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.
Residents looking for an uptown parking spot may feel like navigators without a compass if the parking meter posts are removed, Flin Flon City Council heard Tuesday. Resident Bob Ferguson wrote in a letter that the posts "are a very definite asset in regulating parking" and "there would be a proliferation of half spaces where no one could park" if they are taken out. "There is always talk about improving the looks of Main Street," he wrote. "Could some thought be given to decorating the posts with an appealing paint scheme and replacing the meters with a happy face or any number of things that could be pleasing and interesting?" Further to that idea, Ferguson proposed high school students be handed the task of decorating the posts. "You just might be surprised what they come up with," he wrote. Ferguson also suggested the uptown merchants be offered use of the posts for advertising. After reviewing the letter, Council chose to stand by its motion made last month to remove the meters and posts, and put them up for sale. The posts are expected to be ousted by the end of the summer or possibly sooner. See 'City' P.# Con't from P.# "I think it's going to be something people will eventually get used to," said Councillor Law, adding that the uptown parking stalls are sizable. Councillor Bill Hanson said the curbs could be marked and squares could be painted on the road to aid motorists in parking. Council agreed to temporarily decommission the coin collectors in January 2003 and, after a review and an overwhelmingly positive response, made the decision permanent six months later. In another matter at Tuesday's meeting, Council voted to apply for provincial funding to pave sections of four roads in 2004. The application will list four paving projects in order of priority: Dominion Boulevard, from the intersection of Balsam Avenue, south a distance of 700 feet; Green Street, from the intersection of Green Street and Highway 10, southerly a distance of 600 feet; Queen Street, from the intersection of Wallace Avenue to West Avenue; and Main Street, from the intersection of Third Avenue to Fourth Avenue. The Manitoba government has made available to municipalities funding through a grant program for paving projects that meet certain criteria. Also, curious Joel Ramshaw, 13, attended the meeting with brothers Jesse and Joshua, both 11, to satisfy his thirst for knowledge of City matters. Joel fired an assortment of queries as the council desk, including how much the mayor and councillors make, how municipal land is zoned, and with which City departments the councillors are involved. Joel drew smiles from the councillors when he shared his desire to see a theme park open near Wal-Mart, saying the project would attract more people to the community. On the topic of energy, Joel suggested council look at the promise of a geothermal power plant, which would tap the natural supplies of heat energy that have accumulated within the earth. Councillor Cal Huntley thanked Joel for his suggestions and interest in municipal matters. "We need people to be thinking about new and different things," he told the youth, who sat a few yards away in the public seating area. Here is a recap of other matters from the meeting: Council awarded the City's cemetery maintenance contract to Dana Dadson. The one-year contract had been tendered recently. Councillor Huntley presented the Fire Chief's Report for January, which noted there were 13 incidents during the month, including a residential blaze believed to have started by a baseboard heater. Councillor Hanson commented how he has noticed that Flin Flon's streets and sidewalks are noticeably cleaner than those of other communities. He made this observation during a recent trip. Councillor Dave Kennedy, the deputy mayor, filled the mayor's seat in Mayor Dennis Ballard's absence. Council voted to purchase a business-card sized ad in The Hospital Activity Book for Children, which is distributed to hospitals, clinics and victim service programs throughout rural Manitoba. The ad comes with a price tag of $192.
