Coun. Skip Martin acknowledged voters, local journalists and his wife in a brief address marking his final Flin Flon city council meeting on Tuesday.
“I too want to just thank the citizens of Flin Flon for giving me this chance to serve on council,” said Martin, who is retiring from council after one term.
Martin also commended The Reminder and CFAR for their “accurate and fair” coverage of council.
He gave thanks as well to his wife, whom he said has been supportive these past four years.
During his term, Martin often found himself at odds with the majority of council. He was the only councillor to support continued fluoridation of the drinking water and to oppose the city’s special services levy, designed to boost taxes on low-end homes and lower them on high-end homes.
Final endorsement
Mayor George Fontaine ended his first – and as it turned out, final – term with a last-minute endorsement of the five incumbent councillors.
“I certainly would like to see everyone who’s on this council be re-elected,” he said at Tuesday’s council meeting. “Absolutely that is my
feeling.”
Composed and contemplative, Fontaine said all six councillors with whom he served had “shown the strength to make decisions” without worrying about popularity.
“They voted according to their conscience on everything they did and they lobbied according to their conscience,” Fontaine said, “and they didn’t worry about what friends or neighbours or anybody else was going to [say], you know, [or] how they were going to be treated later.”
Fontaine got his wish in that all five council incumbents retained their seats. The mayor himself, however, evidently lost to Cal Huntley by just four ballots.
Fontaine also thanked voters who had elected him to his first term.
Council’s final meeting ended when a motion to adjourn by Coun. Bill Hanson was seconded by Coun. Ken Pawlachuk and carried.
Safer streets
City of Flin Flon officials are getting behind an anti-drunk-driving program.
In keeping with past practice, city council has voted to grant Operation Red Nose use of city hall as a headquarters this holiday season. Council also approved a $500 cash donation.
Spearheaded by the Rotary Club, Red Nose uses holiday revellers’ own vehicles to provide them with safe rides home. The service is free, but donations are welcomed.
Held annually in Flin Flon since 1999, Red Nose will this year run on Nov. 28 and 29, and December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 27 and 31.
Volunteers are always welcome. Anyone interested in lending a hand may contact a Rotary Club member.
Spooky, not dangerous
Halloween may be a spooky time, but there’s no need for it to be dangerous or rife with vandalism.
That’s why Flin Flon city council agreed Tuesday to donate $150 and gas for four vehicles in support of Halloween patrols conducted by the Manitoba Emergency Assistance Association (MEAA).
As per usual, MEAA members will assist the RCMP with patrols on Halloween, which is a week from today.
‘Heartthrob’ auctioneer
We know him as CFAR’s “Hungarian Heartthrob,” but now Raphael Saray has an additional title: real estate auctioneer.
The City of Flin Flon has hired Saray as auctioneer for its upcoming auction of properties acquired by the municipality due to unpaid taxes.
Saray will be paid $100.
