Gerald Graham will run for councillor at large

THUNDER BAY, ON ----  September 9, 2010 --- Former CBC Host to Run at Large in Municipal Election Former CBC host Gerald Graham will run for councillor at large in the upcoming municipal election.

Graham who retired in June after 25 years as a journalist in the city is excited about the possibility of serving on council. 

Pulia seeks Mayors Chair

THUNDER BAY, ON  ----  September 9, 2010 -----  Frank Pullia is running for mayor because I believe in our potential as a city. Recent changes in our economy are creating new challenges and opportunities that have the potential to greatly enhance or undermine our region's economic viability and future prosperity.
His background and experience include according to a press release:
I believe in this great city of ours.  

Wheat Exports Along USA Seaway Set for Busy Fall Season

THUNDER BAY, ON  ------  September 9, 2010 – Grain shipments through the St. Lawrence Seaway increased by 51 percent to 830,000 metric tons in August compared to the same period last year as international demand began to ramp up in the wake of production shortages in Russia.

 The St. Lawrence Seaway reported that American grain shipments reached 303,000 metric tons in August, an increase of 62 percent compared to the same period last year, while Canadian grain shipments increased by 45 percent to 527,000 metric tons. Year-to-date numbers, however, reflect an 18 percent increase to 743,000 metric tons for U.S. grain shipments and a 15 percent decrease to 2.8 million metric tons for Canadian grain shipments from March 25 to August 31compared to the same period in 2009.  

Mapleward Renewable Generating Station Inaugurated

Thunder Bay, ON – September 8, 2010  ----  Thunder Bay Hydro Renewable Power Incorporated has inaugurated the first project under its’ SEED Initiative (Sustainable Electricity Energy Development)  – a 3.2-megawatt electricity generating station that will take harmful methane gas that has been removed from the local landfill and will produce enough electricity to power approximately 3,000 homes annually.

The Mapleward Renewable Generating Station was presented to invited guests and the media in a ribbon cutting ceremony today.  Free tours for the general public will be available at three times during this afternoon.  

 Red Rock Indian Band and Nipigon Sign Agreement

Nipigon, ON -----   September 7, 2010  ----  The Red Rock Indian Band and the Township of Nipigon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This MOU provides a positive example of cooperation between communities in the interest of developing a more diverse economic base.

Nipigon has agreed to support the Red Rock Indian Band in the Addition to Reserve Process (ATR) they are currently engaged in, and in return, the Band will compensate the township for lost revenues, such as taxes, that may occur as a result of lost lands in the municipality. “Signing of this MOU establishes a framework for how we will work together for the mutual best interest of our communities,” said Richard Harvey, Mayor of Nipigon, “it establishes the basis for future decision making.”    

HST Hurting Tourism Rafferty

THUNDER BAY, ON  -----   September 5, 2010  ----   For many tourism-related businesses in our riding, this time of year is also when they start to take stock of how their peak season has gone and how this will affect their bottom line.

Sadly for many operators this has been a very tough summer. A few weeks ago CBC’s “The National” did a feature on tourism in Northwestern Ontario in which they spoke with a long-time camp operator in the Nestor Falls area. In that piece, the operators noted their business was down 60% from the previous year. Unfortunately stories like this one have become more and more common as the economic downturn continues to take its toll.   

Citizens of Nowhere

THUNDER BAY, ON ---   September 5, 2010   ----  I have no intention of turning this into another book review column. While that is certainly an endeavour I enjoy, it is ably covered elsewhere. However, on those occasions when a new book brings up a topic that I believe you should be aware of, it is certainly more ethical to discuss the book with you than to pretend the thoughts are my own and strip-mine the book in return for a passig acknowledgement.

Citizens of Nowhere is a new book written by veteran CBC News and Public Affairs producer Debi Goodwin. It reads, by the way, very much like a documentary. One can imagine the shots on a full-hour of The Fifth Estate, with much of the text as voice-over. That is not a criticism. Rather, it is a metaphor that the video-happy reader will be comfortable with. A bookumentary.  

