WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011 $1.19 plus 6 HST, $1.25 U.S.

Printed in Canada Volume 117 Number 49

INSIDE
The NCDS Transition Cen-
tre, which opened last April at
242 Scott St., closed its doors
Thursday after the province
did not renew funding for the
one-year pilot project.
The Workforce Literacy
and Essential Skills program
here was one of 33 in Ontario
launched last year.
Funding dries up
for pilot project
Grand Rapids will host some
of the top young wrestlers in
Minnesota as the annual state
championship is held there
this Saturday.
However, there will be a
Canadian flavor to the tour-
nament again this year as
a handful of wrestlers will
be taking on their American
counterparts.
Wrestlers heading
to state tourney
The Border Skating Clubs
39th-annual ice show on the
weekend marked the final
time two senior members took
to the ice to dazzle the audi-
ence.
Michael Nelson and Sarah
DeGagne took part in their
last ice show before departing
the club at months end.
Nelson, DeGagne
take final bows
See story on B5
See story on A3
See story on B1
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Standing room only crowd backs Kircher
By Peggy Revell
Staff writer
Outrage over the actions of the
former Rainy River District School
Board made for standing room
only at last nights meeting as
members of the public came out
to show support for trustee David
Kircher, who had been found to
have breached the trustee Code of
Conduct.
More than 60 people packed
the boardroom, and spilled out
into the hallway, to hear the new
boards decision on punishment for
the breach, which occurred when
Kircher admitted to sharing details
with members of the public about
the outgoing boards move during
the in-camera session of its final
meeting in November to amend
the contracts of both the director
of education and superintendent
of business so any severance pay
would total four years worth of
salary and benefits, not one.
Kircher has maintained that
details concerning the contract
amendments were open and avail-
able to the public given the new
board had publicly noted the con-
tracts had been amended at its
January meeting.
As well, contract information
such as this is covered under the
Freedom of Information Act.
But in a 4-2 vote at last months
meeting, the board found a breach
had occurred. And since no trustee
wished to change their original
vote, this decision was confirmed
at last nights meeting.
As a result, another resolution
was passed to censure Kircher for
this breach, with board chairman
Mike Lewis to write a letter to that
effect.
This is basically a letter of rep-
rimand, Lewis explained following
the meeting, noting it will indicate
that according to the vote, Kircher
broke the confidentiality part of
the Code of Conduct.
Its the least of all the conse-
quences, he said, with the most
significant ones being along the
lines of removing Kircher from
committees, for example.
But that wouldnt serve any-
ones purpose, Lewis reasoned.
Well move on from here, and well
be as open and transparent as we
possibly can.
Its a new board and thats the
dedication that people want to put
into itto have that transparency,
he stressed.
Kircher said afterwards that he
saw the results as fair, although he
still doesnt regret his actions.
After tonights meeting, its indi-
cated to all trustees that theres no
one above any school board policy.
Everybody must adhere, said for-
mer board chair Dan Belluz, who
originally reported these contract
amendment details had been made
public
But this was not a sentiment
shared by the crowd that came out
to the meeting to show support for
Kircher, including local ratepayer
Walter Horban, who made a public
presentation to trustees last night.
Horban asked for answers con-
cerning the missing funds at Fort
Frances High School several years
ago, the amended severance pack-
ages for senior administration, and
board transparency.
I think, as taxpayers, we are
owed that. Wed like to see where
our money goes, said Horban,
By Duane Hicks
Staff writer
Some may call it a miracle.
Local resident Samantha Sam
Pearson, 24, is making a remark-
able recovery at the University
of Ottawa Heart Institute after
she experienced heart failure two
weeks ago, and could be coming
back to Fort Frances in the next
couple of days.
She is quite a phenomenon
around here, said Pearsons
mother, Ellen Gagne, who called
the Times yesterday from Ot-
tawa.
Actually, right now as we speak,
we have her out on a day pass.
She may be heading home as
early as this Thursday, Gagne
added, noting doctors currently
are fine-tuning the heart medica-
tions Pearson is on.
We couldnt be happier, en-
thused Gagne, saying that with
the exception of herself and her
husband, Peter Gagne, Pearsons
family has left Ottawa in anticipa-
tion of her coming home soon.
Were all hoping to head home
Thursday or Friday, said Gagne,
noting the goal is to be at her
fathers place at Reef Point on
Sunday, sitting round a fire and
looking at the lake.
Gagne said her daughter will
have to return to Ottawa in three
months. In the meantime, she will
be followed clinically over the
phone or through her doctor here,
Dr. Robert Nugent.
Gagne gave heartfelt thanks to
Dr. Nugent.
