Last week Coun. Dave McCann declared that the only difference between running a business and running city government is that citizens can't sell their shares in government.

With all due respect to McCann, who brings a dozen years of experience as a GNWT planner to his city council post, municipal government is not a business, and it is troubling that he does not understand the difference between corporatism and democracy.

Business has just one objective: profit. Corporate executives answer to shareholders. They are under no obligation to take into account disparate interest groups. Even in rare cases where each shareholder is entitled to a vote at corporate meetings, the only source of variation in demands comes down to how to maximize revenue and minimize expenses.

Public governments, on the other hand, must consider much more than the bottom line.

Beyond balancing the city's budget, councillors are tasked with ensuring streets are safe enough to drive, water is clean enough to drink and neighbourhoods are planned well enough to offer a decent quality of life, just to name a few items.

McCann's comparison is well-intentioned. He wants to improve efficiency and reduce waste -- laudable goals in any context. But as any student of management knows, large corporations are no more efficient than are governments. Common sense and a solid understanding of where Yellowknife has been and where it's going, not a simplistic corporate philosophy, will bring us good government.

McCann has at least one good idea, however: "There should be no sacred cows." We wholeheartedly support his call for a creative approach to management city finances.

Yellowknifers can barely see the aurora borealis for all the light pollution these days.

It's high time we begin to do something about it, and not just for aesthetic reasons. Cutting back on the light that shines from our streetlights and homes would allow us to save on utility costs, reduce greenhouse emissions, increase road safety, and return the night sky to its natural state.

Homeowners can also greatly reduce light pollution by using low-wattage motion sensors. These catch trespassers and vandals off guard and alert neighbours.

And here's another positive side effect.

A clear night sky will do much to inspire our young to take an interest in astronomy, a hobby that encourages patience and mathematics.

There's the Terry Fox Run, CIBC Run for the Cure, the Yellowknife Gymnastics Club's vault-a-thon and more. Toy Runs, show and shines ... if there's a need, there's a way to raise money.

But before you run for cover from all the pledge sheets, collection cans and special events, think about all the effort that goes into organizing these charity blitzes.

There's an army of volunteers behind every good cause, working to raise as much money as possible.

Then think of why they're doing it. Terry Fox died 20 years ago, but continues to inspire millions of Canadians to raise money for cancer research. Breast cancer remains one of the leading killers of Canadian women. Our city's young gymnasts need a new place to train.

Pick your charity, sign your name and give as much as you can afford.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

To listen to some people in Baker Lake, you'd almost think the Workers' Compensation Board safety officer, environmental health officer and Kivalliq fire marshal did something wrong by closing the Jonah Amitnaaq school this past week.

Some local District Education Authority members have been singing the blues about the timing of the inspection.

Apparently, the inspection should have been done earlier in the year so repairs could have been made without interrupting classes.

So let's get this straight, shall we?

We have a group of educators entrusted to mould the leaders of tomorrow and a local group of board members who help develop school policies.

We also have the hamlet office and the Department of Public Works involved.

Why would they need to be told the fire extinguishers in a school have to work?

It's not that we don't sympathize with all involved over the age of the Jonah Amitnaaq school.

We're sure a new school can't come soon enough. But rather than simply waiting for 2003 to arrive, it's important to keep the current school a safe, health place for our children.

It doesn't take much to figure out it's probably not a good idea to block emergency exits in a school.

And, when it comes to fuel tanks leaking -- c'mon people!

Do the words fire, explosion and hurt children ring any bells?

Of course, with the emergency lighting out of order, maybe the school's contingency plan called for a fire to be lit in the mechanical room so the students would have enough light to find their way out should an emergency situation arise?

Then again, with the condition of the school's air-exchange unit, we're taking for granted that students would still be conscious and clear-headed enough to exit the school in an emergency situation.

The bottom line is, school staff and maintenance workers shouldn't have to wait for government officials to show up and state the obvious.

