Nathan VanderKlippe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 09/02) - Frightened that councillors could axe $135,000 set aside for recycling and to provide a solid waste management coordinator, a number of individuals spoke out in favour of keeping the budget line item.

Representatives from the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce and Ecology North and citizen Matthew Grogono encouraged council not to spike the funds.

"The solid waste management proposal is very strong," said Chamber president David McPherson.

Calling the line item "an overdue first step," Doug Ritchie also called on the city to begin an environmental audit, which would identify the city's current status, identify key environmental indices and set targets for the city, particularly in the area of greenhouse gas emissions.

"In many respects the battle to minimize climate change will be fought and won in cities," he said. He also wants the city to look into amending building codes to force the construction of more energy-efficient buildings.

"Your leadership today will ensure a better tomorrow for all current residents and residents to come," he said.

"This line item is a culmination of many years work of many people across the community," said Matthew Grogono before the meeting. "If they don't support it, what is the point of having consultation and engineers and architects and people all convening together to discuss how to make things better?"

"Think global, act local," he said. "If they hire the right person, (Yellowknife's waste management operations) could be turned around and into world-class prototype."