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.
City council will consider renaming the Flin Flon Municipal Airport in honour of a man who helped make the aviation centre a reality. At their meeting Tuesday, council reviewed a letter suggesting the airport be christened the "Joe Van Nes Regional Airport." "Joe first saw the opportunity for a safe, modern airport in the Flin Flon area and helped draft the by-law creating the Flin Flon Air Board," read the letter, written by former air board member Bob Tanner. "He applied to Ottawa for the $2.3 million grant to build it." Tanner, now a Vancouver resident, wrote that 2004 would be a perfect time to recognize Van Nes, as the year marks the 60th anniversary of his last combat in the Second World War. The letter gave information on Van Nes' time in combat, noting that he was a "pilot and hero" in the Burma and Siam. Tanner wrote that Van Nes was involved in the operation and construction of a number of airports in India and Burma during the war. Councillor Cal Huntley was receptive to Tanner's suggestion, calling it "an interesting idea" to honour "a distinguished citizen." Changing the airport's name would also reflect the fact that it is utilized by people from around the region, not just Flin Flon, he said. Council referred Tanner's letter to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion. A framed photo of Van Nes still hangs on a wall at the Flin Flin Municipal Airport. J.C. "Joe" Van Nes, chairman of the Flin Flon Air Board from 1962 to 1982, passed away in 1999. See 'Other' P.# Con't from P.# In another matter, council voted to renew its membership with the Norman Regional Development Corporation (NRDC). The NRDC Corporation was established in 1970 to research, develop, coordinate plans, and to undertake projects aimed at improving the quality of life within the Northern Manitoba region. Membership will cost the City $4,520. Councillor Dave Kennedy was selected as council's delegate, with Councillor Nazir Ahmad as the alternate. The NRDC board of directors includes representation from Cranberry Portage, Churchill, Gillam, Grand Rapids, Lynn Lake, Leaf Rapids, Snow Lake and Thompson. There is corporate representation from Inco, Repap Manitoba, MTS, Calm Air, Manitoba Hydro, and Stittco Utilities. Also at the council meeting, Councillor Kennedy said he was happy to see that December wasn't an overly busy month for firefighters. He presented the Fire Chief's Report for last month, which noted that there were two incidents: a residential fire at White Fish Lake and a Chimney Fire on Third Avenue. There were no injuries in either incident. The councillors, attending their first meeting of the new year, also took turns wishing citizens all the best in 2004.
