Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 21/98) - Adults and youth in Holman don't appear to share the same views on liquor restrictions.

In a plebescite last week, the community voted to rejected a booze rationing system. Eighty-two residents -- 58 per cent -- voted for rationing while 59 -- 42 per cent -- said no to restrictions.

Territorial rules require 60 per cent support in a plebescite to change a community's liquor laws.

Kindergarten to Grade 10 students at Helen Kalvak school also voted on the issue and arrived at a different result in their non-binding vote.

Eighty-one students -- 76 per cent of those voting -- supported rationing, while 16 students -- 15 per cent -- did not support rationing.

There was an 81 per cent voter turnout among students and only a 66 per cent voter turnout among adults.

In a release, the hamlet's community wellness director, Tony Kulbisky, said the issue was far from over.

"...community organizations have looked at this result and still see a strong message for change as 58 per cent did vote yes on the plebescite," he said in a written statement. "As a result, organizations and groups within the community have vowed in the new year to meet internally, and as a community, to come up with creative solutions to deal with this issue plaguing the community and its respective families."

Alcohol abuse in the community was recently identified as the number one issue in a draft community wellness plan, Kulbisky's release also said.

At the school, principal Paul Bennett praised the efforts made to consult his school's students over their feelings about such an important issue.

"I thought it was good they consulted the kids," he said. "It was a neat twist, giving the students a voice."