It's definitely not pretty what's happening at Stanton Regional Hospital.

Last week's news that the hospital is merging wards and cutting 10 positions has been a tough pill to swallow for the 425 employees.

In today's Yellowknifer Stanton surgeon Chris Blewett says "the atmosphere in the hospital has gone from great to terrible ... since the announcement, it's bordering on mutiny."

Dr. Blewett said he and other surgeons at Stanton are outraged because they received no warning of the plan, which he said will "profoundly affect" the quality of patient care.

Staffers believe merging the pediatric and surgery wards will create so much extra work and stress for nurses that they'll flee south where better opportunities await.

More than just the hospital staff are unhappy with this news.

Yellowknife Health and Social Services Board says plans to cut patient time following surgery will put an incredible burden on an already stretched home care system.

Before we fly off the handle, let's not forget that elsewhere in Canada there were massive layoffs and closure of entire hospitals.

This move will only cut $350,000 from the hospital's $1.3 million deficit, meaning the board still has a way to go before it's deficit-free.

The fact that the board didn't allow staff to have input before the cuts is worthwhile criticism, however.

The days of management ruling by decree should be long gone.

The hospital board needs to look to its staff, the real experts on Stanton's operation, and make some amends by going to them now for ways to come up with the rest of savings.

The government may stop smokers with frequent taxes, but is reluctant because it doesn't want to force retailers to increase their prices too often.

The GNWT calculates tobacco increases quarterly and it has taken two-and-half-years to implement the recent one cent increase per cigarette.

But when the price goes up the number of smokers no doubt goes down. It may especially deter young people from lighting up.

In 1982, 13 per cent of NWT children aged 10-14 smoked. In 1999, it was 12 per cent. Smoking is also the major contributing factor in 25 per cent of all deaths in the NWT.

The more people who quit, the less the GNWT collects in tax revenue. They are expected to collect about $10 million this year from tobacco product sales.

Does that even come close to what we spend annually in health care to treat smoking-related illnesses?

What's snow and wind when it comes to a good cause?

For Yellowknifers, nothing more than a bit of a nuisance.

In weather that would have caused many jurisdictions to call off fund-raising runs, our city's Run for the Cure went ahead.

Hundreds slugged through the driving snow and slippery sidewalks to do their part in the ninth annual CIBC fund-raiser. The end result was a collection of nearly $100,000 that will go to help support research into breast cancer.

We could sing words of praise for the participants and organizers but the people involved say it best:

"If you live in Yellowknife, you can't let the weather hold you back," said participant Celine Pelletier.

And it was all for a great cause:

"I'm seeing people here I know that have cancer and I'm just proud I'm here for them," said Sharon Cook.

Yes, Yellowknifers are a hardy, caring bunch.

A big thumbs up to Repulse Bay's Donna Crawford for completing her Grade 12 education.

Crawford is the first graduate in the history of Tusarvik school. The hamlet is planning to go all out to commemorate the historic event on Oct. 18.

With eight more graduates set to receive their high school diplomas in Coral Harbour on Oct. 21, the number of Kivalliq graduates is on the rise.

All too often we tend to focus on the negative issues surrounding our education system and overlook the positive accomplishments.

While there are still areas that need to be improved, and the implementation of Qaujimajatuqangit won't happen overnight, the number of graduates to receive their diplomas this past school semester shows we are doing some things right in the Kivalliq.

A tip of the hat also goes to Rankin Inlet physical education teacher Steve Faulkner and Alaittuq high for earning their fifth national award for excellence in their phys ed program.

Building business

A big thumbs up to the hunters and craftsmen in Coral Harbour who are working diligently to get a new industry on its feet.

Outfitting, guiding, eco-tourism and arts and crafts hold tremendous potential in the Kivalliq Region and the hamlet of Coral Harbour is quickly establishing itself as a leader in developing these industries.

Training local people to implement and oversee our own business operations is a solid step towards maximizing the potential our region holds for economic self-reliance.

Name of the game

Kivalliq residents to take a more active role in our minor hockey programs.

With a back-to-the-basics-of-the-game focus sweeping the nation, it is imperative we here in Canada's newest territory increase the level of training among our coaches, referees, trainers and administrators if our amateur hockey program is to flourish.

Sport Nunavut's Kyle Seeley also deserves praise for his master course instructor delivery of the Gator-Aid Safety Training program.

Seeley has been with Sport Nunavut for the past 11 weeks.

Hopefully, the efforts of our amateur sports bodies will be recognized and the 2000-2001 season will be our region's biggest yet for the number of people to get involved with the coolest game on Earth.

The more skilled volunteers we have, the more our kids will benefit and that's the true name of the game.