Recall Hartz Naturals Real Beef Dog Treats

THUNDER BAY, ON ----   September 6, 2010 -------  The Hartz Mountain Corporation is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats for Dogs due to concerns that one or more bags within the lot may have been potentially contaminated with Salmonella. Hartz is fully cooperating with the US Food and Drug Administration in this voluntary recall.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, all of whom are at particular risk from exposure and should avoid handling these products.

Salmonella symptoms may include fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea in both dogs and humans.  

Andy Wolff Runs in Current River Ward

THUNDER BAY, ON  ----  September 4, 2010  ------  Being a life-long resident of this ward, I believe I have an understanding of Current River Ward’s issues and concerns.  The following are issues I will be addressing within our ward. 

 It’s a shame one of the most beautiful areas in our city has a lake, where it’s unsafe to swim.   It will be my commitment to you, to find out how we can restore Boulevard Lake, so it is safe to use all summer long. 

 There are still a number of roads that need to be resurfaced in our area.  Cumberland Street in particular has been neglected for too long.  I will propose to council to make the resurfacing of this road a top priority.      

THUNDER BAY, ON   ------    September 4, 2010  ----   Calling all artists, cultural groups and organizations! Thunder Bay will be participating in its first ever Culture Days, a nation-wide movement promoting public engagement in arts and heritage activities on September 24-26. Join the movement by offering a FREE interactive activity to the public for a behind-the-scenes look at how culture is created in Thunder Bay. Activities can include anything from demonstrations, interactive concerts, guided tours, workshops, and much more – as long as they’re free for the public to enjoy! Visit www.thunderbay.ca/culturedays for a sample listing of activities and details on how to get involved in the local Culture Days celebration.  

CELEBRATE RIVERFEST 2010 AT THE KAM RIVER HERITAGE PARK

THUNDER BAY, ON ----  September , 2010 – City of Thunder Bay Recreation & Culture Division staff announced today the details of Riverfest, scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 11 at Kam River Heritage Park. The event begins at 12 pm with entertainment and activities for the entire family.

“This year, Riverfest will really focus on the history and beauty of the Kam River Heritage Park,” said Melissa Wnuk, Festival & Events Coordinator. “We are also very excited to be hosting our 2nd Annual Kam River Reel In Derby”.

The Kam River boardwalk will play host to a variety of local musical talent including Dave Campbell, Tracy K, Suitcase Stanley, Wayne Faulconer, and Shaken Not Stirred. Music runs from 12 pm -5 pm. 

 Port of Thunder Bay as a true Gateway to Western Canada

THUNDER BAY, ON   ---    September 3, 2010  ----  As the largest grain port in the world, and still having the largest grain storage in North America today, the Port of Thunder Bay has a magnificent history that has served its citizens and the region well. As a Grain Handler for Cargill Grain in the late seventies, I remember with fond memories the salties lined up to load grain destined to various parts of the world. At any one time, one could see from Hillcrest Park at least a dozen if not more ships waiting their turn in the harbour. What a sight! Could we make that happen again? 

We still have those capacities, but the world has changed and the port is trying to diversify into new markets and new products. Thunder Bay was one of Canada’s major grain ports, but declined due to regulatory requirements that increased costs and made the port less competitive vis-a-vis the railway and other transportation corridors on the western grain port terminals like Prince Rupert, Vancouver, and Churchill. We do however have a competitive advantage through a direct rail access to both national railways, something that few ports in North America can claim of having. But will that be enough? What else is needed?  

99 Luftballons

THUNDER BAY, ON ----  September 2, 2010 ---- I thought of the title for this one as I was preparing to write about the dubious practice of the trial balloon. Those who have fond memories of the pastel T-shirt with unstructured jacket era surely remember 99 Luftballons, the anthemic German-English pop song heartily sung by Nena walking through a war zone. The controversy at the time was that Nena had armpit hair. That was the 1980s. Ronald Raegan was simple-minded and so was the decade.  read more.....>

Northern Networks Trade Conference (NNTC)

THUNDER BAY, ON ------  September 2, 2010  -----  Northern Networks Trade Conference (NNTC) is a cross-border, multi-national trade event. Business owners and Economic Development professionals from Northwestern Canada, Minnesota, and Wisconsin will have the opportunity to tap into the experience of trade representatives. This venue provides attendees the chance to discuss business ventures; plan strategic alliances; and build partnerships to maximize results.  

