More Sunday sipping in Inuvik
In the face of stiff public opposition, town council relaxes liquor laws
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, May 15, 2017
INUVIK
Inuvik town council has passed the licensed premises bylaw, allowing The Mad Trapper bar to open another 16 Sundays per year during summer months, on top of the 10 it is already allowed.
Shane Gordon speaks at the town's committee of the whole meeting May 8. He was against approving the licensed premises bylaw that would allow The Mad Trapper bar to open an extra 16 Sundays per year. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo |
Couns. Natasha Kulikowski, Kurt Wainman, Darrell Christie and Deputy Mayor Steve Baryluk voted in favour of the motion, with Couns. Vince Sharpe, Alana Mero and Joe Lavoie opposed. Coun. Clarence Wood was absent.
"Disgusting," said Sharpe following the May 10 vote, to which Christie took umbrage.
"You heard me, totally disgusting" responded Sharpe, before Mayor Jim McDonald intervened.
"As we said the other night, regardless of what happens tonight with the vote, life will go on in Inuvik," said McDonald. "We still have a duty to the community ... Whether you agree with it or not, we still need to carry forth as an elected group."
The council meeting ended shortly after.
As councillors were stepping up to leave the chambers, a brief war of words ensued between Sharpe and Wainman, during which Wainman told Sharpe to "go cry outside" multiple times and called him an old man.
Tempers were also short at the town's committee of the whole meeting Monday, May 8 - the last chance for the public to voice its opinion on the matter.
"I think weekends should be a family time and a time set apart where parents can be with their children and their youth to encourage them and to see them become a healthy family," said Dave Dekwant, one of three residents who spoke at the meeting.
Mad Trapper owner Rick Adams brought the request to council, after a similar but larger request failed to pass last year.
Prior to the council vote, Adams was allowed to open his bar on 10 Sundays of the year. His request was to add 16 more Sundays from April 1 to September 30. That would apply to all Class A liquor licenses in Inuvik.
Dekwantalso mentioned the effects it would have on Tuktoyaktuk.
Kate Snow said she voted for councillors who would work toward the benefit and betterment of Inuvik.
"Allowing this bylaw to be passed is fulfilling neither of these purposes," she said.
"There are pros and cons. The weigh scale of economy, increased wages more opportunities (and) a variety for choices of activities are outweighed by my people's health, success, happiness and sobriety."
Shane Gordon said having the bar open more will not help issues in the community.
Look for a complete story with more post-vote reaction in the next Inuvik Drum.
