If something is to come from last week's heated discussion between city council and three Old Town ratepayers over the city's proposed zoning bylaw, let it be as notice to Yellowknifers the process is well along.
The ratepayer's objections ranged from accusing the city of fixing what ain't broke, empire building, and ignoring public comments and criticism.
According to the city's senior planner there have been seven opportunities for public input, including a five- day stint in public library rooms.
In response to the ratepayers, Councillor Kevin O'Reilly pointed out this was just the beginning of council's involvement and that staff had been left on their own at that point. He assured them there would be three or more opportunities remaining for the public to have a say.
This 'hands off' approach in the early stages is probably a bad idea. Aldermen are elected because they are in touch with the electorate. They should be giving staff direction as to what aspects of zoning people are most concerned about as well as advising on the best way to get public input.
That would put to rest such pointed questions as: Is the new zoning bylaw a council driven issue or did it originate with the city administration?
The last thing city administration wants to be accused of is a return to Fort Lagore, a reference to the former city administrator who was fond of ignoring public opinion.
As for getting the public involved, that is a daunting task and city hall can only do so much. Perhaps they should make use of their own signage to complement their advertising and public meetings. They might consult with the fire department which is very good at going for a smile with the safety messages posted on their sign.
But let's face it, zoning is not a sexy subject and the general public is not going to get very excited no matter what. The three unhappy ratepayers appearing before council were well informed and hopefully more people will be moved to speak as the process takes on a higher profile.
Zoning is the foundation of the city. Yellowknifers must take the time to see how it affects their neighbourhoods.
The recent appointment of Dan Marion as Commissioner, had more than a few of us Yellowknifers shaking our heads.
Marion may well be the right man for the job but he wasn't the first choice of the MLAs, all of whom were voted in by the people across the NWT.
No point in letting democracy complicate the process. The appointment process itself smacks of paybacks, puppets, and pawns and has nothing whatsoever to do with democracy.
While it's believed Marion got the nod from Blondin-Andrew, we've been unable to confirm that. She's still not returning her calls. Perhaps she's out roaming the Barrens, trying get hunters and trappers to register their firearms.
Starting tomorrow night, Yellowknifers will have the pleasure of attending the epic production of the timeless musical Fiddler on the Roof.
Directing is the talented and colourful Christopher Foreman who says it couldn't have been done without the generous support of the local community. We agree.
Rehearsals probably wouldn't have gone as smoothly as they did without the help from Bromley and Son, owners of an empty storefront, who provided Ptarmigan Theatrics the space for an affordable fee. Set decorations, costumes -- there are 60 actors in the production -- all wouldn't have been fashioned without the help of local behind the scene people.
With seven performances ahead, let's wish the cast and crew all the luck for the sold out performances they deserve.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
The first thing that comes to mind when sitting down to write about a personality such as Wayne Gretzky, is what can you possibly write that hasn't already been written before?
From the hockey perspective, absolutely nothing. Just about everyone, hockey fan or not, has one special Gretzky moment forever emblazoned in their memory. Such was the man's impact upon the game and the country that loves it, that he managed to transcend the simple plane of whether one was a sports fan.
In a nutshell, the man was a class act and one of the best ambassadors this country has ever been represented by.
The captain of the Rankin Inlet Old-timers hockey club, Joe Kaludjak, said in an interview this past week that although The Great One was never here and, in fact, might not even know anything about Nunavut, many people in Canada's newest territory were deeply saddened by his retirement from hockey.
That, valued readers, speaks volumes about the enormous impact this fine athlete and true gentleman has hade on our country -- regardless of culture, creed, race, social standing or language spoken, everyone understood Gretzky was The Great One.
With Gretzky's retirement, an era has come to an end in the NHL. One can only hope the greatest hockey player to have ever lived will decide to stay in the game in one avenue or another. The game still needs him and, perhaps, more importantly, our country still needs him.
Gretzky was a human adhesive with the ability to bond people together and focus them on a common theme or goal. He made people feel good about themselves, their national pastime and their country.
In a time most professional athletes are grossly overpaid and known more for their endeavours off their various playing fields than on, Gretzky remained the consummate professional and role model for more than two decades.
He was a hero appreciated by father and son, mother and daughter. He was a personality parents encouraged their kids to emulate and one who produced countless smiles upon the faces of countless people in countless locales around the globe.
Perhaps the NHL as a business will suffer with the retirement of Gretzky, but not the game of hockey itself. His contributions were too immense, his legacy too storied and his effect on the game too profound.
As long as the world's greatest game is played across our nation -- from the wheat fields of the Prairies, to the frozen tundra of Nunavut to the jagged shorelines of the East Coast -- The Great One's name will always be echoed by our youth.
...over to Gretzky, he shoots, he scores.