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Vol. 11, Issue 45, July 14, 2007
Chapleau told to ante up if it wants an increase in police services Public meeting is planned By Jim Prince f this community wants more police r e s o u r c e s stationed here, then it should also expect to pay for them. In the wake of a string of break-ins and vandalism this year, council met last Monday with Staff Sergeant Dan Dawson, who is the Area Commander at the Superior East Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police which includes Chapleau. Mayor Earle Freeborn said, "We have some serious break-ins and people breaking the law here." However, Staff Sergeant Dawson said the crime rate hasn't gone up per se. The township has called for an increase in policing to
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Long Term Forecast Saturday High 12 Low 8 Sunday High 18 Low 6 Monday High 15 Low 11 Tuesday High 19 Low 6 Wednesday High 20 Low 8 Thursday High 18 Low 6
a 24 hours per day, seven days a week level. But that would require boosting the local compliment of 12 officers to 14 and as a result add to the cost. The existing level of service costs the municipality approximately a half million dollars per year. I n t h e meantime, Staff S e rg e a n t D a w s o n pointed out some changes, which are designed to increase the visibility and presence of officers, including more visibility in the downtown. During the meeting, council was told even though there has been local OPP support to have Chapleau designated an administrative center for a new cluster
which would include Gogama and Foleyet, it has never materialized for reas ons unknown. “We still can't understand why Chapleau didn't get a cluster," Staff Sergeant Dawson told Council. When asked by Mayor Freeborn what council should do now, Dawson replied: "What you're doing n o w. K e e p t h e pressure on." He earlier stated additional policing, including the posting of a Staff Sergeant would only increase the cost while there would be no improvement in policing. Dawson told Council he is only a phone call away and at the same time two senior sergeants are already in service locally.
During the meeting, Mayor Freeborn stated the efforts to have a cluster office and its own commander located in Chapleau was not a reflection on the level of service now being
provided by Staff Sergeant Dawson. The OPP is in the process of determining the cost of fulfilling the Township's request for round the clock policing.
Chapleau residents will have an opportunity to have their say in the matter. Mayor Earle Freeborn said Monday when the costing is determined a public meeting will be called.
Chapleau proposal accepted Friday July 13, 2007, Chapleau ON: The Chapleau Regional Development Corporation (CRDC) and the Township of Chapleau are pleased to announce the success of the Northeast Superior Forest Community proposal to Natural Resources Canada. This application was submitted by the CRDC on behalf of the Townships of C h a p l e a u , Wa w a ,
White River, Dubreuilville, Hornepayne and Manitouwage. This proposal was submitted in October 2006 and has been under review by Natural Resources Canada's Forest C o m m u n i t y Secretariat until this past week. In a recent letter notifying the CRDC of its acceptance, the allocation of up to $325,000 per year for the next five years was
announced. This $1,625,000 in funding for this area is one of only 11 approved projects across Canada. “This project is designed for the region to study and become specialists in the area of non-timber forest products.” says Michel Sylvestre, Chair of the CRDC. “The recent downturn in the forestry sector has created a need for our region to work together to find ways
to diversify our economies and to find new industries to make use of our forests. The success of this application is a huge step forward in helping us achieve our goal.” Earle Freeborn, Mayor of Chapleau adds “On behalf of the mayors in our region, I'd like to extend our thanks to the CRDC for their hard work in bringing this project forward. Each of the communities involved in this project is eager
to work in partnership to build a strong nontimber forest products industry that will put our small communities on the map.” The Northeast Superior Forest Community project partners are currently finalizing their business plan for an April 1, 2008 start d a t e . M o r e information on this project will be made available over the coming months.