All fired up

Ken Johnston

Rainy River Town Council approved the addition of a new volunteer firefighter Monday evening, but not before some questions by Councillor Ed Tymkin.
The new fireman, Mr. Earl Ivall, lives in Dawson Township and Tymkin questioned how many members of the department are from out of town.
Fire committee chairman Dennis Ewald said , “Probably 75% of them are from out of town.”
Tymkin then questioned if Dawson is contributing financially to the fire budget noting that the taxpayers fork out over $9,000 per year in firefighters fees.
The answer was “No” but Dennis Ewald said the town needs the volunteers from outside the community as there are not enough within the town limits willing to serve.
Mayor Glen Armstrong noted that Mr. Ivall was a former resident of Rainy River and lives just outside of town.
After fanning the flames of discussion for about ten minutes, Tymkin was the only councillor to vote against Ivall’s appointment. “I am not opposed to the guy, something just bugs me here.”
Reducing size of council
Council will hold two public meetings later this month as well as accept written submissions on their recent proposal to downsize town council from six to four members (plus the Mayor).
The meetings will be held on October 20 and 27th. Watch next week’s paper for the place and time.
Other business
•Council passed a motion to begin the rezoning g process for the property where the new Covenant Church is being constructed along Hwy. 11. Once the process sis complete the zoning will be “Institutional.” It is currently “rural.”
•Council approved the application for a minor variance on the property owned by Clarence Advent at 311 First St.
•Councillor Debbie Ewald informed council that next week is Library Week and that a special concert is being held at the Community Centre to raise money for the library.
Councillor Tymkin urged the Library Committee to meet with Rainy River High School officials and the school board to look at sharing space in the school and having a joint library.
Councillor Deb Ewald agreed to look into that option.
Council passed a resolution requesting the province to reinstate $238,000 for the Ontario Library Service offices in Thunder Bay and Kirkland Lake.
•Council approved a plan by the Recreation Board to renovate the facility to include a fitness centre.
Rec. Committee Chair and Councillor Brent Anderson noted that there will be no cost to taxpayers as the Rec. Board received a $5,000 donation from the Rainy River Charitable Association for the project and they are also applying for a grant.
•Sgt. Dave Saunders met with council to discuss enforcement issues with them.
He noted that a recent phone survey done in the area had residents showing they were satisfied to very satisfied with the way the police solve local problems. He also reported that in the new year a new constable will be added to the area as a Canine Handler at no cost to the local municipalities.