Local ADSB Trustee Receives Provincial Award for Longtime Service

ADSB Trustee Russell Reid is pictured with (l-r): Cathy Abraham President of OPSBA, ADSB Director Lucia Reece, and ADSB Chair Jennifer Sarlo after being presented the OPSBA President’s Award honouring 26 years of service to public education in Ontario.

The local English public school trustee's received provincial recognition for longtime service.
Russell Reid was recently presented with the Ontario Public School Board Association's President's Award, recognizing over 25 years of service in Ontario public education, as he's been a trustee since 1994, representing North Algoma and Chapleau on the Algoma District School Board, even serving as vice-chair and chair of the board.
Reid says he believes a good trustee can be effective no matter the role they hold, and he doesn't plan to stop anytime soon, as he feels he's still making a difference.

Russell Reid Denies Plans to Retire as ADSB Trustee

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Reid adds that he's quite proud that - over the years - the board has always maintained a "district-wide" focus, making "every individual a priority".

Russell Reid on Pride for ADSB's District-Wide Focus

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Reid emphasizes that "education is the cornerstone", "our future", and if you don't invest in the future, you'll be "pretty hard up down the road".

Chapleau Still Seeking New PHSD Representative

Another attempt is being made to find a new Chapleau representative for the local health unit board.
While the Township recently put out an "invitation" for a volunteer to sit on the board of Public Health Sudbury and Districts - the former Sudbury and District Health Unit - Mayor Michael Levesque says that didn't work out.

Mayor Michael Levesque on Applications for Local PHSD Seat

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The "invitation" has been reposted on the Township's website, urging those interested in filling the vacancy to submit a letter of intent - outlining interests and experience - though it doesn't give much time, asking letters be submitted by noon on Tuesday, February 4th.

Local OPP Officers Receive Provincial Recognition

A few local officers were among the honourees at the recent Ontario Provincial Police Accolade Awards.
The ceremony - which saw awards presented to OPP uniform, civilian, and auxiliary members who've distinguished themselves with "outstanding service" - included recognition for the North East Region Provincial Liaison Team, which received the Jim Potts Award for assisting with evacuations of the Kashechewan and Pikangikum First Nations communities between April and July 2019.
Among the eighteen members of the team recognized were Constables Amanda Huff and Andrew Dubbin, both of the Superior East detachment in Wawa.

Local English Public Elementary Schools Closed Amid ETFO Strikes

Local public elementary schools are closed for a four-day weekend.
Rotating one-day strikes by the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario include the Algoma District School Board today, prompting the board to close its elementary schools for the day - though it also warns that makes it a four-day weekend, as tomorrow is a pre-scheduled PD Day.
The board does note community use of the schools is allowed to continue as normal, though any scheduled School Council meetings and school-based meetings, activities, and sports are cancelled.
Escalating rotating strikes also give ADSB elementary students another four-day weekend next week, as all 83,000 ETFO members will strike next Thursday, February 6th, and then members with the Algoma District School Board will strike Friday, February 7th.

ADSB Delays Elementary Report Cards, Secondary Not Delayed

The Algoma District School Board's warning elementary students won't be getting report cards for their first term as scheduled, while secondary students will get minimal reports.
According to the board, ETFO job sanctions mean teachers are providing marks but not inputting them electronically, something Elementary Report Cards rely upon, so term one report cards won't be issued at this time nor will marks be provided to students or their families at this time, not just due to the logistical challenges but also because the board says "marks without comment and context would not be considered thorough feedback on student achievement of curriculum expectations".
Like other elementary teachers, Kindergarten teachers are writing brief comments for Communications of Learning, but they're not being electronically inputting those, so the board is not providing the reports to parents.
It does note parents or guardians could contact teachers to learn about their child's progress.
As for secondary students, the ADSB says the teachers - who are represented by a different union - are inputting marks electronically with learning skills ratings, so report cards will be provided for semester one within two weeks, though without comments.
That also means marks for Grade 12 students will be submitted to Ontario's college and university application centres on time, so post-secondary applications aren't hurt.
The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board has already issued a statement assuring teachers are providing marks and learning skills levels so report cards can be issued as scheduled, though classes that don't usually have marks - like full-day kindergarten or specialized classes - will only have a single sentence comment entered.

