The decision last week by the Fort Frances Rotary Club to turn in its charter has left our community weaker for it.
On the one hand, it’s just another in a list of casualties among local service clubs, such as the Jaycees and Kinsmen. But on the other, is it a harbinger of the fate our remaining service clubs face?
Taken on its own, word last week that Abitibi-Consolidated is cutting its salaried staff at the mill here by about 10 positions over the coming year, and not replacing them, was not earth-shattering news.
To say our “blue box” recycling program is in deep trouble may be the understatement of 2002—and the year is barely two weeks old.
Should town council pass a bylaw to make our community smoke-free? That’s what the Northwestern Health Unit will be asking residents through a petition being mailed out next week.
And there’s no doubt which side of the issue the health unit is on, claiming such a bylaw is needed to protect all workers and the public.
One doesn’t have to look very hard to find a reason to feel pessimistic—even downright gloomy—these days.
The aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks still lingers, with people nervously wondering when and where another strike will be launched.
When the mayor and council announced their strategic plan, they did more than announce the direction the town would take during the balance this council’s mandate—they set in place their own goals for Fort Frances.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said to unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.
Finance minister Paul Martin, in his budget Monday, has proven he’s a master juggler, capable of tackling the crises of the day while holding to fiscal responsibility.
The budget may not be what Rainy River District would want, but it does address the need for this area’s residents to feel safe.
The “Re-inventing Fort Frances” committee is generating quite a buzz among residents here these days, at least as far as the weekly poll on the Times’ Web site was concerned.
Finger-pointing. Name-calling. Tit for tat. Nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah. These are the kinds of things you’d expect to hear on an elementary school yard, not coming from those we’ve entrusted to lead us.
