Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (July 27/01) - Residents at a town hall meeting on how to help Fort Simpson grow question the impact of just studying and talking about economic challenges.

They agree everyone means well, but say political issues holding back growth won't be resolved by simply writing another report. One has already been commissioned by the territorial government.

Competing political forces stand in the way of progress, residents told the July 17 open forum. Designed to jump-start public input into the latest study, the forum was organized by the community's tri-council.

The council is composed of leaders of the village government, Liidli Kue First Nations and Metis Local 52.

"The problem from the outset is that this is organized by the tri-council," said Wayne Williams. "That's three different governments with three separate agendas and a poor track record of co-operating."

With about 30 participants, the July 17 meeting was the first stage of a $52,000 community development plan.

Village councillor John Hazenberg fears that "politics will prevent the plan from being implemented."

Skeptics want to know what happened to the last economic blueprint, called Deh Cho Means Business. Completed six years ago, residents who took part in making that report said they feel a sense of deja vu.

"Nobody knows it exists," Francine Green said of the shelved report. "My fear is that this one will be another piece of paper shuffled to the bottom of the pile."

Others suggested the tri-council sign a contract agreeing to implement recommendations of any new report.

Defenders of the latest initiative point out the tri-council is now working together, and that naysayers shouldn't try scuttling attempts to move forward.

"This is important to the future of our youth," said Liidli Kue spokesperson Martina Norwegian.

Mayor Tom Wilson said "we all live in the community and we all have to have a vision." He also said many former residents would move back "if there were something to do."

The lack of amenities in Fort Simpson prompted Chuck Blythe to wonder, "How do we know how big a community has to be to get those things?"

Another public meeting is being planned for September.