Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

INUVIK (Jul 17/98) - The Inuvik Utilities Planning Commission voted down a town council recommendation to give high water users a rebate.

Council had suggested in May that residents receive a 50 per cent rebate on all water use in excess of a 37,500-litre cap during the summer months.

But the commission scrapped the proposal July 8 because it did not meet the objective of having people use the extra water to sprinkle their lawns.

Coun. Dan Davis expressed surprise the utilities commission rejected the proposed rebates.

"I doubt people are going to go home and leave their taps running just to cost us money."

But, as rain poured outside council chambers, Mayor George Roach said many people who are above the 37,500-litre cap do not have lawns.

He then suggested a new idea.

This was for a contest where there would be 50 prizes of $50 for beautiful lawns as well as five $100 prizes, one $500 prize and a $1000 prize.

Council voted the idea down after arguments that the real drive should be to encourage people who do not have lawns now to plant them.

"The dirt is available at the town pit," said Coun. Vince Sharpe.

"If people just call up and say they're coming down, someone will be there to see them load it. They have to come to the pit, though, it isn't delivered."

Roach agreed the town would likely accommodate anyone who was interested in creating a lawn.