Dear Citizens,
It’s always about people, or at least it should be. With the declaration of “Local Government Week”, I was welcomed and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to talk with intermediate students about local government. With an overview of how Municipal governments are organized, there was a focus on citizenship, democracy and how decision-making is influenced. Emphasis was placed on democratic values, and exercising rights and fulfilling responsibilities. In appreciation of their participation and interest, each student was presented with a certificate and a Greenstone Municipal pin. Thank you for the invitation to be a part of the student learning and I wish you every success in establishing your internet forum.
The near completion of Highway 584 will conclude with a final inspection. The highway/road improvements this past year including 584, Highway 643 to Aroland, Airport Road north of Geraldton, and the approach into Nakina have resulted in many happier motorists and safer driving conditions. What a nice ride between Nakina and Geraldton! Last week I met personally with the MTO Contracts Manager and voiced my concerns about the uneven highway surface on Highway 584. Although this is not a municipal project, our residents have waited a long time for the badly needed reconstruction of this section of highway. I will follow up with the Projects Manager regarding the final inspection.
I was delighted to note several references to the continuing developments associated with the “Ring of Fire” mining / exploration activities while at the Thunder Bay Municipal League meeting on October 16th – 17th. The engagement of engineering firms to identify potential rail routes, exploration / drilling activity regarding mineralization deposits, road locating, increased air traffic, and bridge construction, are strong indicators that something positive will happen to the north. Nakina has very affordable housing, an employable labour force, is close to the Ring of Fire, has a first rate airport, all of which enable us to be exceptionally well-positioned for this opportunity. These are clearly some exciting developments which I hope come to fruition. The following is an extract of a recent Google search I conducted….
MONTREAL, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - KWG Resources Inc (TSXV: KWG.V) subsidiary Canada Chrome Corporation has engaged Krech Ojard Associates, P.A. of Duluth, Minnesota to provide engineering services for the construction of a new 350km (210 mi) railroad link to the Ring of Fire. Krech Ojard is a railroad engineering and construction firm that has completed a number of projects with KWG's principal shareholder Cliffs Natural Resources (NYSE: CLF) (Paris: CLF.PA). Krech Ojard has identified and field refined a proposed route and is
undertaking additional surveys to determine the final alignment. A feasibility study will then be completed prior to moving into the next phases of the project.
I am hoping that the closing of the AFN Restaurant may soon be reversed as Chief Sonny Gagnon and Band Council evaluate the importance of this service to our area. I appreciated the discussion I had with the newly-elected Chief and wish the new Chief and Council well in their endeavours. Meegwitch.
New signage at the 11 / 17 intersection at Nipigon will be installed in November. After years of lobbying, the newly designed signs reflect input from Greenstone which now better ‘point’ to Greenstone. A new ‘Nakina’ mileage sign just north of Geraldton has been welcomed. There are still several signs along 584 that need to be replaced. Am also pleased to note that the E M S sign has been replaced at our clinic / EMS station.
PHOTO [Nipigon River Bridge, ca.1940]
Like many municipal councils, Greenstone weighed in on concerns associated with the potential withdrawing of Greyhound Bus services in Northwestern Ontario. With discussions involving Greyhound continuing, municipal councilors and staff were offered assurances through a presentation made by North Country Travel (while at the Thunder Bay Municipal League meetings), that a seamless bus service would be introduced on December 3rd if Greyhound ceases its operation on December 2nd. There is now word that a meeting of Canada's transport ministers has resulted in the formation of a working group that will try to review and modernize the regulatory framework governing passenger bus service.
The Tourism Steering Committee (a committee of Council) has introduced a motion to support an application to NOHFC. The application will be for a one year Youth Internship where a successful graduate will work to implement the earlier recommendations made to Council that support marketing and promoting tourism in Greenstone. The committee is chaired by myself and supported with Councillors E. Mannisto, Councillor Jane Jantunen, Ross Houghton of Greenstone Economic Development Corporation, and Paula Menchions, President, Geraldton Chamber of Commerce, Jay Lucas (GCF), Harry Kelly, and Rob Kurisch.
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is proposing to develop approximately 100 MW of hydroelectric power on the Little Jackfish River (east of Armstrong). Up to 280 MW of wind power potential exists on the east side of Lake Nipigon. OPG is expected to identify new wind potential further north of Lake Nipigon.
A number of local projects are being worked on or completed. They include getting power to KC subdivision lift station (to avoid sewer back-ups), new carpets in the Nakina clinic, further road repairs next year, improvements at the cemetery which include new fencing, painting and the straightening of the entrance markers, new furniture for the airport, and the purchase of a dyed diesel tank at the E.R. Ruddick Airport.
The internet blog, “Greenstone Matters” can be viewed at http://jay--daiter.blogspot.com/ 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, Nakina Ward Councillor
cc: Mayor Power
Nakina Ward Office
