Majority of RR council sees need for EDO, no matter what the cost

By Ken Johnston
Editor

After a fair bit of discussion, Rainy River Town Council passed a motion, on Monday, 3-1, to extend Community Coordinator/Economic Development Officer Anthony Mason's contract until Dec. 31, 2009.
Mason has been working for the Town coordinating events and doing economic development.
Councillor Brent Anderson was first to speak on the issue noting that he would be voting against it. Anderson said that he feels Mason has done a good job. However, he noted that once the first year of his job was completed the grant monies funding it ran out. "Anthony has done a great job but I believe Rainy River is in a current financial position that can not afford this position."
Anderson said that up until two weeks ago in the budgeting process the town was in a deficit. "If we keep this position (Mason's job) taxes will have to go up (and) I feel significantly."
Councillors Gerry Marchuk and Marilyn McAlister both referred to a recent conference call on a peat processing project in Rainy River. Both said it sounds very optimistic for Rainy River and the area and that the town needs someone to do that leg work. "As a councillor I can't do it," said Marchuk. He said he feels the town needs a person like Mason to do the work. "At this time council has to bite the bullet. If we have to raise taxes then so be it," added Marchuk.
McAlister said that it was her understanding from the conf. call that it would be no later than 2011 for the plant to be operational. "Anthony has worked on this right from the start. I think six more months is worth it," said McAlister.
Mayor Deb Ewald concurred with McAlister. "I think the position should continue for six months and hopefully further." She noted that towns that have dedicated econ. dev. officers are the ones that are ready when opportunities present themselves.
The Mayor said, "This town has been down too long. If this comes about we are talking about 200 jobs for the area. People buying homes, building homes and spending money in Rainy River. This town has been down too long and this is too good of an opportunity to pass up."
Councillor Gord Armstrong was not able to speak or vote on the issue as he declared a conflict of interest on the matter.
The Mayor concluded discussion by saying, "If this town is to move forward we need someone in this position."
The vote was recorded with Ewald, Marchuk and McAlister voting yes and Anderson voting no.
Other business
•Council passed three motions to start the process of doing minor variances to three pieces of property in town.
The first one was to allow for the expansion of the Rainy River Ambulance base to have two stalls for ambulances and more storage.
The second was to allow an elevator be installed on the front of Riverview Manor on Main St.
The third was for resident Gordon Prost to be allowed to add on to his existing buildings outside the zone parameters.
•Council accepted the bid of Eric Westover to buy a garage at 217 1st St.; a property the town received after taxes were not paid on it. Westover paid $1,025 for the garage.
•Council accepted John Penner's bid of $2,564 to do repair work to the clinic basement and farmers' market pavilion.
•Council approved the applications of Ben Dobransky, Jr. and John Jonassen to the RR fire dept.
•Council approved $2,000 for the annual Railroad Daze festival.
•Council agreed to close Main St. on July 11, 2009 from Noon to 4 p.m. as part of Railroad Daze celebrations.
•Council declared June Seniors Month in Rainy River.
•Council donated $100 to RRHS chem free grad.