Library asks for more money

Ken Johnston

The Rainy River Public Library Board is asking Rainy River and three other area townships, Dawson, Morley and Lake of the Woods for a $7,108 increase in operatomg funding.
Last year Rainy River taxpayers contributed $24,400 to the operation of the library and this year they are being asked to contribute $29,500.
Dawson contributed $2,500 and are being asked for $4,000 this year.
L.O.W. paid $3,043 last year and are being asked for $3,300 this year.
Morley paid $949 and are being asked for $1,200 this year.
Library Board Chair Terri-Anne Lundgren said, “We had to use up our reserves of $8,000 to balance our budget last year.” So they are asking for more money this year rather than cutting the hours of operation and wages at the library.
“I feel the library is a vital part of the community and should not be neglected,” added Lundgren.
Mayor Glen Armstrong echoed that sentiment agreeing that it is an important part of the community. However, he suggested that the board actively pursue fundraising in the form of corporate solicitations.
Mayor Armstrong referred the matter back to the town’s finance committee to consider the request.
Other business
•Council approved recognizing Veldron Vogan’s ten years of service to the community and giving her 4 weeks paid holidays each year.
•Council approved paying $46,644 plus taxes for insurance Aon Reed Stenhouse Inc. for one year starting March 1st. Councillor Larry Armstrong asked if the insurance was tendered. He was informed that no tenders were sought. He suggested that the town do so for next year.
•Council renewed its commitment to the Rainy River Future Development Corp. by paying its annual $7/capita for a total contribution of $6,475.
•Council rented space in the basement of the clinic to Melanie’s Footcare at a rate of $25 per day with no minimum days.
•Council agreed to contribute $5,000 to the paving of the west end of the park project.
•Council rescinded a motion to prime and surface roads north of the tracks this summer due to the centennial celebrations being around the time that work normally happens. Councillor Brent Anderson said that the work across the tracks will be a top priority next year.
•Council tabled a motion that would have supported lobbying the federal government to fund a universal water meter program in the name of conservation. Councillor Larry Armstrong, who seconded the motion, said that he felt council needs more facts on the costs to the taxpayers if water meters were to be installed here. Council agreed to table the motion.
•Council supported a resolution from Alberton Twp. to have a federal standard abattoir located there.
•Council supported a resolution from Morley Twp. forcing the Northwestern Health Unit not to spend any more money on an appeal to the smoking ban ruling. Instead Morley feels NWHU should lobby the province to speed up its plans for a provincewide ban.
•Council backed a resolution calling on the provincial government to keep all power generation public to ensure a residents have power at cost and a reliable system.
•Councillor Larry Armstrong reported that Rainycrest has requested a 12.5% increase from all area municipalities. However that is not enough to balance the books. They will be meeting with area politicians to discuss options.
•DSSAB raised the town’s contributions by 1% for 2004. It paid about $112,000 in ‘03.