Outboard Motors Stolen From Former MNRF Tree Nursery Near Chapleau

Local police are asking for help finding out who stole outboard motors from the former Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry tree nursery near Chapleau.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a theft report at a storage building on Old Highway 129 on Tuesday, though the exact timeframe of the theft is unknown at this time.
Six outboard motors were taken: two 15 horsepower Johnson motors; a 15 horsepower Evinrude; a 20 horsepower Suzuki; a four-horsepower Johnson; and a two-horsepower Honda.
Police have no suspects at this time, but ask anyone with information to contact the OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Chapleau Exploring Formal Complaint Policy

Chapleau Town Council's looking into a policy for complaints.
Mayor Michael Levesque says the Township has such policies "in a number of areas...sort of scattered over the system", but the planned policy would formalize them under one - and he highlights one aspect of submitting a complaint that Council is aware can be an issue.

Mayor Levesque on Issues About Formal Complaints

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Levesque says research found few formal complaint by-laws among other municipalities, with complaints about things like snow removal, sewer cleaning, or streetlights often treated more "informally".
The mayor hopes the by-law will be finalized and passed within the next month or two.

Wawa's Northern Nationals Drag Race 2019 Final Report

Wawa Municipal Council received a final report on last year's Northern Nationals Drag Races last night.
Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson says attendance for the event - both in terms of drivers and spectators - did rise.

Alex Patterson on 2019 Drag Race Attendance

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Patterson particularly highlights a drastic rise in junior drivers, calling that a "really, really good sign" of people getting into the sport, particularly families.
As for the cost of the event, Patterson estimates it was about $7300, though he emphasizes that includes some more things done this year.

Alex Patterson on Costs for 2019 Drag Race

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Patterson says the purchase of staging will quickly pay off - in how much it saves in rental - though he also notes the figure doesn't include staff time, as it is a municipal event.
During last night's discussion, Patterson also highlighted concerns raised over the last years by the Lady Dunn Health Centre about potential issues for patient transfers due to the closure of airport for the drag races.

Alex Patterson on LDHC's Concerns About Drag Race

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Though accommodation attempts are made, Patterson says that is an additional risk the municipality has taken on by deciding to host the drag races.

Purchase Orders Approved for Chapleau Snow Removal

Chapleau Town Council's approved a pair of purchase orders relating to snow removal.
During their meeting Monday night, Council considered purchase orders for the rental of a tandem plow truck at the end of December and for snow hauling early last week, something Mayor Michael Levesque says was necessary.

Mayor Levesque on Snow Removal Purchase Orders Need

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The two purchase orders total nearly $4400.

Chapleau EV Charging Stations Still Being Considered

Chapleau Town Council's staying positive about a proposal for electric vehicle charging stations.
Mayor Michael Levesque says Ontario Power Generation and AmbuEnergy are looking into the idea.

Mayor Levesque on EV Charging Station Proposal Status

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Mayor Levesque emphasizes Council's in favour of having the stations locally, though it's unclear when a decision will be made by the proponents.

Chapleau to Make Zoning Changes to Address Short Term Rentals

Options to address short-term rentals are still being considered by Chapleau Town Council.
Following a presentation by the Township's zoning consultant earlier this month, Council revisited the issue during Monday night's meeting, and Mayor Michael Levesque says staff was given some direction.

Mayor Levesque on CTC Decision About Short Term Rentals

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Mayor Levesque emphasizes Council doesn't want to "let it run wild", but to take measures now as they recognize this as a trend that is likely to grow, having already shown up locally.

Ontario English Catholic School Teachers to Strike Next Week

Ontario's English Catholic school teachers are planning another province-wide walkout.
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association says their second one-day walkout will be held Tuesday, February 4th, with President Liz Stuart acknowledging growing impatience of parents, saying the teachers "share their frustration" but the union cannot accept "devastating" cuts.
OECTA launched an administrative job action campaign more than two weeks ago and held a one-day strike last Tuesday, the first time in more than 20 years that OECTA had withdrawn services province-wide.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce's decried the move, saying "teachers union leaders have yet again demonstrated their disregard for parents in this province...prepared to stand up for things like higher benefits for their members" but not "the basic expectation that students should learn each and every day".
This comes amid rotating one-day strikes by the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario - those strikes are set to include the local Algoma District School Board tomorrow, causing a four-day weekend for the board's elementary students, due to Friday's PD Day, and a province-wide strike will be held the following Thursday, February 6th, followed by another strike by ETFO members with the ADSB on Friday, February 7th, creating a second four-day weekend in a row.

MMCC Condenser Being Replaced After Leak

A replacement for the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre's condenser is on the way, after a leak in the unit.
Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson explains there was a leak in the unit, which uses ammonia to cool the ice.

Alex Patterson on Reason for Condenser Replacement

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Because of that, Patterson notes the replacement will need to be installed quickly after it is received, which would have a temporary effect on operations.

Alex Patterson on Downtime for Condenser Replacement

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Patterson assures the leak didn't become too much of a problem.

Alex Patterson on MMCC Condenser Situation

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Patterson adds operations within the arena are continuing as normal, though staff are making additional checks on the unit until the replacement's installed.

