Town writes off nearly $5,000 receivable

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Due to the Remembrance Day holiday, Rainy River town council met a day later than normal this month.
Last Tuesday council passed a unanimous motion to write off an account receivable in the amount of $4,911,78 as per legal advice. The receivable was for a company called DEHOCA, a one time player in the Globeco factory that never really got off the ground.
Council also passed a motion to hire Mr. Anthony Mason as the Community Coordinator for the Town of Rainy River. This is all part of the ongoing strategic planning process that identified a need for someone to coordinate economic activities and events in the community. Council also agreed to send Mason to a Community Development Intensive Course next week in Kenora.
Mason started working for the town yesterday and will be based out of the Town Office.
Other business
•Mayor Deb Ewald reported that the Rainy River District Social Services Board is following Rainy River’s lead after it met with Riverside Health Care Facilities to talk about perceived needs for Assisted Living housing in the district. “They are setting up a committee to look at it as well,” said Ewald.
Councillor Gord Armstrong recently travelled to Fort Frances to talk about demographics in Rainy River and how there will be an ever increasing need for Assisted Living in the next decade. Armstrong approached Riverside who oversees long term care and hospital facilities in Rainy River, Emo and Fort Frances. He was pleased that DSSAB is picking up the ball as well.
•Council hired KGS Group, an engineering firm, to assist Rainy River in applying for a federal program known as ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat. KGS’s assistance will cost the taxpayers $16,171.36.
•Councillor Marilyn McAlister reported that the Medical Centre Committee of Council has a dentist that may be interested in travelling to Rainy River as a locum.
•Councillor McAlister also reported that the Neighbourhood Watch Program is getting close to being up and running. “We are meeting Thursday to map off the town and appoint block captains.”
•McAlister also reported that the library board was saddened to accept the resignation of Librarian Penny Shumaker. “We will be advertising her position very soon.” McAlister said the Library Board has no new progress on a new home for the library.
•Council passed a motion to give all town staff members Dec. 24th off with pay as a Christmas bonus this year.