by Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

WRIGLEY (Dec 19/97) - With his walk in the political barrens now over, Tim Lennie says development and jobs are now the main issues for his people.

The Pehdzeh Ki First Nation chief, who was re-elected in an election last week, had resigned earlier in the fall.

At that time, Lennie cited his personal drug abuse and a lack of community support as his reasons for stepping down from office.

His exile ended last week when the community returned him to power in an election.

"It feels good," he said. "I was quite confident."

With his election to a three-year term now accomplished, Lennie says his community has a special message to send out.

"We're open for business," he said. "We'll be opening our land for developing. The moratorium passed at (the) Kakisa (Assembly) doesn't apply here any more... Our membership is excited by this."

Lennie said it is high time that Wrigley received real jobs -- not the temporary make-work jobs that have been realized in the past.

And, with 64 of 90 eligible voters turning out for the election, Lennie says his community has shown they're willing to take a larger role in deciding issues that effect them.