Mayor talks issues facing Thunder Bay

THUNDER BAY – CIVIC – Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs sat down in the NetNewsledger newsroom to share insight into the recent NOLUM meetings in Sault Ste Marie, on the issues with racism, with the James Street Bridge, Indigenous relations with Fort William First Nation, and the growing relationship with North Caribou Lake First Nation.

On some of his special projects, Mayor Hobbs says that Costco is still seriously looking at Thunder Bay to open one of their stores. The Mayor says all that is needed is fifteen acres of land.

Additionally, the Mayor says that action is needed on the James Street Bridge, he hopes that the courts will render a decision first, and he salutes Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins over his continued talks with CN Rail.

Mayor Hobbs also told NetNewsLedger that while the City aimed perhaps too high for a Convention and Event Centre, the reality is that the Fort William Gardens, which the Mayor called “a dump” still needs to be replaced.

Hobbs says that one of the key issues he is proud of is building relationships with our Indigenous community, and with both Fort William First Nation and with North Caribou Lake First Nation. The agreement with North Caribou Lake First Nation is like the Sister City agreement that Thunder Bay has with other communities.

Hobbs states that regarding his, and his wife’s pending court action, that they did a kindness for someone and that at the end of the day they will be proven right.

The Mayor says that one of the issues that Mayors across the North feel is a real problem is some of the negativity on social media. Hobbs says the negativity needs to be shifted to action. The Mayor says that what Thunder Bay needs are for residents to step up and show that our motto of having a giant heart is really true.

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