In response to the coverage and comments

Letter to the editor,
If your purpose in writing this article was to stir up bitter feelings towards Council and the Town of Rainy River from the citizens of Dawson, you have accomplished it. In the weeks since your “comprehensive article”, there have been many disparaging remarks about our members of council concerning this issue. Normally it is not in one’s interest to challenge a reporter if you are a councilor, but in this case I have no choice.
Mr. Tymkin does not need anyone to defend his comments, which you have not reported in its entirety. It also does not surprise me that the letters in the week following this report and personal comments since, some citizens of Dawson and Rainy River have expressed, at the very least, dismay and shock that a councilor would not be supportive of volunteers.
The opinions expressed in the letters and comments I have heard are justified and totally expected based on your “National Enquirer” like reporting in this case. If you take all of his comments and questions (10 minutes worth) not just the 5 or 10 second bite that was reported, you would get an accurate picture of what Councilor Tymkin was attempting to accomplish. His questions and comments were his attempt to understand the operations and structure of our Fire Department- nothing more, nothing less. In all the meetings I have been in attendance with Councilor Tymkin including the meeting reported on, he has never once expressed any disrespect for volunteers the article may influence one to believe—those volunteers from Dawson or Rainy River.
I can assure everyone, the Town Council of Rainy River without a doubt, appreciates the service of any person who comes forth and is willing to serve on our Volunteer Fire Dept or in any other volunteer position regardless of where they reside. We are indeed privileged to have quality community minded people such as Tim Nordin, Darren Lowes, Dale Morrison, and other citizens residing in the Township of Dawson willing to serve on our Fire Dept. As of October 11, the Town Council of Rainy River had the honor to add Mr. Earl Ivall to our local Fire Department.
The Town of Rainy River is fortunate to have many volunteers from Rainy River and surrounding communities, including Dawson, that step forth and serve our community when called upon. We appreciate each and every one of them.
For the sake of our district, and especially the Town of Rainy River, I hope your article has not done irreparable damage.
Respectively Yours,
Brent Anderson
Rainy River Town Councillor