Kenora City Council's 2010 budget is expected to be approved by the February 8th committee of the whole meetings.
Council went over the draft budget again on Wednesday.
Finance Manager Karen Brown says they saw an increase in their share of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund.
Policing costs for the City of Kenora will also bring in a savings of 284 thousand dollars.
The savings found through policing will be put into a new contingency reserve.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Fire Halls
The City of Kenora is planning to dispose of its old fire halls in Kenora and Jaffray Melick once the new building on Barsky's Hill is complete.
Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says he would like to deal with the issue sooner rather than later, because people are already calling him about the old fire halls.
The City is planning to write up a request for proposals for the old fire halls and give
the Property and Planning Committee the responsibility of disposing of the buildings.
Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says he would like to deal with the issue sooner rather than later, because people are already calling him about the old fire halls.
The City is planning to write up a request for proposals for the old fire halls and give
the Property and Planning Committee the responsibility of disposing of the buildings.
All Day Kindergarten Catholic School Board
The Kenora Catholic District School Board will be offering all-day everyday kindergarten at St. Louis School in Keewatin this fall.
The provincial government announced yesterday the 580 schools involved in the first year of the program.
Phylis Aikre is the Director of Education with the separate school board and says for them, St. Louis was the logical location to start up the program.
Aikre says they have lots of room at St. Louis to host the all-day everyday junior and senior kindergarten programs and parents in the communityhave been very supportive of the program.
The provincial government announced yesterday the 580 schools involved in the first year of the program.
Phylis Aikre is the Director of Education with the separate school board and says for them, St. Louis was the logical location to start up the program.
Aikre says they have lots of room at St. Louis to host the all-day everyday junior and senior kindergarten programs and parents in the communityhave been very supportive of the program.
Nursing Program Funding
Confederation College is expecting to offer a Bachelor of Nursing Program in several communities across northwestern Ontario this fall.
Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake will all be involved in the program.
Director of Patient Care at Lake of the Woods District Hospital, Leslie Brown says the students would actually register for the program through Lakehead University.
Brown says they need at least 32 students to sign up for the program across the region before it can go ahead.
The last nursing program graduated six students from Kenora.
Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake will all be involved in the program.
Director of Patient Care at Lake of the Woods District Hospital, Leslie Brown says the students would actually register for the program through Lakehead University.
Brown says they need at least 32 students to sign up for the program across the region before it can go ahead.
The last nursing program graduated six students from Kenora.
Ontario Colleges Strike
Two-hundred-thousand community college students in Ontario will be worried for the next month about whether they will be able to finish their school year.
Their instructors have voted by about 57 per cent to support strike action.
Ted Montgomery of the OP-SEU bargaining team, says a walkout wouldn't happen for at least a month.
Both sides have indicated they would like to resume talks which stopped in December.
Their instructors have voted by about 57 per cent to support strike action.
Ted Montgomery of the OP-SEU bargaining team, says a walkout wouldn't happen for at least a month.
Both sides have indicated they would like to resume talks which stopped in December.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Aboriginal Trustee School Board
The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board has officially sworn in its new aborigial trustee.
Mary-Ann Ketchemonia took her oath of office at last night's board meeting.
Ketchemonia is from the Eagle Lake First Nation and was appointed byschool board trustees to the position back in November.
Mary-Ann Ketchemonia took her oath of office at last night's board meeting.
Ketchemonia is from the Eagle Lake First Nation and was appointed byschool board trustees to the position back in November.
Council Report
Kenora City Council has turned down a request from the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation for 3.5 million dollars.
The foundation made the request just before Christmas, but at a committee of the whole meeting yesterday, members of council say they aren't ready to look at such a rich donation at this time.
Chief Administrative Officer Bill Presentanz says the only place council could secure such funding is from the KMTS Prosperity Fund, and council has indicated it doesn't want that money touched at all.
Councillor Dave McCann says if they decided to find the money, it would be detrimental to local taxpayers, and its not something he is prepared to do at this time.
The foundation made the request just before Christmas, but at a committee of the whole meeting yesterday, members of council say they aren't ready to look at such a rich donation at this time.
Chief Administrative Officer Bill Presentanz says the only place council could secure such funding is from the KMTS Prosperity Fund, and council has indicated it doesn't want that money touched at all.
Councillor Dave McCann says if they decided to find the money, it would be detrimental to local taxpayers, and its not something he is prepared to do at this time.
All Day Kindergarten KPDSB
Evergreen Public School in Kenora and Pinewood School in Dryden will beginoffering all-day, everyday Kindergarten classes this fall.
Those two schools were chosen by the Ministry of Education from a listof six schools submitted by the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.
The outgoing Director of Education, Larry Hope expects most of the kidsenrolled in the all-day kindergarten program will initially come from the areassurrounding those two schools.
Hopes says the maximum enrolment in the all-day, everyday programwill be 26 students, and doesn't expect a problem filling those classes.
