Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Life Saving Award

Two Kenora Residents have been presented life-saving awards forhelping to rescue a man who was drowning in Lake of the Woods.

Lori Burton and Charlie Strachen were presented certificatesfrom the Royal Canadian Humane Association yesterday byKenora Mayor Len Compton.

Strachan was also given a bronze medal for his actions.

On July 4th, 2007, an intoxicated man was heard flounderingin the water off the Main Street Dock.

Burton called 9-1-1 to help, while Strachan dove into thewater to try and rescue the drowning man.

He was eventually brought to dry land and was taken tohospital where he was treated and released.

The actions of Burton and Strachen were described ascourageous and their intervention helped save a life.

Rafferty on Forestry Funding

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty has given his support to a motion calling on the Federal Government to increase forestry sector assistance to levels provided for the auto sector.

Rafferty told the House of Commons this week that he would like the Government negotiate an end to the U-S Black Liquor subsidy and compensate Canadian mills to bring them on par with their American counterparts.

Rafferty adds Money earmarked for Mill's in Northwestern Ontario won't necessarily be going to those facilities.

Confederation College Student Ages

Confederation College hosts a variety of age groups in its classrooms across Northwestern Ontario.

A presentation on how the different generations work together and collaborate at school was presented at the Kenora campus on Friday.

Coordinator of Councilling Services Jim Lees says the loss of forestry related jobs means more and more baby boomers are hitting the books alongside Generation Y.

Generation Y is more comfortable with computers and technology, while many baby boomers need to learn how to use the equipment while studying the course work as well.

OPSEU

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is questioning how the Ontario Government can be considered one of Canada's top 100 employers.

The Province was included in a list recently published in Maclean's magazine.

OPSEU president Warren Thomas says the government's decision not to pay out vacation or statutory pay to studentsworkers this past summer is a clear reason why it shouldn't be on the list.

Thomas says the government's decision shortchanged students roughly 800-dollars each.

Land Ambulance Base

The Kenora District Services Board has renewed its land ambulance base lease with the Lake of the Woods District Hospital for another year.

Board Chair and City Councillor Rory McMillan says they're dedicated to finding a new location for the land ambulance.

McMillan says the establishment of a new land ambulance base is one of the many recomendations in the board's strategic plan.

Operations Building New Tennants

The City of Kenora is planning to lease out some office space in the Operations building on Barsky's Hill.

The city has negotiated a 15 year agreement with Ontario Power Generation for the rental of about four thousand square feet of vacant space in the building.

Councillor Dave McCann says the agreement will net the city about 100 thousand dollars a year.

Renovations to the office space will cost about 200 thousand dollars and the city has agreed to pick up 55 thousand dollars of that amount.

OPG will pay for the rest of the renovation costs.