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.
Jonathon Naylor Editor City council is devising a tough new policy aimed at addressing the hazardous eyesores that are derelict houses. While few details have been publicized, Coun. Bill Hanson said the incoming rule 'basically mirrors' Winnipeg's policy on vacant properties. 'It's very aggressive and it's not going to make some people happy,' he said at last week's council meeting. 'You know, in Winnipeg, (if) you walk away from your house for two years and even if you pay the taxes, (the city) take(s) it.' Coun. Hanson made the statement following comments from taxpayer advocate Blair Sapergia, who suggested a fee be placed on derelict houses so the city can 'knock them down and resell those lots.' Mayor George Fontaine said such a measure was 'in the works,' while Coun. Hanson said the city's policy will be 'exactly like that.' Another resident, Mike Besler, told council he knows of local homes that are owned by people who live in Winnipeg but who continue to pay the taxes. Mayor Fontaine said the new policy will be implemented in the future, but he did not provide a specific date. 'I think we've been quite aggressive in a lot of areas and we're taking some flack for it,' he added. 'We're doing the best we can, but we are thinking about a lot of (suggestions and) we're going to continue to be aggressive. 'So we'll have something else that people can get upset about, but (these steps are for) we think is for the good of the community.' Sapergia stressed the need to utilize as many empty lots as possible to offer the public land on which to build new homes. He said this should be done before any new subdivisions open, a reference to council's plan to potentially offer lots on green space on Kingsway Boulevard. 'Before we make new subdivisions, let's fill in the rest of this stuff,' Sapergia told council. Mayor Fontaine said Sapergia's point was well taken, but added that while some people may build homes on existing lots, others prefer a new subdivision. 'So (we're) going to have to try and accommodate both sides,' he said. Derelict houses are an unsurprising side effect of Flin Flon being roughly half the size it once was. In May, Coun. Ken Pawlachuk encouraged owners who have no plans for such houses to approach the city 'and make us a deal and maybe we can get rid of some of them somehow.' Coun. Pawlachuk said these homes are fire traps that attract 'squatters.' 'It's a mining town, but it doesn't have to be a dirty old mining town. We can get rid of these buildings,' he added.
