Nakina Ward
Office
200
Centre Ave. Nakina, ON P0T 2H0
Tel:
(807) 329-5361 Fax: (807)
329-5982
Email: jay.daiter@bell.net
http://jay--daiter.blogspot.com/
http://jay--daiter.blogspot.com/
Dear Citizens, Spring, 2012
(Toronto, Ontario
- March 6, 2012) Today, at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada
(PDAC) conference, the Greenstone Municipal Economic Development Office (GMED)
launched a comprehensive new website that will help both potential and existing
businesses and investors develop and grow in the Municipality of Greenstone.
The website www.investingreenstone.ca
developed by McSweeny and Associates features Canada’s most advanced
business-related tools (by EDTools®) for
research by businesses, site selectors, and investors looking for economic,
demographic, and other investment-related information.
The Municipality wanted to provide the business
community with a dedicated website to help them expand and prosper to meet the
increased opportunities and demand the mining sector is currently providing.
"The site shows that we are focused and committed to attracting new
investment and helping existing businesses reach their full potential,"
said Mayor Beaulieu from the Greenstone booth of the PDAC conference.
Council has been meeting since late November to prepare and finalize the
2012 budget that will come to Council for approval on April 10th. Five
committees including municipal staff in all departments and all members of
Council, worked through Dec. through March. We examined all aspects of our
Municipal operations looking for savings and or efficiencies. Very detailed and
lengthy discussions were helpful by allowing direct input from staff. The
beginning of the rehabilitation of Twin Lakes Road will begin this summer.
Our Council continues to
work collaboratively with the Mattawa First Nations as they continue to press
issues and benefits for the region. I joined Mayor Beaulieu as Chief Elis Moonias
and Chief Sonny Gagnon with Ring of Fire Co-ordinator, Raymond Ferris, made
their press release at Queen’s Park during the Prospectors & Developers
Convention in Toronto where they described their position and concerns. “As part of the government to
government negotiations, the FN communities expect the governments to
acknowledge and support their position that, if the Ring of Fire minerals are
to be extracted within First Nations Territories, then processing / refining
must occur in their Territory. The
First Nations want a Negotiated Joint Panel Review EA Process for both the
Cliffs and Noront projects. That Exton
Siding adjacent to Aroland First Nation is the preferred location for the
refining smelter. This location is also supported by the Municipality of
Greenstone who are working cooperatively with First Nations. The First Nations
believe that this option should be assessed within the environmental assessment
process. “We expect that the governments and industry, along with the First
Nations and municipalities will begin to chart a course, through partnership,”
concluded Chief Moonias and Chief Gagnon.” For further details on
the entire press release, visit: http://www.matawa.on.ca/
Speaking in support and introducing the merits of an
Airport Committee to develop and market our airports by engaging business and
industry, I thank Council for their support in recently passing Bylaw 12-XX.
“AND
WHEREAS these airports will be vitally important in our ability to fully
benefit from the huge economic development potential in our region.
AND
WHEREAS Council deems it important to receive input/advice from the public and
the business/industrial sector on the strategic direction, development,
operation and funding of these important municipal assets.
The ROLE of the committee is:
- To provide Council with input and advice relative
to the operation, management, strategic direction, development and funding of
the Airports and To act as ambassadors for both airports at all times.
FUNCTION
More
specifically the Committee shall provide input, advice and recommendations on
matters such as, but not limited to: Airport marketing and promotion, policies
and initiatives, awareness and support, Airport Master Plans and Business Plans
and Airport safety.
Selection of the stakeholder and community members will be made by
Council from applicants responding to the media advertising for members – Times
Star, Greenstone Portal/Web Page.”
Residents are encouraged to speak
with me further about your interest in this committee.
There continues to be interest
shown in purchasing the Terrace Bay mill and the two sawmills although details
are not available. Several weeks ago, I did provide a number of photos of the
Nakina mill that were requested by one of the potential buyers. Let’s keep our
fingers crossed.
Meeting with potential investors is one of the
benefits of attending conferences especially where investors are present such
as at the Prospector’s Development Conference. Mayor Beaulieu, our Economic
Development Officer and I enjoyed a full evening with one of those investors.
I’ve been posting many more
news items and information on Facebook which is searchable under ‘Greenstone
Matters’ for the past year as well on my blog located at: http://jay--daiter.blogspot.com/ Posting
here provides more exposure to issues / interests related to the Nakina Ward
and Greenstone.
Regards,
Jay Daiter ,
Nakina Ward
Councillor,
Municipality
of Greenstone
