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: Can you, as mayor, introduce a motion to sell residential lots in our city for $1 apiece, with the condition that construction on a home begin within a year? If so, will you? Why? Even if the motion is defeated, at least then voters would know where all of our leaders stand on this issue as people continue to build homes elsewhere. Mayor Therien: As a mayor, the one thing I cannot do is introduce motions/resolutions, nor can I second any. The concept of selling lots for $1 in Flin Flon has come before council a couple of times over the last couple of years. The fact that Creighton has decided to sell various lots for $1 has made us think about our process. Part of the issue that keeps us from committing to the same concept is that our lots are, for the most part, fully serviced and ready to develop whereas the lots in Creighton, at least on Collins, require a tremendous amount of fill. At the end of the day, your $1 investment costs you as much or more to have your lot ready to build/develop on. The other dilemma we have is Flin Flon has sold many lots throughout our city for full market value. The fact that these developments are spread out as opposed to one general area makes it appear as insignificant, but it is not. Do we have to give away these lots at all? This brings us to all the lots the city has accumulated in the uptown area due to tax sales over the last number of years. The houses have all been torn down and empty lots remain. Now that the smelter is no longer in operation, the uptown area may be more attractive to some. These lots are usually small in nature but still developable. Since we seem to be accumulating them quickly, it may make sense to look at discounted prices to entice development. There is one other problem with offering $1 lots with the idea of developing within one year. The problem is you can have this property tied up for one year and NOT developed, all for the low cost of $1. It may make more sense to offer the property for a greater cost, making it non-refundable if you do not develop and refundable if you do develop. You would also have to ensure the development was of a sizable nature to qualify. Just my thoughts, though. * * * Question: Why do you suppose so many Flin Flonners fail to vote for mayor and council? What can be done to improve the turnout? Mayor Therien: Flin Flon is no different than any other municipality in Canada when it comes to voting in municipal elections. Of the three government elections, a federal election usually brings out more voters, followed closely by provincial elections. The probable reason is all the election hype prior to the vote. The other enticement is the party politics. At the end of the day, in a federal election you elect an MP and, ultimately because of it, you help choose a Prime Minister. Same with an MLA and a Premier. Of all the elections, a municipal election gives you, the voter, a lot more say in how things are run in your own backyard. You see your municipal leaders, at times, on a daily basis, or we are only a phone call away. A municipal election, except in large cities, does not involve party politics and/or affiliations with any political party. It is, to me, the truest form of government. It does make me wonder what it would take to get more people to vote in any election, let alone a municipal one. Your vote is a sacred thing and should not be taken lightly regardless of whether your candidate is successful or not. * * * Forward 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, Manitoba, R8A 0T2. No names are required. Ask the Mayor runs Mondays.
