Council ramps up pressure for assisted living funding

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River's new town council held its first working meeting of its four year term Monday evening.
With the completion of the major renovations to Riverview Manor on Main St., council decided to put some pressure on the provincial government for funding to staff the building.
Apartments were made larger and fully equipped for seniors with some limitations to be able to live there in what is called Assisted Living.
This was done to address the fact that there are often people that can no longer live on their own but are not in need of Long Term Care.
The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board approved the renovations and has been awaiting word from the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) for funding to provide staff for residents to live there.
Mayor Deb Ewald said, "We have been hearing that we should have word on funding in a month and have heard that each of the past few months."
Council decided to increase pressure on the LHIN and the Ministry of Health by passing a resolution to petition for 24 hour support staff at Riverview Manor.
Until the funding is in place people in need of assistance while living there can not live there.
Mayor Ewald said that she has also asked other municipalities in the district to put pressure on the LHIN and she believes that both Fort Frances and Atikokan have written to them about the issue.
Other business
As a new councillor Larry Armstrong asked some questions about the accounts.
In particular he asked about a $4,400 expenditure at the water treatment plant and if it was a monthly bill.
Clerk Veldron Vogan explained that it was for a part that stopped working at the plant and not monthly.
Armstrong also inquired about a cheque for about $15,000 for equipment repairs.
Councillor Gord Armstrong explained that the transmission went on the town's big excavator.
•Council approved a motion to give $150 to the Rec. Board, Library Board and Fire Dept. to be used for holiday gatherings.
•Council passed a motion to give each of its employees a $50 gift certificate, to be used at a Rainy River business, as a Christmas bonus for 2010.
•Council passed a motion to hire KGS professional engineering to conduct a structural assessment of the community’s recreational facilities, including the community centre, arena and curling rink, and develop a long-term replacement plan. This will help ensure safe and well-maintained facilities for use by residents of all ages and abilities.
The town received a Trillium grant of $25,600 to do the study.
The funding will allow the Town to have a complete analysis done on the Recreation Centre/Arena and the Curling Club. The purpose is to determine the life span of the buildings including both structural and mechanical system. The funding had been applied for in July and a letter of approval forwarded to them in November.
•Council nominated Gerry Marchuk and Ontario Govt. Volunteer Service Award.