The move is on again to bring back passenger rail service to Kenora and Thunder Bay.
New Democrat MP Bruce Hyer plans to introduce a private members motion on the issue when parliament resumes.
Hyer says the time is right to restore the service and hopes his motion brings attention to the issue.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Downtown Kenora Funding
The City of Kenora is getting more funding to help fix up the downtown core.
The Ministry of Agriculture, food and Rural affairs has announced a250 thousand dollar grant that will be shared with the KenoraHarbortown Business Improvement Zone.
The funding will help out with landscaping improvements inthe downtown area and also signage and new banners.
The B.I.Z. is expected to contribute 25 thousand dollars aspart of the program.
The Ministry of Agriculture, food and Rural affairs has announced a250 thousand dollar grant that will be shared with the KenoraHarbortown Business Improvement Zone.
The funding will help out with landscaping improvements inthe downtown area and also signage and new banners.
The B.I.Z. is expected to contribute 25 thousand dollars aspart of the program.
Hampton Pensions Abitibi
Demands for pension assistance for Ontario's Abitibi-Bowater workers in the Legislature yesterday.
Kenora-Rainy River M-P-P Howard Hampton says support recently given to Nortel's pension plan should be offered to AbitibiBowater's underfunding pension plan.
Education Minister Leona Dombrowsky says the money given to Nortel was from a pension benefits guarantee fund that guarantees each worker one-thousand dollars per month.
Kenora-Rainy River M-P-P Howard Hampton says support recently given to Nortel's pension plan should be offered to AbitibiBowater's underfunding pension plan.
Education Minister Leona Dombrowsky says the money given to Nortel was from a pension benefits guarantee fund that guarantees each worker one-thousand dollars per month.
Teaching Awards
Nominations are open for the Ontario Teaching Awards.
Anyone can nominate an educator who is innovative and creative can log onto www.teachingawards.ca
Ontario Teachers Federation President Reno Melatti says Northwestern Ontario has taken home the award before.
Nominations close on April 12th.
Anyone can nominate an educator who is innovative and creative can log onto www.teachingawards.ca
Ontario Teachers Federation President Reno Melatti says Northwestern Ontario has taken home the award before.
Nominations close on April 12th.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Signage By Law
Thursday is the final day local residents have to comment onthe city's new sign by-law.
The by-law has been in the works for months.
Councillor Wendy Cuthbert says the one issue people continueto comment on is the ban on posting sign banners on the C.P. Rail fence.
Cuthbert says council hopes to be able to approve the newsign by-law in the next couple of months.
The by-law has been in the works for months.
Councillor Wendy Cuthbert says the one issue people continueto comment on is the ban on posting sign banners on the C.P. Rail fence.
Cuthbert says council hopes to be able to approve the newsign by-law in the next couple of months.
Signage By Law
Thursday is the final day local residents have to comment onthe city's new sign by-law.
The by-law has been in the works for months.
Councillor Wendy Cuthbert says the one issue people continueto comment on is the ban on posting sign banners on the C.P. Rail fence.
Cuthbert says council hopes to be able to approve the newsign by-law in the next couple of months.
The by-law has been in the works for months.
Councillor Wendy Cuthbert says the one issue people continueto comment on is the ban on posting sign banners on the C.P. Rail fence.
Cuthbert says council hopes to be able to approve the newsign by-law in the next couple of months.
NOMA Energy
The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is asking the Province to not abandon it's plans for new energy transmission lines in Northwestern Ontario.
President Anne Krassilowsky says they want to see the east of Nipigon to Pickle Lake line move forward as outlined in the Northern Growth Plan.
NOMA is asking the plan be modified to provide service to Whitesand First Nation, Armstrong and Gull Bay First Nation.
President Anne Krassilowsky says they want to see the east of Nipigon to Pickle Lake line move forward as outlined in the Northern Growth Plan.
NOMA is asking the plan be modified to provide service to Whitesand First Nation, Armstrong and Gull Bay First Nation.
STR Trails
The Sunset Trail Riders Club is giving back to its volunteers.
President Ken Bracken says they're providing incentives for those members who groom area trails.
Bracken adds they've created a vintage sled permit for those members who have snowmachines 15 years and older.
President Ken Bracken says they're providing incentives for those members who groom area trails.
Bracken adds they've created a vintage sled permit for those members who have snowmachines 15 years and older.
Ontario Good Roads Conference
Several members of Kenora City Council will be spending the week in Toronto.
