Traffic down, enforcement same at RR customs

Ken Johnston

Despite being down 2% over 2001, 200,603 vehicles entered Canada at Rainy River in 2002.
In addition to the traffic flow, Canada Customs dealt with several areas of enforcement that resulted in both seizures and charges being laid.
There was one drug seizure for marijuana, 11 personal goods seizures and 11 alcohol seizures. According to Diane Bass at Canada Customs regional office in Thunder Bay, the personal goods seizures were mainly items that should have been declared and weren’t. “They included things like propellers and solar panels,” said Bass.
There were two weapons seizures of a rifle and a stun-gun.
One individual was picked up for an outstanding warrant.
The new alcohol enforcement policies at the border resulted in 17 breath tests, with 8 failures or suspensions at Rainy River in 2002.
Bass said that local officers told her that while traffic was down about 2,000 vehicles from 2001, the enforcement numbers were about the same as the previous year.

By Jack Elliott
By Jack Elliott
As part of Rainy River’s 2004 Celebrations, Doug Giles has been proclaimed Town Crier by the Centennial Committee. As Town Crier, Doug is Rainy River’s Ambassador of Goodwill and this year will be spreading the word, inviting one and all to participate Rainy River’s Centennial Celebrations throughout 2004.
A native of Devlin, Ontario, after a 42 year career as a Station Agent with Canadian National Railways in several locations, including a 10 year stint in Stratton, Doug and his wife Lorraine retired to Rainy River in 1986. Fondly known throughout the community and District variously as “Mr. Beam” and “Mr Fix-It,” Giles has a strong history of community commitment.
His years in Stratton are remembered by many for his work with 4-H. He even wrote, edited and published a community newspaper, The Town & Country, on a hand-cranked Gestetner. Today copies of this publication survive in the archives of the Stratton Centennial Committee.
“The biggest challenge in Stratton was keeping the kids from playing on the railway tracks. But we were lucky, all we ever lost there was a dog,” chuckled Doug with his usual good humour.
Today you can find Doug doing most anything but sitting still- unless it‚s to watch a good curling match. If he’s not installing a new central vac, he’s responding to someone’s plumbing emergency, or doing volunteer work and always with a smile and cheerful word.
So, look for Doug in your community this year. He’ll be looking for you. Hear ye, hear ye!
For more info on the 100th anniversary please contact Jack Elliott at 807-852-3790 or email: jelliott@rainyriver.lakeheadu.ca