What a day to witness 'History in the Making!'
I'm inspired by Obamas' commitments and persona and join the millions who want to believe. "Yes we Can." I believe this man will 'make a difference.' It feels like hope.
Can he influence the world as we know it? Yes He Can!
Can we be a part? Yes We Can!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
January / February Ward Newsletter
Effective January 1st, 2009, the Nakina Heritage Corporation has handed over the running of Nakina Kids ‘N Us to the Municipality following much deliberation and the passing by Council of the associated motion. Over the past months, the Nakina Heritage Corporation initiated and had subsequently been meeting with Council and it’s representatives, to discuss how best to fully transfer the Nakina Day Care over to the Municipality. The Nakina Heritage Corporation described to Council, the significant demands placed upon this volunteer group and the increasing complexities of administering the programs. At a meeting on January 6th, parents met with the Director of Social Services, and support staff. At that meeting, I encouraged the formation of a parent / guardian committee comprised of users and those associated with the day care delivery, whose purpose would be to encourage utilization of the facility and help enhance / influence, the effectiveness of this important social service. (This group is forming and will meet on January 21st at 6:30 at the Center.) I am looking forward to working with this emerging group and thank the members of the municipal staff who are eager to support and participate in this initiative. The current and past members of Nakina Heritage Corporation are again commended for the magnitude of this project that they lead, and to the Municipal Council who voted to accept the challenges associated with running another municipal day care and sustain this service in Nakina.
To assist in portraying an updated community profile of Greenstone on the new NOSTA website (which will launch in a few weeks), I’ve enjoyed helping to prepare and submit articles and photos to describe three ‘attractors’ associated with Greenstone. One example can be viewed at http://nossa.ca/advertisement/ which points to the newly created “Greenstone Loop” brochure. 500 brochures were printed and are now downloadable on at least 3 related websites. Brochures have been distributed as far east as Timmins, as far west as Kenora as well as in the U.S. The personal and municipal interest is associated with representing the Municipality on the redesigned North of Superior Tourism Association website. Through our municipal membership, I expect to see value for our Municipality and also help NOSTA respond to our needs. There continues to be increased awareness of the Greenstone tourism opportunities. This will be more evident on the new site. The revised site uses a very user friendly Content Management System (CMS) that will allow for members to update and change information related to their business or organization thereby ensuring that information is current and dynamic. The difficulty sometimes experienced by businesses to change their own content has been addressed in the redesign of the website. I look forward to letting you know about its’ new features when it officially launches.
Members of Council and Senior Management participated in a revisit of Strategic Planning that ran over this past weekend. I enjoyed being able to participate and help shape the plan. I believe we were successful in identifying strategies that will better enable us to meet our short term goals / objectives that we have either already targeted or have refocused our resources on. I observed evidence of strong support from the participants to describe processes that will help ensure we remain committed to our goals and sustain the momentum. I will continue to press and attempt to influence Council and staff to refine a process that supports and better defines ‘Long Range Capital Planning,’ which I believe is an integral piece to support and implement the Strategic Plan.
On January 12th, I attended a meeting with the Director and Manager of the NorthWestern Ontario Innovation Center. Much of our discussion focused on the challenges facing our local economy and identifying opportunities where the Center can be helpful in getting people back to work. In addition to identifying financial assistance that can be provided, activities were targeted and discussed that might engage those who have lost their jobs. The Center has also been supportive of programs that will bring digital cellular phone service into our area such as through the installation of a new communications tower to be built by TBayTel along Highway 584 and located 15 km north of Geraldton. Bell Alliant has also been supported through the work at the Center to move a step closer to the rollout of high speed internet services in the Nakina / Aroland targeted for this year. More information including contacts can be made at www.nwoinnovation.ca or by calling (807) 768-6682.
The recommendations generated by the work of an ad hoc ‘Tourism’ committee over the past 4 months, will be tabled with Council in early February. Allowing for a period of consideration, a motion will follow to adopt the report which is intended to form the foundation of renewed and refocused objectives dealing with promoting and marketing municipal events and resources linked to tourism. I continue to enjoy the opportunity to facilitate discussions related to meeting tourism challenges provincially, regionally and in the Greenstone catchment area. Following the anticipated formal acceptance by Council, I plan to make the report available on this site.
The importance of our Municipal Airport in Nakina is demonstrated by the amount of traffic to the areas north of u
s. There is a positive impact on many local businesses tied to either delivering / receiving goods and services connected with the communities and associated activities to our north, particularly mining. Although the mining sector and related exploratory activities are also affected by the current economic climate, activity at the E.R. Ruddick Airport is very busy. An aircraft known as a Shorts Sky Van (photo left) was brought in from Yellowknife by mining companies in late December to move bulk loads north especially into the Ring of Fire. The aircraft, described affectionately by many observers as a Winnebago with wings, the whale sized cargo area swallows up to 4,500 lbs. of vital parts or up to 9 passengers plus gear. 