Councillor Dave McCann is attending the annual Good Roads Conference.
McCann says its a good chance for them to lobby provincial cabinet ministers on issues important for the city.
The City has 8 meetings set up with provincial cabinet ministers or their representatives.
Councillor Dave McCann is attending the annual Good Roads Conference.
McCann says its a good chance for them to lobby provincial cabinet ministers on issues important for the city.
The City has 8 meetings set up with provincial cabinet ministers or their representatives.
Hospital Budget Meetings
The Ontario Health Coalition says hospitals need to find out sooner rather than later how much money they'll have to work with this year.
The Ministry of Health still hasn't indicated how much it plans to increase hospital budgets by in 2010.
Natalie Mehra is the executive director of the coalition and sayseven if hospitals get a two percent increase, it will leave manyshort of funds.
The Ontario Health Coalition is planning to hold a number of hearings across the province next month on the future of rural and northern Hospitals.
The Ministry of Health still hasn't indicated how much it plans to increase hospital budgets by in 2010.
Natalie Mehra is the executive director of the coalition and sayseven if hospitals get a two percent increase, it will leave manyshort of funds.
The Ontario Health Coalition is planning to hold a number of hearings across the province next month on the future of rural and northern Hospitals.
Common Voice on Growth Plan
A Regional group has given the Provincial Government something to think about.
Common Voice Northwest has submitted more than 100-recommendations in a response to the proposed Northern Growth Plan.
Chair George Macey says they're not asking for a complete re-write.
Among Common Voice's recommendations is an agency that allows for more input from
Northern Ontario into the decision making process at Queen's Park.
Common Voice Northwest has submitted more than 100-recommendations in a response to the proposed Northern Growth Plan.
Chair George Macey says they're not asking for a complete re-write.
Among Common Voice's recommendations is an agency that allows for more input from
Northern Ontario into the decision making process at Queen's Park.
Friday, February 19, 2010
New Chamber President
There's been a changing of the guard at the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce.
Dwayne Yaremko has stepped down after two years as chamber presidentand has been replaced by Andy Scribilo.
Scribilo says he's no stranger to the job as he held the same position 10 years ago.
Scribilo will be joined on the board of the chamber by Linda Davedow, who will take over as first vice-president.
Yaremko will stay on the chamber board as past-president.
Dwayne Yaremko has stepped down after two years as chamber presidentand has been replaced by Andy Scribilo.
Scribilo says he's no stranger to the job as he held the same position 10 years ago.
Scribilo will be joined on the board of the chamber by Linda Davedow, who will take over as first vice-president.
Yaremko will stay on the chamber board as past-president.
Federal Funding Annoucements
Kenora MP Greg Rickford paid a visit to his riding this week and made a couple of funding announcements.
27 thousand dollars is going towards hiring a youth intern for Women's Place Kenora.
Rickford says the intern will assist with research and project management.
Another 2 thousand dollars was provided to the Rabbit Lake Trail System through St. Thomas Aquinas' Outdoor Education Program.
27 thousand dollars is going towards hiring a youth intern for Women's Place Kenora.
Rickford says the intern will assist with research and project management.
Another 2 thousand dollars was provided to the Rabbit Lake Trail System through St. Thomas Aquinas' Outdoor Education Program.
Driven to Quit Deadline
A Board member with the Northwestern Health Unit admits breaking the habit is hard to do, but she's encouraging fellow smokers to stick with it.
Emo resident Gerd O'Sullivan is taking part in the Driven To Quit Challenge.
Smokers have until the end of February to register for the Challenge.
A number of great prizes are up for grabs for those who successfully butt-out during the month of March.
Emo resident Gerd O'Sullivan is taking part in the Driven To Quit Challenge.
Smokers have until the end of February to register for the Challenge.
A number of great prizes are up for grabs for those who successfully butt-out during the month of March.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Land Ambulance Base Kenora
At least one Kenora resident is on the record as opposing a proposalto locate a new land ambulence base on Railway Street.
Ron Brown made a deputation to council this week and suggestedthe Railway Street location is not practical, especially if there israil traffic blocking the crossings.
Brown also says Railway Street is narrow and very slippery in the wintermonths, and is a less than ideal location for an ambulence base.
Ron Brown made a deputation to council this week and suggestedthe Railway Street location is not practical, especially if there israil traffic blocking the crossings.
Brown also says Railway Street is narrow and very slippery in the wintermonths, and is a less than ideal location for an ambulence base.
