Friday, May 15, 2009

McGuinty and Harper Tour

harper-mcguinty announcement.jpg 

2009-05-15

06:24:25

Work to twin the Trans-Canada Highway west of Kenora will begin starting next year.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and premier Dalton McGuinty were in Kenora Friday afternoon to announce 100 million dollars for the construction project.

Harper says the funding is part of the federal government's infrastructure initiative to boost an ailing economy.

Ten kilometers of Highway 17 will be twinned starting in 2010.

Prime Minister Harper says thats the first phase of the plan to double-lane the highway all the way from the Manitoba border to Kenora. 


Sidewalk Tenders to be awarded

By Tim Davidson

2009-05-15

06:23:15


The City of Kenora is planning to spend a little more on sidewalk
construction and repairs this year.

Council is expected to award the sidewalk maintenance tender next
week.

The lowest bid has come in at around 250 thousand dollars.

City Engineer, Marco Vodrig says they plan to complete the section
of walkway from Bayview Toyota to the Dairy Queen.

That will include things like railings and guard rails.

The contract will also include fixing up the interlocking brick sidewalks in the community. 

Safe Communities Nominees Needed

By Sheri Leviski

2009-05-15

06:21:06

Safe Communities Kenora is looking for nominees for two national safety awards.

Spokesperson Maria Bagdonas says they're looking for a business that acts as a safety ambassador.

The other award up for grabs is the Community Service Partner Ambassador for Safety.

Nominations will be accepted up until five pm on Tuesday.

 

Big Tent Could become permanent summer feature

By Tim Davidson

2009-05-15

06:20:10

The big tent on the Harborfront could become a permanent summer
feature.

City council has approved plans to leave the tent up from Canada Day right until October.

Councillor Chris Van Wallenghem says people will be able to park under then tent when its not in use.

Van Wallenghem says leaving the tent up will save on wear and tear
and should also save groups like Harborfest and KBI money because they won't have to worry about set up and tear down of the tent. 

Child Care Funding questioned

By Mike Ebbeling

 2009-05-15

06:18:29

There is concern Provincial funding for the Best Start program could disappear after next March.

The Kenora District Services Board is asking the Government to maintain the child care initiative, noting they can't afford a loss in financing.

Best Start has provided an additional 477-early learning an childcare speaces within the District.

 

Harper and McGuinty to visit City of Kenora

By Tim Davidson

2009-05-15

06:16:25

A couple of high profile visitors are coming to town.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is making a return trip to Kenora
after visiting last year, and he'll be joined by premier Dalton McGuinty
this time.

This would be McGuinty's first ever visit to the riding since being elected premier five years ago.

The two leaders are scheduled to make a joint announcement at the Operations Center on Barsky's Hill this afternoon.

The press conference is scheduled to take place at 2:30.

DSSAB says no to Land Ambulence Base

by Tim Davidson

2009-05-15

06:15:39

Thanks but no thanks.

That seems to be the response by the Kenora District Services Board
to an offer by the City of Kenora to partner on a new building to house a land ambulence base and fire hall on Barsky's Hill.

The board met behind closed doors yesterday to discuss the issue.

Chief Administrative Officer, Sten Lif says they simply couldn't come to a decision about where to put the land ambulence base by city council's
self imposed deadline of 4:30 this afternoon.

He says they want to weigh all their options before making a final decision on a location for the land ambulence base.

Council wanted a yes or no decision so it could decide whether to proceed with a stand alone fire hall.