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: I am concerned about the speed that quads and snowmobiles travel as they use the city's streets and alleys. Many are abusing the recent relaxation of the bylaw prohibiting quads. The problem is No. 1, speed, No. 2, underage drivers, No. 3, traffic 24 hours a day, and No. 4, continued use of the parks to travel through. I think the city went overboard when they created the rules, or lack of them, for off-road vehicles. Is this being monitored by council? Mayor Therien: When council gave approval for the quad routes, it was done on a trial basis and subject to council being able to rescind at any time. Are there those who have abused this privilege? Yes, there are. The initial concept was to allow those to get out of town without having to load up quads, etc., on trailers, take them to the outskirts of town and unload them so they can take off to their favourite fishing hole, etc. In a place like Flin Flon that has close access to fantastic lakes and woodlands, this made sense. However, it was made clear that your route has to be as direct as possible and you are not to travel certain streets or through the parks. Are there those who can't or won't follow these simple rules? Yes, but there are those who cannot follow municipal and highway traffic regulations as well. Do we punish all for the few who push the envelope, if you will? In this case, we can. Does it make sense to do so? Maybe yes, maybe no. Speed is an issue regardless of what vehicle is travelling our streets. Underage drivers, where are their parents in this equation? Traffic at all times of the day does occur regardless of which vehicle is used on our streets. As for using our parks to drive through, I guess this still does occur, but how often and by how many? The idea was to allow simple access to the outlying areas, PERIOD. If it is being used for anything else, it is in contravention of the intent of council. I would like to think most people get this but, in this case, the minority who abuse this PRIVILEGE can and will be responsible if this PRIVILEGE is revoked. * * * Question: I am one of the people who live in the outlying areas and would NEVER object to paying my money to the City of Flin Flon rather than the province. I think Flin Flon is in dire need of decent housing for people over 55 years of age. My question to you is: Would you consider the Kingsway Boulevard area for new housing projects, whether it be for over-55 housing or simply new lots for people wanting to build? The area is already dug up and is a perfect location for some new development. I realize this will cause some controversy, but a lot of people were against Wal-mart and it was the best thing that ever happened here! Mayor Therien: First off, I agree with you in regards to decent housing for those over 55 years and/or seniors. We just do not have enough as of today. Council has recognized a need to address this issue and has already started to do so with the seniors' complex beside the pool. Council has made it known that this is just a starting point. We have put forth another idea to the province and the federal government for grant monies to build an even larger and more elaborate complex that would satisfy the 55-plus group plus others. Without grant money, any idea of seniors and/or 55-plus housing would probably not materialize. As for Kingsway Boulevard, the areas you are referring to are zoned park and would require a rezoning for anything else. If you followed the situation in The Pas regarding changing Devon Park to commercial zoning to allow the building of a Canadian Tire, this was fought by some citizens. Even though the change received approval from the provincial government, it was overturned by the courts and Canadian Tire chose to build in Flin Flon instead. * * * Send The Reminder your questions for Mayor Therien 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.