Gale at Chamber Awards
Kenora's business community has received a glimpse at some of theideas being proposed to re-develop the former Abitibi lands.
Developer John Gale was the feature speaker at the Kenora andDistrict Chamber of Commerce's annual general meeting.
Gale says one of the keys to moving ahead with these projectsis co-operation and partnerships with local first nations.
Gale says some of the projects he envisions for Kenorainclude value added wood manufacturing, a conferencecenter, a resort and spa and an R.V. park.
Developer John Gale was the feature speaker at the Kenora andDistrict Chamber of Commerce's annual general meeting.
Gale says one of the keys to moving ahead with these projectsis co-operation and partnerships with local first nations.
Gale says some of the projects he envisions for Kenorainclude value added wood manufacturing, a conferencecenter, a resort and spa and an R.V. park.
Chamber Awards
A big night for Kenora's busines community.
A total of 12 plaques were handed out at the annual Chamber of Commerce Business Awards ceremony.
Sharon Smith was presented the Mayor's Award for community involvement.
She says she's a bit surprised to win the award.
Kevin and Leah O'flaherty were named business owner of the year.
Leah O'flaherty says it means a lot to be nominatedby her employees.
Mike Newton Design won the award for Home based businessof the year, while Andrew Brookes from Earth4U Consulting was named youth entrepreneur of the year.
A total of 12 plaques were handed out at the annual Chamber of Commerce Business Awards ceremony.
Sharon Smith was presented the Mayor's Award for community involvement.
She says she's a bit surprised to win the award.
Kevin and Leah O'flaherty were named business owner of the year.
Leah O'flaherty says it means a lot to be nominatedby her employees.
Mike Newton Design won the award for Home based businessof the year, while Andrew Brookes from Earth4U Consulting was named youth entrepreneur of the year.
Fatal Crash Highway 17
Two people from Geraldton are dead following a two vehicle collision on Highway 17 between Vermilion Bay and Kenora.
OPP say the crash occurred just before 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon near the Willard Lake Esso.
Police say a westbound transport came around the corner to find an eastbound van in its lane.
The occupants of the van, 64-year-old Raymond Buhr and 62-year-old Joeanne Buhr, died in the collision.
The crash forced the closure of the Trans-Canada for nearly 4-hours.
OPP say the crash occurred just before 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon near the Willard Lake Esso.
Police say a westbound transport came around the corner to find an eastbound van in its lane.
The occupants of the van, 64-year-old Raymond Buhr and 62-year-old Joeanne Buhr, died in the collision.
The crash forced the closure of the Trans-Canada for nearly 4-hours.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Land Ambulance Base Kenora
The Kenora District Services Board is defending its decision to put a land ambulence base on Railway Street.
A special zoning meeting was held yesterday to get feedback abouta proposal to build a new training facility and ambulence base beside Chrstal Clean Car Wash.
Peter Marshall is the manager of Emergency Services for the District Services Board and says they wanted a location closest to where they get the most emergency calls.
Superior Propane was the only local business to object to the zoning application.
Its concerned the land ambulence base could jeopardize its operations in the area, due to chance under the Hazardous Materials act.
Council is expected to decide on the re-zoning application next month.
A special zoning meeting was held yesterday to get feedback abouta proposal to build a new training facility and ambulence base beside Chrstal Clean Car Wash.
Peter Marshall is the manager of Emergency Services for the District Services Board and says they wanted a location closest to where they get the most emergency calls.
Superior Propane was the only local business to object to the zoning application.
Its concerned the land ambulence base could jeopardize its operations in the area, due to chance under the Hazardous Materials act.
Council is expected to decide on the re-zoning application next month.
Parking Kenora
Kenora City Council is having a hard time deciding how to accomodate vehicles that park in the Harborfront parking lot this summer.
The big tent is expected to be up for much of the summer and fall, displacing about 30 vehicles.
Operations Manager Rick Perchuck says they should be able to find space for 28 vehicles in the lot on the north side of Lakeview Drive.
Council has rejected the idea allowing parking on the south side of Lakeview Drive along the greenbelt.
Mayor Len Compton says it would block the view of the lake for people driving into the city.
The big tent is expected to be up for much of the summer and fall, displacing about 30 vehicles.
Operations Manager Rick Perchuck says they should be able to find space for 28 vehicles in the lot on the north side of Lakeview Drive.
Council has rejected the idea allowing parking on the south side of Lakeview Drive along the greenbelt.
Mayor Len Compton says it would block the view of the lake for people driving into the city.
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