Friday, June 15, 2001
We hope the bureaucrats behind the Liquor Licensing Board's decision to pull the rug from under fund-raising raffles at bars know what they're up against.
The crackdown started two weeks ago when inspectors told organizers of the weekly meat raffle at Forty Below Golf that their fund-raising raffle was breaking the law.
As you can see on page A3 of today's Yellowknifer, this not only irks the organizers, but runs the risk of wreaking havoc on a variety of fund-raising initiatives, from the Quest for the Crown to Stanton Regional Hospital Foundation raffles.
According to the NWT Liquor Act, gambling is prohibited in licensed facilities. While we agree with the principle of the law, we hardly see how shelling out $5 for a chance to win pork chops and help the hospital, or carnival contestants selling their tickets at the local watering holes amounts to anything close to serious gambling.
Clearly, a meat raffle is less addictive than slot machines or poker, and the record shows several community groups, including the RCMP-sponsored Children's Wish Foundation, regularly benefit from the draws.
Meat raffles are social events that raise money for charity, period. For example, this year's Caribou Carnival's Quest for the Crown raffle, for which a great deal of tickets were sold in the bars, raised a significant $55,000.
What perplexes us is that the law has gone unchallenged for so long.
Instead of cracking down, the liquor commission should ask the public and MLAs how to amend the act to accommodate these important fund-raisers.
Unfortunately, the liquor commission wouldn't comment and we were unable to reach the minister responsible for the commission.
We look forward to following this story.
The rules governing the territory's Members of the Legislative Assembly are relatively simple.
Among the requirements, MLAs must file an annual statement disclosing their business interests by March 15. Six did not: Jim Antoine, Sandy Lee, David Krutko, Michael McLeod, Steven Nitah and Floyd Roland.
The conflict commissioner noted in her report that some MLAs question the need to file annual statements if there are no changes, but that is a cop-out.
Unless and until territorial legislation is changed, MLAs must follow the law to the letter.
We must accept no less from the people we've chosen to be our leaders. If they don't want to live up to the rules, they can resign and we can elect someone who will.
Pity the poor Torontonian who works downtown. Those poor souls who drive to work in such a city thank their lucky stars when they find a parking spot closer than eight blocks from their offices.
So why, then, do so many of us drive to work each and every day, rain or shine, summer or winter, even though we live well within what is obviously walking distance? Could it be we're just plain lazy?
Next week, leave the car or truck at home and give your lower limbs a little exercise. You might find it isn't all that bad. After all, if this were Toronto, you'd be walking anyway.
Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum
A town is more than just a collection of buildings and roads.
And a community is more than just a place to live, it can and should be a place worth living in.
Those who gathered at a special meeting last week at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex know that. They came to hear from, and talk with, officials charged with devising a long term vision plan for the town.
A number of proposals were put forth to make Inuvik a better place to reside in. Some, such as cleanup of garbage throughout town, are being implemented already or could be set in motion quickly.
Other proposals, such as adding to existing trails and parks in the area, might take longer to implement.
However, where there's a will, there's a way. It was pointed out at the meeting that companies and various levels of government could help fund projects.
Plus, never underestimate volunteer power. That can make pricey or seemingly hard to achieve goals possible.
Sprucing up the town, and creating a more pleasant environment, will help draw more tourists but, even more importantly, it'll benefit residents and create more community pride.
This process also is important for allowing and encouraging residents to have a big say in how their community might look five or 10 years down the road.
Having fun with nature
Enthusiasm abounded last week at the Inuvik Ski Club, as many Sir Alexander Mackenzie students paid a visit.
The occasion was the third annual Nature Day, put on by the Gwich'in Renewable Resource Board.
Kids got to take part in many fun activities, including a scavenger hunt. Along the way they learned about things such as the long migration fish go through, and other important facts about the environment.
Such events can instill into children a respect for the world around them, and a greater desire to learn more.
A fun trip
Adults can have fun too.
About 30 people took part last weekend in the Inuvik Ride for Sight's annual trek, so as to raise funds for the Foundation Fighting Blindness.
The trekkers couldn't go as far as usual, since the ferry wasn't going yet at Peel River, but from all accounts a good time was still had by all.
Secretary Jo Whiteside explained that the society raises funds throughout the year, but that this is their big annual event.
