Hi All,

I just saw this today, although it is dated Sept. 17, 2010. Read the bold and underlined part. I am looking forward to Mr. McGuinty's speech in Thunderbay tomorrow re: Ring of Fire. When I read stuff like , "Hobbs said the city needs to figure out how to bring refineries to Thunder Bay to process the minerals from the ring of fire."
It's no wonder the King of the Ring is being hoarded, Rule six-ed to death.

Mayors talk Sept. 17, 2010

The public had its first chance to potentially meet the next mayor of Thunder Bay Thursday as four candidates took the stage at the Lakehead Labour Centre.
While candidates Brian Kwasny and Jeff Irwin didn’t make it, Colin Burridge, the self-described “unknown”, said he wants to see the city get back to the way it was when he was growing up. With the decline of industry, Burridge said Thunder Bay is surviving rather than thriving.
“Crime is out of control,” Burridge said. “There are so many things going on it’s crazy.”
Keith Hobbs told the standing room crowd of over 250 people that when he spoke out against crime last year it was only the tip of the iceberg for the issues facing the city. After saying the city’s leaders aren’t listening and finishing his opening statement, Hobbs heard a large portion of the crowd yell their support.
“A sense of frustration permeates in the community,” Hobbs said.
Incumbent Lynn Peterson said that through the Community Economic Development Corporation and other partnerships such as the city’s crime intervention strategy, things have come together through effective leadership and getting the right people for the job.
“Like you I want my grandchildren to stay here,” Peterson said. “And friends to come back.”
Current at-large councillor Frank Pullia said he would offer the city a balanced approach between those who deny problems and say things are worse in the city than they are. While his opening address touched on crime and the benefit of job creation through the Thunder Bay Metal Fabricators Association, Pullia said taxes need to stop being raised.
“We cannot keep raising taxes or we’ll force people out of their homes,” Pullia said.
After opening statements the floor was opened up to members of the public to ask questions. The first question, directed at Peterson, accused her of not showing any interest in the proposed Big Thunder Wind Park project by not attending any meetings by Horizon Wind or its opposition, The Nor’Wester Mountatin Escarpment Protection Committee. Peterson, who supports the project, said while she didn’t attend meetings she has read every report, met with members of NMEPC four times and responded to hundreds of emails.
“It’s not a matter of showing up for meetings,” Peterson said. “I’ve done my homework.”
Hobbs said he attended every meeting and suggested that council was far from prepared when they dealt with Horizon Wind.
“This mayor and council did not do their homework,” Hobbs said before wondering what’s in it for the city if Horizon stands to make $880 million which he estimated.
But Pullia said what candidates with no council experience don’t understand is that seven members of mayor and council have to vote to pass projects. While he admits the city needs to communicate with the public more, that wasn’t the case with Thunder Bay’s dealings with Horizon.
“You can’t pull numbers out of the air,” Pullia said. “It’s never that clear.”
Gab Harpelle, 22, told candidates that his roommate is a mechanic but works at a call centre while his other friend is a welder but hadn’t worked in 8 months. He asked candidates what they’re going to do to stimulate the economy.
Peterson said the CEDC has an $800,000 operating budget and $300,000 for projects from the city to do just that; create jobs. People are cold calling businesses on behalf of the city to try and get more jobs here Peterson said. And with the opportunities with everything from health care to the ring of fire, things are getting better.
“We are doing this,” Peterson said. “It’s not something we’re going to do we’re doing it now.”
Burridge said he could relate to Harpelle’s friends. From welding tickets to small engine repair to heavy equipment operating, Burridge said he tried it all in Thunder Bay before having to work in Alberta and fly back-and-forth to Thunder Bay.
“We’ve got to get stuff back,” Burridge said. “Bread and butter jobs not the minimum wage jobs.”
Hobbs said the city needs to figure out how to bring refineries to Thunder Bay to process the minerals from the ring of fire.
“We need to sit down and bring the Ring of Fire (jobs) here,” said Hobbs.
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