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.
You can take the boy out of Flin Flon, but you canÕt take the Flin Flon out of the boy (or girl). That statement was never truer than it was this past weekend. We all watched as hundreds upon hundreds of ex-Flin Flonners returned home with hugs and smiles. They came from all over Ð Thailand, Australia and even China Ð but judging by the license plates on the cars and trucks cramming our streets, the largest contingent traveled in from Alberta. No surprise there. Flin Flon has long been a chief victim of the Alberta Drain as our young people race west for big bucks in the oil-rich province, sometimes within weeks of high school graduation. The fact that so many of them were back over the weekend tells us that there is something about Flin Flon they donÕt want to leave behind. Perhaps itÕs family, friends or just the laid-back, scenic atmosphere. Whatever the case, a number of Albertans have moved back to Flin Flon over the years after finding the grass isnÕt always greener. Many more would likely follow if only Flin Flon could offer them more opportunity. LetÕs be frank. Flin Flon can never hope to compete with the outrageous salaries afforded to Albertans ($38,000 a year to flip burgers, anyone?). So letÕs start touting the areas where we can not only compete, but win. For one, Flin Flon has pretty affordable housing. ThatÕs one of the benefits of being about half the size you used to be. Even if someone moves back from Alberta to make half their former wage, their buying power will probably be greater in this regard. We also have the quality of life. Lakes and cottages are a stoneÕs throw away. Serious crime isnÕt much of an issue. And whenÕs the last time a Flin Flonner was stuck in traffic? Of course the key cog of any effort to combat the Alberta Drain lay in economic development. Here, Flin FlonÕs track record just isnÕt very impressive. Seventy-five years after our city was incorporated, mining is still pretty much the only game in town. If you donÕt want to be a miner, your worthy career options are limited. ItÕs not like other northern communities have not been diversifying. Thompson has snagg ed cold-weather testing facilities, while The Pas and OCN have cashed in with a casino. Neither development would replace the primary industries in those communities, but they are a heck of a good start. Our city council, our chamber of commerce and other relevant organizations need to match that kind of success. They must exhaust every avenue and pester every politician until Flin Flon too is more diversified. With the Alberta Drain still lingering with no end in sight, itÕs clear they all have to try harder. Local Angle runs Fridays.
