Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (Nov 21/05) - A $1.5 million windfall continues to create a sore spot between leaders in Fort Smith.

Mayor Peter Martselos, Fort Smith Metis Council president Ken Hudson and Salt River First Nation Chief Jim Schaefer talked about how to use money from the Community Capacity Building Fund during an informal lunch meeting on Nov. 10.

The fund is Fort Smith's share of $40 million Northern Strategy fund from the federal government.

Town council has agreed that the Salt River First Nation will get $300,000 and the Metis Council will receive $200,000, said Martselos. They are also willing to give $100,000 to the Northern Life Museum.

"The council thinks $100,000 is more than enough," said Martselos.

Ken Hudson doesn't agree. The Metis Council and the band want to give $400,000 to the museum, Hudson said.

"The museum is in need of money and has always been in need of money," he said.

Hudson argues the museum is one of the only bright spots in the community for tourism and needs to be upgraded.

Town council wants to use the money for town issues instead of for community groups, Hudson said.

"Basically he is being greedy," Hudson said about the mayor.

The town council is acting on the advice of the people in the community, said Mayor Martselos.

A survey conducted by the town in September received more than 200 responses. Residents were asked to identify their top five priorities and specify concerns for recreation infrastructure.

Ranking in the top three were recreation infrastructure, street lights and sidewalks and paving. Under recreation, the survey shows the pool project is the first priority for residents, followed by the arena and upgraded equipment for community playgrounds.

Martselos said the town council knows where the priorities are and the survey showed little support for the museum.

"We are the government representing everyone in the community," he said.

There is still a full year before a proposal for the money has to be submitted to the territorial government.