Bus issue irks council again

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Town Councillor Brent Anderson raised a number of concerns about the proposal to keep bus service afloat in the Rainy River District.
His main concern was whether other communities and politicians are sympathetic to the fact that the west end of the district has lost its service completely.
Councillor Gord Armstrong who has been representing Rainy River at district meetings said that both Fort Frances and Howard Hampton, MPP, have been both sympathetic, and "Howard has been fighting for us to have bus service."
Armstrong noted that the group had five parties that were going to support the needs of the district by opposing the license application by Caribou Coach Transportation, but then they all backed out. "That really ticked us off."
Councillor Gerry Marchuk said, "Fort Frances has bus service and a handi-van. Our politicians need to be on it."
Councillor Anderson echoed Marchuk when he said, "It is time for them (politicians) to step up and help this community out."
While Armstrong agreed they need to get the politicians fighting even harder, he noted, "We are sort of stuck. We don't have the numbers or freight to prove (this route) to be viable. We have to be careful what we say."
Mayor Deb Ewald noted that another problem is that Greyhound still has the rights to the route from Winnipeg to Sprague, MB. which would limit another carrier's ability to make a profit on the route.
Spending questions
Councillor Anderson raised a question about the renting of an excavator for two months at a cost of $16,000. "Was it tendered out? We have a permanent bylaw to deal with this. Why was it not tendered out."
Mayor Deb Ewald said that question will be posed to town clerk Veldron Vogan when she returns from vacation.
"Could we have contracted it out for perhaps half the cost," asked Anderson.
Anderson was also concerned about why the Town paid for an advertisement for the Guitar Hero contest at Railroad Daze when the Town gave the Railroad Daze Committee $4,000 to pay for their own expenses.
Corey Dyck, who was taking the minutes in the absence of Vogan, noted that it was just a matter of confusion and it will be straightened out.
Other business
•Council passed a motion to have security system equipment installed at Hannam Park and the Rainy River Recreation Centre/Arena at a cost of $12,262.95.
•Council officially hired Regan Arnould, Sydney McIntosh, Duffy Gulbrandsen, Matt Johnson and Jaden Chorney to work for the Town for the summer.
•Council voted to close the middle block of Main St. for the ball hockey tournament this Saturday afternoon as part of Railroad Daze.
•Council passed a motion to confirm the insurance for the Card Board Duct Tape Boat Race as part of Railroad Daze.
•Council renewed its lease agreement with Rainy River Clinic.
•Council authorized the Town Clerk to sign an agreement with Hydro One for an easement on Tower Road.
•Council referred to committee a report from the Chief Building Official regarding the building at 217 First St., the former residence of Wolfgang Scherer and family. Councillor Armstrong read from the report noting the CBO is recommending issuing an "Unsafe Building Order" to the owner. However, Council decided to refer it to committee for further review.
•Councillor Armstrong reported that the David Thompson Brigade event was very well received by both citizens and the visitors. weeks ago.