Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Sep 21/01) - Nadine Ellsworth wants to be able to park in front of Sir Alexander Mackenzie school.

Teacher Nadine Ellsworth wants the parking ban in front of Sir Alexander Mackenzie school lifted, after her car was vandalized while parked in the back lot. - Malcolm Gorrill/NNSL photo

The teacher's car was in the back parking lot at the school, where it was vandalized Sept. 13. Between 2 and 3 p.m. that afternoon someone scraped Ellsworth's 1997 Chevy Cavalier from the fender on the driver's side, all the way around to the front fender on the passenger side.

Ellsworth was to have the car taken in to be repaired last Friday, and estimated the damage to be about $1,000.

Since Jan. 1 a town bylaw has been in effect, banning parking in front of SAMS, though allowing people to drive on the loop so as to drop off or pick up people.

"It's kind of a risk parking out behind of the school, and a lot of the teachers are agreeing with me," Ellsworth said.

"The cars are just left there unattended, nobody can see through the back."

She said if the cars are parked in front, the school secretary can see them, plus they are visible to people along Mackenzie Road.

"Kids are doing basically what they want," said Ellsworth, who taught at Samuel Hearne Secondary school last year.

"I'm pretty upset over it," she said. "The thing is, I get along great with all the kids in school, and I don't know who would have done this."

Ellsworth is offering a reward, and can be reached at the school or at home. People with information can also contact the RCMP.

Ellsworth said the parking ban is also inconvenient for parents.

When passing the parking ban late last year, town council cited safety concerns, especially regarding children darting out between cars onto the loop.

Ellsworth said a way could likely be found for teachers to be able to park in front, while still keeping the area safe.

"There's teachers that are out on duty there and they can watch," she said.

For his part, mayor Peter Clarkson said no one has brought up the SAMS parking issue with council so far this school year. Notified of Ellsworth's concerns, Clarkson said that if people are vandalizing cars during the day now, out back, having the cars out front wouldn't necessarily deter vandals.

Corp. Tim Beland said on Tuesday that the Ellsworth case is being investigated, but appears to be an isolated incident.

"We haven't had an increase by any means of reports of vandalism at all," Beland said.