Editorials

With word that Rainy Lake was all but ice-free as of last night, and the Victoria Day long weekend coming up, district residents can rejoice that the summer season finally is upon us after a long winter and slow start to spring.

“In times of uncertainty, you have to try to create some sort of certainty. You have to continue to develop hope if good things are going to come in the future.”
Local Liberal candidate Anthony Leek was referring to the provincial budget unveiled last Thursday by Finance minister Charles Sousa, but his words may prove to be hauntingly prophetic much closer to home.

Sniff . . . sniff. Smell that?
Yes, spring finally is in the air but what’s really wafting about these days is the distinct odour of an impending provincial election.

The issue of bullying remains front and centre as Canadians wrestle with yet another tragic circumstance of a young woman taking her own life after months of torment—both online and otherwise—by her peers.
Lost in all the hand-wringing and calls for tougher laws, however, is the equally disturbing matter of excessive alcohol consumption amongst teens and a cavalier attitude towards sex.

And the winner for least shocking news story of the year is . . . Justin Trudeau capturing the Liberal leadership.
The federal Liberal party was adamant its search for a new leader would not be a coronation, but that is precisely what it was. And in fact, despite all the protestations to the contrary, it always was the moment Mr. Trudeau threw his hat in the ring.

We all knew the day was coming—it was just a matter of when.

With our population aging year by year, there’s no question the need to provide seniors’ activities and services in Fort Frances will grow, too.
That said, the request to put off demolishing the former Huffman School so it can be used as an extension of the Sister Kennedy Centre—even in the short term—is not the way to go and should be denied.

It is great that there is now a full council at the table in Fort Frances. We congratulate Doug Kitowski for stepping forward to fill the vacancy left with the death of Sharon Tibbs.
Fort Frances’ council is now on unfamiliar grounds. They face a major decline in tax revenue, and a significant loss of jobs in the community. They face a deteriorating underground infrastructure.

The calendar may say it’s the first day of spring but Mother Nature certainly is playing an early April Fool’s Day prank on us.

We know that four people have applied to fill the vacancy on town council following the passing of Coun. Sharon Tibbs back in early January.
What we don’t know—and may never know, at least officially—is who those four are.