by Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Mar 11/98) - Houseboater Fraser Weir served a court claim for $539 on deputy mayor Blake Lyons at a city council meeting Monday night.

"I come to council this evening with a small problem that is another example of the much larger problem with the way the city operates that should give the council cause for concern," said Weir.

"As you recall on October 8 of last year the territorial assessment appeal tribunal delivered a broad general decision that houseboats were not subject to municipal assessment."

The tribunal told the city to remove the houseboaters from assessments, inform them in writing of the decision and give them each the $500 they have incurred preparing for hearings.

"The tribunal ordered the city to implement the decision immediately. Feb. 13 was almost a month ago now and despite clear instructions from the tribunal to carry out this decision immediately, still the city plays games," he said.

"I have a notice of claim for $539 to serve the acting mayor that I have filed today with the territorial court. The $539 is the $500 the tribunal awarded me plus my cost of $30 to file the claim plus another $9 which the city charges for its outstanding accounts."

Ald. Peggy Near asked administration why the $500 has not been paid.

"The cheque has been issued," said Robert Charpentier, manager of financial services for the city.