Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Mar 17/00) - The town of Inuvik's ongoing effort to develop a clean-up and beautification strategy appears to be meeting with growing support.

Town council recently organized two public meetings to discuss what's been described as an ongoing crisis surrounding litter and poorly maintained property in the community and the consequent negative effect on residents, businesses and tourism alike.

A relatively high turnout at the meetings provoked some interesting discussion and Brian Desjardins, the town's tourism and fund-raising coordinator, assured times are changing.

"Things are happening," he said. "The town is taking a proactive approach to dealing with these issues, and we want to keep the ball rolling with more meetings; we need to have everyone involved, from business to non-profit groups, because we can't do it on our own."

A cross-section of business people, public servants and homeowners attended the strategy sessions and discussed issues ranging from garbage disposal and monitoring to bylaw reviews and enforcement.

"The first meeting was a kind of clear-the-air session, and I thought it was great," said resident Lyle Neis, "Some really positive ideas came out, and I think a large number of those will go forward."

Neis said this year's effort at creating a co-ordinated strategy already appears more successful than those in the past.

"I think people are just more concerned and tired of the levels of garbage and trash around town," he said. "I think only five or six people showed up last year and then got started too late to do much."

Ron Morrison said he was also impressed by the response of the community to what he views as a community-wide problem.

"I think the town has an obligation to the residents to ensure that the town is a comfortable place to live in," he said. "Certainly businesses have a responsibility to maintain their properties, but when you're looking at a broader vision it becomes the residents' responsibility, and they're represented by town council."

Desjardins said the town wants to continue to promote increased public participation, and plans are afoot to organize a steering committee to represent all the various "players."

Meanwhile, a number of subcommittees have already taken shape and these include one responsible for education and communication, including economic development officer Dennis Zimmerman, Samuel Hearne school principal Carson Atkinson and Inuvik Works training centre co-ordinator Camellia Gray.

The container committee includes Morrison, Brian McCarthy, Joe Wolfe from Rocky's Plumbing and Danny Smith from the Mackenzie Delta Hotel Group. The committee is responsible for finding dumpsters and garbage receptacles which can be purchased by both the town and businesses -- as a way to save costs and promote consistency.

A third committee includes deputy mayor Peter Clarkson and will help co-ordinate this year's spring clean-up effort.

"These subcommittees will be researching and investigating and coming back to town council with recommendations for review," said Desjardins.

"Everyone who's there, whether private or government, will look at how to cover these costs."

Desjardins said Inuvik is also reviewing its bylaws, and examining how other Northern communities have organized their clean-up efforts. The community is also considering hiring a consultant to help with long-term planning.

He added the ad hoc clean-up subcommittees will try to act quickly and a further public meeting has been scheduled for next Thursday.