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City councillors take oaths of office

Meet the new Flin Flon city council – pretty much the same as the old city council. The council held its first meeting since the Oct. 24 local election on Nov. 6.
City council
Mayor Cal Huntley takes the oath of office from City of Flin Flon chief administrative officer Glenna Daschuk during the Nov. 6 city council meeting. Huntley, along with all six elected city councillors, took the oath and presided over the first council meeting since the Oct. 24 election. - PHOTO BY ERIC WESTHAVER

Meet the new Flin Flon city council – pretty much the same as the old city council.

The council held its first meeting since the Oct. 24 local election on Nov. 6. The oaths of office, administered by City of Flin Flon chief administrative officer Glenna Daschuk, were given to start the meeting, starting with Mayor Cal Huntley and running down the councillors in alphabetical order.

Colleen Arnold, the only new member elected to council, swore her inaugural oath of office first, followed by Tim Babcock, Karen MacKinnon, Colleen McKee, Ken Pawlachuk and Guy Rideout. Each of the candidates shared what they hoped to accomplish over the coming term, running from this month until fall 2022.

During the introductory remarks, two issues were mentioned above all others – Flin Flon’s economic future and seniors’ housing.

With Hudbay currently slated to shut down 777 Mine in 2020 – halfway through the term for this year’s council – councillors pledged to support new measures and ideas to expand and stabilize Flin Flon’s economy.

“Economically, it’s a critical time for Flin Flon. I think the next four years are going to be critical. We need to be strong and continue what we are doing,” said Coun. MacKinnon.

“There are opportunities out there that we are hoping will come,” added Coun. Rideout.

MacKinnon said  seniors’ housing was still a top priority for her.

“My husband and I are now retired and our family is here. The first time I ran, one of my main goals was senior housing. We’ve tried. It’s not like we haven’t tried,” she said.

“We have to try harder. I will be 65 at the end of this term – I want to be able to have the option of moving into a nice seniors’ complex that is affordable. I think it’s very important at this time in our community to have that. There’s a lot of seniors out there that want that.”

Ken Pawlachuk, now sitting for his third term on council, said this election was tense for him and his family.

“This is the first time my wife and myself prayed about me being on council. This time was more exciting for me than the last two. I think we’ve got a pretty excited group of people and I’m looking forward to getting some things finished and working with these people. I think it’s going to be a good four years.”

Tim Babcock was also nervous in the leadup to the vote.

“When I first ran, I was excited. The second time, I was excited. This time, I wasn’t excited – I was just anxious. There is so much work that we started and we need to continue on. I’m happy we’re at that point where we can just keep moving forward and getting things done.”

Coun. Babcock also thanked council candidates who ran and weren’t elected, saying, “It really takes a lot out of a person to put your name forward and stand up for something you believe in.”

Arnold said she hopes to see more inclusion for indigenous people with the city, as well as understanding for issues facing seniors.

“I’m looking forward to the next four years,” she said.

Almost every incumbent said they were pleased to be working with almost the same group from before the election.

“Putting my name forward to see what it’s all about has made me want to work with these people again,” said Coun. Rideout.

Others thanked the voters for giving their support.

“I want to thank the electorate for being with me. I’m grateful for that faith and you can rest assured that I don’t take my duties as a councillor lightly,” said Coun. McKee.

Mayor Huntley said he was happy that a familiar group, mostly consisting of incumbents, was elected.

“I was just so pleased with the election results. I was really supportive and hopeful that they would all get back on. That’s an unusual thing to happen. It sends a message to us that we have some more work to do, but we’re going in the right direction. I really appreciate that vote of confidence,” he said.

Few new measures were discussed by council once the meeting got underway, but the group did approve the purchase of a loader for the Flin Flon Airport. The machine, valued at just under $300,000, will be fully paid for by a federal grant.

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