That man got her to the right
place at the right time. He never
gave up, he never stopped, she
stressed.
I am so thankful for him; we all
are.
As reported in Fridays Daily
Bulletin, Pearson had been taking
the immunosuppressant predni-
sone due to a severe allergic
reaction to a drug given to her for
rheumatoid arthritis.
She was being weened off the
drug, had another reaction, had
her dosage increase, and was
Staff
With news last week that the
Town of Fort Frances is reducing
the number of full-time firefighters
from eight to six, Fort Frances Pro-
fessional Fire Fighters Local 1012
is expressing concern for both the
reduction of staff and comments
made to residents with regards to
level of service.
Many residents may not be
aware that the corporation has
been reducing the amount of full-
time firefighters within the com-
munity for over 10 years, the
union said in a media release sent
to the Times.
As a result of their actions, we
have gone from a department con-
sisting of a fire chief, deputy chief,
and 10 full-time staff to a depart-
ment now comprised of a fire chief
and seven full-time staffwith the
indication that this number is soon
to be six through a possible layoff.
Many of these reductions have
come after negotiated contracts
and our recent arbitration award,
the release noted.
Although verbally supporting
staffing levels in the past, councils
actions have proven otherwise,
the union charged.
Will the towns commitment
to a staffing level of six be further
reduced to five, four, or three, if
or when the opportunity presents
itself?
Your taxes are paying for a
full-time fire service with the ex-
pectation that, when needed, we
will provide an acceptable level of
service, the union continued.
The taxpayers can only hope
that this time the mayor and coun-
cils commitment to maintain six
firefighters and staff the fire hall
with 24-hour coverage is cred-
ible.
The Fort Frances Professional
Fire Fighters want to reassure resi-
dents that although they remain
dedicated to the community and
serving its residents, a further
reduction of two full-time firefight-
ers will provide us with additional
challenges that may have an im-
pact on our ability to serve you.
Any way you look at it, a loss of
staff at any level equates to a re-
duction in responding trained pro-
fessionals, the release concluded.
As reported last week, council
also opted to strike a new five-year
contract with the OPP, which will
see the reduction of 1.95 full-time
equivalent staff, bringing the com-
plement of constables here from
18 to 16.
It should be noted policing costs
are paid for through multiple
sources, including municipal taxes,
cost-recovery (i.e., fines and
Staffing
cutback
concerns
firemen
Local Confederation College campus director Anne Renaud
maneuvered dirt with a virtual excavator while demonstrat-
ing one of the two simulators the college has acquired for its
heavy equipment operator program. With foot pedals and
controls hooked up to a computer and large screen, the new
equipment allows students to practise different scenarios with
different equipment while tracking information on how well
they perform these tasks. Peggy Revell photo
Virtual training
By Duane Hicks
Staff writer
Theres good news for boaters
who have had trouble getting un-
der the Canadian National Railway
lift bridge at Ranierthe bridge will
be manned 24 hours a day from
May 1-Oct. 15.
A U.S. Coast Guard regulation re-
ceived federal approval last week,
which will ensure that CN man the
bridge, which currently is operated
remotely, during that period.
From Oct. 16-April 30 each year,
the bridge would open for vessels
if 12 hours advance notice is pro-
vided.
Additionally, the regulation re-
quires the bridge owner to post
and maintain a clearance gauge to
indicate to vessels the water levels
and available clearance while the
bridge is in the closed-to-navigation
position.
Currently, there is no regulation
for this lift bridge or waterway. It
is required to open on signal at all
times in accordance with the gen-
eral opening requirements.
The lift bridge was remotely-
operated for several years with-
out explicit approval by the Coast
Guard.
CNR had requested approval to
continue using remote operation
equipment and operate the lift
bridge with remotely-located draw-
tenders.
But in the last year, the Coast
Guard was informed the draw-
bridge is routinely unresponsive to
signals and communications from
vessels for bridge openings, it
noted in a report.
In addition, the presence of gov-
ernment and public vessels operat-
ing between Rainy River and Rainy
Lake has magnified the need for
the drawbridge to be responsive
and reliable for all vessel traffic, it
continued.
Back on Dec. 27, the Coast
Guard published a notice of pro-
posed rule-making (NPRM), enti-
tled Drawbridge Operation Regu-
lation; Rainy River, Ranier, Mn.,
in the Federal Register (75 FR
32381).
At that time, it received seven
positive comments and one
Manning Ranier bridge
good news for boaters
Please see Standing, A6
Please see Staffing, A7
Woman making
amazing recovery
Please see Woman, A6
Please see Bridge, A6
A6 FORT FRANCES TIMES Wednesday, April 6, 2011
More from A1
being weened off it a second time
when she had heart failure on
March 21.
