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 Few mining towns have gotten their environmental act together as much as Flin Flon in recent years. Between the closure of the heavy-polluting smelter and ongoing remediation work, Flin Flon is rapidly becoming a much greener community. So it was only fitting that the community be represented at a high-level green mining workshop held last month at Hamilton's McMaster University. 'We were really interested in this opportunity because we can really connect this to our town,' said Beverly Hiebert, one of three Hapnot Collegiate students chosen to attend the workshop. Addressing the Flin Flon School Board last week, she, Crystal Hiebert, Sandra Kritzer and teacher-chaperone Robyne Mansell detailed the five-day workshop. Crystal noted that one of the sessions dealt with the remediation of mine tailings, which can be done either chemically or in a 'bio-friendly' way. 'And we definitely thought the bio-friendly way would be more effective,' she said. The Grade 11 girls also had the chance to tour a nuclear reactor, which Crystal described as 'really cool.' Beverly summed up the trip as 'an amazing experience.' 'We got to do hands-on labs, which was awesome,' she said. 'We got to meet so many friends.' Trustee Glenn Smith asked whether the students planned to talk to Hudbay about using a more bio-friendly treatment for its tailings. Mansell said the girls would be touring the Hudbay tailings pond, and she hoped they would ask those sorts of questions. Privilege The students' attendance at the workshop was a rare privilege, as only four schools from across Canada were chosen to send delegates. Selected students had to excel in chemistry and biology. Six Hapnot students wrote essays for the chance to go to Hamilton, but only half could be chosen. 'It was a tough decision,' Mansell told the trustees. The girls said they will now consider applying to McMaster University after they graduate from Hapnot next year. Other highlights from last week's school board meeting: Trustee Murray Skeavington, board chair, congratulated the school division's 2012 retirees and 25-year watch recipients. Hapnot principal Bill Pauley, Many Faces Education Centre teacher Maureen Reagan and Ecole McIsaac School educational assistant Kim Bryson were recently honoured for 25 years of service. Retiring are McIsaac educational assistant Iris Bailey and elementary school family worker Dixie Meikle. Secretary-treasurer Heather Fleming announced that a roofing improvement project at Ruth Betts Community School has been completed. Skeavington encouraged parental involvement in school activities as the academic year comes to a close. Superintendent Blaine Veitch informed trustees there are openings on the board of directors of the Flin Flon Neighbourhood Revitalization Corp., which will hold its annual general meeting on June 25. Veitch has been a board member for the past several years. The board voted to sign teacher agreements with Tegan Zacharius, Natalie Milligan, Elaine Angelski and Daniel Dillon. Fleming announced the approval of a request to loan canoes, paddles and life jackets to the Trout Festival canoe races.