Those two schools were chosen by the Ministry of Education from a listof six schools submitted by the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.
The outgoing Director of Education, Larry Hope expects most of the kidsenrolled in the all-day kindergarten program will initially come from the areassurrounding those two schools.
Hopes says the maximum enrolment in the all-day, everyday programwill be 26 students, and doesn't expect a problem filling those classes.
Lower Black Sturgeon Report
Lower Black Sturgeon is in good shape according to the latest water quality monitoring report.
Ryan Haines was hired by the City of Kenora to conduct the study looking at the lake's oxygen, temperature, phosphorous, and algae levels.
Haines says fairly stable water temperatures and oxygen levels are extremly important to the lake's fish population.
Lower Black Sturgeon's phosphorous levels are below the Provincial Government's Ontario wide average, but Haines notes there is a significant difference in phosphorus levels in the inlet and outlet of the lake.
Haines is suggesting the City add an extra testing site near the Upper part of Black Sturgeon to see if phosphorus is travelling from that part of the lake into the lower section.
Ryan Haines was hired by the City of Kenora to conduct the study looking at the lake's oxygen, temperature, phosphorous, and algae levels.
Haines says fairly stable water temperatures and oxygen levels are extremly important to the lake's fish population.
Lower Black Sturgeon's phosphorous levels are below the Provincial Government's Ontario wide average, but Haines notes there is a significant difference in phosphorus levels in the inlet and outlet of the lake.
Haines is suggesting the City add an extra testing site near the Upper part of Black Sturgeon to see if phosphorus is travelling from that part of the lake into the lower section.
Ontario Sunset Country Travel Association
The leader of Ontario's Sunset Country Travel Association is spreading the word about the Provincial Government's new tourism marketing regions.
Gerry Cairou told Kenora City Council yesterday that there is a lack of information and communication about certain aspects of the new tourism initiative.
Cariou says he'll be taking part in discussions with the province in the near future.
Cariou is concerned about whether the money generated in this region will be sent back to Sunset Country in marketing funds, and if the new marketing regions are just another layer of beaurocracy.
Gerry Cairou told Kenora City Council yesterday that there is a lack of information and communication about certain aspects of the new tourism initiative.
Cariou says he'll be taking part in discussions with the province in the near future.
Cariou is concerned about whether the money generated in this region will be sent back to Sunset Country in marketing funds, and if the new marketing regions are just another layer of beaurocracy.
Local Sports Round Up
Kenora's court sport teams travelled to Dryden yesterday, and the Junior Boys Basketball team fell to the Eagles 41-34 in overtime.
The Kenora Seniors boys team beat the Eagles 41-19.
In girls volleyball...Dryden defeated Kenora in 4 sets in Junior play.
The Senior Girls downed the Broncos in straight sets.
In highschool hockey, the Bronco's beat the Eagles 3-2.
The Kenora Seniors boys team beat the Eagles 41-19.
In girls volleyball...Dryden defeated Kenora in 4 sets in Junior play.
The Senior Girls downed the Broncos in straight sets.
In highschool hockey, the Bronco's beat the Eagles 3-2.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Council Nominations
Then there was one.
The first person to officially the 2010 municipal election race in the City of Kenora has officially filed his nomination papers.
Councillor Jim Parsons filed his papers yesterday and plans to run for council in October.
Parsons was recently appointed to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Andrew Poirier back
in July.
Local residents have until September 10 to file their nomination papers.
The first person to officially the 2010 municipal election race in the City of Kenora has officially filed his nomination papers.
Councillor Jim Parsons filed his papers yesterday and plans to run for council in October.
Parsons was recently appointed to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Andrew Poirier back
in July.
Local residents have until September 10 to file their nomination papers.
Recreation Report Kenora
Kenora City Council says it doesn't want a report on local recreational facilities to sit around gathering dust on a shelf.
The Community Services Committee has been given the task of coming up with a list of short and long term recommendations that council can move forward with.
Councillor Chris Van Wallenghem says they want to get some input before bringing back their recommendations to council next month.
The 50 thousand dollar report looks at the future of local arenas, community clubs,ball parks and tennis courts.
The Community Services Committee has been given the task of coming up with a list of short and long term recommendations that council can move forward with.
Councillor Chris Van Wallenghem says they want to get some input before bringing back their recommendations to council next month.
The 50 thousand dollar report looks at the future of local arenas, community clubs,ball parks and tennis courts.
Low Vacancy Rate Kenora
A low vacany rate and high rents are a bad combination for people seeking housing in the City of Kenora.
A recent report by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation shows that Kenora has the lowest vacancy rate in northern Ontarioat 0.8 percent.
Nan Normand is with Making Kenora Home and says an average three bedroom unit costs over 880 dollars.
Normand says the housing situation in Kenora means that people are often forced to live in less than ideal circumstances.
