Peterson proud of accomplishments

Lynn Peterson says she appreciates the time she's spent serving the community as an elected official and that it's been a real honour. The outgoing mayor is proud of the many projects that she has overseen. She says initiatives like the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, the waterfront development and the new courthouse are moving the city forward.  Peterson says while she feels she ran a good campaign, clearly the community wanted some change.  While  she has no immediate plans, Peterson says she will stay involved in the community.

Pugh takes McKellar

Paul Pugh showed a strong win in the McKellar Ward and says he's honoured voters have given him their trust.  During his campaign he found the efforts of community groups  in his ward encouraging and wants the city to do more to work with neighbourhood groups. Pugh says his next step is to do further research into the city's issues as he prepares to take his seat on council.

No cause found for fire

The Ontario Fire Marshall has completed the investigation of the West Hotel fire. According to Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, it doesn't look like the investigation was able to uncover the cause of the fire. The site was turned back over to the city yesterday around noon and the next step will likely be demolition.

Transit union votes in favour of contract

Last night transit workers voted to accept the contract offered by the city. The vote was 78 percent in favour, according to union president Charlie Brown. 

Transit workers retain their current benefits and gain a pay increase under the new three year contract.  While transit workers are getting a bump in pay. Brown says city transit workers are still below the provincial average.

The contract also adds protections to prevent bus surveillance cameras from being used to monitor job performance, Brown says the cameras are there for the safety of drivers and passengers and should only be used for criminal matters.

Brown voted against the contract although the union recommended a vote in favour and called the negotiation process the most "dysfunctional" he's ever seen in his time as union president.

Brown says the contract will be up for negotiation again in 18 months.

Anti-tobacco industry activist visits city

Errol Povah has been running and walking his way across Canada since he left Victoria, B.C . on May 31st. Povah says he's been traveling 42 kilometers a day on foot to raise money and create awareness about the dangers of smoking.


His eventual destination is Montreal and possibly New York where he plans to visit the offices of tobacco companies. Povah says someday he'd like to see the tobacco industry gone altogether.

Thunder Bay group Youth Engaged in Tobacco Free Initiatives welcomed Povah to the city Saturday morning at Marina Park. YETI brought their nine foot high puppet "Big Tobacco" to the event.

Traveling alone, Povah moves his van (which serves as his shelter) up the highway as he goes and doubles back so he can cover the distance on foot. He expects to reach Montreal by October.

http://www.tobaccofreeworld.ca/

Union members 96% in favour of strike

Transit workers voted 96% in favour of strike action today at the CEP hall on Memorial Avenue. The vote was only see if workers are willing to strike; bus service will continue for the time being.


The Ministry of Labour will inform the union of the earliest date they are able to strike. Amalgamated Transit Union 966 president Charlie Brown says the union doesn't want to inconvenience the public and he hopes the city comes back to the table to negotiate.

Brown notes it was the largest turnout he'd ever personally seen with 90% of the workforce in attendance.

Some of the issues which concern the union are proposed changes to benefits, an increase in part time workers and how transit workers wages compare to those of other city employees.

Memorial sinkhole fixed

A water main break and subsequent sinkhole closed off a section of Memorial avenue yesterday. The break happened in the morning at Memorial and First causing a several meter wide hole in the street.
A crew began repairs after the water main break was brought under control.

Canada loses against Cuba 3-0

There was nothing on the scoreboard for either side until the top of the eighth when Cuba's Andy Ibanez batted in two runs. Cuba went on to edge out Canada 3-0. Both sides were strong defensively, giving up few hits throughout the game. Tom Robson pitched a solid six innings for Canada before he was relieved by Evan Grills. Cuba's Omar Luis pitched all nine innings and struck out 10 batters.

Italy wins against Venezuela

Italy beat Venezuela 6-5 yesterday. Venezuela started strong, scoring two runs in the first inning. The game quickly turned into a stalemate with either side refusing to budge. Italy eventually got the runs needed to send the game into extra innings and won in the eleventh. Italy faces the US today. Coach Gianguido Poma is looking forward to the game against the strong American team. "I know they're better than us, but you start from zero to zero and we just want to play a good game," said Poma.

Reason for Venezuela's delay still unknown

Ian Young of the IBAF says the organization isn't yet clear on the reason for Team Venezuela's late arrival to the World Junior Baseball Championship. Some Venezuelan players were arriving directly from the airport minutes before their game against Italy yesterday. The IBAF is investigating the issue and will make a statement once more is known.

Gas leak capped, danger over

Life can get back to normal for the people in the Machar Avenue area after an afternoon scare on Monday. About a dozen homes in the area of the 100 block of Machar were evacuated around 3 o'clock. It followed a gas leak. Police say that a construction accident caused the problem. Gas company officials were able to get the situation under control before 5 pm. Emergency crews were on the scene as well. Pictured: Union Gas workers try to get gas leak under control.