She went to the intensive care
unit at La Verendrye Hospital, was
flown to Thunder Bay, and then
flown to the University of Ottawa
Heart Institute.
In the first few days, doctors
didnt know if Pearson would make
it or not and were looking to give
her a heart transplant.
She then began to make a re-
markable recovery, improving
each day through the use of heart
medications.
Gagne said doctors have theo-
rized that her daughter caught
viral myocarditisan inflammation
of the heart muscle (myocardium),
which resembles a heart attack but
where the coronary arteries are
not blocked.
We still dont know what caused
it in the first place, and I dont
know if well ever know, she ad-
mitted.
But all we know is shes coming
back [home] and shes just doing
great.
Woman making recovery
More from A1
negative comment.
The positive comments support-
ed the proposed regulation, as
written, including letters of support
from the City of International Falls,
the City of Ranier, and the Koochi-
ching County Board of Commis-
sioners.
Tim Chopper McBride, coun-
cillor-at-large for the City of In-
ternational Falls, said the ruling is
welcome news, adding the county
board worked hard, with the sup-
port of the two cities, to lobby for
it.
I think its great. I think its
good, he enthused. I think in the
end, CN will adapt to it well.
Its economic development with
jobs, and its great to make the
ability to access the upper Rainy
River and Rainy Lake a lot easier,
McBride added.
If CN will be able to operate
how it needs to operate, the boat-
ing traffic will be able to operate,
and youll have four or five guys
working there.
Thats cool, he remarked.
McBride said hes fully aware of
the issues boaters have been fac-
ing.
Its tough for the Canadians
over at the [Sorting Gap] marina
. . . If that bridge is down, youre
about a foot-and-a-half from your
head sometimes, he noted.
The negative comment was sub-
mitted by the CNR, which ques-
tioned the justification to require
drawtenders due to infrequent
bridge openings for vessels in re-
cent years.
CNR also requested that the
Coast Guard alter the proposed
dates and times that drawtenders
would be required to be at the lift
bridge.
CNR reported no bridge open-
ing requests were received until
June 20 last year, and that be-
tween Memorial Day and Labour
Day last year, the bridge was re-
quired to be opened a total of 31
times, resulting in an average of
2.2 bridge openings per week.
But based on the information
provided by other comments re-
ceived in response to the NPRM,
the Coast Guard was concerned
about the lift bridge being re-
sponsive to requests for bridge
openingsand not being operated
in accordance with federal draw-
bridge regulations.
The new rule is expected to
provide for the reasonable balance
of all modes of transportation and
effectively accomplish the request-
ed goal of improving bridge open-
ings and communications between
vessel operators and the [CNR]
drawtender[s], the Coast Guard
stated.
The Coast Guard believes the
Ranier lift bridge has not been
operated in accordance with the
drawbridge regulations, and this
rule is expected to bring the draw-
bridge into full compliance with the
federal drawbridge regulations.
Bridge to be manned
More from A1
outlining what facts are publicly
known about all of these issues.
This comes down as a matter of
interpretation. I feel that Mr. Kirch-
er was right and the Freedom of
Information Act confirms it, what
do you think? Horban said to the
crowd, which broke in applause in
response.
Was Mr. Kircher fulfilling his
obligation to the 1,570 people
who voted for him? I think so, he
said to another round of applause.
All the business of was he right
or was he not in the revelation
of the severance amendment ob-
scures one really important point
and that is why was the amend-
ment even considered and brought
up? Horban remarked.
Addressing questions especially
towards Belluz, Horban listed those
the public has been asking, includ-
ing whether it was administration
or the board that brought forward
the changes, research and com-
parisons of the changes compared
to other administrations across the
province, as well as the impact
such changes would have on ne-
gotiations at other boards and,
ultimately, the effect on education.
He also asked about a possible
link between this amendment and
the new board investigating the
missing funds at Fort High, or
making it costly should the new
board want to make changes in
administration.
Having the severance packages
returned to their former status is
the morally correct thing to do,
Horban told the new board.
As well, many people in Fort
Frances are waiting for answers,
answers to questions that have
been on our mind for several years
now, he said about the Fort High
funds, in which hundreds of thou-
sands of dollars went missing over
a 38-month period.
Fawn Lindberg faces charges in
the matter, which is still before the
courts.
Horban questioned how the
missing funds could have gone on
for such a time period without be-
ing discovered.
Didnt somebody have the re-
sponsibility to look after these
funds? Wasnt anyone accountable?
Who was minding our finances at
the school? he asked.
