New mayor looks towards a better future for Rainy

Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River Mayor Debbie Ewald was sworn in last night along with the new town council.

Last week Ewald sat down with her council to discuss where they see the town going and how they are going to work at getting there.

“We set our committees and now I want to see each one of them develop both a short and long term budget and plan,” said Ewald in an interview last Wednesday. “I want us to have a plan generic enough that the next council can pick up where we leave off.”

Ewald who chaired a strategic planning committee of the last council was dismayed when the previous council chose to leave the plan on the shelf for the time being. She says that will not happen under her government. “There has to be a plan and a process to make sure we stick to it.”

Sewer situation

One of the most pressing issues facing the community is the order from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) that prevents the town from adding any new development to the town sewer system. The community has basically been unable to work at attracting any new development for several years now and has twice been turned down for government assistance under the COMRIF program.

“I want it dealt with one way or another. We will push the government at both levels for help. At the end of the day if they won’t help then we will have to do it other ways,” said the Mayor. “We may have to borrow against our reserves or debenture it.”

However, Ewald is hopeful that with next year being an election year that the province may look favorably at the need here.

She also wants to have MOE reevaluate the status of the Rainy River Sewer System. “We replaced the entire middle section of town (sewer lines) after the last flood. That had to have made some difference.” With that in mind Ewald is optimistic that the need for as drastic of repairs to the system as having a new lagoon may not be necessary.

“We have to be proactive and demonstrate that we can help ourselves too,” said Ewald.

Water plant review

Another item that has Ewald concerned is the new water regulations coming down the pipe in 2007. “We will have to do an audit of our complete system and put a plan in place to replace what needs it.” That includes the possibility of pumps at the plant and pipes throughout the community. The water system has to be revenue neutral, but the users will have to pay.

Community involvement

Mayor Ewald has decided to pull a page from the Fort Frances town council’s way of doing things. She has set up committees of council with councillors as the chair. However, she hopes to recruit members of the community to sit on various committees to both offer input and help with the workload. “People have to take ownership of their community and this is a way we can all work towards a better and brighter future.”

While many people say they are already too busy, she said she feels everyone can afford five or six hours from their schedule. “We have to try different things. Look at the curling club. It was failing and 12 people worked very hard at it and turned it around. We are going to change peoples way of thinking. We will all benefit in the end.”

Ewald said it all starts at the top with effective leadership. “I like doing a good job. I want to do a good job and set an example. But we (council) can’t do it alone. I have a good council and none of us have hidden agendas. We just want the best for the town and we need your help.”

She encourages people interested in helping in any way, whether just some advice or some elbow grease, to talk to her or councillors Gerry Marchuk, Gord Armstrong, Marilyn McAlister or Brent Anderson.

“Think positive. We need to sell ourselves as a community and together we can do that. I want us to be a leader in the district again.”