City unveils new voting machine

A new voting machine will make it easier for people with disabilities to cast their ballot during the municipal election. The City unveiled the unit at city hall yesterday. The machines cost between 35 and 40 thousand dollars to lease and support services for the machines will cost around 80 thousand.

Harvey wins conservative nomination

Richard Harvey needed two tries but he was finally chosen as the conservative representative for Thunder Bay Superior North at yesterday's party nomination meeting. Harvey lost last year to Michael Auld but had another chance after Auld bowed out due to health problems. Harvey defeated Richard Longtin for the federal nomination.

NAN still against far north act

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation plans to voice their concern about the far north act at Queen's Park this fall.  Grand Chief Stan Beardy says they'll be holding a rally once the legislature resumes.  Beardy notes they want to work these issues out with the Provincial Government.

Yogi Bear in Dryden

They say Yogi is smarter then the average bear but he may now have some competition. A bear was seen this morning camped out near the Welcome to Dryden sign, on the east end of Town. The Ministry of Natural Resources responded and set up a trap. The curious bear decided to park himself by the trap and stare at it for roughly 45-mintues. Apparently he was plotting a strategy. The bear got up, circled the trap and then ran in and out while grabbing the food inside. The proud bruin then walked into the bush, with food in mouth.

Michael Chan visits Thunder Bay

The Minister of Tourism says the naysayers who were against the province's new regional tourism zones are now on board.  Michael Chan says he had a chance to dispell their fears during a recent visit to Thunder Bay.  The funding is expected to be rolled out for the zones this fall.

Focus North being held in Thunder Bay

Federal, provincial and territorial ministers are meeting in Thunder Bay today.  The Focus North forum will tackle the region's social, economic and fiscal issues.  Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle will be holding a wrap up session tomorrow at the Bestwestern Nor'Wester Hotel.

Small Business Community unhappy with council

The small business community is apparently not happy with city council. A new survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says businesses in Thunder Bay feel council isn't meeting their needs. Chamber of Commerce President Harold Wilson says he feels the survey isn't completely accurate but it is a very important issue. Wilson says many of the questions in the statement were very open ended and could have been taken from a provincial or federal standpoint instead of municipal.

PC's attack Ontario Government's LHINS

The Progressive Conservatives are not a fan of the Ontario government's local health integration networks. PC Democratic Reform Critic Steve Clark says so much money was wasted by the Northwest LHIN. The Northwest LHIN spent 4.8 million dollars on administration costs and 1.5 million on consultants. Clark feels the money could have been better spent providing front line medical care.

Vetrans honoured with new memorial in Thunder Bay

Second World War naval veterans were honoured yesterday with the reintroduction of Paterson park. The Paterson Sailors Memorial monument was unvieled at 1918 Yonge Street and honours 6 Paterson shipping vessels that were sunk during the second world war.

Waterfront project deals with financial snag

There are more pricing issues for the city's waterfront development project. The tenders for two landscaping projects came in over budget. The work on Pier three will be put off to next year after tenders came in over double the estimated cost. Work on the spirit garden will take place this year but a portion of Pier one was also dropped for this year.

Public comments on zoning by law

Just one person made a deputation in favour of the city's comprehensive zoning by-law, while many were against it. Peter Kuzak spoke against the proposed legislation that he calls a moving target. Kuzak notes people need time to read the document and see how it will impact their land. Councillor Rebecca Johnson says she's not ready to vote in favour of the comprehensive zoning by law and is worried they haven't consulted enough with the public. Planning Division Manager Leslie McEachern reassured council they have spoke many times with the public.

Zoning by-law has many sticking points

There seems to be one major sticking point in the proposed comprehensive zoning by-law.  Councillor Larry Hebert says many people are concerned about the new enivronmental protection and overlay zones where people are not permitted to build.  Planning Division Manager Leslie McEachern says the new zones point out where the city allows construction; but the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority does not.  McEachern says the environmental protection zones identify boundaries of flood areas, wetlands and hazardous slopes.  Some councillors were also concerned about a lack of legislation which would allow four plexes to be built on corner lots in areas with character homes.  McEachern adds fourplexes will only be allowed in areas such as the east end.

Zoning By-Law under construction

The City of Thunder Bay's new zoning by-law continues to be under construction.  Administration provided an update to council on Monday night on the legislation in process.  The new comprehensive zoning by-law offers simpler maps and less zones.  The city has already held a number of public meetings on the proposed legislation.  The comprehensive zoning by law was approved in principal last night and will be sent back to council at a later meeting. The document will also be posted on the city's website for public consultation for four weeks.

Council allows day nursery on Glengary Dr.

City council tackled a number of zoning issues at Monday night's meeting. The owner of a home based day care centre wants to expand her business. The day care on Glengary Drive currently holds five kids, but the owner would like to expand that to 12. Councillor Mark Bentz was concerned about the possibility of noise from children playing in the yard. The business currently looks after toddlers or and pre-schoolers.  Plenty of people came out to argue in support and against the daycare.   Despite the divide between councillors, the day care will be allowed to hold 12 kids.

More parking on the way

The City of Thunder Bay is rezoning a piece of property in the downtown area to allow for more parking.  The property owners want to knock down a house on Marks Street South to expand the commercial parking lot that serves West Arthur Place.  15 percent of the lot must be used as a green space.  Some area residents expressed concern over the rezoning, stating West Arthur Place doesn't need any more parking spaces.

Ice Edge in discussions

Ice Edge Holdings is taking another step in their dream of bringing a professional hockey team to Thunder Bay. The groups top dogs were in the city to meet with City officials and the commissioner of the ECHL. CEO Keith McCullough says him and Anthony Leblanc both being from Thunder Bay, want to see a team come to the city and believe as long as a new arena is built, a team could be successful. Leblanc says a new arena needs to happen before a team could come to the city.

Whelan building is getting a new high tech tennant

The Medical industry in Thunder Bay is getting another heavy hitter. Tornado Medical Systems has chosen the city for its home and will set up shop in the historic Whelan building. TMS is a commercial medical imaging company and Michael Power says having a commercial company in the city will pay huge dividends for the city from research financing firms. Power says when a research company can show they have an active partner in the commercial field more research funding will flow to the Regional Research Institute. TMS could employ as many as 50 people with in the next 2-3 years.

RFDA holding 2nd annual Art of Giving fundraiser

The RFDA and Badanai Motors are once again joining forces to raise money for regional food banks. The car dealership will be hosting the 2nd annual Art of Giving auction. Chair Marilyn Chicoine says they hope to raise 30 thousand dollars. The fundraiser takes place September 23rd at Badanai Motors starting at 7 o'clock.

Police looking for armed robber

Thunder Bay police are looking for one man after a north side gas bar was robbed at Knife point yesterday. Police say the robbery happened at 6:30 yesterday. The thief is described as 5 foot 11 and was dressed all in black. No one was hurt.

Police looking for missing woman

Thunder Bay police are looking to the public for help in locating a missing woman. Police say 42 year old Cindy Rose Forbister has been missing since Saturday night. Forbister is described as 5 foot 6, slim with brown hair and a skull tattoo on her forearm.