Those involved should be congratulated for managing to tie in riding along the Dempster Highway on motorbikes during this time of the year, with raising money for a good cause.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson
Why is the issue of safety emerging as the debate heats up over whether all of Fort Simpson's air services should be located at the Department of Transportation airport?
Would the government have allowed the privately-operated airstrip in town to operate for decades if it wasn't safe all this time? That would be completely irresponsible. And if the in-town runway is safe, then the issue is a red herring.
Nobody wants to see lives at stake -- and there haven't been any lives lost to accidents to date -- but nobody wants to see local businesses get trampled either.
Interestingly, there were two airport infrastructure items mentioned as priorities for government investment during last week's village council meeting: paving the runway and upgrading the airport terminal building. The runway tender has already been awarded, so that much is being done regardless of the final airport development plan. Consultant Kevin Hodgins said the paving is necessary for safety purposes and therefore has to be done as soon as possible.
If the only other order of business is a new terminal building, that's a questionable priority. The existing structure certainly isn't on the verge of collapse. Perhaps only renovations are necessary to the existing terminal building. A white elephant isn't necessary, especially when the consultants admitted to council that their research indicates only seven per cent growth is anticipated in Fort Simpson's population over the next 18 years. If that turns out to be true, what currently exists is adequate. If a boom occurs, surely the increased air traffic will necessitate an updated or revised airport development plan.
It seems that the threat to shut down the Transport Department's airport, should the status quo continue, is an empty one.
There is supposed to be one more public consultation session before the airport development plan is finalized. If residents of Fort Simpson really care about this matter, they would be well served to turn out at that meeting and make their feelings known.
Getting feedback
While other NWT regions may have been disappointed with the Deh Cho First Nations' decision to withhold its signature on the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline agreement in Hay River last week, it was only to be expected. Decisions such as this one have major implications. Being in the midst of self-government negotiations, the DCFN feel compelled to give the people of the region a say in whether or not the impact of signing the agreement is acceptable. Does the deal include the best possible terms? Grand Chief Michael Nadli has asked. These are the details that must be analysed.
It's not the time for a snap decision, but too much foot-dragging will also elicit contempt. An extension to the Deh Cho Assembly equates to a few more weeks of reflection. With so many people waiting on their decision, the DCFN should then have the courtesy to make a statement either in favour or against the pipeline rather than leaving things in limbo.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
Well, valued readers, by the time you're reading this I will already have my feet up and be resting comfortably on vacation. Don't be alarmed, however, you won't find a Gone Fishin' sign in the window of Kivalliq News.
I will be leaving the newspaper in the capable hands of Northern News Services reporter Jorge Barrera for the next five weeks. I'm confident he will grow to appreciate Rankin Inlet and the entire Kivalliq region as much as my family and I have.
To be totally honest (even a bit weird, some might say), I'm almost a little leery about going on vacation right now with so many exciting events about to happen in the Kivalliq. (Almost, not but quite.)
Kivalliq Inuit Association reps travel to Wager Bay this week to sign off on the final agreement to create a brand new park at Wager Bay. Once the park is in full operation, I expect local hamlet councils and Nunavut Tourism will have numerous effective ideas in place to see a number of Kivalliq hamlets benefit economically from the park's creation.
Concert ahoy
I'm spending the first couple of weeks of my vacation right here at home in Rankin, so I won't miss out on any Jammin' on the Bay music festival developments.
A definite buzz has been created by the festival, which promises to be a huge economic boom to our region, showcase a number of our own fine artists and promote Inuit culture to the rest of Canada.
We here at Kivalliq News sincerely hope Quassa's vision for the festival reaches fruition and Jammin' on the Bay is so successful it becomes an annual event.
Good choice
As I mentioned to a representative from Nunavut Sivuniksavut (NS) when interviewing him, they would have to look long and hard to find a more deserving recipient of their inaugural award for teaching excellence than Donald Clark.
The Alaittuq High principal is as revered by many of his students away from the school as he is in the classroom.
Clark is known far and wide for his efforts in hockey rinks across the North and encourages students at every opportunity to be actively involved in sports and other extracurricular pastimes to expand their horizons.
Clark's refusal to accept anything less than a person's best effort, both in the classroom and on the playing field, is one of his strongest attributes and one worthy of the award he has received.
We'll see you next month, folks. Enjoy your summer. I know I'm going to.