FORT FRANCES — After almost two months of uncertainty, the town of Fort Frances has a new sitting councillor.
Following a special meeting of town council Tuesday night, William Morrison Jr. was appointed to fill the council vacancy that was created in October 2024 when then-councillor Mandi Olson announced her resignation.
Morrison was appointed following several rounds of voting, and sworn in immediately following the voting period. Morrison joins council for the remainder of this municipal term, which comes to an end in 2026 with the next Ontario municipal elections.
According to the personal statement prepared by Morrison for his application, and which was subsequently presented to council verbally during last night’s meeting, the newest councillor brings with him a wealth of municipal experience. Morrison had previously served as a councillor and deputy-mayor for Alberton Township, which he said helped him come to understand how municipalities function and how to best serve constituents.
“During my term on Alberton council, I presented extensive research and pursued funding for new projects such as oil-sealing the roads and the Alberton Millennium Rink, which are both still serving the taxpayers well today,” Morrison said.
“I fought hard to save the Alberton taxpayers money while enhancing the infrastructure and recreational opportunities.”
In his address to council, Morrison noted that in addition to helping the town come up with solutions to address ongoing concerns around high taxes, healthcare, homelessness and addictions, he also wants to see the town work more closely with First Nation neighbours to improve those relationships.
“I’d also consider it an honour if I was able to help the town reconcile with our neighboring First Nations, as I’ve been worried about the relationship for years,” he said.
“Many locals may not know how important the First Nations are to our local economy. Some are buying local businesses and employing Fort Frances residents. Mitaanjigamiing is building a new hotel and restaurant next to Walmart. Nigigoonsiminikaaning has over 50 employees working in the town of Fort Frances.
"There will soon be a biofuel plant built in the area as a partnership with the communities of Treaty #3 south. I believe, to move forward successfully, the town and area First Nations need to find a path, move beyond just being neighbours to working together as partners.
"I can’t promise I can improve their relations, but the first step of working with our neighbours, you approach them like I did with you tonight, by offering asemaa, which is tobacco, by giving asemaa, you’re showing that you respect and honour Anishinaabe culture, and you’re putting in a serious effort to work together.”
Morrison was ultimately voted in at the third round of voting, where he received the majority vote of sitting councillors over Robert Animikii Horton, the only other candidate whose name was still standing in that final round of voting. Morrison was sworn in as a councillor immediately following voting and will return to the council chambers with his colleagues when council resumes, following their holiday break, on Monday, January 13, 2025.
While the possibility of a by-election to decide a new councillor was available, the majority of council elected to pursue an appointment process that saw nominations open on November 13, 2024, and close last Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. The certified list of candidates was signed off by interim clerk Chelsea Greig at 2:19 p.m. that same day.
During that time, seven individuals put their names forward as candidates for the vacant council seat, though one withdrew their name before the application period came to its official close.
The official candidate list as of the closing of the application period was former Fort Frances CAO Douglas D. Brown, paramedic Kevin John Douse, educator and linguist Robert Animikii Horton, Ink Spotz Apparel+ owner Scott Krienke-Turvey, Weechi-It-Te-Win Family Services community relations specialist William Morrison Jr., and 4 Your Pets owner Pamela J. Williams.
At last night’s meeting, each candidate was allowed to make a five minute presentation to council, as well as two minutes each to answer a series of pre-determined questions from sitting councillors. At the beginning of the presentation and question portion of the meeting, all candidates were sequestered in an adjacent room, with each being called one at a time to return to the council chamber to speak. Following their turn, they were invited to return to the adjacent room, or to remain in the council chambers. Candidates were invited to speak to council in alphabetical order of last name, meaning Douglas Brown presented first, with Pamela Williams being the last candidate to speak.
Each candidate was asked four questions in total, given by rotating members of council. Those questions were: what motivated you to apply to this position, and what unique skills and experiences do you bring that will benefit the community?; how do you plan to engage with and represent all residents in your decision making?; how would you handle situations where your personal views or beliefs differ from council’s final decisions?; and to describe their decision-making process and explain how they would approach a complex issue where community members are divided.
Doug Brown was a long-serving municipal employee in roles as the manager of operations and facilities, and then as CAO before his retirement in 2021. In his application to fill the vacancy, Brown noted his wealth of municipal experience would be an asset as a councillor, adding it would be “a new challenge” for him.
“In Ontario, it is becoming more challenging to deliver services in a municipal setting,” Brown said in his personal statement.