Ignatieff and Layton pandering

THUNDER  BAY, ON  ----  September 2, 2010  --  The recent announcement by NDP Leader Jack Layton of plans for a 'compromise' bill designed to alleviate opposition to the long gun registry is nothing more than a rehash of a previous ineffective proposal made by Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff. Neither provides a solution to the longstanding grievances against a badly flawed system that has cost taxpayers of Canada in excess of $1 billion dollars, continues to eat up millions more each year, and according to the Auditor General, has not been demonstrated to save lives or enhance public safety. 

New commissioner Duluth Seaway Port Authority

Duluth, Minn., U.S.A.  ------September 2, 2010 –--- Rick Revoir was recently appointed by the Duluth City Council to the Duluth Seaway Port Authority Board of Commissioners. He will complete the remaining two years of a six-year term held previously by Thomas A. Clure who passed away in May.

Since 2004, Revoir has been an assistant professor in the School of Business & Technology at the College of St. Scholastica, teaching both accounting and healthcare finance courses. He taught a personal finance course for four years in the College’s Dignitas first-year experience program and has led several study abroad trips to China.  

 High-speed Internet upgrades

THUNDER BAY, ON – September 2,2010 ---  Local MP Bruce Hyer says Thunder Bay-Superior North communities like Dorion, Pass Lake, MacDiarmid, Armstrong, Nakina, and Marathon are slated for high-speed Internet upgrades following a Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) ruling Tuesday. 

The ruling means the country’s largest telephone companies must allocate $733 million out of special ‘deferral accounts’ towards customer rebates and rural broadband. This includes $310 million rebated to urban home telephone customers, and $422 million to deploy broadband Internet service to 287 rural and remote communities.  

Alzheimer Society Supported

THUNDER BAY, ON – AUGUST 26, 2010: The Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay is pleased to announce that Doris Arnold has renewed her commitment as Patron to the Society for another three years with a donation of $25,000 at the 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last night at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.  Doris first became Patron in 2007 with her generous donation of $25,000 in honour of her late husband John Arnold who died of Alzheimer's disease 18 years ago.

 Doris has been a wonderful Patron and advocate who rarely misses an opportunity to introduce people to the charitable works of the Alzheimer Society. The Society has benefitted greatly from her ongoing support and dedication. Doris' gift will help fund public education and support for local families and people affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.  

Remind children to use the Buddy System

WINNIPEG, MB --  August 25, 2010 -- As the end of summer approaches and families get ready to return to their 'back to school' routine, parents are urged to talk to their kids about personal safety strategies such as the Buddy System to help keep them safe when away from home.

Children who go places alone are at greater risk of victimization and that's why the Buddy System is one of the most important safety strategies a parent can teach their kids. Whether a child is walking to and from school, heading to the park after school to play with friends or participating in extra-curricular activities, they should always be with a buddy. 

Tournament Anglers Battle Invasive Species

Brooklyn Center, MN - August 25, 2010 --- Wildlife Forever granted $80,000 in funding this past spring to seven Great Lake states for media outreach alerting sportsmen and vacationers to Clean - Drain - Dry their boats to help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!

Fifty highway billboards along major travel routes show what can happen if invasive species go unchecked; contaminating boats and fishing gear, in some cases, a big ticket. Advertisements in popular outdoor publications and angler websites depict images of dead and rotting fish when foreign fish viruses are introduced.   

Hello Joe, Waddaya Know?

THUNDER BAY, ON  ---   August 22, 2010  ----  For this, the first of I hope many political columns to come, I had prepared to write a quite serious piece about the Harper Government’s decision to close the prison farms from the angle that because of climate change, we are actually going to need more people who know how to run a tractor, not less. You’ll be reading, I hope, that take on a present issue quite soon.