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 playing Santa Claus by loaning and donating dollars to bring a towering artificial Christmas tree to the downtown area. At their meeting last week, councillors voted to loan $9,000 and donate $4,000 toward the Main St. Business Builders Committee's project. Coun. Karen MacKinnon said the tree, to be erected each holiday season at Pioneer Square, will be beautiful and easy to store. Coun. Colleen McKee said council feels the tree will turn Pioneer Square into a nice holiday gathering spot for residents. She said council felt the Business Builders' initial request for an $8,000 donation was too steep but still wanted to support the project. The city's donation of $4,000, Coun. McKee said, is close to the amount the municipality already spends each year to purchase and put up a natural tree. Since the artificial tree will replace the natural ones, she said the donation will pay for itself. The $9,000 interest-free loan, meanwhile, will be paid back to city coffers as the Business Builders complete fundraisers. Coun. McKee said advancing the cash was important because the Business Builders had a deadline to meet in order to save money on the tree. Budget In total, the Business Builders have devised a budget of about $30,000, most of which will go toward the 24-foot artificial tree. The cash will also fund a four-foot star to top the tree and, potentially, decorations and any costs associated with storing and putting up the tree. From that budget, the Business Builders have already purchased string lights that were wrapped around the light standards along Main St. this past Christmas season. Other highlights from last week's council meeting: Mayor George Fontaine delivered a verbal report on his participation at the recent Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada convention in Toronto. See 'Offic...' on pg. 12 Continued from pg. 3 He called it an educational experience and noted the industry and government officials present were pleased to see him and other mayors in attendance. Mayor Fontaine said he intends to become more involved with mining, adding there needs to be more teamwork among stakeholders to ensure a viable future for the industry. Mining is 'the industry that's carrying this province right now,' he added. Council voted to sell for $7,000 the vacant lot at 82 North Avenue to allow a neighbour to construct a new garage. Council voted to purchase a full-page ad in the 2012 edition of the NextStop tourist guide for $1,000. Coun. McKee reflected on her participation in the recent Richard Beasley Memorial Fishing Tournament. She said she enjoyed herself and is grateful these sorts of events take place in her community. Coun. Tim Babcock thanked the Flin Flon Recreational Dance program for inviting him to emcee its recent year-end performance. He congratulated instructor Katie Stevens and her students on a job well done. (For more photos from the performance, see The Reminder's new Facebook page... more on that Friday). Motions carried to approve year-long agreements with Bearskin Airlines for baggage handling, terminal rental and departure fee collections at the municipal airport.