No Applicants for Chapleau's Seat on Local Health Unit Board

The search will continue for a new Chapleau representative on the local health unit board.
While the Township recently put out an "invitation" for a volunteer to sit on the board of Public Health Sudbury and Districts - the former Sudbury and District Health Unit - Mayor Michael Levesque says that didn't work out.

Mayor Levesque on Applications for Chapleau PHSD Seat

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It's unclear when the Township will put out the call for volunteers again.

Local French Catholic School Board Announces Key Appointments

Some new executives have been announced at the local French Catholic school board.
Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says two major appointments have been made: Tammy Séguin as Superintendent of Education, and Tracy Rossini as Executive Director of Learning.
Séguin has been with the board since 2006, initially as a Sudbury-area teacher, then as a principal since 2015, while Rossini started as a teacher with the board in 1995, became a vice principal in 2004, then a principal in 2008, and has been Director of Special Education since 2013.
The two are set to start their new jobs on Monday, February 3rd.

ETFO Threatens Increased Rotating Strikes - Including Locally

Ontario's elementary teachers' union is threatening to escalate ongoing rotating strikes if a deal isn't reached by the weekend.
The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario says - if "central agreements" aren't reached by Friday - the rotating strikes will escalate, with the schedule of strikes covering all of the province's public boards over the five weekdays, including a one-day strike by all 83,000 ETFO members on Thursday, February 6th, and a strike by ETFO members with the Algoma District School Board on Friday, February 7th, which would likely mean a four-day weekend for the ADSB's elementary students.
This comes just days after ETFO announced plans for its rotating strikes to reach the ADSB this Thursday, January 30th - the local English public school board says it will close all of its elementary schools for the day, which will mean a four-day weekend, as this Friday is a PD Day.

Wawa Council Holding Postponed Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council's set to hold back-to-back-to-back meetings tonight.
That includes a Committee of Adjustment meeting, to address a request from the Algoma District Services Administration Board, that property at 35 Algoma Street be split into three separate properties - one that includes the current building, another that would be the site of a planned ten-unit seniors building, and the last which would be vacant, but could be used for a similar building or another purpose in the future.
Also scheduled for tonight is a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, which is set to feature discussions about: an encroachment agreement on Magpie Avenue; fire cost recovery; property tax collection; last year's Northern Nationals Drag Race; and the emergency replacement of a condenser at the Community Centre.
Finally, Council will hold a regular meeting, with items on that agenda including several staff reports included in the Corporate Planning Committee agenda and by-laws: appointing an Integrity Commissioner for the Municipality; authorizing a "travel point agreement"; and adopting a policy on property tax collection.
There are also three "closed session" items: a legal issue relating to a freedom of information request; a legal issue relating to a legal review of the LNG shareholder agreement; and a personnel issue relating to staffing.
Aside from the "closed session" portion, the meetings are open to the public, starting at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers.

Chapleau Council Holding Regular Meeting

Chapleau Town Council's starting the final week of the month with a meeting.
Included on the agenda are resolutions considering a proposed location for an electric vehicle charging station at 20 Pine Street and considering purchase orders for the rental of a tandem plow truck and for snow hauling.
Council will also discuss the vacancy on the local public health board, and a staff memo on the formal complaint policy.
Tonight's meeting is open to the public, starting at 6:30 pm in Civic Centre Council Chambers.

ETFO Announces 1-Day Strike By ADSB Elementary Teachers

More local school closures are coming later this week.
The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario has announced plans for its rotating strikes to include the Algoma District School Board this Thursday, with the local English public school board confirming it will close all of its elementary schools - and Adult Literacy and Basic Skills programs - for the day.
It also reminds that Friday, January 31st is a Professional Development Day, so elementary students will have a four-day weekend, returning to classes on Monday, February 3rd.
The board notes School Council meetings and school-based meetings, activities, and sports are cancelled, though community use of schools can continue as normal.
This comes as the AEFO - which represents French-language elementary and secondary teachers with public and Catholic school boards - is preparing to ramp up an ongoing job action campaign on Tuesday.

Wawa Winter Market Planned for Wawa Winter Carnival Weekend

A call's being put out for local vendors who might want to show off their work next month.
Isabeau Allard explains the Wawa Goose Nest Committee is organizing a "Winter Market" as part of the upcoming Wawa Winter Carnival.

Isabeau Allard Explains Wawa Winter Market Idea

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Allard encourages vendors to sign up through the EDC's Facebook page or by contacting the EDC directly - and suggests registering sooner rather than later.
The Winter Market will be held in the Community Centre from 10 am to 2 pm on Sunday, February 16th.