Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli says the Drummond report calls on Ontarians to pay more for energy and is ignoring the pain caused by the Green Energy Act. During Question Period Wednesday, Fedeli said the province is replacing coal with wind turbines that make energy at night when it’s not needed. The Progressive Conservative Party’s Energy Critic then called on the Premier to cancel the Feed-in Tariff program. Energy Minister Chris Bentley responded by saying the Tories increased the use of coal while in power and added diesel. But, he also said everyone is in favour of clean air and highlighted the fact that solar panels were installed on North Bay City Hall when Fedeli was Mayor. As of noon Wednesday, those solar panels have generated over 39,000 kilowatt hours of energy since being installed in February 2008. That’s enough to power 310 homes for a day.
Written by: richard.coffin@northbayradio.rogers.com
The City has a small setback when it comes to putting in the Cedar Heights Standpipe. They did not get provinical and federal funding for the $15 million project. Manager of Engineering and Public Works Allan Korell says they will reapply for it and are not giving up hope. He says if they do not get the funding, they want to build a new pumping station by the university and college – and points out that would be a $6 million project that they would aim to start next year.
In the meantime, some of the money budgeted for that project will go towards extending the sanitary sewer system to the Pinewood Park Drive area. This project totals $4.7 million and will bring sanitary sewer services from the Steve Omischl Sports Complex to the Clarion. Korell says right now, businesses in that area only have water and are on septic systems – but, adds very large projects cannot work on septic systems. He says putting in sanitary sewers will make that area more viable and allow it grow.
Written by: jennifer.sapinet@northbayradio.rogers.com
A roundabout will no longer be going in at Trout Lake Road and Giroux Street. Chair of Engineering and Public Works Councillor Tanya Vrebosch says this decision came after public consultations, where there was a major concern on how seniors would cross that intersection. Instead, she says with the new subdivision going in at Giroux, the City will be installing new streetlights there. Meantime, phase two of the reconstruction of Main Street will soon start up and will go from Sherbrooke Street to the Overpass. While $3.2 million will be spent on repairing Ferguson Street – Vrebosch points out its not just to fix the water problems at 5th and 6th avenue, but also above and below ground reconstruction on the street.
Written by: jennifer.sapinet@northbayradio.rogers.com
Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli will be visiting the Ring of Fire next month. The one day trip is set for March 9th. Fedeli says there are many opportunities there for the local mining supply industry to take advantage of.
A theft at a South River residence has Almaguin Highlands OPP asking for the public’s help. They say a home was broken into a week ago and two firearms, six magazines and roughly 250 rounds of ammunition were stolen. Meantime in a separate incident, 450 litres of dyed fuel was taken from a pick-up truck in Strong Township last week. Anyone with information on either occurrance is asked to call local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
One of Canada’s best Diversity Employers is Stantec, which has 115 employees in North Bay. The recognition for the Edmonton-based consulting firm comes from the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers with companies analyzed for their range of diversity initiatives covering five major employee groups. Stantec was singled out for several initatives including the appointment of a Director of Diversity and Inclusion. Last year, Stantec was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. They were also recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers and one of the country’s top employers for young people.
Written by: richard.coffin@northbayradio.rogers.com
Mayhem. That is how Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli thinks this first week back in session at Queen’s Park will be. He says this will be the first time to talk about the ORNGE air ambulance scandal as well as the Drummond Report – and adds he thinks they are in for a “wild run” the next month. As for what is looking forward to this time around, Fedeli says he has a tour of the Ring of Fire in the works for March and he will be presenting his first private members bill.
Written by: jennifer.sapinet@northbayradio.rogers.com
It is Ontario Heritage Week and the City’s Municipal Heritage Committee is celebrating. They’ve unveiled new Heritage Site plaques. Chair Peter Handley says they were given permission last year to install 3 more heritage site plaques and there is one left to go up this spring. He says that plaque is of the Manitou’s and it describes the islands where they came from, their history and what they mean to Lake Nipissing and the area. Handley says another plaque for the CPR yards is on display. They were presented on Monday at Discovery North Bay, where there is a special display for Heritage Week.
Written by: jennifer.sapinet@northbayradio.rogers.com
New Democrat MPs are looking for fair representation in Northern Ontario. A private members bill was introduced last week to guarantee the region keeps it’s current number of seats, if the riding boundaries are re-drawn. Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Bruce Hyer says the Prime Minister is introducing legislation to add 30 more seats to the House of Commons, 15 are expected to go to Ontario. He says there is a rumour Northern Ontario may lose a seat and they do not think those living in the region want to lose representation, especially with the province gaining seats. Hyer says they are going to resist any attempt to weaken Northern Ontario’s voice, which is why they are calling on the Conservative MPs in the region to join them.
Written by: jennifer.sapinet@northbayradio.rogers.com
If you’re looking to find out more information on the Gathering Place Garden, a public session is lined up for Tuesday evening. The meeting is taking place at the North Bay Public Library from 5:30 to 7pm. Executive Director Jill Clark says there’s a couple of goals with setting up the garden. She says the primary focus is to have a secure supply of fresh produce for the soup kitchen. They also hope to see their neighbours in need growing and harvesting their own healthy food. At the meeting officials will introduce the concept of the garden, proposed layout, build an operational volunteer base and move forward with plans for constructions. Clark says once the snow melts they’ll start work on the garden.
Written by: richard.coffin@northbayradio.rogers.com
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