Council renews CAO Vogan's contract

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Town council gave one of their key personnel a vote of confidence at their regular monthly meeting Monday.
Council unanimously renewed Chief Administrative Officer Veldron Vogan's contract for another four years.
The contract was back dated to Aug. 1, 2009 and will run until July 31, 2013.

Unpleasant discovery
Mayor Deb Ewald reported that construction workers at the Riverview Manor Site discovered contaminants when digging the hole for a soon to be installed elevator shaft. "They found oil and license plates. It looks like there was a garage there at one time."
Councillor Gerry Marchuk said that McVey's garage was there years ago.
Hence the Ministry of Environment was called in and since then the town crew has been hauling away the contaminated soil and spreading it out as per regulations at the dump.
When completed Riverview Manor will have an elevator but will have fewer units available for geared to income residents as they are taking four smaller units and making them into two larger ones.
Other business
•Councillor Gord Armstrong reported that the town needs to dig up and transplant trees donated to the town by Ada Hershberger before the end of May.
Councillor Gerry Marchuk expressed concern about the ribbons tied to local trees last week by Hydro One. "The way it looks there won't be many trees left in town."
Hydro One plans to trim and remove many trees in the center section of town where it plans to replace most of the grid this summer.
•Council amended the town's property sales policy to include a clause that states, "If payment is not received in full in 30 days from purchase date it will be released for tender again."
•Council sold property at 202 7th St. for $1,100.00 plus fees and taxes.
•Councillor Armstrong reporte that the beautification committee was disappointed that only six people showed up to clean Hannam Park last Tues.
•Council agreed to send Firefighter Sabine Drackert to a Public Educator course with expenses paid in Gravenhurst, Ont.
•Council donated $2,000.00 to Railroad Daze to be used for advertising.
•Council agreed to close Little St. South on June 11 at 5 p.m. until 8 a.m. June 12 for Relay for Life.
•Council appointed Geraldine White to be a member of the Rainy River Public Library board.
•Council agreed to send Councillor Gord Armstrong to the Grand Opening of the new Fort Frances Library with expenses paid on June 21st.
•Mayor Ewald noted that long time library board member Vi Moore will be honoured next Tuesday in Fort Frances for her 28 years of volunteer service to the board.
•A birding meeting has been scheduled for next Tues.
•Council contributed $150.00 t the Rainy River Vet Services committee.
•Council will rent a booth at the Emo Fair Farm Progress building at a cost of $120.
•Gord Armstrong also received approval to attend the Northern Networks Conference in Fort Frances Sept. 15-16 with expenses paid.
•Council went in camera at 7:40 p.m. to discuss property matters.