A recent report by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation shows that Kenora has the lowest vacancy rate in northern Ontarioat 0.8 percent.
Nan Normand is with Making Kenora Home and says an average three bedroom unit costs over 880 dollars.
Normand says the housing situation in Kenora means that people are often forced to live in less than ideal circumstances.
Crimestoppers 2009 Stats
Crimestoppers of Northwestern Ontario and Northern Minnesota has made some significant gains in 2009.
The program saw a 31 percent increase in the number of tips received.
Executive Director Doug Anderson says they also saw a 36 percent jump in the amount of tips paid out.
2009 saw a 92 percent jump in the amount of drugs seized.
The program saw a 31 percent increase in the number of tips received.
Executive Director Doug Anderson says they also saw a 36 percent jump in the amount of tips paid out.
2009 saw a 92 percent jump in the amount of drugs seized.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Mischief to area snowmobile trails
OPP are looking into a complaint of mischief on area snowmobile trails.
Postings and signs for snowmachine trails in Keewatin have been vandalized.
OPP remind the public that most of the work done on marking and maintenance of those trails is done by volunteers.
Removing posted signs or markers could results in operators going to areas that may not be safe.
If anyone has information about the vandalism they can call the OPP or Crimestoppers.
Postings and signs for snowmachine trails in Keewatin have been vandalized.
OPP remind the public that most of the work done on marking and maintenance of those trails is done by volunteers.
Removing posted signs or markers could results in operators going to areas that may not be safe.
If anyone has information about the vandalism they can call the OPP or Crimestoppers.
Underage Drunk Driver
An underage drinker was caught at a RIDE check stop on Transmitter Road over the weekend.
Officers detected the odour of alcohol from the driver.
After registering a fail on the road side test, the 18 year old Jace Jones was charged with
impaired driving as well as consuming alcohol under the legal age of 19.
Officers detected the odour of alcohol from the driver.
After registering a fail on the road side test, the 18 year old Jace Jones was charged with
impaired driving as well as consuming alcohol under the legal age of 19.
Serious Accident
A Toronto man is in hospital in serious condition following a single vehicle crash on Highway 17 between Vermilion Bay and Kenora.
OPP say the crash occured around 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon, about 40-kilometres east of Kenora.
Police say a transport left the highway and rolled over in the ditch.
The 54-year-old driver was transported to Winnipeg with spine and head injuries.
The crash forced the closure of the Trans-Canada for an hour.
OPP say the crash occured around 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon, about 40-kilometres east of Kenora.
Police say a transport left the highway and rolled over in the ditch.
The 54-year-old driver was transported to Winnipeg with spine and head injuries.
The crash forced the closure of the Trans-Canada for an hour.
Local Sports Round Up
Kenora's High School sports teams were kept busy this past weekend.
The Boys hockey team fell to Dryden 4 to 1 at a tournament in Winkler, Manitoba.
On the Volleyball Court, St. Thomas Aquinas' Senior Girls team fell to the Eagles 25-21, 25-19.
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A split for the Kenora Midget Thistles at home this past weekend. It was a good start for Kenora as they hosted the Yellowhead Chiefs.
Friday, the Thistles pulled out a 4-3 win. All-star Jon Johannesson scored a pair in the win.
Looking for the weekend sweep on Saturday, the Thistles lost 4-3 in a shootout.
Brett Biosol scored twice for Kenora in the loss.
Next game for the Midgets will be Friday at Thistle rink against the Winnipeg Wild.
The Boys hockey team fell to Dryden 4 to 1 at a tournament in Winkler, Manitoba.
On the Volleyball Court, St. Thomas Aquinas' Senior Girls team fell to the Eagles 25-21, 25-19.
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A split for the Kenora Midget Thistles at home this past weekend. It was a good start for Kenora as they hosted the Yellowhead Chiefs.
Friday, the Thistles pulled out a 4-3 win. All-star Jon Johannesson scored a pair in the win.
Looking for the weekend sweep on Saturday, the Thistles lost 4-3 in a shootout.
Brett Biosol scored twice for Kenora in the loss.
Next game for the Midgets will be Friday at Thistle rink against the Winnipeg Wild.
Solid Waste Kenora
At least one department in the City of Kenora is expected to make money in 2010.
The budget for the solid waste department was approved at a meeting yesterday.
Councillor Dave McCann says they are projecting a 723 thousand dollar surplus for garbage collection, the waste transfer station and landfill operations.
McCann says the Solid Waste Budget does not include recycling costs.
He adds that recycling continues to cost the city money, because there is no market for our recycled goods.
The budget for the solid waste department was approved at a meeting yesterday.
Councillor Dave McCann says they are projecting a 723 thousand dollar surplus for garbage collection, the waste transfer station and landfill operations.
McCann says the Solid Waste Budget does not include recycling costs.
He adds that recycling continues to cost the city money, because there is no market for our recycled goods.
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