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.
To whom it may concern: Firstly, I would like to commend Ron Watt on all the work he has done regarding this Community Plex project. My question is, "why haven't there been any public forums to date?" I know that in Dauphin they held two public forums per year, for eight years, till the project was granted money to go ahead! The problem with what is perceived as secrecy, is that people don't trust what is going on. They see things like what happened with Willowpark and the loss of the parking lot at the Community Hall as signs that this project is being rammed down our throats by a few when it isn't necessarily what the majority wants. Also, getting back to the question of trust. This survey is being sent out by people who whole heartedly want this complex and they will be the ones counting the results. Do you see where I am going with this? As well, according to the recent survey done by the RHA, Flin Flon per capita has the highest rate of senior citizens in Manitoba. We also have a decrease in enrollment in schools of students every year to the point where at least one school is being considered shutting down. Kids after graduating are NOT staying in Flin Flon or coming back after university because there are no jobs! My question is, with the number of curlers decreasing every year, "what makes them think that by the time they do, if they do, get the money to build this complex, there will be enough curlers to make it worthwhile?" If you have to charge user fees, will there be enough users to make it pay or will our taxes go up to pay for this? I would far rather see my taxes go towards making Flin Flon a haven for retirees to stay and more to come back to, by building senior citizen residences and facilities. I personally feel that they definitely need much more community input into this project before they start looking for grants or loans. Does this mean that if I vote "no" my taxes won't go up? Just sign me, Too many questions that haven't been answered.
