Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 12/99) - Despite the fact that the mayor and one councillor think's it's too big a delegation, six councillors will travel to Halifax next month for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference.

"It makes no sense for this council to send six of us across the country to attend a conference," said Coun. Dave Ramsay. "And if you talk to anyone in this community, you'll find out they feel the same way."

The dispute over the size of the delegation headed to the June 4-7 conference, has heated up since Ramsay officially withdrew from the trip April 19 to save the city money.

Last week, council voted to have Coun. Cheryl Best fill his spot. On Monday council approved the addition of Best to the delegation, with Ramsay casting the only vote of opposition.

But he was not the only member of city council who thought six was too many.

"My view is six is a pretty weighty delegation," said mayor Dave Lovell. The mayor votes only in the case of ties.

In defending the decision to send six, Coun. Peggy Near noted Ramsay, contrary to what he said last week, voted to send six councillors when the trip was originally discussed, back in January.

Near said minutes of the meeting show council voted unanimously to send six members. Ramsay said how he voted then was "totally irrelevant" now.

While we're there...

Yellowknifer asked all councillors attending the conference if they will be incorporating any personal travel into the trip.

Coun. Bob Brooks said he will be vacationing in the area for three days after the conference.

Coun. Robert Slaven said he is heading down a week early to spend time with relatives there.

Coun. Near will be taking time while there to be with her mother, who is seriously ill.

Coun. Ben McDonald, like Slaven, will be going to Halifax a week early. He will also be stopping in Quebec City on the return trip.

Councillors Kevin O'Reilly and Best said they will not be incorporating any vacation or personal time into the trip.

Professional development

Slaven said the FCM should be regarded as a professional development conference for councillors.

"I don't think anybody would have a problem with our engineers wanting to go to a professional development conference if it helped them do a better job," said Slaven.

Both Near and, earlier in the day, Brooks, noted those going to the conference met two weeks ago to determine what courses and seminars each would be attending.

Brooks is vice-president of the NWT Association of Municipalities, which will be holding caucus meetings in Halifax. The NWTAM does not pay for his travel. Best is an alternate board member on the same organization.

O'Reilly said he had no problem with the entire council going if they chose to do so.

"It's the one time each year when all municipalities across Canada come together and talk about issues they have in common," said O'Reilly.

Ramsay said the city can send fewer delegates and still benefit from the conference -- "That's what trip reports are for, bringing back the information and sharing it with others."