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City Council Briefs Stephen Mansell not seeking re-election Tim Edwards Northern News Services Published Monday, Sept 03, 2012
He said he and his spouse are expecting the birth of their child around mid-September, which factored heavily into his decision. "I'm going to focus on the family and the new baby," said Mansell. "I wanted to express my sincere thanks to my fellow councillors for the co-operation and the good relationship I think this council has had." Coun. Simon Nattaq expressed his gratitude to Mansell for his service. "You were very knowledgeable and very helpful," he said. Mansell was appointed councillor in June 2007 after Mary Akpalialuk stepped down from her seat. He had garnered the second most votes in the previous election. Fireworks 'free-for-all' Coun. Mat Knickelbein is fed up with the noise and disruption the wanton use of fireworks is creating in his neighbourhood. At the Aug. 28 city council meeting, he told his colleagues that it was an issue council needs to focus on, and asked RCMP Sgt. Kevin Lewis about the legalities surrounding the use of fireworks. "Federally, territorially, there's nothing in place," said Lewis, noting municipalities often make their own bylaws to govern fireworks usage. "Right now it's a free-for-all if you purchase them legally." Knickelbein said he's see seven- and eight-year-olds with fireworks and questioned the logic of whomever supplied them with the explosives. Coun. Jimmy Kilabuk said he would like them to not be sold within the city at all. "They're not useful and we don't need them in Iqaluit," he said. Another councillor, however, took a softer tone and was more sympathetic with those who enjoy seeing the colourful sparks in the sky. Coun. Mary Wilman said she doesn't approve of fireworks being set off late at night, but she likes seeing them on special occasions. "Our young people need entertainment," said Wilman. "They're not trying to do anybody harm. They're just teenagers acting like typical teenagers ... if we have too many laws or bylaws, this could work against us. Summer crime report Calls to police for disturbances of the peace were up dramatically in June of this year compared to the same month in 2011, according to an RCMP presentation to city council on Aug. 28. Sgt. Kevin Lewis presented council with June and July crime statistics, which showed 227 disturbing the peace calls in June, compared to 138 in June 2011. "With the summer weather here in Iqaluit we've seen a substantial increase in disturbing the peace calls, which are usually related to alcohol," said Lewis. "The warmer temperatures bring everybody out and about." July was more on par with the previous year. Total calls for service for the year, as of the end of July, were at 4,872, compared with 4,643 in the same time frame last year.
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