Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Nov 13/00) - It's time to get the village moving again, and the new mayor says that will only happen if council and aboriginal governments work together.
Reporting to village council last week, Mayor Tom Wilson said he met with Liidlii Kue First Nation (LKFN) Chief Rita Cli and agreed that re-establishing Tri-council would be beneficial.
Tri-council brings together leaders from the village, the LKFN and the Metis Local to discuss common issues and concerns. It dissolved a few years ago due to friction among some of the parties.
Wilson said a unified approach would be best when approaching government and business. Coun. Kirby Groat asked whether the Chamber of Commerce and the business community could be represented on the Tri-council. Wilson said he consult with the other leaders on that matter.
He added that short- and long-term economic strategies are needed for the community.
"I want Simpson to grow. It needs to grow," he said. "It's been stagnant for too long."
Finally, he told council that he doesn't plan to withhold any information from them.
"What I know, you're going to know," he said. "I don't want any of you getting up from the table with a question in your mind."
In camera on sewage
The newly elected mayor and council went behind closed doors to discuss the troubled sewage treatment plant. After the meeting, Wilson said council reviewed an approach suggested by the village's new lawyer. However, a few questions remain and have been submitted to the lawyer, he noted.
"We want answers this week," Wilson said, adding that a special council meeting may be called to deal with the matter as quickly as possible.
Another in camera session might be held to discuss the issue further, but any motions before council would be passed in an open forum, he said.
Addressing conflict
Coun. John Hazenberg's career move from Petroleum Products to Municipal and Community Affairs, as manager of finance, has raised what could be a perceived conflict of interest. Hazenberg said he had already received professional advice and was told that he was not in conflict.
"Because the issue has been raised again I just want to review it some more and make sure I'm personally comfortable with the situation," he said.
Appointments
Former deputy mayor Bob Hanna is now officially the new deputy mayor. He was nominated by Coun. Gordon Villeneuve and seconded by Coun. Duncan Canvin. Hanna was also the only nominee for the position at Monday's council meeting, the first for the new mayor and council. Hazenberg was later named village council's representative on the District Education Council.
