Council hopes to get Tourist Info. for a buck

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River Town Council held their regular monthly meeting Monday with a light agenda and all councillors present.
After passing the minutes of previous meetings they moved onto business arising from them.
Mayor Deb Ewald asked if any progress has been made with the province on acquiring the former Tourist Information building.
Town Clerk Vel Vogan reported that she has been in touch with Infrastructure Ontario, the body that oversees provincial real estate now.
"He sounded like he would really like to get it to us, but the situation here is complicated. Normally they have property with the building but here the building is siting on leased land (just west of the old train station). He has sent it to their real estate department. So probably another month and a half before we hear anything."
Mayor Ewald said, "We have a buck to buy it!"
Vogan said he did ask what the town thought is worth and the idea of buying it for a dollar has been volleyed around.
The town and chamber hope to use the building for a visitor centre, promoting the community and tourism.
It was officially mothballed this year when the province cut funding for several centres including Rainy River and Fort Frances.
Councillor Gord Armstrong complimented the town crew on the ramp they built at the marina for seniors to use when boarding boats. However, he did say he felt a railing was needed on it.
Public Works Chair Larry Armstrong said that they have added the railing as per previously requested by Gord.
Councillor Larry Armstrong also inquired as to an item in the town books involving Canadian National Railway and taxes. "Can the clerk explain the $4,195.00 in the accounts?"
Vogan said that since no one was in the former CN bunkhouse their assessment and taxes are dramatically reduced. So they actually overpaid and now have a credit for last year.
"So we owe them money?" asked Larry.
"Yes." said Vogan.
Under Public Works Committee report Larry Armstrong noted that the crew has been very busy with the demolition of the former RR Hotel. "I think they did a great job there. Next they will be moving onto trail work."
Mayor Deb Ewald asked if anything has been done in regards to inquiries by a taxpayer who is wondering what the rules are with swimming pools.
Councillors Susan Carpenter and Larry Armstrong noted that the bylaw on record dates back to 1978. They have looked at other communities and what they have for regulations. The concern is about heights of pools and whether they need to be fenced to keep them safe from kids.
Mayor Ewald said, "I think we should work on this over the winter and hit the ground running in the spring."
The cemetery memorial fence project is moving along well. Clerk Vogan reported that they have received enough donations to cover the cost of the next six sections of fence.
Council passed a motion to authorize Clerk Vogan to sign a Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation internship application form to hire an Economic Development Intern.
Mayor Ewald asked if the intern would be for one year or two.
Economic Development Chair Gord Armstrong said that they have received a letter from NOHFC outlining what they need to do to get the intern for two years. "We have to jump through their hoops."
Mayor Ewald said, "I think this is an important position to fill now with all the mining activity coming on in the next couple of years."
Gord also commented on the weeds and slew along the shoreline at Hannam Park. "The beautification committee works so hard planting flowers and making the park look so nice and that looks awful there. Its too bad we can not get rid of the weeds in there."
Beautification Committee Chair Ashley Stamler said she agrees and would like to speak to the Ministry of Natural Resources about what they can do about it. "It be nice if people could swim in there again like they did 20 years ago," added Stamler.
Council passed a motion to urge the Ontario Power Authority to sign a power agreement with the Ontario Power Generation corporation for the plant in Thunder Bay that was burning coal.
Mayor Ewald explained that the project to convert it from coal to natural gas has been put on hold until OPA signs the agreement.
With no further business the council adjourned at 7:30 p.m.