Fort Simpson (May 20/05) - Councillor Dennis Nelner requested that conflict of interest allegations against him be investigated by the NWT's Conflict of Interest Commissioner.

At the May 2 council meeting, Mayor Raymond Michaud accused Nelner of being in conflict by voting on and speaking to issues relating to a proposed North West Company gas bar.

Nelner, who manages a competing store with gas pumps, had excused himself from the matter at a previous council meeting.

On Monday, Michaud warned Nelner that if the commissioner finds him guilty of conflict, he could be charged.

Nelner replied, "I'm prepared to take that."

Council granted his request.

Deep in the red

The 2005 village budget was passed Monday. It carries a $699,000 deficit. The single biggest expense will be $250,000 in renovations to the recreation centre, which will include pouring cement on the arena floor.

Senior administrative officer Bernice Swanson said council can apply a $291,000 surplus from 2004 towards the deficit.

Need a pumper

A fire protection survey by assistant fire marshal Tyrone Larkin indicated the need for a new pumper truck. Fire chief Pat Rowe was present Monday night and said a new rescue pumper with a 1,000 gallon tank would cost around $225,000. Council didn't budget for it in 2005.

The village currently has a 1993 pumper truck and a 1977 model. The latter is no longer insurable, Rowe said. He added that Hay River has received territorial government funding for highway rescue equipment and said Fort Simpson could use it as well.

Mayor Raymond Michaud concurred, noting that Fort Simpson's firefighters cover more highway than any other department.

Council agreed to invite the ministers of Municipal and Community Affairs and Health and Social Services to a special meeting in July to discuss fire and rescue funding and a long-term plan.

Students in place

The village has hired nine more summer students with federal funding, even though it pays 50 cents less per hour than territorial funding, senior administrative officer Bernice Swanson said. The territorial Department of Education, Culture and Employment informed the village of cutbacks in its budget and is consequently only paying for one village summer student this year.

Dang road

Motorists on the road from Fort Simpson to the airport are forced to dodge numerous potholes and "it's getting ridiculous," Coun. Betty Hardisty said.

Coun. Norm Prevost agreed, calling it "a dangerous ride." People are swerving into the oncoming lane to avoid the dips, he said.

Council decided to write a letter to the Department of Transportation demanding that repairs be made immediately.

Swimming in debt

Coun. Dennis Nelner shot down the idea of a year-round swimming pool as the best way to spend extra infrastructure funding that may come from the federal government by way of the GNWT. The operations and maintenance expenses associated with a pool will drive the municipality into an even greater deficit, Nelner contended.

Coun. Tom Wilson agreed, proposing instead to sink the money into a water and sewage system for residents in the subdivisions.

Deputy Mayor Bob Hanna suggested fixing existing water and sewage lines.

Coun. Norm Prevost said the existing seasonal pool could be upgraded for one-tenth the cost of building a year-round pool.

Stop the bullies

An article on bullying that appeared in the Deh Cho Drum and News/North is "a real black mark against Fort Simpson," Deputy Mayor Bob Hanna said. He said something must be done about bullying because it may deter others from relocating to the community.

Coun. Norm Prevost said his three children were bullied, discriminated against and beaten in elementary school.

"This isn't anything new," said Prevost. "It's been going on here forever and in every other community in Canada."

Coun. Dave Wright, who is a high school teacher, said education staff promote positive behaviours and safe sex as well as encourage students not to drink or smoke, but some do it anyway.

"There's a limit to how much impact the school can have," he said.

Council agreed that the entire community must work towards a solution.

"We've been told something we all knew but didn't want to face," Mayor Raymond Michaud said.