Current & Former Mayors Seeking the Seat in White River

Two familiar figures are seeking White River's mayoral seat.

Current mayor Tara Hart - who was first elected in 2022 - has filed her nomination for the role, though Angelo Bazzoni - who held the role from 1991 to 2003 and 2006 to 2022 - has also submitted nomination forms.

There's currently only one candidate listed for the town's four council seats, Ted Greenwood.

Candidate certification is set to happen after the nomination deadline of 2 pm on August 21st, with the official candidate list to be released after that.

Municipal and school board elections will be held across Ontario on October 26th.

Wawa Council Holding 2 Meetings Right After Victoria Day Weekend, Discussing Fluoride & Fireworks

Right off the Victoria Day long weekend, Wawa Municipal Council is holding a pair of meetings tonight.

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, which will include a delegation from the Wawa Municipal Accommodation Tax Committee regarding terms of reference and the general plan for the committee - there'll also be an update on MAT revenue - plus follow-up on a request from a local business to be allowed to sell fireworks and on a petition to put the fluoridation of the municipal water system up for a vote this fall (currently, Wawa does add fluoride to the water, though the petition aims to have that brought to a vote/plebiscite), monthly reports from department heads, and a report on the proposed sale of municipal land at 39 Algoma Street.

That'll be followed by a regular meeting of Council, which includes resolutions approving the annual/seasonal installation of a greenhouse at John's Your Independent Grocer, and approving the release of the Municipal Accommodation Tax for 2025.

Tonight's meetings will be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers - the main level boardroom of Town Hall - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Chapleau Council Holding Special Meeting, Will Consider New CAO & Major Project Tender

Chapleau Town Council's holding a special meeting today, as they look to appoint a new top administrator and award the tender for a major project.

Included on the agenda is a delegation from AECOM about the tender report for the Queen, Ash, King, Teak, and Minto Streets upgrades - with a later resolution to award that tender - as well as resolutions affirming a by-law amending the Fees and Charges by-law for Cemetery Services and appointing Rejean Raymond as Chief Administrative Officer and Clerk.

A Township employee since 2019 - most recently as Operations Director - Raymond's been serving as interim CAO since the departure of Judith Meyntz in February, though he has experience in the role with the Township of Dubreuilville, where he had also been a councillor and mayor.

Open to the public, today's meeting will be held at 4:30 pm in Civic Centre Council Chambers.

New Candidates for Wawa & Chapleau Council

A couple more candidates have entered the running for local council seats.

The Municipality of Wawa's now listing two candidates for four councillor seats: Eric Paquette - who'd put his name forward soon after nominations opened - and Jason North, who's new to the list.

There's still just one candidate who has filed for mayor - incumbent Melanie Pilon, who's seeking for a second term after she was acclaimed in the 2022 election - while Susan Johnson is running to remain English Public School Board trustee, a role she was appointed to in September 2023.

The Township of Chapleau's also showing a new councillor candidate, Monique O'Hearn, who joins Michael Houle in that race, while there are three candidates who've filed to be mayor of Chapleau: incumbent Ryan Bignucolo; current councillor Alex Lambruschini; and David or Dave McDonald.

Neither the Townships of Dubreuilville or White River have reported any candidates so far.

Candidate certification is set to happen after the nomination deadline of 2 pm on August 21st, with the official candidate list to be released after that.

Municipal and school board elections will be held across Ontario on October 26th.

Registration Open for Wawa Youth Soccer & Baseball

Registration's opened for a couple youth sports in Wawa.

Youth ages 4 to 14 can now sign up for soccer or baseball - or both - with plans for the six week programs to begin later this month, on May 25th.

The Municipality had also been looking for coaching staff before opening registration.

For more information, go to the Wawa Recreation Facebook page, email recstaff@wawa.cc, or call or go to the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Alamos Gold Holding Open House in Wawa

A local mine's wrapping up a series of public meetings tonight.

Alamos Gold is holding a pair of community open houses to discuss its Island Gold District operations near Dubreuilville, inviting people to speak one-on-one with representatives about expansion plans, water usage, the proposed airfield, and exploration for the project.

After holding the first meeting in Dubreuilville last night, the second will be held at the Wawa Legion Hall from 5:30 pm to 8 pm tonight.

BC Resident Dead in Collision With Transport Truck East of Desbarats

One person is dead and another injured after a commercial vehicle and a passenger vehicle collided east of Sault Ste. Marie.

East Algoma OPP say the collision occurred on Highway 17 east of Desbarats around 8 o'clock Tuesday morning, with the driver of the passenger vehicle - a British Columbia resident - pronounced dead at the scene, while a passenger in the commercial vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Highway 17 was closed through the day, forcing transport trucks and heavy vehicles to travel through Wawa and along Highways 101 and 129 for a detour.

The North East Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (TIME) team are assisting the investigation.

Major Collision East of Sault Ste. Marie Forces Transport Trucks Through Wawa

A major collision east of Sault Ste. Marie's redirecting large and heavy vehicles through the Wawa area.

