Wednesday, January 15, 1997



Reasonable price for public protection

It should come as no surprise that one of the city's developers would oppose a city council proposal to charge a small fee as a deposit on building projects, such as new residential neighborhoods.

Developers have finite financial resources and naturally have trouble swallowing anything that increases costs.

In this case, the city wants developers to set aside an amount equivalent to 1.3 per cent of a project's costs.

The idea is to make sure the builders don't stray from the plans they file with the city, that they build to code all the sidewalks, sewers and other infrastructure as promised.

A new development and its structural integrity is a serious affair. The public needs guarantees it will be done properly, and if it isn't, that the developer won't be able walk away from the responsibility.

For the same reasons, the federal government and the NWT Water Board last week demanded BHP Diamonds supply a $21-million security deposit to cover the cost of repairing damage to the Northern environment that will result from the new mine.

The BHP deposit works out to about two per cent of the $1-billion cost of building the mine. It is not an excessive demand. Environmentalists had asked for more and BHP had proposed a much smaller figure.

Other municipalities require as much as 25 per cent for a deposit.

Asking a developer in Yellowknife to supply a deposit of 1.3 per cent would seem a reasonable way to provide the public some protection. (1/15/97)


System failure

Last week Yellowknifer reported on 16-year-old Neil Hardisty, who was expelled from St. Patrick high school. Hardisty claimed he wanted to get an education but because of his poor record and age, both school boards turned him away.

We don't question that Hardisty was a problem. But should a publicly funded education system shut the door on a teen's education? Why not set tough conditions requiring Hardisty to apply study and sweat in order to earn his way back through the school doors?

If Hardisty fails to take up such a challenge, the decision to end his education will be his alone. (1/15/97)


Children welcome

Yellowknife's women geologists have redefined the pin-up girl for the nineties.

Their 1997 calendar displays everything a modern woman needs to succeed: a keen wit, a well-shaped sense of irony and the ability to tell the difference between sedimentary and igneous rock.

In a field crowded with glossy sunsets, airbrushed mannequins in varying stages of undress and chromed engines, this calendar is a refreshing change.

If we'd had any idea that geology could be so much fun, we might have paid more attention in science class. (1/15/97)