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.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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.
Dufresne Furniture Award
For the 11th year in a row, Dufresne Furniture has been named one of the 50best managed companies in Canada.
In the past year, the company has opened two new stores in Ottawa and nowhas 11 stores across the country.
Debra Jonasson-Young is the company's vice-president and says theyare always looking at expansion opportunities.
Dufresne Furniture started out in Kenora 24 years ago andnow has outlets in Winnipeg, Dryden, Thunder Bay and Brandon.
In the past year, the company has opened two new stores in Ottawa and nowhas 11 stores across the country.
Debra Jonasson-Young is the company's vice-president and says theyare always looking at expansion opportunities.
Dufresne Furniture started out in Kenora 24 years ago andnow has outlets in Winnipeg, Dryden, Thunder Bay and Brandon.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Committee Membership
At least one member of City Council doesn't want non-residents to be able sit on Kenora's committees.
Dave McCann raise the issue this week and suggests that if someone isn't paying taxes in the City of Kenora, they shouldn't be allowed to dictate how city funds are spent.
McCann says if they don't own property then they shouldn't have the right to vote.
Mayor Len Compton agreed, but says people who rent apartments should be allowed to sit on committees, because they are residents of the city,but not necessarilty property owners.
Dave McCann raise the issue this week and suggests that if someone isn't paying taxes in the City of Kenora, they shouldn't be allowed to dictate how city funds are spent.
McCann says if they don't own property then they shouldn't have the right to vote.
Mayor Len Compton agreed, but says people who rent apartments should be allowed to sit on committees, because they are residents of the city,but not necessarilty property owners.
Hampton HST
The MPP for the Kenora-Rainy River Riding says the Harmonized Goods and Services Tax isn't a done deal yet.
Howard Hampton says while the HST is supposed to go into effect this July, it still has a couple of political hurdles to clear before being proclaimed intolaw.
The NDP at both the federal and provincial level have been battling the HST saying it will increase the cost of living for people living in northern Ontario, especially people living in the far north.
Howard Hampton says while the HST is supposed to go into effect this July, it still has a couple of political hurdles to clear before being proclaimed intolaw.
The NDP at both the federal and provincial level have been battling the HST saying it will increase the cost of living for people living in northern Ontario, especially people living in the far north.
Strategic Plan KPDSB
Trustees with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Boardhave been given an update on the 2009/2010 StrategicPlan.
Sean Monteith is the Assistant to the Director of Education andsays they have been making good progress on the main goalsoutlined in the plan.
The two main goals of the strategic plan are to improve student achievement and to ensure adequate resources and programs for aboriginal students in the school system.
Sean Monteith is the Assistant to the Director of Education andsays they have been making good progress on the main goalsoutlined in the plan.
The two main goals of the strategic plan are to improve student achievement and to ensure adequate resources and programs for aboriginal students in the school system.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Richards heads to Olympics
The winter Olympics start this evening in Vancouver.
The opening ceremonies take place tonight.
Kenora's lone representitive at the games is Mike Richardswho is a member of the Canadian Men's Hockey Team.
Richards says he's looking forward to making the trip to Vancouver this weekend.
Richards and Team Canada won't hit the ice until next Tuesday, when they play Norway in their first game of the Olympic Tournament.
Richards and Team Canada won't hit the ice until next Tuesday, when they play Norway in their first game of the Olympic Tournament.
Muskies sweep Broncos on the court
Another tough day on the court as the Beaver Brae Broncos finished off the NorWOSSA court sport regular season at home hosting the Fort Frances Muskies.
In volleyball action the senior girls lost 3 sets to 1 while the junior girls just came up a little short in a 3 sets to 2 loss.
On the basketball court, the senior boys lost a close game 49-46 with Mark Gramenz leading the charge with 13 points.
The junior boys are limping into the playoffs after losing another game to Fort Frances 73-32, leading scorer for the Broncos was Bryton Albany with 12 pts.
The NorWOSSA playoffs are in Dryden next Friday.
In volleyball action the senior girls lost 3 sets to 1 while the junior girls just came up a little short in a 3 sets to 2 loss.
On the basketball court, the senior boys lost a close game 49-46 with Mark Gramenz leading the charge with 13 points.
