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 Doctor shortages, a lack of seniors housing and limited bus service were among the concerns cited as northern Manitoba leaders gathered in Flin Flon on Monday. The Association of Manitoba Municipalities welcomed more than 20 delegates for a regional meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers. 'The purpose is to have a more detailed discussion with the heads of council on the issues,' said Doug Dobrowolski, president of AMM. '(That's) something that is hard to do at our larger events. We get better feedback in a smaller group.' Dobrowolski said a range of concerns were identified, including doctors and the retention of health-care workers, bus service and a lack of housing, including for seniors and those on fixed incomes. Infrastructure _ a particular concern in Flin Flon _ was also mentioned. 'According to the group, the government has been slow to react to a lot if their concerns,' Dobrowolski said. 'It is always an ongoing negotiation to get things done.' Dobrowolski said the top three concerns in northern Manitoba right now are doctors, infrastructure and housing. Monday's meeting included representation from Flin Flon, Cranberry Portage, Snow Lake, The Pas, Thompson, Gillam, Leaf Rapids, Grand Rapids, Lynn Lake and Churchill. Most attended in person, but some could only be there via teleconference. Attending from the City of Flin Flon were councillors Karen MacKinnon and Tim Babcock as well as Municipal Administrator Mark Kolt. During noonhour, delegates were in for a surprise when cast members from the Flin Flon Community Choir's upcoming production of Chicago stopped by. In full costume, they offered a sneak peek at the musical that hits the R.H. Channing Auditorium stage next month. AMM holds annual meetings in all seven of the districts it represents. While there has at times been a perceived lack of physicians in Flin Flon, that concern seems to have largely subsided in recent years. 'We do not have any complaints about people not being able to get a physician in Flin Flon,' Helga Bryant, CEO of the Northern Health Region, said last month. 'We believe that we have a very good balance, right now, of physicians in Flin Flon.'