Equipment such as diamond drilling sleighs, tractors, snow blowers, and fuel tanks make up the payloads that can’t fit on many aircraft. Currently Nakina Air Service employees 35 people which I think makes them the largest single employer in Nakina. (photo right NAS hanger)
s. There is a positive impact on many local businesses tied to either delivering / receiving goods and services connected with the communities and associated activities to our north, particularly mining. Although the mining sector and related exploratory activities are also affected by the current economic climate, activity at the E.R. Ruddick Airport is very busy. An aircraft known as a Shorts Sky Van (photo left) was brought in from Yellowknife by mining companies in late December to move bulk loads north especially into the Ring of Fire. The aircraft, described affectionately by many observers as a Winnebago with wings, the whale sized cargo area swallows up to 4,500 lbs. of vital parts or up to 9 passengers plus gear. 
Equipment such as diamond drilling sleighs, tractors, snow blowers, and fuel tanks make up the payloads that can’t fit on many aircraft. Currently Nakina Air Service employees 35 people which I think makes them the largest single employer in Nakina. (photo right NAS hanger)The fully functional new sand-storage shed (photo right)
located opposite the E.R. Ruddick Airport, was constructed by Barino Construction (landscaping and painting will occur in the spring/summer). The facility is now housing approximately $.5 M worth of equipment whose life span and utilization will be increased through this ACAP / Municipal 
funded project. I enjoyed informally touring the new building with Millie and Don Bourdignon and our sector foreman, Jean Noel Chaine. (photo left)An opportunity to support two recent requests that came to Council from Nakina Fish and Game should help the club members to grow their projects, especially the Nakina Bass Derby. Keep up the good work!
I have agreed to be a member of the negotiating team representing the Municipality in the renewal process of arriving at a new Collective Agreement between Corporation of the Municipality of Greenstone and CUPE / Local 3045.
Help break up our long winters and get out of the house by participating in the upcoming 2nd Annual Greenstone Loop Poker Rally on February 7th and get down to Longlac and enjoy Moosecalac on Feb. 12-15. Details of both events are available at http://greenstone.caDetails of the Nakina Sno Club sponsored Greenstone Loop Poker Rally are provided on posters throughout Greenstone and area and are being promoted in the Times Star, CFNO, and the Greenstone Snowmobile internet site (Thank you to Stephane Parent, Al Creswell and Patrick Dzijacky for your support)
We’re getting closer to enjoying travelling over a completely redone Highway 584 scheduled for completion this fall. The uneven road surface which began to appear in late fall on Michael Power Blvd (approaching Geraldton from the south) will be addressed when the contractor returns to Greenstone to complete the contract on the 28 km of the north section of Highway 584. Council will be informed of the status of the Municipal application associated with the road reconstruction between Geraldton and Highway 584.
I’d invite you to visit regularly and bookmark a blog I’ve created at http://jay--daiter.blogspot.com/ “Greenstone Matters” is a personal initiative with a purpose of creating another opportunity for the citizens of Greenstone to let me know their thoughts on matters of public / municipal interest. The opinions expressed on this blog are mine, and do not represent the positions of Greenstone or of the Greenstone Council. The ward newsletter and other personal posts will also reside at this site. You can easily comment on the posts and your participation is encouraged.
Regards,
Jay Daiter, Councillor, Municipality of Greenstone
Nakina Ward
cc: Mayor Power
Nakina Ward Office
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Welcome
As a personal initiative, the purpose of this blog is to create an opportunity for the citizens of Greenstone to let me know their thoughts on matters of public / municipal interest. My intent is to create a positive dialogue about the issues and opportunities within Greenstone.
Arising out of a guiding principle "that if you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem," I invite your comments, ideas, and especially suggestions that will focus on "Growing Greenstone."
To that end, your thoughts which focus on the following, are welcomed:
* Describing what is done well
* Describing what improvements can be made supported with your suggestions
* Identifying issues or projects that should be evaluated
* Suggesting ideas to strengthen the local economy and strategies to reinvest in our communities
I believe in good debate to foster good decision-making. I have been and remain committed towards supporting the process of Strategic Planning and Long Term Capital Planning. I was very pleased with many of the initial outcomes of the January 16-17 Strategic Planning sessions which included Council and Senior Department heads.
This blog is intended to keep me better informed. The opinions expressed on this blog are mine, and do not represent the positions of Greenstone or of the Greenstone Council. Comments made in bad taste are not welcome and will be subject to removal. I look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully,
Jay Daiter
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