Didnt annual reviews point
out that something was seriously
wrong with the numbers? Whose
job is it to notice this and request
an audit?
This could have been solved
much sooner, Horban argued, re-
calling that when Kircher began
asking questions as a ratepayer, he
was stonewalledhaving to re-
sort to the Freedom of Information
Act to obtain facts pertinent to the
issue at the cost of $400.
Horban asked that the public
be given the final figures when it
comes to what the matter has cost
the board, and wondered how the
current court case has to do with
why the board hasnt answered
these sort of questions yet.
We the public, to this day, have
no assurance that anything has
been done to implement and moni-
tor sound financial accounting pro-
cedures at all employment levels,
although I suspect that it has, he
remarked.
Theres been no formal recog-
nition of the [missing funds] from
the board, to date it has not been
publicly acknowledged, he added,
asking the new board what has
been done, and what more can
be done, to secure and ensure
proper financial procedures are
followed?
The actions of the former board
over the severance pay amend-
ments also begs the question,
whether or not there has been any
other financial transaction which
has not been revealed, which we
dont know about, Horban ques-
tioned.
Does this indicate the need for
a forensic audit?
The amendment to senior ad-
ministration contracts and the
method by which it was done,
in my, our, opinion, I hope, is a
violation of the public trust that
the previous board was charged to
protect, argued Horban, placing a
share of the responsibility for these
actions on both Belluz and Marg
Heyensthe only two trustees who
returned to the board following the
last falls election.
Its my opinion, and Im hoping
that you will agree, that these two
members would do us all a favour
if they resigned from the board,
Horban said to more applause
from the crowd.
With the severance issue having
been discussed in-camera by the
board in January, then in public
session in February, as well as in
the local media, Lewis replied that
at this time this board can say
about the issue thats not already
been said.
But the board did pass a resolu-
tion last night authorizing the chair
to contact the boards legal counsel
on labour relations to determine
what discussion took place with
him that led to the November,
2010 in-camera resolutions.
As to the missing funds, Lewis
reiterated that because the case
is still in front of the courts, the
board cannot comment further on
what is already known in public
until that court case has been con-
cluded.
But he added current trustees
are as anxious as any citizen to
know the complete details of this
ongoing case.
This board cannot account for
any lack of transparency for any
previous board, it can only be held
accountable for its own actions,
Lewis told the crowd.
And I can tell you that this cur-
rent board will be open and trans-
parent, he vowed.
It will also protect the privacy
of individuals when it is required
to do under the Education Act and
or the Freedom of Information/
Protection of Privacy Act, Lewis
stressed.
Standing room only crowd backs Kircher
Walter Horban addressed the Rainy River District School Board last night over public con-
cerns with the former boards amendments to senior administration severance packages, the
missing funds at Fort High, and board transparency, It was standing room only at the meet-
ing as more than 60 people came out to show support for trustee David Kircher, who was
found by the new board to have breached the trustee Code of Conduct after sharing details
of the contract amendments. Peggy Revell photo
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NOTICE OF STUDY
COMMENCEMENT
Culvert Replacements
Highway 11 and Highway 602
THE PROJECT
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained Hatch Mott
MacDonald Ltd. to undertake a structural design study to replace the
culverts at:
Wo|f Creek
Highway 602, 3.5 km east of the junction of Highway 11 at Emo
Ra|ny R|ver Tr|butary
Highway 602, 4.0 km west of the junction of Highway 11 at
Fort Frances
Moosehorn Lake Tr|butary
Highway 11, 6.7 km west of Highway 502
Culvert replacement options using prefabricated elements will be
considered to accelerate construction and minimize disruption.
A single lane will remain open to signalized traffic during construction.
THE PROCESS
This study will follow the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial
Transportation Facilities process for a Group 'B' project, with the
opportunity for public input throughout. Based on the information
collected during the study, an environmental screening will determine
whether any of the proposed works pose any significant environmental
effects, which may require the preparation of a Transportation
Environmental Study Report. This report would be made available for
public review and comment.
If there are no significant issues, the study may be stepped-down
and follow the process for a Group C project. If the project is
'stepped-down', a report will not be made available for public review.
A notice advising of this decision will be published and there will be
opportunity for public comment.
COMMENTS
We are interested in any comments or concerns you may have. Please
submit your comments to:
Philip Murray, M.Eng., P.Eng.
Manager Bridges
Hatch Mott MacDonald
2800 Speakman Dr|ve
Mississauga, ON L5K 2R7
tel: 905-403-4265 (call collect)
fax: 905-855-2607
e-mail: philip.murray@hatchmott.com
Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of
Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal
information, all comments will become part of the public record.
