St. Mary's Paper Ltd.

[Rhonda]

I believe what I found on the web was the company was based in Saulte Ste Marie, Ontario? Is this true and if so, what is the company like? They are in the running to purchase our now bankrupt paper mill. (It has been a horrible week here)
There is supposedly 2 companies here looking at the mill (been here in the offices for a few days) one being St. Mary's.
Any information appreciated.
*Anxiously awaiting any "up" news before I make any future decisions* although my FTD rep doesn't appear to give a **** and still waiting for Tel rep's call back.
Prayers needed....

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

This WON'T make you feel any better Rhonda...

but, Luc's town of Elliot Lake in Northern Ontario was nearly a total ghost town, when the mines shut down, and even though there were some interested parties in purchasing the old defunct mining rights, it was the mayor of the town, that decided on a complete new direction, and NOT a patch of the old, same old, same old.
I USE this example, BECAUSE, it took THAT town almost 12 years to re-establish a new identity, and a new way of doing business!
I KNOW that your hope, and decisons are based on what once was, and I KNOW that it is difficult, if not impossible to sway the "old" powers that be, BUT, it CAN be done, it HAS been done, and it's up to the local town's folk to "force" the existing heirachy, to see the new path to survival!!
Heaven only knows how many changes YOU'VE had to endure in YOUR business alone, just to attempt your best at survival...IMAGINE EVERYONE doing the same thing in your town!
My instinct tells me that Millinocket has given up hope, based on the results of a paper mill going back into full production, my reality says, what once was, is no longer.
It IS a harsh reality...and for YOUR town to survive, will require harsh decisions....
I'd ask LUC directly...he's a true survivalist, and a great friend!!
Mike

 

[Audra]

St. Mary's Paper is located in the Sault, what about them do you want to know? They employ a fair amount of people here and people I know that work there seem to like it. I've never heard anything bad about them as employers but the people I know that work there aren't my best friends.

Audra

 

[Luc]

Rhonda,
I am in a nothern town where the mines decided to shut down completely. If it was'nt a idea from a bright women named Claire Dimock, there woul dhave been no Elliot Lake Left. She came out with a Retirement Living program and that save the town. THe mines gave the city the house they owned for a tax deduction. Some of those house where given also to the retirement program to rent out. At one time you could have bought a townhouse for $25,000.00. So alot of people came and bought and deicided to retire here in the summer and winter in florida. Also because of the low cost of living some people from the big citys came here to make ends meet. The retirement living program is always in full swing, as there is about 1,000 people that comes to elliot lake to look around. SOme stay and buy, or some rent for a while to see if it is worth it. I bought my shop 7 years ago and I would have not bought it if it was the retirement living program.
Towns has stablea round 12,00o peoples. Some old families and some young ones, house market is up around $50,000.00. Some retires here, fix up their house and love it and some leave because they can't handle the fresh air and p[refer to go to the city where it is busier. Lots of seniors club.
Our holiday changes alot, we find christmas and mothers day very popular holidays because of the aging populations, valentine is a mediocre holiday with easter rounding them in 4th place.
Dont despair, and I hope they finda solution your town.
Luc

 

[Rhonda]

I will suggest to our "MAGIC" committee what you have said. We do have Baxter State Park and the lakes region. Fishing and hunting abounds. Many see us as a "gateway" to the North Maine Woods, but we all know we can not survive on tourists alone. Part of the problem is we are surrounded by woods and many of the off shoot of the mill has been the woods industries partners. Woods crews, truckers, railroad, chip mills, etc. So the effects are far ranging. As a business person, I have always tried to promote to our "Chamber of Commerce" that they should seek smaller industry, smaller non woods related business, but they are so deaf that they hear nothing. Now they will have to sit up in their chairs and finally realize what is going on. Don't choke but the average 2 or 3 bedroom home (about 25-50 years old) is selling for $10,000 to $30,000 right now due to all the previous lay offs and younger people leaving because the older mill workers refuse to retire. I'm sure we're not unique in any thought but we will have to be unique to survive this one. Thanks for your words of wisdom and comfort.
Audra, if the company is mostly stable, it wouldn't matter if they were "union or non". The people here need to learn that they can't have the world. They have to be told "Welcome to the Real World". Thank goodness my husband hasn't worked in the mill, but he is a firefighter and emt and his job is also on the line due to town management. The trickle down will affect us both ways.
Thanks again.

 

[Audra]

I understand. Our mill was in a world of hurt when it became St. Mary's Paper - since then they've become a respected employer in the Sault. We were at the time a one-horse town and our steel plant isn't what it was. It's companies like St. Mary's that have helped turn that around. If they do buy your mill, I would guess that history will repeat itself.