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.
Flin Flon City Council has again fielded concerns about the removal of the uptown parking meter posts, but again stood by their decision to oust the poles. At their meeting on Tuesday, council reviewed a letter in which a local resident stated the posts help regulate parking and "their removal will result in a very confusing parking situation." Council reviewed a similar letter of concern last month at which time a suggestion came up to paint the curbs in order to help guide motorists by identifying parking spots. The author of the latest letter doesn't believe that idea has merit, writing that "painting the curbs or edge of the road obviously will not work in the winter" and that the paint won't be noticed in the summer, either. In response, Councillor Cal Huntley said the City is going to have to trust that motorists will park efficiently without the meters to guide them. "It's basically going to be on the wherewithal of the driver to do what's reasonable on the road given that there's no meters," he said. "É in some areas they've never had metered parking. They park." In Councillor Dave Law's view, the segment of Green Street in front of Johnny's Confectionery and Sporting Centre, which has never had meters, "seems to be fairly well regulated." When Mayor Dennis Ballard wondered aloud what the problem would be with leaving the posts in place, Councillor Tom Therien said ousting them would improve the look of Main Street. "Personally, to me, they kind of look a little silly, just having a pole standing there with nothing on it," he said. "I say just get rid of them and let's start the learning curve." Councillors Huntley and Law mentioned that the posts' removal would mean one less obstacle exists for street cleaning and snow removal crews. Council ultimately stood by their original motion, made in January, 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. Council agreed to temporarily decommission the coin collectors in January 2003. After a review and an overwhelmingly positive response, they made the decision permanent six months later. In another matter at the meeting, council discussed a separate concern included in the letter regarding the parking meters. The author referenced a recent Reminder article about the interest at least one undisclosed business has shown in making use of the land sandwiched between the Flin Flon Station Museum and East Whitney Street. "I think that we should be careful in making any change," he wrote. "Many tourists have commented on the uniqueness of the Station Museum and adjoining campgrounds. A commercial development would ruin this special area. Let's keep the park areas as they should be." He asked whether taxpayers might have input into the rezoning process, to which Councillor Law said they would. Councillor Law added that rezoning land is a "time-consuming process." Council referred the letter to the City administration, which will send the author a letter outlining the process involved in rezoning land. As well, Council voted to contribute $10,000 to Greenstone Community Futures Development Corporation for its 2004 operating budget. Council will also ask for details as to how the money will be spent. The City provided Greenstone with $10,000 last year as well. A recap of other matters from the meeting: Council voted to contribute $2,145 toward the purchase of 10,000 copies of an informational brochure being prepared by Greenstone. Council voted to donate $500 to a gala this October that will honour local volunteers and businesses. Council voted to purchase a half-page ad in the 2003-04 Hapnot Collegiate yearbook for $140.
