Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Doug Ford visiting Greater Sudbury on Wednesday:
Ontario Premier Doug Ford will be in Greater Sudbury on Wednesday afternoon, and will hold a news conference outside of Lopes Ltd. in Coniston. Sources tell Sudbury.com the announcement is not related to a lithium processing plant the community was in the running to receive last summer. The event begins at 2:30 p.m. and Sudbury.com will carry the event live on our website.
Public shouldn't have to pay to use Kivi Park playground, report says:
When the non-profit group that runs Kivi Park announced plans to bring in user fees last month, some nearby residents were worried they would lose free access to the newly refurbished playground. Formerly known as Long Lake Playground, Kivi Park took over the structure from the city and replaced the outdated play equipment. When plans to charge annual fees were announced, some residents took to Kivi's social media page to complain that the only free play structure in the area was being lost. While Kivi Park has said low-income people can apply to have the fees waived, a report headed to city council June 25 says staff will work to keep the playground area free. Get the full story here.
The 'Queen of Durham Street': Village International manager Pauline Loyer passes away:
Pauline Loyer, the long-time manager of downtown fair trade craft retailer Village International, passed away June 15 at the age of 63. Her daughter, Roxanne Coutu, told Sudbury.com she had been ill for about five years and was in and out of hospital. She is survived by her three children — Coutu, Marc Loyer and Sherry-Lynn Loyer — mother Yvonne Charles Loyer, sisters and brothers Lorrie Ellis, Pierrette Junkala, Marc Loyer, Chantal Loyer and her seven grandchildren, Nicholas, Christophe, Emily, Daylin, Darius, Xyler and Jace. According to her obituary, Loyer had a long-time career as a waitress, starting in Sudbury and ending at White Oaks, a five-star restaurant. She moved back to her hometown of Sudbury in 1994, and a few years later found her niche and passion at Village International. Loyer was known for her giving nature and her support of local non-profit organizations and those in need. Among the organizations she assisted were the John Howard Society, YWCA Genevra House, Better Beginnings, Better Futures, Independent Living Sudbury-Manitoulin, Corner Clinic, and the Red Jackets (and many more). She received many awards, but the most prestigious was the Sesquicentennial Pin, which she received for her good deeds.
Club Richelieu has donated $170,000 to local organizations:
Club Richelieu Sudbury had yet another successful Annual Lobster Dinner at the Caruso Club on May 24. The organization presented a cheque for $20,000 to Place des Arts at the dinner, which was the final installment of their $50,000 commitment. Club Richelieu has donated $170,000 to local organizations between 2018 and 2019, highlighted by $50,000 each to NEO Kids, Maison McCulloch Hospice, and Place des Arts. They have also donated $20,000 between Carrefour francophone, Childhood Enfance, Scouts, Nos enfants, notre avenir, Association des jeunes de la rue, Centre de l’enfant et de la famille, Camp Soleil, Théâtre du Nouvel Ontario.
City utility has never shared its profits with its only shareholder — taxpayers:
Finance staff at Greater Sudbury are recommending city council adopt a policy requiring Greater Sudbury Utilities to pay the city a share of its net profits. And despite arguments from the GSU the city already receives the equivalent of a dividend through discounts on rates and interest payments, a report headed to city council June 25 says several other municipally owned utilities pay dividends, and the GSU should too. Known as a dividend policy, it would detail exactly how much money the GSU's only shareholder (the city) would receive and under what circumstances. The staff report estimates the annual dividend payment would average about $1.75 million a year. More on this story can be found here.
Cohousing may be the wave of the future for retirees, and a group wants to bring it to Sudbury:
A former city councillor is leading a group of people looking to create an “intentional community” that combines the independence of private home ownership with the advantages of village-style living. The goal is to create a 20-unit project in which members have their own living quarters and share facilities such as a social area and a community kitchen. But the project is about more than sharing real estate. It is about developing a community that encourages interaction among members, easing one of the greatest social problems today, social isolation or loneliness. Janet Gasparini, who is also former executive director of the Social Planning Council of Sudbury, has been discussing the idea for seven years with a half dozen couples who are friends. The group will hold an information meeting this week, followed by a day-long workshop at which people can take a “deeper dive” and find out if cohousing is a lifestyle that appeals to them.
FireRangers holding Timmins 2 at 4,600 hectares:
The Timmins 2 fire didn't get any bigger yesterday, but it didn't get any smaller either. The latest fire situation update from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry pegs the fire at 4,645 hectares. Still listed as not under control, Timmins 2, which has been burning for nearly two weeks, is about four kilometres west of Gogama. A travel restriction order remains in place in the areas surrounding the fire. All travel and use of Jack Road from the intersection of Jack Road and Highway 144, west to Mesomekenda Lake Dam is prohibited. All use and occupation of Crown Land or within 500 metres of the described closed roads within this area is prohibited. Those who require access to the restricted travel area for non-recreational purposes, phone 705-235-1334 to request a travel authorization permit. MNRF has said it will review the request for access based on the rationale provided, local fire activity, and the potential fire risk.
Wednesday Weather:
A mix of sun and cloud for Wednesday with chances of some rain. High will get up to 21 with a 30 per cent chance of showers this afternoon. A few clouds overhead this evening with the low dropping to 11 overnight. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
