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City of Dryden

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Dryden Working On Agreement With NWMO

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The City of Dryden is looking at an agreement for a 1.2 million dollar project with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.

It’s for a Learn More program developed by the NWMO.

Under the proposal, a special projects manage will be hired along with a partially funded Economic Development Manager and Junior planner and along with two summer employees.

It will also cover the costs that city staff contribute to the project.

Other part of the agreement include:

  • Legal counsel and professional communication support
  • General Operating and Travel expenses
  • Youth Centre support
  • Municipal strategic planning and organizational development, community investment marketing as well as architectural and engineering services for community capacity projects
  • Community Well-being fund

There is also Near-Term Investment funding of two million dollars.

The city says the agreement does not constitute support for the Township of Ignace as a host community for a nuclear waste repository.

City council will vote on the proposal at their open meeting next week.

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Desautels Sentenced To Life In Prison

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39 year old Justin Desautels has been sentenced to life in federal penitentiary with no eligibility for parole for 13 years in the deaths of two Dryden residents.

Desautels was sentenced in Kenora Court by Justice John Fregeau Thursday morning.

Justice Fregeau says both second degree murder charges will be served concurrently as well as the assault charges laid against him.

Back on March 2, 2020, Desautels, in a drug-induced crime spree, killed Melvin Brownlee at the Arbour Jade Trailer Park and Dorothy
Brown died from her injuries later that month.

Justice Fregeau admits he would have imposed a stiffer penalty on Desautels, but agreed with the joint submission from the crown and the defense.

He says the opioid homicide rage disrupted what was thought to previously be a safe and secure community.

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Harrison Seeking The Dryden Mayor’s Job

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The City of Dryden has it’s first person to run in the municipal election for council in October.

Jack B. Harrison put his nomination papers in yesterday for the mayor’s chair.

Incumbent, Greg Wilson has already indicated he will not be running again.

No one so far has put their name forward to run for municipal council.

In the meantime, two more people are in the Ignace council race.

Jodie Defeo is the latest to put her name forward and joins Janet Lett and the most recent additions to the council race.

There are now six people seeking one of four seats on council.

Friday, August 19th is the last day to officially file nomination papers.

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City of Dryden Signs MOU With NWMO

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Dryden Council has approved the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization to further define the term “Significant Neighbouring Community.”

Some of the actions in the agreement include remaining active, engaged community with the NWMO in respect to the proposed Deep Geological Repository in the Ignace and Wabigoon area.

The City would also provide the organization with the results of any repository studies, or pertinent planning documents once public, or unless agreed otherwise to by Dryden.

Another highlight is discussing community capacity building, community engagement, community studies, ongoing baseline work and partnership with the NWMO.

Officials stress the MOU doesn’t constitute the City’s support for the repository or the selection of Ignace as the host community.

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Break And Enter At Whyte Avenue Business

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The Dryden Police Service is requesting assistance from the public regarding a break and enter.

On Tuesday, October 6 around 4:16 a.m. a break in was reported at a business located in the 100 block of Whyte Avenue.

Police say suspects got away with valuable clothing items.

Anyone who may have seen individuals on Whyte Avenue between 3:30 and 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 6 is asked to contact the Dryden Police Service at 807-223-3281 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

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New Online Tool Provides Data For Dryden Taxpayers

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Taxpayers can now see how their dollars are being spent in the City of Dryden.

The City has launched two new online portals including a Municipal Dashboard and a City Strategic Plan Dashboard, to improve communication with residents.

Residents can see data on municipal service areas, while the other dashboard tracks the city’s progress on achieving six strategic goals.

CAO Roger Nesbitt says the online portals are convenient for residents.

“Residents can go in whenever they want and right at their fingertips they can look at this performance data that covers actually 18 service areas and there’s over a 100 performance indicators.”

Nesbitt explains by providing accessibility to this data it promotes transparency and accountability in municipal government with residents, but it’s also a great tool for city staff.

“Our staff can now have trending data with the press of a button. It really helps with our decision making, better data definitely makes for better decisions. So it’s not just an externa;l communications tool, it’s good use for our staff as well.”

Nesbitt adds it’s important you know how the city works for you.

Residents are encouraged to check out the new dashboards and contact the city if you have any questions.

You can access the City of Dryden website here.

Direct Dashboard Links:

Municipal Dashboard

Strategic Plan Dashboard

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Domtar At Work For The Planet: A Better Place To Work, Live And Play

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Community members took time out of their Saturday morning to help make our town a cleaner, safer and better place.

