be passed in public
session.
It also was noted that two of the
five trustees on the former board
did not vote in favour of the sever-
ance package amendments.
Native housing project launched
for yesterdays ground-breaking,
including Janet Hope (assistant
deputy minister of Municipal Af-
fairs and Housing), Don McBain
(executive director with OAHS),
Sheila McMahon (board member
of OAHS), Connie Calder (presi-
dent of Wahkaihganun Futures
Corp.), and Fort Frances Mayor
Roy Avis.
The ceremony originally was
scheduled to take place at the
site but was moved to the United
Native Friendship Centre due to
inclement weather.
We look forward to celebrat-
ing the opening of these units
together, Hope said on behalf
of Municipal Affairs and Housing
minister Rick Bartolucci.
Together with our aboriginal
partners, we are improving ac-
cess to adequate, suitable, and
affordable housing for off-reserve
aboriginal people, he noted in a
press release.
As part of our Open Ontario
plan, construction of these 10 units
will stimulate the local economy by
providing jobs and supporting local
businesses.
These 10 units wont solve the
problem, conceded McBain. But
it is a step in the right direction.
And we look forward to build
on this new development.
Construction on the apartment
complex is expected to begin in
early July and be completed in
November.
Wahkaihganun Futures Corp. is
a related company to Fort Fran-
ces Native Urban Wahkaihganun
Corp., with the same board of
directors.
The Fort Frances Native Urban
Wahkaihganun Corp. was founded
in 1986 as non-profit organization,
which works to provide affordable
housing for families and individu-
als of native ancestry.
Elderly in
need of more
care here
June Caul feels her mother, Mary, pictured in the framed
photo with her late husband, Stephen, could ourish in an
assisted living facilityif one was available in Fort Frances.
Zoey Duncan photo
Janet Hope, assistant deputy minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, presented a certicate to Connie Calder, president
of Wahkaihganun Futures Corp., during yesterday mornings ground-breaking ceremony for a 10-unit apartment complex
on Eighth Street to house aboriginal people living off-reserve. Heather Latter photo
It will be mostly cloudy tonight,
then gradually become clear.
Look for an overnight low of
four C (39 F) and north winds
at five-10 m.p.h., becoming calm
later.
Tomorrow will be sunny, with
a high of 21 (70) and low around
three (38).
Friday will be partly sunny, with
a 40 percent chance of showers in
the afternoon.
Expect a high of 18 (65) and low
dipping to four (40).
Saturday will see mostly cloudy
skies, with a high again of 18 (65)
and low around eight (46). Then
Sunday should be mostly sunny,
along with a high of 22 (72) and
low near 12 (53).
The extended outlook calls for
a chance of showers and thunder-
storms both Monday and Tuesday,
with highs of 22 (71) and 23 (74),
respectively, and lows around 13
(55) and 15 (59).
The record high for today is 27
(81) set in 1996 while the record
low is minus-two (28) set in 1995.
Normals are 21 (70) and seven
(45).
Sunset today is at 9:13 p.m., with
sunrise tomorrow at 5:11 a.m.
In dire need
of immediate
chocolate fix
Weather mix on tap
The View
From Here
By Beth Caldwell
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