SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - When the fourth session of the 16th legislative assembly convened last week both Deh Cho MLA Michael McLeod and Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche came prepared with issues to raise on behalf of their constituents.

To prepare for the Oct. 15 to Nov. 5 session McLeod said he spoke with quite a few constituents and members of the Deh Cho leadership including Grand Chief Samuel Gargan. Many of the issues raised are ongoing including the need for more public housing units in all of the Deh Cho communities, he said.

In Kakisa, residents are concerned about the potholes in the chipsealed access road in need of patching. The Hay River Reserve also wants to see the upgrades to its access road completed, said McLeod.

In Fort Providence, residents are still talking about the possibility of a hydro line connecting the community with the Taltson hydro facility. Other projects are also on community members' minds.

"The Deh Cho bridge is always front and centre for the community of Fort Providence," said McLeod.

The main focus of the assembly's fall session, however, is the capital plan for the next year. Three projects for the Deh Cho were expected to be presented under the Infrastructure Acquisition Plan. The projects include upgrades to the arena in Fort Providence, the development of a lodge facility for the Hay River Reserve and central heating for the community infrastructure in Kakisa.

As the minister responsible for infrastructure McLeod said he'll be able to speak to the projects. McLeod said he's particularly impressed by the innovative nature of Kakisa's project.

On a larger scale McLeod said it has been two years since the members of the assembly were elected and they need to move forward with projects and goals. McLeod's list includes upgrading and maintaining infrastructure on a priority basis, working to reduce the cost of living in small communities and creating economic bases for the communities. It's also important the territorial government work with regional and local organizations on projects wherever possible, he said.

Speaking the day before the session began, McLeod said he believes everyone in the assembly has worked hard to improve communication between cabinet ministers, regular members and committees.

"Everybody's recognized that we need to work together in order to move forward and meet some of the mandates we were elected to do," said McLeod.

Speaking a day into the session Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche had a positive outlook.

"I think we're off to a smooth start," he said.

Menicoche said he didn't involve himself in the Floyd Roland inquiry in the beginning and based on input from constituents he doesn't plan to now.

'I'd rather concentrate on the communities and constituents," he said.

Menicoche said both housing and the area's road network remain concerns for residents. Due to delays there are concerns about work being done late in the season on Highway 7 and the Nahanni Butte access road, he said.

Menicoche said he understands some of the road work has been delayed into next year and he plans to urge the Minister of Transportation and the government to have the contracts in place early so work can begin as soon as the 2010 construction season opens.

Menicoche said he'll also continue his strategy to promote the complete chipsealing of the Deh Cho Trail as an achievable legacy that the 16th assembly could leave.

There are also new and ongoing concerns that Menicoche will be championing for individual communities. Menicoche said he'll continue to press for a RCMP detachment to be built in Wrigley and returning nursing services to the community. For Fort Simpson the ongoing issue is to get the government to help resolve the location of the John Tsetso Memorial Library.

In Nahanni Butte Menicoche said he heard residents raise issues about bison for the first time.

"Residents are absolutely concerned this time," he said.

Menicoche said he'll press to have the Department of Environment and Natural Resources do more work on bison management in the community.