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.
Snow removal crews haven't even hit the streets yet, and already the City of Flin Flon is fielding concerns about its methods of getting rid of the white stuff. At their regular meeting Tuesday, city council reviewed a letter from a Prince Charles Place resident asking for an improvement of snow removal services on the street. "Last year, my street, Prince Charles, had snow removal done twice during the entire winter," wrote the resident. "The second time the snow removal was done near the end of the winter, the workers removed snow from each end, leaving the middle portion undone. The truck removing snow drove up and down our portion, thereby making large ruts, creating a big mess and making the road nearly impassable for several days." The resident wrote that she contacted the City about the ruts and when that section of street was "finally done two or three days later, there was a great deal of damage done to lawns in the area." She conceded that it would not be feasible to service all the roads immediately after snowfall, but "having snow removal more than two times in a winter that lasted six months would be appropriate." Council offered no comments regarding the concern, referring the letter to the Engineering Services Committee for further review. In another matter, Wade Hanson, a Flin Flon man hoping to launch a new taxi company, asked council if they've decided to approve his business proposal. See 'Motions' P.# Con't from P.# Council informed him that they have not yet had the opportunity to discuss the request, which was first mentioned at their previous meeting on Nov. 2. Hanson hopes to launch a third taxi company by the end of the year, saying it would help reduce waiting time for cab customers and provide employment. As well, Coun. Cal Huntley reported that he has heard concerns about individuals neglecting to stop and pick up garbage that falls out of their vehicles on the way to the landfill. He asked the public to keep other people in mind and retrieve any garbage that may drop onto the road. "It's just good consideration for other people in the community," said Coun. Huntley. Also, council voted to donate $500 to the 2004 Operation Red Nose, a free holiday season service that drives people who are unfit go behind the wheel home in their own vehicle. Council will also allow the Red Nose volunteers to use the Flin Flon City Hall boardroom as a headquarters, as has been done in previous years. "This is a great service," said Coun. Tom Therien, who made the motion, adding that "it's well worth the $500" donation. Coun. Dave Law commented that it seems like more residents are taking advantage of Red Nose, which was launched locally in 1999, each holiday season. Council's motion came in response to a letter from Red Nose coordinator Lois (Bunny) Burke, who called the use of City Hall as headquarters "excellent" because of the available parking and its ability to meet the telephone system requirements for the service. Additionally, Coun. Dave Kennedy presented the Fire Chief's Report for October, which noted there were 10 incidents throughout the month. The calls consisted of six false alarms, two incidents at the landfill and two highway vehicle accidents. Here is a recap of other matters: Council voted to donate $200 to the upcoming Mel Pearson Memorial Hockey Tournament. Coun. Therien, who made the motion, said Pearson was an "integral part" of the Bombers, adding that "it's great to keep his name active." Council voted to renew the City's membership with the Flin Flin and District Chamber of Commerce for $350. Coun. Therien said he was "pleased and honoured" to represent the City at the recent Remembrance Day service. He expressed how pleasing it was to see so many people ? more than 600 ? attend the service. Coun. Law commented that last week's visit to Flin Flon by Manitoba Finance Minister Greg Selinger went well, adding that it was good to see the minister gain the insight of local residents. Council voted to sponsor 18 holiday greetings on local radio for $173. Council voted to donate $150, plus the cost of gas, to the Manitoba Emergency Assistance Association for its assistance in patrolling the community on Halloween.
