THUNDER BAY – Members of Thunder Bay City Administration faced a crowd of people at a special town hall at the Slovak Hall. There were moments of frustration expressed by some residents on some of the problems they are facing in their neighbourhoods. However the City is working to make progress on a number of fronts.
The biggest issue is the Atlantic Avenue Sewage Treatment facility. The city right now does not have the capacity to pump out the 750 megalitres a day of material that is produced in a normal day. Water conservation and restricting what is flushed into the sewage system remains a key.
“Progress is being made at the Secondary Sewage Treatment Plant to allow for assessment and repairs to the main pumping station,” said Darrell Matson, General Manager – Infrastructure & Operations. “The temporary pumping station is working well but if we get a large amount of rainfall progress will be hampered.
“Two motors for the main sewage pumps have been removed from the drywell area and are being dried and serviced,” Matson said. “One of those is being reinstalled today.”
The City requests that residents and businesses across the City continue to minimize the amount of water being flushed or sent down drains in order to reduce the strain on the sewage plant.
Acting Mayor Rebecca Johnson will ask City Council on Monday to immediately take the next step to get ready for disaster assistance funding from other levels of government. “We have asked the Province to declare Thunder Bay a disaster area under the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program,” said Johnson. “Based on my discussions with the Province we believe that will happen. We will ask Council to immediately establish a committee to administer a Thunder Bay Disaster Relief Fund once the disaster is declared. We are getting ready, understanding that there is an established process we must follow, to get help to affected people as quickly as possible.”
Mayor Keith Hobbs is currently in hospital in Toronto. Scott Hobbs shares, “My father had surgery today and will be off work for a few days. He is still in touch with city officials and will still be checking his email. He’s really heartbroken about being off work, but it was something that I don’t think he could have postponed”.
Just over 300 homeowners have registered for clean up assistance as of today through the volunteer clean-up program through the Construction Association of Thunder Bay, the City’s Construction Services Division within the Facilities & Fleet Department. Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Service and the Mennonite Disaster Team are also providing cleanup assistance. The focus will be on making homes safe and to address health issues.
Affected residents, especially those with no insurance, who need help with cleanup are asked to call 98 FLOOD [983-5663]. If residents are concerned about living in a flood-damaged household, they are encouraged to seek shelter or services such as showers and food at the flood evacuation shelter at Neebing Arena. Transportation to the Neebing Arena will be made available by visiting the Fire command post at St. Peter’s Church, 700 McIntosh Street, or by calling 98 FLOOD [983-5663].
Special Sunday Transit Service: To accommodate people in need, Transit will provide a modified East End Route bus service on Sunday, June 3, starting at City Hall and running every 40 minutes through the East End from 9 am until 6 pm.
Clothing Assistance: The Emergency Operations Control Group (EOC) wants to point out the important service provided by CAM Clothing Assistance for people who need clothes and linens.
“Since 2006 this wonderful organization has helped people in need in our community,” said Acting Mayor Rebecca Johnson. “The CAM provides clothes and other items at a low cost or at no cost to anyone who comes in.”
On Saturday, Iron Range offered to transport people between the Slovak Legion and CAM Clothing Assistance to seek these vital necessities. CAM Clothing Assistance also provides an opportunity for people to help in their own way. “Anyone can come in and leave a business card, and we’ll call if we need their product or service,” said Lynda Barrie, Vice President of CAM Clothing Assistance.
Truckloads of items started arriving at CAM on Tuesday and have continued to be dropped off since then.
“People have been very generous and we’re running out of room to store these items,” Barrie said.
Open Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 5 pm, CAM Clothing Assistance is always looking for volunteers. CAM is at 404 May St. N.