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.
Con't from pg. 8 BacTech announced that MaryAnn Mihychuk requested she step down from the board to assume the role of vice-president, operations for BacTech Manitoba Corporation. BMC has 100 per cent ownership of the Snow Lake project on behalf of BacTech. BMC has established an office in the National Research Council Business Commercialization Centre (BCC) in Winnipeg. 'We are pleased to have MaryAnn carry a more hands-on role with respect to Snow Lake,' said BacTech's CEO. 'Much of what we have accomplished, in a relatively short period of time, can be traced back to her participation to date.' Background Along with an extensive background in business and public service, Mihychuk is currently employed as the community development officer with the Town of Snow Lake. Asked if he saw any conflict with Mihychuk holding both positions, Snow Lake Mayor Clarence Fisher advised he didn't anticipate any conflicts or troubles emerging. 'First of all, Ms. Mihychuk is a professional who I have confidence in and who I know will do all that she can to make sure conflicts do not arise,' said Fisher in an e-mail. 'But more than that, it is really very similar to many other people associated with the town. 'For example, I also work at the school, Mr. (Dave) Mayer (of town council) owns Home Hardware, Mr. (Chris) Samborski (also of the council) owns (the) Cornerview (general store). When any issues come up that directly concern our other 'hats', we need to be aware of them and step away from the table, which people have been willing to do.' Fisher says he believes there may have been more of a concern if the council were still in the process of attracting BacTech to set up in Snow Lake. 'When you are in the early stages of these types of negotiations, people need to be very careful if they wear multiple hats,' said the mayor. 'But we are past that stage. BacTech has decided to set up shop in Snow Lake. They are finalizing all of their chemical and economic assessments, but beyond having to settle on and sell them a piece of property, we currently have no ongoing negotiations with BacTech. 'They will need more time with us as a council and with Mr. (Jeff) Precourt (town chief administrative officer) and Mr. (Viktar) Lazar as the town's project manager, but in regards to the town, they should have little to do with Ms. Mihychuk's office.' The company also announced the appointment of Don Whalen to the board of BacTech. Whalen is no stranger to the people of Snow Lake. He is the former Executive Chairman of High River Gold Corp., which owned and operated the New Britannia Mine in the late 1990s. My Take on Snow Lake runs Fridays.
