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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - City councillor Dave McCann suggested the city offer healthier and more local food choices at future community barbecues on Monday.

Councillors spoke about serving up vegetarian options, as well as caribou, bison and fish at community events, instead of exclusively offering up the traditional hamburger and hotdog fare. At the priorities, policies and budget committee meeting, council also discussed moving away from providing pop and promoting juice.

Coun. Kevin Kennedy said the city should still provide "hamburgers and hotdogs" so as not to alienate people. Administration said they would take into account recommendations and come up with a menu which still includes hotdogs and hamburgers.

As in other past council meetings, talks eventually moved to the topic of gas emissions. In this case, however, the discussion wasn't limited to curbing carbon emissions from vehicles, but also to the byproduct released by hamburger sources.

When asked what cattle gas emissions meant, Coun. Mark Heyck cut through the fat. "Cow farts," he said, describing the massive quantities of methane released by cows worldwide.

Later, councillor Lydia Bardak mentioned that in past work with various organizations, she occasionally received two hind quarters of "roadkill" moose to be used for barbecues.

"What happens to roadkill here?" she asked.

"I don't know, but you scared councillor (David) Wind," said Mayor Gord Van Tighem, observing Wind, who stood up from his seat and walked away.

"I need a cup of coffee," said Wind.

The Community Day barbecue will take place on June 28, to coincide with the city's 75th anniversary celebrations.

Wind pushes for seniors resolution

Following an uproar from city seniors angered by government plans to implement a supplementary health benefits program on Apr. 1, Coun. David Wind issued a draft resolution opposing reductions to seniors.

Wind asked councillors to support his resolution - which opposes the government's proposal to eliminate seniors' 100-per cent coverage under the present health benefits plan - at the next council meeting.

"This clawing-back of benefits really affects the decisions made by people who may be looking to stay in Yellowknife," Wind argued. He said seniors would begin actively seeking out other places to live and if they moved away, it would adversely affect the property tax base the city collects.

Councillors Paul Falvo, Kevin Kennedy and Dave McCann spoke up in support of the resolution.

McCann said people in their mid-50s, who were looking forward to soon receiving seniors' benefits, would now re-evaluate their decision to live in Yellowknife.

Bob Brooks, a policy analyst with the territorial government's Industry, Tourism and Investment department, said he would abstain from voting on the motion, even though he is not in conflict, as the resolution addresses the Department of Health.

Wind brought up the issue on Monday in order to give the city the opportunity to pass the resolution before Feb. 4, when the legislative assembly reconvenes.

After the meeting, he said he was pleased with the apparent support for his draft resolution, which does not oppose the proposed benefits that will be provided to low-income, non-seniors.

Year-end crime

Staff Sgt. Mike Brandford presented council with 2008 year-end crime statistics on Monday.

November crime was down from last year, but December saw an increase of 15 per cent, which he blamed on "cold weather."

"At -40, we do have a few street people here and they are not always accessible to the Salvation Army if they have been drinking," said Brandford. "So we certainly are involved when it comes to that type of thing."

November saw a larger than normal amount of sexual assaults, while there was a high number of assaults and break-ins in December. Brandford said a group of three individuals may have been involved in more than seven of that month's break-ins.

The prisoner count was up 10 per cent from 2007. The RCMP held more than 5,200 prisoners last year in detachment cells. "That is a big number," said Brandford.

The officer recognized the work of the crime reductions unit, which spends 50 per cent of its time patrolling the downtown core. The unit also assists in drug enforcement - and played a role in some of the larger drug busts made in the past few months.

Quote of the week

"Some say on every second Monday, you can hear the braying of farm animals here" - Paul Falvo, after commenting that city hall sits in an area that was once home to a market garden in Yellowknife's early days.