About 35 volunteers showed up at Lions Park and Laura Howe Marsh to take part in Domtar’s, in partnership with the City of Dryden, ‘At Work For The Planet’ clean up day in celebration of National Forestry Week.

Wilkinson Family

 

Among the volunteers were Jill and Duncan Wilkinson with their three daughters.

“We like to try and get them involved in the community and show them ways they can help out and be good citizens. We live near the park and use it really often. I know in the past it’s had a lot of garbage so it’s nice to see everyone come out and help to keep the park clean so that everyone can enjoy it.”

Raje Kumer, another volunteer explains why he took part.

Raje Kumer

“We’re here to work for the community because community and business has to grow together. So by making the community clean, we make it safe, healthy and a better place.”

MP for the Kenora Riding, Eric Melillo was also at Lion’s Park and he was glad to participate.

“It’s great to see lots of people come out for an important cause and help clean up the community and out spaces we all enjoy. I also want to thank the folks at Domtar for their efforts and working with the town to make this a reality, especially in these really difficult times right now. It’s important we keep out community strong and we stick together even if we are physically a part from each other. I know the resilience of Northerners and we step up to the challenge.”

Volunteers cleared brush, assisted with some repair work and cleaned up garbage.

Speaking for Domtar, Bonnie Skene says they greatly appreciate all the volunteers who make this initiative and clean-up days possible.

With help from the Northwestern Health Unit, the event was able to proceed despite new provincial regulations of gatherings due to COVID-19, as it was a monitored event that followed health of safety guidelines.

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City of Dryden Reveals ‘Working Circle’ Details

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Dryden City Council has approved eight members to the new “Working Circle” sub-committee including Indigenous residents, city councillors and staff members.

Members appointed to the group include: Cheryl Edwards, Lisa Kooshet, Neil McLeod, Lloyd Napish, Councillor Norm Bush, Councillor Shayne MacKinnon, Councillor Michelle Price and CAO Roger Nesbitt.

Shayne MacKinnon says these members are leaders in the community and in the area.

“To have those folks at the table along with Councillors Price and Bush and Mr. Nesbitt, I think that we can really express some thoughtful and timely recommendations to council.”

The group is the first of its kind in Dryden and will play a critical role in helping the City achieve its Strategic Plan goals.

The idea of the Working Circle came from Norm Bush in July in hopes of improving relations with Indigenous peoples.

“In these times as we can see north and south of the border with all of the strewth that’s taken place in society, I think we can do some things in Dryden that will help propel Dryden forward in a very constructive and meaningful way.”

The group will meet monthly and work to do the following:

  • identify issues important to Dryden’s Indigenous communities
  • recommend actions the City can take to improve the experience of Indigenous people
  • propose ways the community can bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents

Mayor Greg Wilson says he’s thrilled to see the Working Circle coming together.

“It will help us ensure Dryden is a welcoming place to all, especially to our Indigenous peoples. Through listening and working together, we make positive change. I’m proud of the diversity in our City. Everyone should feel included.”

Council first approved the formation of a Working Circle on July 27.

It sits as a subcommittee under the Master Plan Steering Committee and will work on initiatives identified under two key priorities in the Strategic Plan: Community Diversity and Inclusion, and Economic and Investment Diversity.

As the group begins its work, more details and updates will be provided.

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VIDEO: Dryden’s Max the Moose gets Masked

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Dryden’s mascot ‘Max the Moose’ is officially taking part in the mandatory mask order that went into effect today.

Dryden resident, Tammy Chandler came up with the idea to make Max his very own mask.

“Over the last couple weeks I’ve noticed a lot of people taking photos with Max and I thought pretty soon all of Dryden supposed to be wearing masks. I felt that Max being our mascot should be representing us and he should have one too.”

The effort was made by Chandler, her sister Teanna Sheridan and their Mom.

Tammy Chandler and Teanna Sheridan with their homemade mask for Max

 

“We came here one night with a measuring tape and eyeballed it, hoping that it would work out. It took about 7 hours total to make.”

The Dryden Fire Service helped wrangle the mask around Max Monday afternoon

Spoiler alert if you haven’t already drove by Max, it fits!

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Masks are mandatory in all enclosed public spaces as of Monday, August 17 in the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area.

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City Of Dryden Municipal Services Survey

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The City of Dryden wants to hear from you.

The city has released a survey that residents can fill out so officials can hear about how they are handling municipal services.

Today is the last day to submit what you think as the survey will be available until Sunday July 19th.

The information will go towards the City of Dryden’s Service Delivery and Organizational Review.

The survey can be found HERE

https://www.facebook.com/DrydenCanada/photos/a.382779218840347/1008404926277770/?type=3&theater

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