By all means, scream long and loud to upgrade classroom conditions and replace older schools with modern buildings.

But, in the meantime, everything possible must be done to ensure the safety of our students.

Surely between teachers, hamlet and DPW workers, someone can take the time.

Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum

What a difference a few months makes.

This summer workers have been busy at the recreational boat dock at the end of Distributor St., in efforts to make the area more functional and attractive.

More recently work was done to the former boat launch area along Boot Lake with the aim to make the spot a more pleasant place for residents.

This has been in addition to efforts to spruce up the town, such as the garbage pickup carried out this spring throughout the community.

Not forgotten amongst these beautification projects has been work done on an important landmark, namely, the "Welcome to Inuvik" sign. It underwent a cleaning, a rock garden is being put in place, and the Community Garden Society of Inuvik is adding plants around it.

On a related note, there are plans to conduct work on both ball fields in town.

These improvements not only attract tourists, they also benefit residents and will help people feel better about living here.

That being said, it must be noted that there's still room for improvement in the attitude department. Litter can still be spotted lying about.

As well, it seems a shame that graffiti was sprayed onto the skateboard park almost as soon as the first wheels graced its ramps. It detracts from the large amount of money and effort that was put into building that park.

School's in

Another school year has begun.

Though a familiar --dreaded? -- routine for most youngsters, the first day for those entering Grade 1 was probably a momentous occasion.

They were probably wondering what school was like, whether they'd like their teacher, and they may even have asked themselves what they were supposed to do there.

Those entering school face many challenges, but they also have great opportunities lying ahead of them.

Best of luck to them and to all the teachers who guide them.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson

Nobody said pipeline proposals would be easy to understand. Therefore it was quite refreshing when, at last week's assembly in Wrigley, Tthek'ehdeli Chief Stanley Sanguez admitted the complexity of the extensive volume of information was daunting.

"I'm not an economist. I'm just a general guy who lives out on the land," he said.

Therefore consultants can, and should, be hired to help explain the multifarious details in the pipeline proposals. There's too much at stake to make any rash decisions.

Can you imagine agreeing to purchase a new home without first knowing the terms and conditions of the mortgage? It would be rather unpleasant to later find out that a much better deal existed. The pipeline issue is no different, but on a much, much larger scale.

True, it's not simply a matter of analyzing all the clauses and stipulations. The issue has also become an open political struggle. As much as business and politics don't mix, there's no separating the two at this stage of the game in Deh Cho. Self-government and economic development are both coveted, but one is being withheld, at least temporarily, for the sake of the other. It's been said many times that the region's First Nations are not opposed to economic development. Although that may seem hard to believe, the bands are trying to ensure that maximum benefits will be accrued and the environment is safeguarded before they give the green light.

But there are those who worry about what's being lost in the meantime. What if the political uncertainty gives the Alaska-Yukon route another nudge forward? On another front, can we afford to wait much longer before training begins? Those with skills from welding to heavy equipment operating will be in great demand, and likely well compensated for their labour, even if only for a few years during construction.

There's also pressure from the territorial government and other regions to move forward. GNWT Finance Minister Joe Handley has weighed in on the debate by asserting that the Deh Cho cannot singlehandedly delay a venture that the rest of the NWT is ready to undertake. There's been a level of patience displayed by other interested parties to date, but will further stalling by the DCFN force the issue?

Can the territorial government, the other regions or the federal government -- or any combination thereof -- push a pipeline through the Deh Cho without the consent of the First Nations? The Deh Cho has the Interim Measures Agreement in place with the federal government, but how much protection will that document really offer?

There's been a number of references to the oil pipeline running from Norman Wells to Alberta, a pipeline that offered aboriginal people no benefits when it was constructed. There is little worry of receiving no benefits again this time, but, should a resolution not come in the near future, could the Deh Cho be forced to settle for the terms and conditions agreed to by the rest of the regions?

A political power struggle may very well be around the corner.