The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Question: How are conflicts of interest on the council and its committees determined/resolved? Is there some oversight? Mayor Therien: I am really not sure where you are going with this, but I will try to answer as best I can. Clearly, any member of council who stands to gain financially from a decision of council must declare a conflict of interest and remove themselves from any discussion and, ultimately, voting on any resolution that may come as a result. This is really the only "cut and dry" definition of a conflict of interest as it pertains to council. Is there some oversight? This is a hard one. There are some who would suggest that a conflict is present if you are dealing with issues, especially monetary, of which you have an interest other than financial gain. This is something that is somewhat subjective and certainly does not fall into the category that was defined previously. By the way, any member of council who declares a conflict must sign an affidavit stating their conflict and these are, I believe, open to the public. * * * Question: Is council against the idea of hosting a "town hall" type forum where the public and our councillors can discuss the challenges facing Flin Flon (i.e. population, smelter) together? Will one be held? Mayor Therien: I would seriously doubt that council would be against a "town hall" meeting. However, at this time nothing has been discussed amongst council in this regard. Being in a community such as Flin Flon, where everything is centred around one employer, whatever happens with them affects all of us, both when something good or something bad happens. Your question seems to be focused on the closing of the smelter and, yes, I am concerned for the affected workforce and what might happen when layoffs start occurring and the eventual numbers that this will entail. Conversely, you have to be excited about Lalor Lake, et al, and what that may mean for Flin Flon. * * * Send your questions for Mayor Therien to The Reminder by phone at 687-3454, fax at 687-4473, e-mail at [email protected] or standard delivery at "Ask the Mayor", C/O The Reminder, 14 North Avenue, Flin Flon, R8A 0T2. No names are required.