The junior boys are limping into the playoffs after losing another game to Fort Frances 73-32, leading scorer for the Broncos was Bryton Albany with 12 pts.
The NorWOSSA playoffs are in Dryden next Friday.
Bronco Boys Hockey Team Beats Rams
Beaver Brae's boys hockey team is a win away from securing second place in the NorWOSSA standings.
Last night, the Broncos upended Red Lake 5-2 at the Thistle Rink.
The two teams meet up again this morning for the back end oftheir double-header.
Game time is 11:30 at the Rec. Center.
A win would give Beaver Brae the second seed heading into the play-offs.
Last night, the Broncos upended Red Lake 5-2 at the Thistle Rink.
The two teams meet up again this morning for the back end oftheir double-header.
Game time is 11:30 at the Rec. Center.
A win would give Beaver Brae the second seed heading into the play-offs.
Hampton on Buy American
Premier Dalton McGuinty is defending the new deal on Buy American provisions in Washington's stimulus package from unions who say the deal is unfair to Ontario.
N-D-P trade critic Howard Hampton says Canada may be getting access to U.S.stimulus projects, but most of that money has already been spent.
Unions say the trade agreement will eventually give foreign companies permanent and unfettered access to contracts that supply Ontario's schools and hospitals.
N-D-P trade critic Howard Hampton says Canada may be getting access to U.S.stimulus projects, but most of that money has already been spent.
Unions say the trade agreement will eventually give foreign companies permanent and unfettered access to contracts that supply Ontario's schools and hospitals.
Report: Move Northern Reserves
The federal government is being urged to work with aboriginal leaders to move residents on remote first nations onto urban reserves.
The recommendations is made in a study for the Frontier Center on Public Policy.
Joseph Quesnel is the author of the report and says aboriginalswho live in urban areas are more prosperous than those living in remote first nations.
Quesnel suggests that many remote first nations, especially those in northern Ontario, are not viable and have resulted in a wide range of social problems.
The recommendations is made in a study for the Frontier Center on Public Policy.
Joseph Quesnel is the author of the report and says aboriginalswho live in urban areas are more prosperous than those living in remote first nations.
Quesnel suggests that many remote first nations, especially those in northern Ontario, are not viable and have resulted in a wide range of social problems.
School Board seeks more trustees
Trustees with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board are seeking permission to elect one extra trustee in elections taking place this fall.
The board has written a letter to the Minister of Education asking to increase the number of trustees from nine up to ten.
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dean Carrie says the request was made due to the addition of schools in Pickle Lake, Savant Lake and Upsala.
Carrie says one of the trustees would cover Pickle and Savant Lakes,while Upsala would be covered by the Ignace trustee.
The board has written a letter to the Minister of Education asking to increase the number of trustees from nine up to ten.
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dean Carrie says the request was made due to the addition of schools in Pickle Lake, Savant Lake and Upsala.
Carrie says one of the trustees would cover Pickle and Savant Lakes,while Upsala would be covered by the Ignace trustee.
Barrier Free Funding
Kenora City Council is taking steps to ensure all municipal buildings are barrier free.
Councillor Dave McCann says they will be setting aside 30 thousand dollars this year to improve accessibility.
McCann says provincial legislation will make it mandatory eventually to ensure all government buildings are barrier free, socouncil is just being pro-active.
Councillor Dave McCann says they will be setting aside 30 thousand dollars this year to improve accessibility.
McCann says provincial legislation will make it mandatory eventually to ensure all government buildings are barrier free, socouncil is just being pro-active.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Armed threat on reserve
A young male faces a long-list of charges following an incident on the Mishkeegogamang Reserve, northeast of Sioux Lookout.
Nishnawbe-Aski Police responded to a call about an armed suspect who threatened to shoot another individual.
The suspect fled in a vehicle and was latter nabbed by officers with assistance of OPP.
The accused faces 5-firearm and weapon related charges as well as uttering threats and theft over 5-thousand dollars.
He is in custody and will appear in Pickle Lake Court next Friday.
Nishnawbe-Aski Police responded to a call about an armed suspect who threatened to shoot another individual.
The suspect fled in a vehicle and was latter nabbed by officers with assistance of OPP.
