Thursday, March 25, 2010

Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls Budget

The Town of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls has decided to put off approval of its 2010 budget.

The municipal council had planned to pass the budget earlier this month,but put the brakes on the process after the Kenora District Services Boardfailed to approve its annual budget.

The services board had been seeking a big increase in its budget from localmunicipalities, which would have a significant impact on Sioux Narrow's finances.

Sioux Narrows mayor, Bill Thompson says there's no point passing their budgetuntil they know exactly how much more they will have to contribute to theDistrict Services Board.

Ice Road Challenges

An early spring is having an impact on the ice road system in northern Ontario.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says winter roads are "vitally important" to all isolated First Nation communities in the Kenora riding.

He says communities rely on these roads for transportation of supplies such as goods, services, and fuel.

Rickford says a number of infrastructure projects rely on getting construction materials up north via the winter road network.

He says projects are intended to be completed by Spring 2011 and a strategy for the shortened winter road system is under consideration.

March Crazy Weather

Northwestern Ontario can expect the cold weather to continue today and tomorrow.

Kenora is currently experiencing temperatures in the minus range with windchills of minus 25.

Environment Canada Spokesperson Geoff Coulson says we can expect the warmer weather to come back by the weekend.

Coulson says we can expect even nicer weather next week with highs forecasted at plus 12.

Woman OPP

The OPP are hiring and new members are being recruited.

To assist in the recruiment, the OPP is hosting a symposium that will be focused on "Policing as a Career Choice for Women."

Constable Dave Cain says the symposium will be open to women 18-years-old and up who live in North Western Ontario.

Cain says there is no fee to attend, but anyone interested in attending shouldcontact the OPP as soon as possible because there is only limited space forthe symposium.

Immigration Portal

32 Northwestern Ontario communities have banded together to create a new website for immigrants interested in moving to the region.

City of Kenora Economic Development Officer Jennifer Findlay says immigrants will find a wealth of information on the site.

The site was funded by the Provincial government and can be found at www.immigrationnorthwesternontario.ca

Woodland Caribou Habitat Policy

Forestry groups are sounding the alarm over Ontario's Endangered Species Act again.

The Ontario Forest Industries Association says new regulations protecting Woodland Caribou could remove thousands of hectares of wood fibre from harvesting.

Scott Jackson is a researcher for the OFIA and says the loss of wood supply will mean direct job losses for the region.

The OFIA recently conducted an impact study on the new regulationsfor Woodland Caribou, and Jackson says about a third of the availablewood supply could be affected in northern Ontario.

Mayor Election

There's been lots of speculation as to who might be running for Kenora City Council this year, but one name won't be on the ballot.

Kenora Mayor Len Compton indicated yesterday he won't be seeking re-election.

In a news release Compton says he made his decision in order to give potential candidates as much time as possible to organize their campaigns,including anyone currently on Council who may wish to run for the Mayor’s Office.

Compton has been on council for the past seven years, the last three and a half as mayor.

He says he doesn't plan to make any further comment on his decision not to run.