Friday, November 25, 2011

Resolute to Shut Down Mill in Fort Frances, Ont

Resolute Forest Products is curtailing its papermaking operations in Fort Frances for the rest of the year beginning on Monday. The company - formerly Abitibi Bowater - is citing poor market conditions as the reason behind the five week shutdown of its paper machines. About one hundred employees at the Ontario-based mill will be impacted.  It's the third work stoppage this year. Meanwhile, workers at the Bowater Mersey Mill in Brooklyn are facing a December 1st deadline to accept severance packages after the union accepted major concessions from Resolute in an effort to save the operation. It means 80 full-time workers will be unemployed and are mulling over company offers.

It's a Big Safety Concern: Shatford

The Deputy Warden for the District of Chester is upset over the lack of snow removal following this weeks storm. During council's regular meeting on Thursday, Floyd Shatford asked each councillor to contact their area MLA to try and draw attention to the issue. Shatford says residents of Chester and the surrounding area deserve better. "I mean I was totally disgusted, the roads were very very bad. My grand kids were heading on buses and the roads were dangerous. I have a hard time accepting they can't keep the roads cleaner. It's totally unacceptable," Snow removal has been an on-going issue in the community year after year and Shatford says something needs to improve.

Former Shelburne Film Studio/Navy Base Sold in Auction

The 150-acre parcel of land at Sandy point near Shelburne was sold in a receiver's auction for $125,000 on Thursday. Roger Sullivan, owner of Yarmouth-based Tri-County Construction was the successful bidder. At one time the asking price for the property was $5 million. Sullivan says he has no immediate plans for the former film studio and navy base. In a separate bid, Tanya Strate purchased six ocean front lots for $85,000 or less than $15,000 per lot. Proceeds of the auction will go toward creditors, including the now defunct South West Shore Development Authority.