North East Region OPP have posted on social media that Highway 17 remains closed in Desbarats due to a multi-vehicle collision this morning, and while "passenger vehicles" can detour using local roads, transport trucks and "heavy vehicles" are instead directed to use a substantially different detour route, going north on Highway 17 up to Wawa, then east on Highway 101 to Highway 129, which they can take south to eventually connect back to Highway 17 - a route that would take several hours.

Alamos Gold Holding Open Houses on Island Gold District

A local mine's reaching out to the public over the next few days.

Alamos Gold is holding a pair of community open houses to discuss its Island Gold District operations near Dubreuilville, inviting people to speak one-on-one with representatives about expansion plans, water usage, the proposed airfield, and exploration for the project.

The first will be held at the Dubreuilville Town Hall from 5:30 pm to 8 pm tonight, with another at the Wawa Legion Hall from 5:30 pm to 8 pm Wednesday night.

Municipality of Wawa Takes Direct Control of Transit Service

The Municipality of Wawa's warning of some changes to local transit, as it has taken direct control of the service.

Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson explains the biggest change is that people are asked to call at least one day early to book their ride.

Alex Patterson on Change in Wawa Transit Booking
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Patterson also notes the phone number has changed: simply call the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre pro-shop at 705-856-2244, extension 240.

For the month of May, the bus is maintaining similar hours to before, running 9 am to 2 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, though for Wednesday, it runs from 12 noon to 4 pm - Patterson says that schedule may be adjusted in the future, based on usage and feedback from riders over this month.

More Candidates for Wawa Municipal Election

Candidates are trickling in for this fall's municipal elections.

Just shy of a week after nominations opened last Friday, the Municipality of Wawa's currently listing 3 candidates: incumbent mayor Melanie Pilon's running for a second term; Eric Paquette's put his name forward for councillor; and Susan Johnson is running to remain English Public School Board trustee, a role she was appointed to in September 2023, after the death of longtime trustee Russell Reid.

CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill explains nomination forms - which are available at the municipal office and on the municipal website - must be submitted in person.

Maury O'Neill on Wawa Municipal Election Nominations Filing
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

O'Neill also asks prospective candidates book an appointment ahead of time, and notes a cost to file.

Maury O'Neill on Municipal Election Nominations Cost
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Candidate certification is set to happen after the nomination deadline of 2 pm on August 21st, with the official candidate list to be released after that.

Municipal and school board elections will be held across Ontario on October 26th.

Wawa Council Approves Tenders for MMCC Flooring, Marina Fish Cleaning Building, Tractor

Wawa Municipal Council's approved plans for work at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre and the Marina.

In their meeting last night, Council passed resolutions accepting staff recommendations for two RFPs and an RFT.

Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson explains the MMCC project involves flooring.

Alex Patterson on MMCC Hallway and Dressing Room Flooring
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Patterson says the flooring work also includes the curling rink.

Alex Patterson on MMCC Curling Rink Flooring
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

That work's expected to be done over the summer, which Patterson calls "the perfect time", since those areas aren't really used until late September.

Council also approved the RFP for replacing the fish cleaning building at the Harry McCluskie Municipal Marina, which Patterson notes has been "on the radar" for a few years.

Alex Patterson on Marina Fish Cleaning Building Plans
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

The third item approved by Council was the purchase of a tractor and attachment, which Patterson says will benefit his department.

Alex Patterson on Tractor and Attachments
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Patterson also updated Council on a request regarding improvement for Bethune Cemetery, recommending the trail to it be brought up to "wilderness trail" standard, noting the more accessible "outdoor path" level would require substantially more work, with concerns that it's unclear where all the graves are in the cemetery as it's poorly marked and not well documented - he also assured that efforts will be taken to improve the cemetery site itself, as maintenance of abandoned cemeteries defaults to municipal responsibility.

Wawa Council Considering Request to Allow Sale of Fireworks

Wawa Municipal Council's considering whether to allow a local store to sell fireworks.

In their Committee of the Whole meeting last night, Council received a delegation - via Zoom - from the Great Canadian Dollar Store, asking for the ability to sell fireworks - representatives for the company assured they're committed to sell responsibly, requiring people have ID proving they're 18 or older, with the fireworks to be kept in a locked cabinet until they're purchased, while safety brochures would be given out, though they also emphasized that the issue with fireworks falls more on enforcement of where they are used rather than where they are sold, as people could simply go to another community - nearby or otherwise - where they are available.

Councillor Jim Hoffmann noted he thought municipal by-law barred fireworks in town but he still hears them, Councillor Cathy Cannon acknowledged people can purchase them elsewhere but she wants to ensure safety measures are in place, Councillor Mitch Hatfield stated she wanted to read a cited federal law on explosives before making a decision, Councillor Joe Opato inquired about the reason for the municipal ban - believed to be noise, though unclear - with Mayor Melanie Pilon saying she wants to help the New Brunswick-based business, suggesting further investigation.

In the end, Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin - who is also Assistant Director of Protective Services, making him the By-Law Officer - was directed to prepare a report on the request, expected in time for the May 19th Council meeting.

