Moose FM CHPB 98.1 - Cochrane

The business plan for Northern College is being given the thumbs up. The plan has been given approval and will guide the college’s undertakings for the next year. Recently the school passed its 2013-2016 Strategic Plan. Northern officials say the college will look to focus on maximizing educational access, engagement and choice of community. The full plan is at www.northernc.on.ca/documents.

Making decisions on behalf of the people that elected us as their representatives in government isn’t easy. Timiskaming-Cochrane MPP John Vanthof says Andrea Horwath and his NDP caucus colleagues take this responsibility very seriously, and we believe that their role is to make decisions that are good for Ontarians, not just good for politicians. Everyday people in Timiskaming-Cochrane made it clear what is important to them; jobs for young people, improved access to homecare, and making everyday life more affordable. Vanthof says they  listened and made proposals to the Liberal government to be included in their budget. He also went on to say that the NDP made it very clear to the government that transparency and accountability were of the upmost importance.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation is the recipient of FedNor funding to help aboriginal business development and growth in the north. The proposed use of the $60,000 is to help support Aboriginal management training. The funds will enable the Aboriginal community to deliver cost-effective, community-level business training that will help them to increase productivity and create jobs. The announcement was made in Thunder Bay yesterday. Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s Deputy Grand Chief, Les Louttit says this will help maximize benefits of existing and emerging development opportunities such as the Ring of Fire.

Prescription Drug Drop Off Day has been called a huge success by organizers. On May 11 police and medical officials worked together to help residents dispose of unused and unwanted medications. There were 53 OPP locations across the province including Cochrane and 308 kilograms of prescription drugs were collected. The initiative will help keep the drugs out of the hands of those who should not have them. Residents are urged to drop off any unused or expired prescription medications at their local pharmacies at any time where they can be disposed of in an environmentally safe way.  Don’t flush prescription medications down the toilet or the drain.

Cochrane’s Sara Bernier has taken the first step toward having a dog park for Cochrane. She made her presentation to council on May 7^th and was well received by all in attendance. Councilor Darryl Owens even made an offer of $100 from his own pocket to help. With the support of the mayor and council Bernier and her family will begin working on a proposal to establish a dog park. Bernier had collected 325 signatures to present to council in support of the park.