How about a few random thoughts that have been brewing in the back of my brain?
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I don’t know how many times I have heard civic leaders make the case that Flin Flon deserves more government support because of all the mining-related tax revenue generated here.
I agree that Flin Flon gets the short end of the funding stick, particularly in relation to our neighbours in The Pas and Thompson.
But I abhor the notion that the reason we ought to have more is because of the tax dollars coming out of our community.
That’s like contending that millionaires deserve more government services because their income taxes are higher than people earning minimum wage.
It would be unfair in the extreme if governments started doling out dollars based on such factors.
So does Flin Flon deserve more from upper levels of government? Yes. But it’s got nothing to do with the taxes we pay.
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Speaking of unfair, how about the Manitoba government’s plan to build new seniors’ housing in Flin Flon rather than replace low-income family housing lost when
4 Hemlock Drive closed?
There’s no denying seniors’ housing is a necessity for our community, but so is low-income housing. As of last week, the waiting list for low-income housing stood at 14.
One can appreciate that the province is trying to give the appearance of fiscal restraint, but forcing Flin Flon to choose one needy group over another strikes me as perverse, if not heartless.
This is yet another seemingly counter-intuitive move by the NDP. Whatever happened to the party that stood up for the poor?
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In writing today’s profile on the Flin Flon RCMP detachment, it is clear to me that when it comes to policing, our community is in good hands.
I have heard many compliments about Sgt. Shayne Smith, the young and energetic detachment commander. Based on my dealings with him, I wholeheartedly echo those kind words.
It is reassuring to learn that Smith is placing an emphasis on crime prevention rather than simple crime response.
Getting to the root of crime is difficult, and such efforts won’t always be successful.
But it is nonetheless imperative and should pay dividends for Flin Flon.
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Kudos also to Rick Bacon, who will soon leave his post as director of works and operations for the City of Flin Flon.
As a municipal employee, Bacon has taken his share of licks in coffee shop chatter, usually from people who neither know him nor the challenges of his job.
Bacon’s level of dedication to our community, both in and out of work, is really something to behold. His replacement will have big shoes to fill.
I wish Rick and his family well in Alberta come February.
Local Angle runs Fridays.
