Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Jan 27/06) - Road and highway maintenance, along with community infrastructure and health care, are just some of the issues that Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche is pledging to bring to the attention of his peers.

With the budget sitting of the legislative assembly starting on Feb. 3, Menicoche has completed a tour of the region to listen to constituent concerns. Personal visits are important in this riding, said Menicoche, who tries to complete two tours a year.

"They (constituents) often wait until I come into the community to voice their issues," he said.

Menicoche said the driving helps clear his mind.

"In the winter I like driving. I get a lot of thinking done," he said.

Travelling also gives him a chance to personally examine the maintenance on the area's road system, one of the main concerns for residents.

With $7 million slated for Highway 7 over the next four years and $9 million for Highway 4, Menicoche said the main goal is to hold onto that money. There has been pressure to divert the funding from highways, he said.

Fort Simpson resident Rita Cazon agrees. The use of transportation funding was the main concern she voiced at a constituency meeting on Jan. 12.

"We have to really fight to keep that money," said Cazon.

Community infrastructure is another issue of growing concern. Communities want to know how they can get more input into processes that affect them, said Menicoche.

Residents are complaining about government departments coming in for a day, holding a meeting and leaving, Menicoche said. Tied to this are issues of health care service. Places like Wrigley want a full-time nurse and RCMP officers, but it's just not practical, he said.

"How do we plan it so the visits are more frequent," said Menicoche.

To make a difference, Menicoche will be urging government departments in the assembly to be more aware of regional issues.

In Fort Liard, housing continues to be the main concern.

"They need more homes in Fort Liard," said Menicoche.

With about 10 single homes needed immediately, Menicoche said he will be lobbying for more funds from the housing corporation.

As a solution in the future, he supports the use of converted trailers from camps to be used as houses.

Since the legislative assembly is entering its budget session, Menicoche said he will push for funding for the Deh Cho from every department if it's not present.