Dear editor:
It comes as no surprise that the recent changes proposed to the Mining Act by the premier’s office seem in direct conflict with the best interests of the residents of Northern Ontario.
By restricting free access to Crown land, the Ontario government simultaneously will cripple prospectors and junior exploration companies across the province while stalling an industry with tremendous potential for growth at a critical time for the north.

Dear editor:
It was great getting the news of the $175,000 donation from Shaw towards the new Fort Frances Public Library.
Not only was the size of the donation totally unexpected, but Shaw’s timing could not have been better in its support for the fundraising effort, as well.
People on the street are very excited about Shaw’s decision to invest in the project and in our community. I have received countless words of encouragement in support of our efforts to raise the final five percent needed to reach our local goal of $750,000.

Dear editor:
The Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau would like to invite people who have had direct contact with the Terry Fox Run to write and share their memories and experiences of loved ones or their own in a “Tribute to Terry” in his fight against cancer.
Please share your experiences with cancer with others . . . in the Run for a Cure for Cancer.
It will be on display at Wal-Mart the last two weeks prior to the run on Sunday, Sept. 14. Let us cheer them on!

Dear editor:
Thanks to the FFCBC committee for all of their long hours and hard work that is put into this great event, and not to forget all the numerous volunteers who give up their free time in the summer to help make this event possible.
I volunteered for the first two years of this event, then chose to participate as an angler.
Over the years I have seen the changes that have occurred. Rising costs in the economy is a major factor as to the reason there was not a full field this year.

Dear editor:
More than a year ago, I joined the “Joints in Motion” training team to run a marathon on the Great Wall of China.
This is a fundraising event, sponsored by the Arthritis Society, whereby the participant picks a “hero” (someone who suffers from arthritis), raises a specified amount of money, and then runs a marathon on behalf of that “hero.”
In March of this year, I was notified that my application for a visitor’s visa to China had been turned down.

Dear editor:
If town council was “upset” with Shaw Cable . . . I was [furious] with the classless/faceless nature of Shaw’s unwillingness to announce (in print) the recent changes in direct district programming.
I made an inquiry to Shaw on July 15 re no televised town council meeting on July 14. To my astonishment, I was advised that Randy Thoms, district program director, was no longer with Shaw.

Dear editor:
I am writing in regard to our street being blocked off for yet another year.
I live on Fifth Street East between Portage Avenue and McIrvine Road. I had to go uptown one day last week and it took me 45 minutes to get from my house to the credit union.
Not only that, but do they not realize the extra loss of gas by having to go around all of the time?
I have lived here for 11 years and the road in front of my house has never been repaired. They come and put a little tar in the holes and that is it.

Dear editor:
On behalf of my teammates, the Gillons Clippers, I’d like to take this
opportunity to send a big thank you to the organizers of the slo-pitch tournament held this past weekend in Devlin.
Like years past, we had a wonderful time and look forward to returning again next year to play!
A big thank you goes to the volunteers selling food and refreshments, those
who umped the games, and who took care of the diamond between games—your efforts, while seemingly thankless, are very much appreciated.

Dear editor:
Thanks for allowing me space in your newspaper.
I am concerned about the putrid smell that comes in my windows, especially at night. Is it the lagoon or the mill?
A smell like that sure can’t be very good for your health. It actually makes me nauseous.
It would be nice to leave my windows open at night.
I am sure there’s other people who would agree with me that Abitibi’s Environmental Services could possibly resolve this problem.
I will be looking forward to any thoughts on this issue.
Sincerely,
Millee Dawson
Fort Frances, Ont.

Dear editor,
Last week’s editorial caught my eye, or rather struck a nerve. I remember it as being a good thing to be taught from young on, to say, “Thank you,” whether it was for an apple and a piece of bread or on a special occasion, even for an orange or banana.
Our father would remind us children at times, that during or perhaps even after the war, most necessary items like flour to bake bread, were in short supply so that fine sawdust had to be mixed into the flour in order to make it go around.