Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Times Web Design
Commercial Printing
Rainy River Record
FortFrances.TV
Poll
Forum planned to gather input on Pither’s Point
Wednesday, 18 March 2009 - 1:10pm
George will give a short presentation outlining the history behind the park and Agency #1 land based on previous studies commissioned by various agencies, as well as his own observations over the past year.
His presentation will be unbiased and based on legal and historical fact.
“In my opinion, there has been little public input on the issue to the Town of Fort Frances,” George noted in an e-mail to the Times.
“Many of the actions taken by the Town of Fort Frances have been absent of public input, and there has been very little education regarding the actions of various government agencies regarding Pither’s Point Park.
“This issue could possibly divide the Town of Fort Frances, [which] has many taxpayers who also have band membership with the four bands governing Agency #1 land,” he noted.
“Education and information is the cure for ignorance. Understanding the situation rather than coming to conclusions based off of ‘loose’ information will ultimately keep the peace in our community,” he added.
“In other communities, situations similar to ours has led to violence and other negative demonstration,” George warned. “It is my hope that this forum will be a positive step through a challenging and complicated time.”
George admitted he’s curious to see what kind of response he gets.
“I am interested to see if it does concern people. Maybe it doesn’t, maybe nobody’s going to show up,” he said in an interview Monday.
“But if this is something people are seriously concerned about, they can come out, and maybe out of it we can say to the town or the chiefs, ‘Hey, these are our concerns.’
“I am not affiliated with anybody,” George stressed. “I am just doing it because nobody else is doing it.”
Comments will be recorded in hopes of possibly presenting this information to local representatives of various councils and government agencies.
George said the meeting is informal, and that town residents and band members alike are encouraged to attend and speak their minds.
George—a filmmaker who has videos concerning the history of Pither’s Point posted online at www.fortfrances.tv—said he also will tape the forum, and may or may not end up using some of the footage for a future project.
By Duane Hicks, Staff writer
With the 99-year lease for Pither’s Point Park due to expire May 1, concerned citizen Andrew George wants to get a conversation going as to what area residents think about the issue?
George has scheduled a public forum for Wednesday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the East End Hall in order to inform, educate, and give a voice to community members on the issues surrounding Agency #1 land and Pither’s Point Park.
His presentation will be unbiased and based on legal and historical fact.
“In my opinion, there has been little public input on the issue to the Town of Fort Frances,” George noted in an e-mail to the Times.
“Many of the actions taken by the Town of Fort Frances have been absent of public input, and there has been very little education regarding the actions of various government agencies regarding Pither’s Point Park.
“This issue could possibly divide the Town of Fort Frances, [which] has many taxpayers who also have band membership with the four bands governing Agency #1 land,” he noted.
“Education and information is the cure for ignorance. Understanding the situation rather than coming to conclusions based off of ‘loose’ information will ultimately keep the peace in our community,” he added.
“In other communities, situations similar to ours has led to violence and other negative demonstration,” George warned. “It is my hope that this forum will be a positive step through a challenging and complicated time.”
George admitted he’s curious to see what kind of response he gets.
“I am interested to see if it does concern people. Maybe it doesn’t, maybe nobody’s going to show up,” he said in an interview Monday.
“But if this is something people are seriously concerned about, they can come out, and maybe out of it we can say to the town or the chiefs, ‘Hey, these are our concerns.’
“I am not affiliated with anybody,” George stressed. “I am just doing it because nobody else is doing it.”
Comments will be recorded in hopes of possibly presenting this information to local representatives of various councils and government agencies.
George said the meeting is informal, and that town residents and band members alike are encouraged to attend and speak their minds.
George—a filmmaker who has videos concerning the history of Pither’s Point posted online at www.fortfrances.tv—said he also will tape the forum, and may or may not end up using some of the footage for a future project.
More stories
Community involvement/Pithers Point
It's nice to see a young citizen like Andrew George trying to get the community involved in this process and I hope that all stakeholders take an interest in this so that an ammicable agreement can be made in the best interests of everyone.
Pithers Point was a big part of my family's summers growing up in Fort Frances in the 70's and 80's and my children also enjoy using the beach in the summer months.
It's unfortunate that the old log Fort has been demolished and the Hallet and Fire Tower have not been opened to the public in years(that I'm aware).
Most USA tourists fill up their gas tanks in Int'l Falls and usually only stop at the Beer Store in Fort Frances and if the Point isn't promoted as a tourist attraction, either by Town of Fort Frances or the Bands, it will really be a shame.
Bill Morrison jr.
Crozier