In last Friday's story on the Morin Inquiry, the headline read: Conflict warning ignored. The subhead read: Premier failed to declare conflict in cabinet meeting decision.
While there was supporting evidence that the headline and story were accurate, the editor and headline writer did not allow for future evidence that might contradict earlier testimony. There was a general failure in the story to state clearly where such evidence was coming from and as well a tendency to treat the evidence as conclusive.
Last Wednesday, Yellowknifer reported different evidence given at the inquiry that indicated Premier Don Morin had not ignored the advice given him on declaring a conflict and that he had not been present in the critical cabinet meeting. In this case the story's headline properly identified where the evidence came from and made no conclusions.
While the earlier erroneous story is indefensible and a breach of journalistic process, it is symbolic of the human tendency to jump to conclusions. The danger of that happening in this inquiry is highlighted by the fact that no one took exception to the story and it might well have stood as fact if not for the subsequent testimony which must be given equal weight.
Yellowknifer apologizes to its readers for the mistake and will take great pains to maintain a high level of journalistic objectivity in our coverage of the inquiry and of course all our other stories.
If nothing else, our mistake drives home the danger of making assumptions before all the evidence is in and Commissioner Crawford has rendered a judgement.
Hopefully, out of that process the truth will emerge.
If there were any lingering doubts over finally building the Twin Pad Arenas, it should have melted away with the state-of-the-union address on the shape of the Gerry Murphy Arena this week.
The report, heard by a city committee, included recommendations by Ferguson, Simek and Clark engineering and architectural firm, Startec Refrigeration and the Yk fire department.
The city has until Dec. 31, 1999, to decide the Gerry Murphy's fate. After that date, the building stands a real chance of being condemned. Users groups are already unhappy with the safety consideration.
The bottom line is, it would take $1.7 million to keep the grand old barn going for another five years. Unfortunately, a case of throwing good money after bad.
The city has already identified the need for three ice surfaces and, it stands to reason, most will support a new arena as long as the costs are kept within reason.
That much was made crystal clear this past April when Yellowknifers voiced a resounding No! to the city's plans to borrow $2.8 million towards the new arenas.
However, the annual operating costs of the new facility are projected at about $200,000. The money needed to slap one giant sized Band-aid on the Gerry Murphy Arena would provide operating capital for almost a decade at any new Twin Pad Arenas.
As long as city council doesn't let itself get carried away with elaborate add ons to the structure, the timing is right to start turning sod on another modern facility to grace our city.
It's time to let go of the past and skate into the dawn of a new day.
Editorial Comment
Glen Korstrum
Inuvik Drum
I never thought the vision of social contract theorist Jean Jacques Rousseau was practical until I came North.
Basically, he believed the rights of everyone were best protected when there was a kind of unofficial election every day.
Consensus reigns in a continual process where people in the community are regularly consulted as plans are being drawn. And, instead of being top down or having representatives standing in for others, each person's view is respected and weighed evenly.
Evidence this ethic prevails here is that political parties have never evolved more towards a grassroots level than the ever-distant federal government.
Perhaps this culture works well and suits the North because of smaller and more isolated hamlets and regional centres than in the rest of the country.
The Oct. 29 meeting to discuss and prioritize Inuvik trail development showed consensus in action. There was no vote on the options, but discussion until general agreement arose.
More pragmatic than ideological, those interested enough to come out demonstrated how to successfully get things started.
Clearly, different opinions is what makes the world go round, and few ideas meet whole-hearted and universal agreement -- as is shown with residents upset about the location of the planned female young offenders facility.
What is important on the issue of the facility's location is that groups and individuals involved have made a strong effort to get together, solicit feedback and forge a consensus.
Rabies mix-up
Last week the photo spread text had some errors.
Most significantly, I mistook wolves for foxes once back at the office. Area hunters and trappers, as well as others, must wonder how anyone could make such a mistake.
Well, there is no good explanation. My focus was obviously split as I was carrying on the conversation while trying to focus on what would make good photos.
Maybe encroaching darkness and a head cold put me in a bit of a slump. Some weeks can be like that.
I did go for a fake tan and an orange juice after seeing the new council sworn in Nov. 2 and felt invigorated afterward.
I've never been into fake tanning before but, with snow crunching under my boots as I walked back to the office, I realized that for a few minutes there it started to feel a bit more like summer.
Strange as it may seem, maybe tanning beds could be one new thing to help raise my spirits if this winter starts seeming long.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum
If there's one unifying issue in Fort Simpson, it would seem to be the horrendous condition of the roads.
Several people made complaints about the shape of the roads at the village's public meeting last Wednesday.
There were other issues brought to the attention of Mayor Norm Prevost, who represented village council.
Excessive property taxes in Wildrose Acres, the eroding riverbank, rumours of water subsidies being eliminated and loose dogs were discussed.
All valid concerns. To his credit, Prevost fielded the questions, and accusations, admirably -- especially considering that the budget/capital projects portion of the meeting ran more than two hours. Prevost periodically spread the blame, levelling criticisms at the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs for a shortage of funding, but also talked of future plans of action instead of just lamenting about past frustrations. The village's deficit, once as high as $1.1 million, was down to $363,755 as of the end of September. A $35,000 surplus was projected by October 2000.
There was also some bad medicine to swallow and there was no ducking punches. In regards to the renovations to Main Street, which will now take closer to five or six years than the originally planned three, Prevost said, "It's going to be painful for businesses and residences along Main Street."
It was a healthy exercise. It's beneficial for the public to get these grievances off its chest. It's also crucial that council be accountable for its decisions.
At one point, a gentleman suggested that village council should hold public meetings every second month or, at least, quarterly to keep the public up to date on its affairs. He also suggested that a newsletter wouldn't hurt. Prevost responded that council used to produce an information sheet, but it was discontinued when the xxxDrum came on the scene. He said he'd look into reviving the newsletter because "You can't believe everything you read in the newspaper anyway." He smiled when he said it.
Overlooking the "good-natured" affront, I'm in favour of council publishing a newsletter once again. That's not because I want to be spared the duty of its meetings. I attend as often as I can -- newsletter or no newsletter -- I'll be there anyway. But, I simply can't devote an entire issue of the paper to every matter before council. I have to pick and choose the items which are likely the most important to the people in this community.
It should be noted that this whole issue of block funding, the deficit and capital projects didn't go unnoticed by the local press. It appears in an article "No more money" (xxxNews/North, Sept. 14). There may, however, have been other issues to have come and gone which some people would have considered to be very important. The time to find out isn't months after the fact.
There are some extremely difficult matters debated at council meetings. The decisions are not always easy ones to make.
At Monday evening's council meeting there was general agreement that public meetings should be held more often. Nothing was made formal. No dates set for the next one.
Let's not let this slide. The ballot box is not the only place where a constituent has a say.