Over the past year, several major issues have risen to the top of the priority list for the Town and District.  Rainycrest, the International Bridge, the Clinic, Agency 1 (point park ect…) and the future of the Paper and Kraft mills. Over the next few weeks I will be updating you on the status of these issues, while making changes to improve access to information on my web site.

On Sept 13/06 a meeting was held (in Thunder Bay) with the Mayors of Kenora, Iroquois Falls, Fort Frances and Workers Representatives from the Abitibi mills, reguarding the separation of the Companies Hydro Assets (Power Dams) and creation of a new Hydro Company.  Meetings have previously occurred with Company Reps and others, with Union Reps in the three Communities affected by the application and this meeting confirmed that even more, the lines of communication and information with all affected stakeholders is lacking.

 There have been conflicting explanations and views put forth by Company and Union representatives in an effort explain thier positions and garner support for thier respective positions. I believe that the Residents, Workers and Municipal leaders have a right to know and form opinions based on the facts ,the same facts. The only way that we can clear up the differences, is to gather in the same room, at the same time, with Senior Representatives of the Company, Unions and Municipal Governments. From there it is the responsibility of the Company to insure thier Managment, the Unions to insure thier Members, and the Elected Officials to insure Residents ,know the facts, as well as we can attain, based on the information comming out of such a meeting. To this end, I reccomended and it was jointly agreed by the Mayors and Union reps to request a meeting with the CEO of Abitibi in writing, signed by the three mayors, to be held ASAP, in a hope to achieve a postive outcome for all stakeholders. We all want the same thing….. a strong profitable company, producing the best quality products, providing good paying jobs, well into the future.

Dan Onichuk