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 The goal of the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce is to strengthen the area business community. So who better to oversee the organization than a former business owner and operator? That was part of the chamber's thinking in hiring as its new manager Tersia de Jager, who was introduced to the membership at last week's executive meeting. She said she likes the flexibility of the job and how it allows her to use her skills, including those she honed during the four years she owned an interior decorating and gift shop. From that experience, de Jager said she knows how vital it is for small businesses to have the support of their local communities. Her own business was located back in South Africa, where she was born and raised before immigrating to Canada to start a new life with her family five years ago. Initially the family ended up in another mining community, Timmins, Ont., before relocating to Flin Flon three years ago. A mother of three, de Jager spent the last two and a half years as a customer representative at Scotiabank. She replaces Idelette Badenhorst, who left the chamber earlier this year to work for the NOR-MAN Regional Health Authority. In another matter at the meeting, held at the Friendship Centre Restaurant and attended by 12 people, members voted to seek partners to ensure flower baskets return to Main St. next year. Final decision But the final decision will depend on how many partners step forward and how much of the price tag the chamber will have to pick up. Flower baskets went up on Main St. and Flinty's Boardwalk over the summer through a partnership worth over $7,000. Treasurer Lois (Bunny) Burke said it will cost over $2,000 to bring the baskets back to Main St. only, and estimated the chamber's share would be between $500 and $700. Director Tom Goodman, who represents HudBay Minerals on the chamber, said the company would also like to participate. Burke said the plan is to try hanging two baskets per Main St. pole. The baskets would be lowered six feet, placing them nine feet off the ground to make it easier to water the flowers. Also, director Dave Kendall, chair of the chamber's Pioneer Square Committee, provided an update on the new downtown park. He said one fundraiser being discussed to complete the park would see individuals pay a fee to have a community pioneer formally recognized at the property. Kendall said the fear with having the committee select the honoured pioneers is that someone deserving would inevitably be forgotten. Second phase Though mostly complete, the park is set to undergo a second phase of work that will include a clock, a wall-based waterfall, a roof for the stage and an archway. The hope is to have the project completed next year. Kendall said he has received "lots of very positive comments from people" about the park, which was paid for through grants and fundraising.
