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.
The chamber of commerce yesterday heard what to expect when Flin Flon spends a weekend at the centre of the Manitoba business community next year. Greg Findlay of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce outlined the agenda of the provincial organization's 2005 annual general meeting, scheduled for Flin Flon next April. "This is your opportunity to shine as a community," he told the local chamber members during their noonhour meeting at the Friendship Centre Restaurant. Findlay, in town from Winnipeg, said he expects the three-day annual meeting will attract more than 100 delegates from across Manitoba to discuss both provincial and community-specific business issues. Such matters will be debated during one of the more consequential aspects of the meeting, the assembly at which members will vote on various resolutions. The Manitoba chamber, which represents close to 80 chambers, will also oversee workshops aimed at helping businesspeople fulfill their enterprise's potential. Less formally, the weekend will feature a banquet and silent auction as well as an sociable evening to be organized by the host community. The preferred method of entertainment, Findlay said, is to showcase local talent, helping to give the weekend a more cordial feeling. Findlay said he hopes the annual meeting will allow a cross-section of business owners to exchange ideas relative to what works in commerce ? and what does not. A specific issue he mentioned was the adjustment facing some communities, including Flin Flon, with the arrival of big box stores. John Pitman, a colleague of Findlay's who also spoke yesterday, said the men have been actively promoting the 2005 meeting to chambers across the province to help ensure the event is a success. With a number of details still being ironed out, Findlay made a few suggestions to the chamber as it hosts the event for the first time in recent memory, including that a shuttle be provided to bring the delegates to the downtown area. In another matter at yesterday's meeting, the 16 members on hand formally agreed to merge their Peace Park project with Flinty's Park along Highway 10A. The plan is to erect 17 flags ? those of Canada, the U.S., First Nations, and Metis, as well as each province and territory ? in a half-moon formation. See 'Proposed' P.# Con't from P.# This would see the current focal point, the Flinty Submarine, be moved south toward nearby Rotary Court, its cement pedestal occupied by the Canadian flag. President Doug O'Brien said it's imperative the chamber move quickly on this project before the previously-secured grant money is lost. Treasurer Lois (Bunny) Burke noted that each province and territory is being asked to provide one complimentary flag per year to the project. The flags were originally going to be part of the chamber's proposed Peace Park beside Hapnot Lake along South Main St. But after that proposal fizzled, the chamber began talking to the Flinty Committee, which oversees Flinty's Park, about merging both projects. O'Brien commented that his first choice would have been to have the Peace Park located downtown as an added drawing card, but he didn't know where it could have been established. Past-president Dave Kendall agreed that the park would have been a plus for uptown but suggested the chamber now look at other projects to benefit the Main St. shopping area. As well, O'Brien noted that the scheduled guest speaker for the chamber's Sept. 7 meeting is Arnold Grambo, president of the Hudson Bay Route Association.