Preparations Underway for Wawa Chess Tournament

Preparations are underway as young chess masters will be gathering in Wawa later this month.

Wawa's École Saint-Joseph is preparing for its tenth annual Franco-Nord-Ouest chess tournament, and teacher/organizer René-Guy Nobert notes there is still some room for more participants.

Rene-Guy Nobert on Chess Tournament Registration Status
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Nobert says it is open, but with a caveat.

Rene-Guy Nobert on Chess Tournament Participants
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Players will be divided into age categories for competition.

The tournament will be held in two weeks, on Wednesday, May 20th.

Wawa Council Holding 2 Meetings After Special Meeting for In-Camera Items

Wawa Municipal Council's holding a pair of meetings tonight.

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting including delegations on behalf of the Great Canadian Dollar Store about a sale of consumer fireworks request and from Randy Klockars regarding Sandy Beach rock cut washout concerns, plus discussion about Bethune Cemetery improvement, Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre flooring, Marina fish cleaning, tractor and attachments, and an election-related discussion about a petition to remove fluoride from the water.

That'll be followed by a regular meeting of Council, which includes resolutions proclaiming tomorrow "National Hope Air Day", next week "Nursing Week", and approving the RFPs or RFT for MMCC flooring, the Marina Fish Cleaning Building, and a tractor with attachments, as well as three by-laws relating to transit service, as the Municipality's taking full control.

Council did hold a special meeting late Monday morning for two "in-camera" items, a legal issue relating to "a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board" and a personnel issue regarding "labour relations or employee negotiations".

Tonight's meetings will be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers - the main level boardroom of Town Hall - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Owner of White River Mine Plans Merger of Equals

Big changes are planned for the owner of White River's idled Sugar Zone gold mine.

Vault Minerals - which has owned the operation since 2022 - has announced plans for a "merger-of-equals" with fellow Australian gold producer and explorer Regis Resources, which will see Regis acquire all of Vault's fully paid ordinary shares, giving Vault shareholders 0.6947 new fully paid ordinary shares in Regis in exchange for each Vault share, leaving current Regis shareholders with a 51% stake in the new senior gold producer - set to be one of Australia's largest - and current Vault shareholders with 49%.

Regis' top execs will keep those roles in the combined company, with Vault non-executive Chair Russell Clark keeping that role.

The deal's already been unanimously endorsed by Regis' board and is recommended by Vault's board for shareholders to approve.

Wawa Mayor Officially Seeking Re-Election

Just days into the nomination period, Wawa has its first candidate in the fall municipal election.

Mayor Melanie Pilon's officially announced she's seeking re-election, filing her nomination papers Monday morning - a release from Pilon says she's "committing to build on the strong momentum achieved over the past four years", pointing to the Community Improvement Plan for Broadway Avenue, advocacy on highway maintenance, support for initiatives like the marina divestiture, Mission Park renewal, and implementation of the Municipal Accommodation Tax, as well as securing of "housing-enabling" infrastructure funding and the creation of six new affordable rental units.

Pilon was acclaimed as mayor in 2022 - as the sole candidate for the role - but was appointed as a councillor - filling a vacant seat - the prior February.

Candidate certification is set to happen after the nomination deadline of 2 pm on August 21st, with the official candidate list to be released after that.

Chapleau Council Holding Final April Meeting 1 Day Later

Chapleau Town Council's set to meet tonight - a day later than initially scheduled.

While the final meeting of the month was supposed to be held yesterday, the meeting was rescheduled to tonight, with the agenda including delegations from the Chapleau Rotary Club about the installation of two outdoor benches and from the Kebsquasheshing Golf Club about funding for water pump and control panel for irrigation, as well as discussion about the purchase of columbarium units and benches and the purchase of additional sandbags for flood preparedness, resolutions relating to the upcoming municipal election, and 2 "in-camera" items: one regarding human resources, the other involving legal advice.

The meeting will still be held at 6:30 pm in Civic Centre Council Chambers.

Wawa Municipal Staff to Look at Improving Snow Clearing

Wawa Municipal staff will look into ways to improve snow clearing for next season.

In Wawa Municipal Council's Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday night, Councillor Cathy Cannon noted she'd been hearing complaints about the season-ending "scraping" of roads leaving large amounts of difficult to move snow, ice, and debris at the end of driveways, asking whether there was a policy on whether the Municipality would assist with removing that, to which she was told there's no policy but operating practice is that the Municipality does not help with that, leaving it up to the property owner, and while Cannon referenced times where municipal staff had provided assistance, she was told there is no record of those times, but it could have happened when staff had some extra time, which has not been the case this season.

Cannon pushed for a look into whether it was feasible - citing concerns for seniors especially - with Mayor Melanie Pilon questioning whether that was something that should be investigated - concerned it would be competing with local businesses - before suggesting the scope of the review be expanded to generally cover how snow clearing could be improved, including that measure - citing other complaints about snow removal this year and in the past - with agreement the report should be delivered well ahead of the snowier weather at the end of the year.

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