Look back: Oct. 2010

1 Hobbs wins
Change at the top was the word Thunder?Bay voter’s shouted via the ballot box, electing former police association president and political rookie Keith Hobbs to the mayor’s chair.

Hobbs redefined municipal election campaigning in Thunder Bay. He hit the streets in springtime and used social media and the Internet like no one before him in Thunder Bay for city politics to create a groundswell that swept seven-year Mayor Lynn Peterson and Coun.?Frank Pullia to the sidelines.

Hobbs was sworn in on Dec. 6, but made waves earlier when he called for a curfew for teens under 16. Making a return to council was former mayor Ken Boshcoff, to be joined by first-timer Paul Pugh, a well-known labour leader.
 
2 Horizon’s lawsuit
If there was a story that could have topped the election, it was Horizon Wind Inc.’s $126-million lawsuit. The southern Ontario-based company filed the suit against the city after council voted to approve the location of 14 of the 18 wind turbines Horizon has planned for the Nor’Wester Mountain range. The lawsuit claims breach of contract, among other things. The city later asked for the dispute to be solved by an arbitrator.
 
3 Charges dropped
The Mervin Spence manslaughter trial ended when the charge was dropped for a lack of evidence.?The charge was changed to assault causing bodily harm, but the jury acquitted him of all charges. The 23-year old Spence had been charged in connection with the death of 44-year old Scott James in December 2007.
 
4 Strike averted
The city narrowly avoided a transit strike when workers agreed to a deal hours before they were scheduled to hit the picket lines. The transit union was threatening to walk off the job to save benefits and pay increases.
 
5 Fire destroys abandoned building
An early morning fire destroyed the abandoned West Hotel and the adjacent Army, Navy, Air Force Legion. No one was hurt in the fire, which came weeks before the two buildings, owned by the city, were scheduled for demolition. A dozen people were evacuated from a nearby residence as a precaution. 
 
6 State of emergency declared
Eabametoong First Nation declared a state of emergency after three murders and a number of arsons, assaults and robberies. Chief Lewis Nate called on government to provide more money for 12-hour security shifts to supplement police service and patrol the remote community of 1,200, also known as Fort Hope.

Several dignitaries made a trip to the community in November to see the devastation and conditions firsthand.
 
7 New hospital CEO
Oct. 1 marked a new era at Thunder Bay Regional Health?Sciences Centre. Andree Robichaud, a New Brunswick import, took over the hospital’s top job, replacing CEO?Ron Saddington who retired after presiding over the facility since it opened its doors in 2003.
 
8 Trouble for shags
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission threatened to not give out liquor licences for the time-honoured Thunder Bay tradition, the shag. Couples were being told they were not allowed to raffle off prizes at their function, as it was considered a lottery and not allowed where alcohol is served.
 
9 Crime committee launched
On the eve of the municipal election the city launched its long-awaited crime prevention committee.?The first step will be to form the committee, and then Amy Siciliano, later named to head the committee, said a crime audit will be held to determine what problems face the city, where crime is concentrated and what people want done about it.
 
10?Ring of Fire co-ordinator named
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty made a local visit and announced that Sudbury’s Christine Kaszycki was appointed to the position of Ring of Fire co-ordinator.
 
Kaszycki said her first task as the new co-ordinator would be to bring all the stakeholders together in an effort to move the multi-billion dollar mining projects forward. Ninshnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy criticized the appointment, saying the government failed to properly consult with the First Nations leadership and communities that would be impacted by the Ring of Fire mining developments.