It was quite the informative day at this year’s Rainy River District Municipal Association General Meeting And Conference on January 25th at the Devlin Community Club.
Governments officials from Fort Frances, Atikokan, Emo, La Vallee, Alberton, Rainy River, Chapple, Dawson, Morley and Lake of the Woods all took part in a full day of presentations about important issues for our area.
I played the role of “reporter” in gathering sound clips and story information for our CFOB Newsroom.
I felt like a V.I.P. because I got to sit with all the members of our current Fort Frances Town Council…I even hitched a ride with Mayor June Caul herself!
Grand Treaty 3 Chef Francis Kavanaugh kicked off the day by speaking about All Nations Health Partners in Kenora becoming an Ontario Health Team.
Then MFOA Manager of Accounting and Coperate Services Heather Brown spoke about asset management plans & levels of service.
Up next, Michael Goffin from Environment and Climate Change Canada talked about boundary waterways.
CEO Marilyn Herbacz and Chair Paul Ryan from the Northwestern Health Unit presented on the topic of public health.
We then broke for a DELICIOUS lunch! Thank you to all those who contributed to cooking and serving the meal.
After we ate, it was on to more presentations…
Karen Bradica and Ellen Beaudry from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs talked to us about their disaster recovery assistance program.
Dale Smyk from DCML Enivironment Health & Safety Services Inc spoke about wildfire prevention plans.
CAO of the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board Dan McCormick presented on plans for housing, day care and community well being.
Todd Hamilton from the Riverside Foundation For Health Care talked about doctor recruitment.
The final speaker of the day was Geoff Gillon, Executive Director of the Rainy River Future Development Corporation, with an update on their organization.
After taking part in an event like this, I now have a better understanding of just how many concerns and issues municipal politicians, officials and employees have to keep in mind and work with.
It’s not an easy job!
Our CFOB Newsroom will have MANY specific stories to come in the near future about what was discussed.
