Last week's uproar by Latham Island residents over the prospect of a public boardwalk being built in front of their waterfront residences left city council with a difficult task.

The revolt came when the city announced plans to install a 150-metre boardwalk along the shore between the end of Otto Drive and Lessard Drive.

While a public walkway along Back Bay would be great for tourists and residents, as the residents affected pointed out last Wednesday, the plan isn't exactly the fairest on the block.

The problem dates back to 1996. City planners, intent on coming up with a waterfront plan for the area, placed a moratorium on all waterside leases residents held on that side of the island.

Then last February, apparently after the city had decided exactly where a public walkway could go, the freeze was lifted. Leases were granted to homeowners who didn't live along the path of the proposed boardwalk.

Where's the fairness there?

Penny Johnson, who has docked her boat on her waterfront for 20 years, is now considered a "squatter." Why is she being treated differently than a neighbour up the way who now enjoys this public property just because of where they live?

City planners said in light of last week's protest they would draw up another plan for development that doesn't include a boardwalk and let city council decide. Instead of scrapping the idea of the boardwalk altogether, we wonder why a compromise can't be reached.

The city failed to enforce rules governing the waterfront fairly and is now left with a mess. The goal should be to recognize historic use of the waterfront by the people who live there, and ensure public access to a Yellowknife treasure: Back Bay.

The waterfront should be a place everyone can enjoy and use.

Yellowknife Education District No. 1 board's deficit should be a wake-up call that seven years between board reviews is too long.

The board is obligated to tell taxpayers where the money has been spent and, after an independent review is complete, what changes will be implemented.

In the summer of 2000, then trustee Bob Patterson unveiled the board's 2000-01 budget proposal. They predicted a surplus. Today, the board's budget deficit stands at $823,000.

The school board held a public forum last April and parents gave suggestions on how to balance the budget without cutting teachers.

"We should take all the suggestions to heart," said trustee Marlo Bullock.

While the hearts of parents and board members may be in right place, the budget is not.

We are not downplaying the efforts of parents or trustees, but the bean counters should have been called in long before now.

It's just one night out of the year, but the Wade Hamer Challenge Cup does so much for the community.

First there's the game, a chance to get out and root for your favourite side.

Second is the community spirit that it creates. Students get to show off pride in their school and adults get to celebrate the accomplishments of youth.

Not to be dismissed are the benefits of discipline and hard work that come with practice and competition.

It's also a chance for the players to earn their niche in the city's history, to create memories of the day they came from behind, scored the winning goal or were in the stands for the most exciting game of the year.

St. Pat's boys and girls teams both won and it's worth noting. More important is that the 1,000 people who witnessed the spectacle have another reason to believe that Yellowknife is a special place.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

Ask anybody involved with team preparations leading up to the Arctic Winter Games, and they'll tell you Sport Nunavut's higher officials are mystified over the controversy surrounding the roster rule.

We here at Kivalliq News have decided to take the time this week and enlighten them as to what the problem is. For those of you who may not know, here is what the controversy is all about.

The roster rule makes victorious coaches drop, cut, kick off or otherwise dispose of three of their own kids who have busted their butts for the past year or two to make their team a success.

Then the coach must turn around and select three different kids from other teams to join his for the AWG.

The reasoning is that stronger players from weaker teams will make our Nunavut team stronger. After all, they're better players, so they deserve the chance to play. Right?

First, the fact we call them team sports should be a dead giveaway that this isn't as black-and-white an issue as it may first appear.

Better and better does not always add up to the best in team sports. Just ask any New York Rangers fan.

So, is there a solution to this problem? Yes. A perfect solution? No. A better solution? Definitely.

Give the coaches the choice to change the three players or keep their own.

Coaches, for the most part, know when the chemistry is right on their team or when it can stand a bit of tinkering. And, whether the folks who make these rules believe it or not, the majority of coaches will seek input from their players.

What's the good of adding three players to your hockey or basketball team if the rest of the players are upset over their friends being cut?

The terms "chemistry" and "bonding" are overused in sports, but a magical transformation can take place with young athletes on championship clubs. A sense of common purpose develops, one of teamwork, dedication and devotion to the person sitting next to you.

