A nasty turn of events
Deputy premier vows to take lie detector test
by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services
NNSL (Feb 27/98) - Two MLAs at the centre of a dispute over a cryptic anonymous note lashed out at Hay River MLA Jane Groenewegen and the press this week.
Though his comments focused on Groenewegen's handling of the issue, deputy
premier Goo Arlooktoo also accused Yellowknife Centre MLA Jake Ootes and
unnamed others of "taking a parasitic approach to this issue, living
politically on this cloud of mistrust."
Use this link to read Hay River MLA Jane Groenewegen's final words on this matter
The deputy premier said he will take a lie-detector test
and submit writing samples to an expert to clear up lingering questions
about who wrote the note.
Two weeks ago, Groenewegen presented expert analysis indicating the anonymous note, which asked how she got a large government loan, was written by Arlooktoo. Groenewegen was questioning on the controversial Lahm Ridge Tower lease at the time.
Both Arlooktoo and Barnabas referred to an article in last Friday's Yellowknifer which raised questions about High Arctic MLA Levi Barnabas's claim to be the author of the note. Until Thursday, Barnabas had refused to answer media questions about the note, though he told the assembly Wednesday he provided Groenewegen with a sample of his handwriting the day he made his confession.
Groenewegen later confirmed Barnabas wrote a note in front of her with the same wording as the anonymous note, saying the handwriting of both "looked very similar."
But after studying Barnabas's sample, the same expert that concluded it was "highly probable" Arlooktoo wrote the note reported it was unlikely Barnabas wrote it.
In the assembly Thursday, Groenewegen said she believed Barnabas. She and Arlooktoo have shown no sign of reconciliation, however.
Arlooktoo speculated about Groenewegen's motive for pursuing the issue, referring to last fall's rumors Premier Don Morin would be running in Hay River in next election.
"Word was out ... Jane was going to attack Donny's credibility because she did not want him to run in Hay River," said Arlooktoo. "It does make you wonder why the MLA there would be attacking a person so friendly to the community."
Groenewegen took that suggestion as "a grave insult."
"I couldn't care less if Don Morin wanted to run in Hay River," she said. She added that anything more she has to say about the issue will be said in court.
Arlooktoo agreed Barnabas's silence before and after his confession may have been a mistake. "In hindsight, he probably should have (spoken about it)," he said.
"My point today was public perception was moved and manipulated. It's true Levi, in his trusting and naive way, thought it would blow over. But he was also getting some strong advice and suggestions from another MLA, who told him the writer of the note would be 'going down.'"
Arlooktoo would not name the MLA, but said the member knew, along with most other MLAs, Barnabas wrote the note.