The accused faces 5-firearm and weapon related charges as well as uttering threats and theft over 5-thousand dollars.
He is in custody and will appear in Pickle Lake Court next Friday.
Sulphite Study
The effects of sulphate on Canada's lakes will be the subject of an upcoming study to be conducted at northwestern Ontario's Experimental Lakes near Kenora.
Researchers from York University are teaming up with others including Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Officials say the results of their controlled experiments could provide information about how the increased use of road salt is affecting lakes in the province’s central and northern areas.
Researchers from York University are teaming up with others including Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Officials say the results of their controlled experiments could provide information about how the increased use of road salt is affecting lakes in the province’s central and northern areas.
Kenora Community Clubs
Good news for Kenora's community clubs.
City council has agreed to spend an additional 38 thousanddollars this year on the four outdoor skating rinks.
Councillor Dave McCann says part of the funding isfor their annual operating costs and the rest is formuch needed repairs.
Community clubs will be eligible for up to six thousand dollarsin operating grants this year, up from four thousand lastyear.
City council has agreed to spend an additional 38 thousanddollars this year on the four outdoor skating rinks.
Councillor Dave McCann says part of the funding isfor their annual operating costs and the rest is formuch needed repairs.
Community clubs will be eligible for up to six thousand dollarsin operating grants this year, up from four thousand lastyear.
Ontario Colleges Possible Strike
The frustration level for students at Ontario's 24 communitycollege students has just gone up a notch.
Results of a strike vote by their teachers is too close to call.
Faculty, represented by the Ontario Public Service EmployeesUnion, voted 51 per cent in favour of accepting management's offer.
But the union says the margin was only 210 votes, and with 300outstanding mail-in votes that could tip the scales.
The official final vote won't be known until after a review ofall the ballots by the Ontario Labour Relations Board and thoseresults may not be known for up to 10 days or more.
The instructors had already set a Feb. 17 strike date, but if theoffer is ultimately rejected, a new strike date will be determined.
Results of a strike vote by their teachers is too close to call.
Faculty, represented by the Ontario Public Service EmployeesUnion, voted 51 per cent in favour of accepting management's offer.
But the union says the margin was only 210 votes, and with 300outstanding mail-in votes that could tip the scales.
The official final vote won't be known until after a review ofall the ballots by the Ontario Labour Relations Board and thoseresults may not be known for up to 10 days or more.
The instructors had already set a Feb. 17 strike date, but if theoffer is ultimately rejected, a new strike date will be determined.
Fire Hall Concerns
Work is continuing on the new fire hall on Barsky's Hill, but at least onearea resident is concerned about the project.
Mark Barnaby lives just north of the construction site and says he'sworried about where water will drain off once the building is complete.
Barnabe says he's willing to take legal action if the city doesn'taddress drainage issues and conduct a Storm Water ManagementPlan.
Mark Barnaby lives just north of the construction site and says he'sworried about where water will drain off once the building is complete.
Barnabe says he's willing to take legal action if the city doesn'taddress drainage issues and conduct a Storm Water ManagementPlan.
McMasters Back
One time principal and school board trustee Jack McMaster is returning to the Keewatin Patricia District School Board.
McMaster will be taking over as the public board's Director of Education.
McMaster will be relocating to Dryden sometime in March.
McMaster is currently the Director at the Rainy River District School Board.
Rainy River trustees are planning to hold a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the resignation and how they'll replace McMaster.
McMaster will be taking over as the public board's Director of Education.
McMaster will be relocating to Dryden sometime in March.
McMaster is currently the Director at the Rainy River District School Board.
Rainy River trustees are planning to hold a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the resignation and how they'll replace McMaster.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
McMaster returns to KPDSB
A familiar face is returning to the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board as Director of Education.
Jack McMaster was hired to replace Larry Hope, who signed last month.
McMaster has been a principal and Superintendant of Education with the public school board for a number of years.
He was hired away from the Rainy River District School Board where he has been the Director of Education for the past five years.
Jack McMaster was hired to replace Larry Hope, who signed last month.
McMaster has been a principal and Superintendant of Education with the public school board for a number of years.
He was hired away from the Rainy River District School Board where he has been the Director of Education for the past five years.
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