Council concerned about the future of police presence in RR

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River Fire Chief Stewart McNally gave town council his first quarterly report Monday evening at the regular monthly meeting of council.
McNally reported that long time fireman Morris Mykytyn has left the department having moved to Manitoba. However, McNally said that a new person has applied for the vacancy.
“This Bruyere guy has quite a bit of experience from when he lived in Geraldton,” said McNally. He said the applicant served on the department there and has started fire fighting curriculum that McNally feels will be forced upon departments by the province in the near future.
He noted that area chiefs have been discussing starting the curriculum this fall and that it will help ensure that firefighters are properly trained whether they are volunteer depts. or not.
He said the courses take about 2 years to complete and that most of the members of the local dept. have indicated an interest in taking them.
Police Concerns
Councillor Marilyn McAlister reported to council that a wife of one two long time local O.P.P. officers told her that the positions will not be replaced once they retire.
She also reported that Constable Doug Irish will be bringing information about the creation of a Neighbourhood Watch program to Rainy River.
Councillor Gerry Marchuk expressed dismay that, “It bothers me that they are going to ask us to police the town and then they pull out (the two) police officers...for the money we put in should get more presence.”
Mayor Deb Ewald suggested that Sgt. Lucas be invited to a council meeting to discuss the concerns.
Other Business
•Council approved sending Councillor Gord Armstrong (Eco. Dev. Committee Chair) to a meeting with Big Grassy First Nation Economic Development Officer Jazz Comegan.
•Council agreed to pay $75 for damages to her lawnmower. Apparently she hit a water shut off pipe that she had reported as being a hazard, on her boulevard, to the town on a previous occasion.
•Council hired Stewart Daw of Chapple Twp. to be the town’s Animal Control Officer. Citizens with complaints about animals can call the town office at 852-3244. Daw will also be randomly patrolling the streets of RR.
•The town waived the building fee for the erection of the big tent by the RR Walleye Tournament in the amount of $28.
•The Rec. Board has ordered new taller glass for the arena to comply with new safety regulations.
•The Public Library flooded again over the weekend. Council has struck a committee to look at options for moving it.