It's that feeling all athletes -- young or old, pro or amateur -- all miss the most when they hang 'em up for the final time.

Our kids and their coaches work painstakingly hard for the opportunity to represent Nunavut at the AWG. Let them decide who goes with them on their team.

And, who knows? When they look across the room at a friend short on talent, but tall on heart, some might even decide there really are things more important than winning. Could any medal top that?

Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum

Exactly 83 years ago this past Sunday, at 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month, the guns fell silent as the First World War came to an end.

That date and time came to mark an annual occasion for people to gather together and remember those who risked their lives for the freedom of this and other countries. The bravery and sacrifices made by soldiers in the Second World War, the Korean conflict, a UN police action, the Gulf War, and in various UN peacekeeping missions are also honoured.

Many people gathered in Inuvik on Sunday to honour those who fought to keep Canadians free. Poppies were worn, wreaths laid, words spoken, and silence observed.

Probably for many people, this Remembrance Day holds special meaning, falling as it did on the two-month anniversary of the September 11 terrorist acts in the United States.

If the assassination which started the First World War was the shot heard around the world, then Sept. 11 was the day the world stood still.

The effects of that day are still being felt, both in terms of people's sense of security, and the war raging in Afghanistan.

Though this country has taken part in wars and UN enforcement actions in recent years, the Gulf War in 1991 and Kosovo in 1999, this war on terrorism is affecting people on a far more personal level. This is true even in the Delta, which is a long ways from New York or Afghanistan.

So thoughts now are not just on the bravery and sacrifices of the past, but also the present and near future.

To bring it home even more, a former Inuvik resident -- Cmdr. James Heath -- is captain of the HMCS Vancouver, which is heading for the Persian Gulf as part of the war on terrorism. Our thoughts are with him and his crew and family.

Whether the year is 1914, 1939 or 2001, serving in a war zone is not an easy thing. Thoughts of their friends and family back home mingle with their duty and orders to be vigilant, or to prepare for a coming battle -- a battle which might be their last.

Though those who have made sacrifices on our behalf, and those who do so today, can not be fully thanked, at least Remembrance Day allows us to show we do remember, and that we are prepared to carry the torch, as Canadian poet-soldier-doctor Lieut.-Col. John McCrae beseeched us In Flanders Fields.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson

Forgive Fort Simpson residents for being cynical.

Judging by the low turnouts at the Fort Simpson community development plan workshops, not too many people were putting stock in the initiative. Even among those who did show up there were skeptics.

Maybe some people didn't get involved because they are already satisfied with their life in Fort Simpson. Others may not be planning to live here long enough to worry about the community's future. The majority, however, seem to be tired of talking about what they would like to see take place. They know from experience that little has come from all the talk.

As Tom Wilson said at Thursday evening's workshop, it's been a long time since there has been any real growth or excitement over development in Fort Simpson.

Wilson, who wasn't ostensibly wearing his mayor's hat at the time, suggested that 20 action plans need to be completed and a succession of favourable outcomes must occur in order to build momentum. Then, and only then, will people begin to believe that something is really happening.

If there's a small collection of post-workshop volunteers who are willing to work towards some initial goals, so much the better. One would hope for at least that much after spending $50,000 on the entire consultation process. That money, it should be noted, was provided by two territorial government departments and a federal government department.

One of the obstacles identified through the second workshop is an over-reliance on government, which weakens personal responsibility. That's a fair enough statement as long as it's also acknowledged that the political climate in this region is still largely hampering development. While we shouldn't expect government to do everything for us, we do need clear parameters in which to foster business and industry. Those parameters don't exist because the Deh Cho Process hasn't yet advanced to that stage. Whether we like it or not, much hinges on self-government progress.

That's not to say nothing can be done in the interim. The Deh Cho First Nations recently formed an economic development corporation. Planning and training for future development could begin presently. There may also be some smaller ventures that could be taken on at the community level that don't interfere with the Deh Cho Process.

Whatever it might be, it just needs to get done. Communication is important, but endless talk is empty.