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.
Concern for public safety is a reason Flin Flon City Council won't allow a pro-life billboard to go up along Highway 10A. In a recent letter to Flin Flon Pro-Life, the City stated that a 10 ft. by 20 ft. sign across from the former armoury "would create traffic and safety problems" and therefore the required zoning variance would not be approved. But organization spokesperson Marilyn Jackson called that a "poor excuse," pointing out that a billboard of the same size sits along the highway near Northland Ford, not far from her group's proposed site. "I'm not surprised but I'm certainly disappointed with the reason they've given," she said. The proposed location was on municipal land, and Coun. Tom Therien said council doesn't want to present a view on a controversial issue on public property. There were also safety concerns, which Coun. Cal Huntley touched on at a city council meeting in December. "...I have been approached by several community members with regards to placement of a billboard there," said Coun. Huntley, "and they really think that with the crosswalk right at Centre St. and a billboard over there, thatÉ it would really start to get busy and distracting in a dangerous area of town where there's a lot of people walking, so they have voiced that concern to me." Coun. Therien stressed that council is not adverse to the group putting up a sign as long as it's not on City property and "conforms to the by-law with all things being considered Ð safety, aesthetics, the whole nine yards." Despite having its first choice turned down, Jackson said Flin Flon Pro-Life remains determined to erect the billboard and will now look at putting it up on the St. Ann's Roman Catholic Parish property. She said the group will consider installing the sign at an angle so it would be visible to motorists traveling on Highway 10A toward the Flintoba Shopping Centre. Another option will be to attach the sign to the church. In either case, given the size of the sign, the City will have to approve the move. Jackson said the sign won't be offensive and will carry the message "Life: What a Beautiful Choice" or something similar. The group hopes to put the sign up in the spring.