“The vast amount of legislation is very challenging to ensure affordability is maintained for our tax payers. In accordance to the Municipal Act two key responsibilities of Council are; to determine which services the municipality provides and 2) to maintain the financial integrity of the municipality. The councillor’s job is to work with other council members to set the overall direction of the municipality through their role as a policy maker. The policies that council sets are the guidelines for administration to follow as it does the job of directing or operating the municipality. I have the capacity to fulfill these key responsibilities as a Councillor with the Town of Fort Frances.”
Kevin Douse has been a resident of Fort Frances since 2016, as well as a paramedic and part-time firefighter serving the district in that time. He came before council noting that his experience on the front lines of paramedicine in a time when the district is struggling with staffing shortages directed part of where he feels he can best serve the community.
“I believe that the citizens of Fort Frances want to see the town’s reputation and general safety aspects improve,” Douse said.
“The amount of crime plaguing this town is unacceptable. and is deterring families, residents, and visitors from being able to truly enjoy areas such as the Great Canadian Main Street. Business owners on Scott Street other locations must be listened to and loitering and public intoxication laws must be enforced by local law enforcement and by-law officers. Families and other people are worried about finding used needles on the ground while visiting public spaces. There is indeed housing challenges in this town, ranging from homelessness, to inaffordability as well as sky-high property-tax rates which may deter future new residential development. lf I were to be appointed to council, I will be working hard as a strong advocate for public safety, economic development. and fiscal responsibility. I want to help the Town of Fort Frances to grow into this century.”
Robert Horton is an educator, linguist and author who is a resident of Fort Frances as well as Rainy River First Nations of Manidoo Baawitigong, and is currently an Anishinaabemowin instructor at Seven Generations Education Institute at their Rainy Lake campus, as well as a professor for Durham College and an instructor for Lakehead University. Horton noted a conversation with Fort Frances mayor Andrew Hallikas prompted him to consider running for council, where he could use his skills and knowledge for the betterment of the community.
“I acknowledge our town and community as an amazing and unique place,” Horton said.
“Not only is it full of natural beauty and abundant history, but it remains a place that rests dear in my heart to which all paths in life have always led back to over the years… I feel it is incumbent upon those with skills and concerns for the future of our communities to go beyond merely supporting, commenting, or critiquing local and regional civics and government. It is necessary to contribute (not as an ascension to power but rather a submission to service) to benefit all our town’s residents with reason, rationality, common sense, logic, and positivity in decision making. Please consider me for such a responsibility. Not only to offer what I can contribute, but to learn from each of our current town council (with a clear mind and open heart) how to contribute in the best of ways – to the best outcomes.”
Scott Krienke-Turvey is the owner of Ink Spotz Apparel+ in downtown Fort Frances, with a wealth of experience serving in other business, volunteer and community-focused roles, such as as a former member and director of the Kiwanis Club, director of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship and organizer of the Fort Frances Santa Claus parade. Krienke-Turvey told council he would rely on his experiences to work to bring out the best of what Fort Frances could be.
“With many years of professional experience, including nearly a quarter century as businessowner… I am eager to bring my skills in management, decision making, and critical thinking to help lead Fort Frances to once again become an affordable, productive, and vibrant community,” he said.
“My professional career has given me a diverse set of skills that align seamlessly with the requirements of a Councilor. From overseeing daily operations to managing budgets and leading several teams, I have cultivated the decision-making skills necessary to bring structure and efficiency that readies me for the position. Secondly, decision-making has been a cornerstone of my career. Whether it involved strategic planning, addressing challenges, or capitalizing on opportunities, my role required making informed and timely decisions. As a Councilor, this ability will be instrumental in evaluating policies, responding to the needs of constituents, and facilitating meaningful community engagement, while balancing what needs to be done during in-camera meetings with the need for transparency to the electorate.”
Pamela Williams is the owner of 4 Your Pets, and spoke to council about her Business Accounting experience, as well as her volunteerism throughout her life, including the Northwood Hockey League in Thunder Bay and the Fort Frances BIA. In speaking to council, Williams noted she would use her experience and skills to be an effective communicator and team player on council, while respecting the differing views and opinions of the public.
“All my work experience and volunteering has taught me many things, including communicating with the public in a respectful and kind manner,” she said.
“Being on the BIA board and having my own business, I have learnt the different rules and regulations between being an employee versus an employer and a board member and how to work within a team as well as on my own. I have attended a couple of town meetings and it has helped me see a bit of how the meetings are run. I do believe I would make a good town councillor and I look forward to having a chance to show you. I would also bring a fresh view to our town meetings.”
Fort Frances Times / Local Journalism Initiative
