Paula White
Northern News Services

INUVIK (May 21/99) - Varkonyi, Miller and Ross. Catchy, isn't it?

No, it's not the name of a new law firm in town. These are the names of the individuals who are currently organizing the events for Safe Kids Week, which takes place nationally from May 31 to June 6.

"We're just hoping it will be a really successful week with as much community participation as we can generate," said volunteer firefighter Julie Miller.

Safe Kids Week is an annual event organized by Safe Kids Canada. This year's theme is Rally for Road Safety.

Because this is an area of concern for the police, fire department and the town, Miller said that she, Town Bylaw Officer Donald Ross and RCMP Const. Nini Varkonyi decided to join together to form the working group.

"They care enough for the community to do this," said Fire Chief Al German.

The group already has a number of events planned, including visits to the schools and an open house. At the open house, which will be more for adults, Miller said people will be able to get their children's car seats checked to make sure they are installed properly.

While in the schools, Miller said discussions will touch on water safety as well as road safety. She explained this will be one of the last chances to speak to students before school lets out for the summer, so it will be a good opportunity to talk about water safety in time for the swimming and boating season.

Miller said another idea was to hold a poster contest for younger students and a writing contest for older ones and, of course, what would road safety week be without a bike rodeo?

The rodeo is tentatively set for Saturday, June 6. It will include an obstacle course with several checkpoints set up along the way. Before the rodeo, however, Miller said there will likely be an inspection of equipment -- making sure seats are adjusted properly, chains are secure and handlebars are in tip-top condition. A demonstration on the proper way to wear helmets will also be included.

"Just informing them of the rules of the road," Ross said.

Currently, there is no town bylaw or territorial legislation that requires helmets be used while snowmobiling or biking, but Miller, German and Ross would like to see that changed.

"That is a goal: to have helmets used for all (those types of) activities," Miller said.

Varkonyi, Miller and Ross have been approaching different organizations and businesses around town for donations of money or prizes. Miller said, ideally, the group would like to have several bikes to give away as prizes. She said the rodeo will be broken down into different age groups and categories.

"Hence the need for several bikes for prizes," she laughed, but then added, "We want to have some helmets to give away to kids who don't have (one)."

To date, about $900 in donations has been raised. But, Miller added, there are still many organizations in town that she, Ross and Varkonyi have to approach.

"Because it takes a whole community to raise a child," she pointed out, "we'd like to try and raise as much as we can to help make this a successful week and prevent injuries from occurring to the children of our community."

Miller pointed out that the group has also received help from Calvin Adams and Mike Conway from the Department of Transportation.