Big town Amalgamation of RR, Dawson and LoW being touted

Ken Johnston

Rainy River could get a lot bigger if talk turns into action.
Rainy River Mayor Glen Armstrong told town council last week that he had been approached by Dawson Reeve John Amundsen and Lake of the Woods Reeve Val Pizey about looking at amalgamating the three townships.
Mayor Armstrong pointed to Morley and Chapple and how they are large municipalities but the towns of Stratton and Barwick has still retained their autonomy.
Councillor Dean Wiersema said, “It is a matter of dollars and cents. It would save on a lot of duplication.”
Mayor Armstrong said, “Mayor Pizey and Reeve Amundsen asked if I would initiate it and have some sort of dialogue on it.”
Reeve Amundsen said, “We are always willing to talk about anything if it is a benefit to the residents of Dawson.” However, Amundsen did not take credit for initiating this subject. “I have not heard anyone (in Dawson) talking about it. It came from Rainy River.”
Amundsen said he could see some benefits to an amalgamation including solving the fire protection issue in which Dawson has been at odds with its neighbour, Rainy River, in recent months.
Reeve Pizey could not be reached for comment at press time.
Councillor Ed Tymkin said the move would see neighbouring communities have to pay a more fair share of services they use like the arena.
Councillor Dean Wiersema said savings could be found in many areas including insurance, administration, etc.
No date for an initial meeting has been set.