RRCA president proud of completed sales barn improvements

By Ken Johnston
Editor

About 60 people attended the annual meeting of the Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association in Stratton last Wednesday.
President Ken McKinnon did not have to face an election again this year after a motion was passed last year saying, “To keep the existing Board of Directors until such a time as the outstanding legal action is resolved.”
McKinnon informed the members last Wednesday that the legal action has not been resolved. “Since it is a confidential matter I can not comment on it.”
He did tell them that he thinks, “It is a great waste of time and energy and hopefully it will be resolved in the coming year.”
Last year legal action was launched by former Sales Barn Manager Russell Richards for wrongful dismissal.
McKinnon did say the RRCA had a successful year outside the bounds of the law suit. “A project that has been dear to my heart is the barn infrastructure improvements.”
McKinnon commended the many members who volunteered to make the upgrades a reality. There were 1,889 hours of volunteer labour ($28,335 value) and $11,570 of equipment use donated. The Rainy River Future Development Corporation also donated $5,000 worth of administration for the project. Monies were also received from the CFID program ($18,425), Northern Ontario Heritage Fund ($97,450) and FedNor ($171,000).
The total cost for the project was $354,813.54 and the RRCA’s financial responsibility is $23,033.54.
The Sales Barn has all steel pens, new electrical system, new plumbing and waterbowls in every pen. “You people should be very happy. It is a great thing to have that kind of money spent in the community. We will see benefits from it for years to come!”
However, at last year’s meeting, RRCA member Steve Lowshaw said, “I don’t know what the impact of the pending lawsuit will be, but the only assets we (RRCA) own is the cattle barn. As members that is what is at stake.”