Council turns down e-voting

There will be no internet or phone voting in the upcoming municipal election. Councillors have voted 8-5 against the proposal. Trevor Giertuga was one of the 8 to turn thumbs down to the idea.  Giertuga says he's not convinced all the security issues have been answered.   For Mayor Lynn Peterson it's a question of security as well saying she is not comfortable with voters names, PIN numbers and other private information being in a data base that be would susceptible to hackers.

Consortium re-brands itself

The Thunder Bay Oil Sands Consortium is no more. In its place is a new company called Thunder Bay Metal Fabricators Association. Speaking to city councillors on Monday evening board member Paul Peterson said the name change is designed to show the firm is doing more than just getting contracts for city firms from the Alberta oil sands. He denies the change had anything to do with the negative environmental publicity the oil sands have received recently.  Peterson says that includes seizing new markets where they can find them including the so called Ring of Fire chromite deposit 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.

Former trustee eyes City Council

Former Public School trustee is looking to jump into city politics. Beatrice Metzler has declared her intention to run as a canadidate for City Council in the October municipal election. She will be running for councillor-at-large.   Metzler says her priorities will be a diversified economy for the city, a safe community and fair taxation.

Shear Heaven to close

After 31 years Shear Heaven is closing its doors. Owner Aldo Ruberto says he is retiring from the hairstyling business. He says it's been quite a ride and has learned a lot from being in business for so long.   Ruberto says he considered moving the salon to a new location, but decided to retire instead and focus on being a full time city councillor.  The last day of business for Shear Heaven will be Friday. Ruberto says he has found jobs for all his 11 stylists.

Rafferty pension bill could go to committee

Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty is optimistic about his private members bill. He says the bill is designed to add protection to workers pensions by moving them  from unsecured status to secured status.  He says 4 million Canadians stand to benefit from the bill if it's passed.  Rafferty says after debate on the bill today,  it appears all parties, including the Conservatives, are interested taking it to the committee stage.

Thunder Bay police have busy weekend

City police had to deal with a couple of incidents over the weekend. Saturday a man walked into the south downtown salon and assaulted a receptionist before making off with her purse. No has been arrested and police continue to investigate. Then yesterday two people were arrested after the discovery of a grow op. Officers responded to a call on Keith Street early yesterday morning and saw marijuana plants in the residence when they arrived. A search found 40 plants and a man and woman were arrested and charged.

Rural cemetery vandalized

Officials at the Lappe Cemetery are cleaning up the mess after a weekend of vandalism. OPP report that several headstones were overturned , ornaments damaged and garbage thrown around. Also over the weekend, no one was home after fire engulfed a house on Highway 11/17 east of Shabaqua. The cause is under investigation.