Fort Frances Area Forecast
-5 / +5
-6 / +6
-7 / +6
-7 / +6
-7 / +6
-6 / +7
-5 / +7
-8 / +5
-8 / +6
FORECAST FOR THIS WEEK
www.weathertec.mb.ca
2011 Weather Tec Services. Inc.
Temperatures shown on the map are
NORMALS averaged over a thirty
year periiod. Arrows indicate general
WIND FLOW patterns.
Thursday, April 7th ... Mostly sunny skies.
Mild termperatures
Low near -5C. High near +12C.
Friday, April 8th ... A mix of sun and cloud.
Mild temperatures.
Low near -1C. High near +10C.
Saturday, April 9th ... Cloudy periods.
Mild temperatures.
Low near -3C. High near +9C.
Outlook for Sunday, April 10th to Saturday, April 15th, 2011 ... Mostly sunny skies
on Sunday. Cloudy perios with occasional showers expected on Monday and Tuesday.
A mix of sun and cloud on Wednesday to Saturday. Temperatures will be mild to
normal.
Lows will be -6 to -1C. Highs will be +1 to 10C.
Daylight on April 7th lasts for 13 Hours and 14 Minutes.
Sunrise: 6:39 AM. and Sunset: 7:53 PM.
Fort Frances
-6 / +7
International Falls
Rainy River
Baudette
Nestor
Falls
Sioux
Narrows
Kenora
Vermillion
Bay Dryden
Upsala
Atikokan
Emo
APR. 11 + 12.
Normal temperatures.
Cloudy periods.
Occasional showers.
APR. 13 + 14.
Normal temperatures.
A mix of sun and cloud.
APR. 7 to 10, 15.
Mild temperatures.
A mix of sun and cloud.
WeatherTec
Services Inc.
(to change mm to inches divide by 25) METRIC CONVERSION
C 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25
F 95 86 77 68 59 50 41 32 23 14 5 -4 -13
NOTIFICATION
Notice of Completion
Mine Centre Waste Disposal Site
(WDS) Closure Plan
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Fort Frances
District, has completed a Closure Plan for the Mine Centre WDS,
located on the north side of Highway 11 in the hamlet of Mine
Centre. The MNR proposes to close this WDS in 2012 as it has
reached its maximum capacity. The MNR does not intend to close
this site until a new location or alternative method of managing the
communitys household waste is identied.
A review and assessment of the current condition of the WDS was
carried out. The Closure Plan meets all Ministry of the Environment
(MOE) requirements to successfully close this site in 2012. The Plan
includes barriers to accessing the site, capping and returning the
site to a green area and a monitoring program for both ground and
surface water quality. A rst public notice was issued on
November 24, 2010.
The proposal and consultation process was carried out according to
the Category B requirements of the Class Environmental Assessment
for MNR Resource Stewardship and Facility Development Projects. A
copy of the Closure Plan is available at the MNR Fort Frances District
ofce during normal business hours.
If at the end of this notice period the MNR considers that there are
no signicant outstanding concerns, it may proceed to implement the
project without further public notice.
Where concerns remain about this project that cannot be resolved
with the MNR, concerned parties may request a Part II Order requiring
an individual environmental assessment under the Environmental
Assessment Act. As this decision rests with the MOE, please direct
your inquiries to the Minister of the Environment, Ferguson Block,
77 Wellesley Street West, 11th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M7A 2T5 by
May 12, 2011, with a copy to the MNR at the address noted below.
However, prior to making such a request, concerned parties are
encouraged to consult the MNR to seek a resolution of their concerns.
Comments and personal information regarding this proposal are
collected under the authority of the Environmental Assessment Act,
Environmental Protection Act, and Public Lands Act to assist the MNR
in making decisions. Comments not constituting personal information
as dened by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy
Act will be shared among the MNR and others as appropriate, and
may be included in documentation available for public review.
Personal information will remain condential unless prior consent to
disclose is obtained. This information may be used by the MNR to
seek public input on other projects.
For further information on the project, to inspect the project le
during normal business hours or to submit comments, please contact:
Cheryl Gartley, IRM Technical Specialist
Ministry of Natural Resources
922 Scott Street
Fort Frances, ON P9A 1J4
tel: 807-274-8626
fax: 807-274-4438
e-mail: Cheryl.Gartley@ontario.ca
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CORRECTION NOTICE
==========================
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
For our yer effective Apr. 1 - 7/11.
Page 1: Nescafe Dolce Gusto by T-Fal (#1532660)
does not include cappuccino cup and saucer and latte glass
and it is not exactly as shown.
Page 5: Glade Scented Oil Candle Value Pack #1361225
will be available at a later date.