Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Wednesday morning.
Downtown Sudbury legend Dino the Popcorn Man has died
The passing of Dino Theodos, best known as “Dino the Popcorn Man,” has prompted an outpouring of memories from his friends and former customers. He passed away at the age of 78 at Extendicare York on Feb. 26. Theodos was known for selling popcorn and other treats, such as pumpkin seeds and peanuts, from his cart, which he parked at the corner of Durham and Larch streets from the mid to late part of the last century. Tony Monteleone, whose businesses are located next to Theodos’ former “corner” in the downtown, said he knew the man well. The owner of Monteleone Custom Fashions, as well as the Coulson Night Club (now renamed the Coulson Entertainment Centre), said Theodos operated on the corner of Durham and Larch streets for probably 25 years, and he knew everyone. “He knew all the gossip of downtown,” Monteleone said, adding that Theodos was “sharp” and intelligent, as well as being a “sweet” person. “He knew everybody, and everybody knew him. He was part of the history of the downtown … He’d always have time for you. You know, you'd have a popcorn, you know, you talk and laugh. And that's what it was. He was a staple. He was a landmark right there.”
Set to retire, Richard Rainville reflects on a career dedicated to helping the city’s most vulnerable
Richard Rainville started on what would be day 17 of the journey that is Réseau ACCESS Network, just after it’s opening in 1989. Now, more than 30 years later, Rainville is retiring, leaving behind him an agency that has continued to adapt, change and grow to serve the needs of the vulnerable populations of Sudbury. On the first day of his first year of high school in 1972, Rainville would meet his best friend, a person he would remain friends with for years after. However, by the mid-1980s, Rainville heard the worst news from his friend. “He told me he was living with HIV,” said Rainville. “And I was devastated.” Having left the north at the time, Rainville said he soon found himself “called back to the rock,” and soon after, found his calling. The board of the Réseau ACCESS Network came together in 1988 to hire an executive director. That director was tasked first with hiring a support services worker. He hired Rainville. Rainville worked part time as the funding was negotiated, then took the role on full time for the next decade, working each day with people living with HIV/AIDS, and just about every other struggle you could imagine. Rainville describes the early days plainly. “Those were hard days, and I think one of my primary roles, basically, was to help people come home to die,” he said.
New name, new sound as the Coulson Entertainment Centre unveils its renovations
While the Coulson Nightclub in downtown Sudbury may look the same, its owners are taking steps to change the way it sounds. Thanks to a FACTOR (the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recording) grant, the owners of the Coulson have been using the down time during the COVID-19 pandemic to renovate and rebrand their product. Those who live in Northern Ontario are likely familiar with the Coulson Nightclub. The building at the corner of Larch and Durham streets was originally built as the Americana Hotel. It burned down in 1937, eventually making way for what is now the Coulson Nightclub. Now, it’s called the Coulson Entertainment Centre. Tony Monteleone has owned the club since 2010. He said it was time for a change. “Since the pandemic, we have decided to pivot operations from being a downtown bar into creating Sudbury's only broadcast studio and downtown Sudbury's Entertainment Centre,” said Monteleone. “We are no longer The Coulson Nightclub. We are now the Coulson Entertainment Centre.”
MPPs advocate for improved snow clearing on northern highways
Northern Ontario NDP MPPs are again pushing for their colleagues at Queen’s Park to improve winter maintenance standards on Highways 11 and 17. “This is the right thing to do,” Mushkegowuk—James Bay NDP MPP Guy Bourgouin told Sudbury.com of Bill 59. “It’s not a partisan bill, it just saves lives.” For their part, the province affirmed in emailed correspondence with Sudbury.com that they’re looking to improve standards on these highways at trial locations this winter. At issue is the fact these roadways are listed as Class 2 highways, which means they’re to be cleared of snow within 16 hours of a snowfall event. Class 1 highways are cleared within eight hours. Bourgouin is the MPP behind “Bill 59, Making Northern Ontario Highways Safer Act 2022,” which seeks to reclassify these two highways as Class 1. The bill was last raised in 2019, when the Progressive Conservatives shot it down with a vote of 59-38. Last week, it passed second reading and was referred to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills, where Bourgouin said he hopes it doesn’t die a second death. “They’re a majority government,” he said, pointing blame to the Progressive Conservatives in the event it doesn’t pass. “They pass bills quickly when it fills their needs, and why can’t we do this when it’s the needs of people losing their lives on the road.”
City drafts rules update in advance of Oct. 24 civic election
The line separating municipal operations from political campaigns has been better defined in a new policy proposed by city administration. The updated policy will be discussed at next week’s city council meeting and will update the previous policy approved by city council in 2016 and used in the 2018 election. In researching other policies and comparator municipalities, the city’s Election Team found that most other jurisdictions had established “more fulsome policies” around municipal resources and how they could be used for campaigning. The updated policy would allow for campaign activities in those municipal facilities that may be rented and are not being used as voting locations. Tom Davies Square would remain off limits. It also outlines the availability of other municipal resources to candidates during the campaign period, which will prove particularly important during this year’s election season since the majority of city council members have already confirmed that they are seeking re-election. As more candidates come out of the woodwork as the election date approaches and the official nomination period opens on May 1, there’s likely to be an eagle eye on these new rules in the event that city council chooses to adopt them.
Nominations are now open for the 2022 Northern Ontario Business Awards
Village Media is now seeking nominations for the 2022 Northern Ontario Business Awards. This annual event, now in its 36th year, celebrates the entrepreneurs, companies, and business leaders that have made impactful, lasting contributions to the Northern Ontario economy. More than 300 winners have been recognized from across the region since the awards were launched in 1986. Awards categories include Company of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and Innovation. Submissions will be vetted by a panel of judges comprised of business leaders from across Northern Ontario, and award recipients will be announced and profiled in the fall. More information about the Northern Ontario Business Awards and the nomination process is available at NOBA.ca. The Northern Ontario Business Awards is a program of Northern Ontario Business, which is owned and operated by Village Media.
Mild daytime high and a bit of snow in the forecast
Expect increasing cloudiness over the course of the day and a high of -7 for your Wednesday. Periods of snow are expected to begin around noon, with about two cm of snowfall expected. The wind will be out of the southwest at 20 km/h, but lightening near noon. A wind chill of -20 is expected this morning and -10 this afternoon. Tonight, expect periods of snow and a low of -20.
