“Whoa.” The single-word text, sent to me by a friend one morning last March, was clearly designed to elicit a follow-up text.
It was much like someone saying, “You won’t believe what happened,” prompting you to ask, “What?” before hearing the exciting news.
I sent my obligatory “What?” text, but something told me this had to do with a really important news story, the kind I’d want to post on The Reminder website before going more in-depth in print.
Before my friend could respond, I opened my inbox and saw what he was talking about. NWMO had just announced its proposed nuclear-waste repository would not be coming to Creighton.
For me, it was the local news story of the year.
Until that point, Creighton appeared to have a lot going for it in potentially securing the repository.
A lot, that is, except for widespread public support. Though it’s impossible to know how many area residents were for or against the NWMO proposal, my own interactions with people suggested that opponents outnumbered proponents.
Of course the NWMO pullout was just one of many “stop the press” moments from this past year.
There was IAM Local 1848’s strike, the first job action at Hudbay in 40-plus years, and the resignation of David Garofalo as Hudbay CEO after an eventful five-year tenure.
There was the loss of institutions such as the Flin Flon Elks Lodge and the venerable Streamer’s Hardware in Cranberry Portage.
In politics there was plenty of drama, from Georgina Jolibois’ razor-thin victory as the new MP of Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River, to Tom Lindsey replacing Clarence Pettersen as the Flin Flon constituency’s next NDP MLA candidate.
And who could forget the Flin Flon Community Choir’s production of Les Misérables? Or the Grey Cup’s visit to our area? Or David Collins finally getting his due with a memorial cairn?
Don’t tell me nothing eventful happens in Flin Flon.
As I said, NWMO’s departure was my choice for the top story of the year. But it wasn’t my favourite story of the year. That would have to be the Relay for Life.
September’s cancer-fighting fundraiser saw nearly 200 participants raise almost $90,000 within a few days, with more cash due to flow in.
Here’s how The Reminder set the scene:
“Volunteers transformed the Creighton baseball field into a 250-metre walking track alongside a stage and tents of various shapes and sizes where teams in matching t-shirts, and their supporters, gathered in the warm September sunshine. As motivational music blared through the speakers, the relay officially began.
“Local cancer survivors were invited to walk the first lap of the relay in recognition of the journey they have travelled.
“As some 50 survivors assembled, Shelley Etienne, survivor committee chair, asked those who had been diagnosed for a year or less to walk to the front of the group, then turn around.
“As they looked back at their fellow survivors, Etienne urged the new cancer patients to remember that the disease can be overcome.
“In the second lap, survivors were joined by the friends and family who formed their support system during treatment. Many walked arm in arm, some laughing, some holding back tears.”
That’s what community, and love for your neighbour, is about. So much happened in 2015, but on a personal level, it’s hard to top that.
Congratulations again, Flin Flon and area, and all the best in 2016.
