by Ian Elliot
Northern News Services

INUVIK (Mar 13/98) - If you owe the town for your property tax, you might want to make arrangements to pay before the end of this month.

Otherwise, like a list of bad cheques occasionally posted at the front of stores, who owes what will become public knowledge when the town publishes a list of names of all those who are in arrears.

Newly-passed territorial legislation gives the town increased leverage to seize property for unpaid taxes and part of that allows it to make public lists of people who could face seizure. The town plans to draw up such a list at the end of the month, but the legislation compels it to publish the list in the newspaper if it is posted at town hall.

"I think it sends a fast, blunt message that if you don't pay your taxes, you'll see your name in black and white," noted councillor Dan Davis.

However, he did note that a preliminary list of those in arrears included those owing absurdly small amounts -- six people made the list for owing between three and 98 cents and they are on the same list as those owing thousand of dollars on multiple properties.

The town cannot simply overlook the small amounts without going through some elaborate bureaucratic procedures, but the small debtors are unlikely to make any lists.

"People would be a little upset if they found their name in the Drum saying they owe the town three cents," noted clerk Don Howden. "And the editor would have a field day with it."

Councillor Vince Sharpe took a compassionate view of the provisional list and urged staff to contact people who may have legitimate trouble paying their bills to set up payment plans so they don't run the danger of losing their houses.

"I see a lot of poor people on this list and we should be doing something to help them," he said.

"They should be called and let know before they find out we're going to seize their house. Then someone's standing in the back of this room with a wife and four kids with their hat in their hand asking for our help."