Fort Simpson (Feb 25/05) - Councillors Bob Hanna, Tom Wilson and Betty Hardisty argued against the prospect of Dehcho Hall being torn down by the territorial Department of Public Works, which is slated to take place next year.

"The foundation of the building will last another 200 years," Hanna said.

"We're losing too much," Hardisty added.

Mayor Ray Michaud noted that a complete renovation of the building would be required to save it - that would include removing asbestos and installing ventilation and sprinkler systems.

Hanna countered, "It's not an impossible feat."

Council is requesting a GNWT report on the cost to overhaul the building.

Zinc supporters

At the urging of Mayor Raymond Michaud, council agreed to send a letter in support of Canadian Zinc to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board. The regulatory board has, to date, withheld permits allowing the company to drill up to 60 test holes for core samples at its Prairie Creek mine site. The board has cited potential adverse effects on the Nahanni watershed.

Michaud contended that the NWT's diamond mines have received permits for similar drilling without such delays. He added that a mine is of more benefit than a pipeline because a mine will employ approximately 250 people over its 15-25 year life-span while a pipeline will employ 2,000 people, but the vast majority will only work a relatively brief period during construction.

Fire restructuring

Council passed a motion to introduce a new bylaw that will combine the fire department and ambulance service as "protective services."

As well, gross revenues from the ambulance service will be applicable to the purchase of capital equipment and infrastructure. That means the volunteer fire department will be able to use reserve funds not only to buy a new ambulance or fire truck, but also for a fire hall extension or a regional training centre.

Rec centre make-over

The recreation centre requires many upgrades to bring it in line with fire code standards, according to a report by assistant fire marshal Tyrone Larkin.

Following a site assessment, among Larkin's many recommendations was to remove the metal sliding doors that block the indoor stairways. The doors were intended to keep teens from congregating in the stairways, senior administrative officer Bernice Swanson explained. A video surveillance system could be installed as an alternative security precaution, she suggested. Swanson said she would check with the curling club, which runs the lounge upstairs.

Coun. Bob Hanna criticized the architectural engineers for failing to design the centre to full fire code standards.

An ingenious solution?

Mayor and council marvelled at Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche's proposal to have Fort Simpson remain as a village, but be placed under a proposed Hamlets and Villages Act. That way, the municipality could theoretically continue to collect taxes and would receive increased formula funding from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Because the government's reaction is still unknown, council decided to ask Menicoche to explore the idea further.

Lesser grade

Pre-empting a concern about municipal roads raised by Coun. Bob Hanna, Mayor Raymond Michaud said he has instructed that municipal roads should be graded less often to demonstrate budget prudence to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. He said he'd rather reduce services a little than raise taxes. "These are the cutbacks we have to make," Michaud said. "Some of these decisions might not be popular."