New Bathrooms for Anicinabe

Kenora City Council is expected to approve a tender to replace the bathroom facilities at Aniciabe Park, even though the project is over budget.

The city had put aside 350 thousand dollars for the project in this years budget, but the lowest bid for the work came in at 475 thousand dollars.

Operations Manager Rick Perchuck says they have been able to reduce that cost by about 70 thousand dollars by making some changes.

Council has agreed to find an extra 79 thousand dollars in the 2010 capital budget
to proceed with the washroom facility at Anicinabe.

Its expected to be complete in time for next camping season.

No Spitting By-Law Proposed

Kenora Mayor Len Compton says a lot of interest has been generated by his idea to ban spitting in the city.

Compton raised the issue at a committee of the whole meeting this week.

He says he would like to see a by-law in place to deal with spitting.

The issue came to his attention after a recent farmer's market, where someone
complained about someone spitting under the big tent.

Compton says its an unsanitary practice and would like to see council take action
on the issue.

Compton says he's had media inquiries from Thunder Bay, Winnipeg and even
Ottawa in the past week.

Council supports voluntary Census

Don't expect Kenora City Council to support demands to bring back the long form census in 2011.

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is urging municipal council's to pass a resolution asking the federal government to do away with a voluntary census next year to replace the long form census.

Kenora Mayor Len Compton says he's always refused to fill out the census because it requires too much personal information.

He feels much of the information could be garnered from other government departments such as Revenue Canada.

Councillor Dave McCann says he also doesn't like the fact that people can be jailed for
failing to fill out the census.

Another quiet year for Forest Fires

There isn't the concern there used to be about this years forest fire season.

After a busy start, rain has kept the Northwest Region's fire hazard in the mostly low to moderate range.  Debbie McLean of the Ministry of Natural Resources that's keeping the number of fires relatively low

So far this year, there has been just over 300 forest fires reported in the west fire region.

There were no new forest fires reported in the region over the weekend and all the rain yesterday
is expected to keep the fire hazard low for the next couple of days.

Funding Announced for area groups

Six area community groups will be sharing over 474 thousand dollars in provincial funding.


Ontario's Minister of Health Promotion Margarett Best is providing the funding through her ministry's healthy community fund.


The Nishinawbe Aski Nation will be utilizing 120 thousand dollars for its "Girl Power Wolf Spirit" program.

Bearskin to offer flights to Minneapolis

Northwestern Ontario travelers may still have access to a daily flight to Minneapolis-St. Paul.


Delta Airlines has announced they are cutting their flight from Thunder Bay to Minneapolis this Fall.

However, Bearskin Airlines is reportedly stepping up to the plate to take over the route.

Vice-President Cliff Friesen says the company has begun the process.

Redditt Water Project Delayed

The community of Redditt north of Kenora will have to wait a little longer for

treated water.

The Redditt Local Services Board had hoped to begin work on a water treatment facility
this month, but those plans have been put on hold.

Jack Martin is chair of the Services Board and says costs of the project came in way over
their budget.

Martin says they had received over 550 thousand dollars from the federal and provincial
governments for the water treatment plant, but are now asking them for an extension.

Treaty Three Police Chief Resigns

The Treaty Three Police Service is looking for a new commanding officer.


Chief Conrad Delaronde submitted his resignation to the board at the end of
May.

The board has refused to comment on the reasons for Delaronde's departure.

Delaronde was hired in the fall of 2008.

His resignation followed on the heels of the departure of Deputy
Chief Louie Napish earlier this summer.