Council gives Drs. more flexibility

Ken Johnston

Rainy River Town Council held a busy session Monday evening dealing with everything from the public library moving to working to preserve 24/7 emergency services at the Rainy River Health Centre.
Emergency
Late in the meeting council passed a motion to make some changes in the contract with Dr. Singleton.
Mayor Glen Armstrong said that Drs. would like the ability to negotiate the emergency services portion of their contract with Riverside Health Care Facilities directly. At present they don’t have that option.
Councillor Deb Ewald asked if that would in any way jeopardize the continuance of 24/7 emergency services in Rainy River.
Councillor Brent Anderson said that he felt that the meeting with Dr. Singleton left him feeling that the Dr. wants to work at maintaining the service but needs more flexibility in order to do that. Mayor Glen Armstrong concurred with that opinion.

Books getting mobile
Councillor Deb Ewald informed council that the Rainy River Public Library Board is looking to move to a new and larger location. “They simply have outgrown their current facility.” She noted that they have started exploring funding from the province to help with such a move.
A positive spin
Councillor Debbie Ewald reported that the economic development committee has been working hard to put a positive spin on Rainy River. “We are looking at funding for beautification.” She also said that she has budgeted for the town’s website to be upgraded and noted that an ad will go in a MOM’s Way brochure for three years.
MOM’s Way, an alternate route from Winnipeg to Thunder Bay via Manitoba, Ontario and Minnesota, will also receive official designation this year. “That means it will now appear on maps like the Rand McNally’s (atlas),” said Ewald.
Other business
•Council agreed to support efforts by RRFDC to apply for funding for broadband internet service for the Rainy River District.
•Councillors Debbie Ewald and Gerry Marchuk questioned why the Mayor had submitted expenses for in town meetings. One of the meetings was a mandated court appearance dealing with the town’s water treatment plant infractions.
Councillor Brent Anderson said that normally the Town Clerk would go but was unable to do so.
Councillor Ed Tymkin said that the Mayor had to pay someone to run his business and felt it justified to pay the expense of $50.
The other expense in question was $150 to meet with a company from the U.S. that was considering opening up shop in Rainy River.
Councillor Gerry Marchuk said, “This could open a can of worms up. I have two meetings with taxpayers next week and I will not claim expenses.”
“I thought council’s monthly stiphen covered all in town meeting expenses,” said Ewald.