Now that the winter road season is drawing to a close, it's time to thank the transportation companies and independent truckers who bring in the fuel, food, construction materials and almost everything else the NWT's mines depend upon.

Without this lifeline, the mines that fuel our economy, as well as this city, would be hard-pressed to compete.

With economic growth, however, there are conflicts. In Yellowknife, where land comes at premium, it's finding places to park those big rigs. For the truckers who parked outside the Super 8 Hotel recently, they found that out first hand.

The hotel is tucked between Old Airport Road and a residential area, and when neighbourhood residents complained about trucks left to idle all night, city bylaw officers had to act.

One even turned off a truck's engine, an intrusion not likely welcomed by the owner, who has a lot invested in the vehicle. It also hurt the hotel, which lost business as a result.

For the companies whose business is trucks, they have lots set aside -- in the case of RTL, that includes a frozen pond behind its Old Airport Road office.

Even that site isn't immune to concern. One person was worried parking on the ice could create environmental problems for the pond below.

It's a seasonal problem that will continue as long as the mines operate on the Barren Lands.

The solution is to establish short-term parking away from residential areas, where independent truckers can leave their vehicles -- the Kam Lake industrial zone, perhaps?

The city should work with mining companies, truckers and an entrepreneur to come up with a location and the services needed to make the lot a reality during the short hauling season.

There's plenty of time to get that done before the trucks head north next year.

There are situations in life where inviting yourself is the only way to be seen and heard.

Members of the Yellowknife Fire Department may have to take that route if they want more people to donate coats for kids, get carbon monoxide detectors and car seats checked, and learn about the many other safety and prevention programs offered by the department.

We all know firefighters are friendly folk, but people may feel their questions about car seats and smoke detectors are trivial and take away from the precious time of the men and women who fight our fires and save our lives. That, to many, is what epitomizes a firefighter.

If members of the fire department are willing to set up displays of their prevention programs at venues where there will be high traffic, like Caribou Carnival, the public could learn more about what firefighters do, and firefighters could learn more about what the public wants.

As Yellowknifers continue today to celebrate our annual spring carnival, police, too, will be bracing themselves for a busy weekend.

Like every year, RCMP will be out in full force to protect our citizens from any partiers who get out of hand. And believe us, there will be some.

Year after year police report a higher number of drunks incarcerated during Caribou Carnival than on an average weekend.

Last year, 233 inebriated partiers spent part of their Caribou Carnival weekend lodged in cells, filling the drunk tank to over capacity.

That's seven times the average. This is a shame considering our carnival now enjoys such national attention.

So, enjoy the carnival, but don't go overboard. If you start to wobble, go home or you'll get what you deserve.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

A hearty congratulations to all our Kivalliq athletes who performed so well at the 2002 Arctic Winter Games in Iqaluit and Nuuk, Greenland.

Special congratulations, in particular, to Joseph Nakoolak, who captured a golden ulu with his wrestling talents at the Games.

Nakoolak's star continues to shine brightly on behalf of Nunavut. He is going to the Canadian amateur wrestling national championships this coming week and is looking to improve on his fifth-place standing of a year ago.

It will be an interesting time for Nakoolak, who lost twice to the reigning Canadian champion during a tournament in Saskatchewan this past month. He is aiming his sights at a third-place finish in this year's championships.

However, this corner says that with a few breaks here and there, Nakoolak is capable of following up his performance at the AWG with a golden encore on the national stage.

Win or lose, Nakoolak continues to be a solid role model for the youth of Nunavut and deserves all the support our territory can give him.

Tip of the hat Two thumbs up going out this week to Tess Rodnunsky and Susie Kritterdlik of Whale Cove. The pair volunteer their time to continue cooking for the breakfast program at Inuglak school in their community (please see story page 13).

All too often, people who volunteer their time in order to keep such worthwhile programs alive aren't recognized for their efforts.

Although the two receive a modest stipend for their services when funding is in place for the program, it was a wonderful gesture on their behalf to continue their efforts after funding ran out.

The improvements in both the learning abilities and attentiveness of students who have access to a breakfast program have been well documented by teachers across the region.

Rodnunsky and Kritterdlik are doing their part to give the students at Inuglak school the opportunity to start their learning day off right and, for that, they are to be commended.

Realizing rewards

Another thumbs up goes out this week to the group of staff and former students on their way to Greenland (please see story page 19).

Their determination to realize their dream is a shining example to people across the region on the rewards one can reap through hard work and dedication.

The 13-member group set a goal and continued for the better part of three years until accomplishing it. Hopefully, more people, especially youth, in our region will use this success story as motivation in accomplishing their own goals.

Editorial Comment
Terry Halifax
Inuvik Drum

It was impressive to see how well our Delta athletes did at the games.

Team Delta brought back almost as many medals as we had athletes. From Dene Games to speed skating, our best from here showed they are among the best "up here."

Medals aside, the huge participation from the region made a big impact. In talking to the athletes and organizers, they seemed more impressed with the experience than the competition.

More than showing off your athletic prowess, you were all great ambassadors for the NWT and to the region.

Thanks for showing off the Delta pride!

Pipe talk

New debate has sparked over the issue of pipeline ownership.

While debate is healthy and needed in any project that will secure the legacy of generations to come, we have to make sure this debate doesn't deter southern interests from doing business here.

The money generated from the construction and tolls taken from pipeline ownership are minuscule compared to the dollars that flow inside the pipe. This area is loaded with natural resources. Exploration and drilling will bring the Gwich'in the same wealth that came to the Inuvialuit and that's going to take some time. But by the time this pipeline gets built, wells could easily be producing on Gwich'in territory.

There aren't any dairy farms in the Delta, but ask any milk man and he'll tell you that you don't need to own the truck to get your milk to market.

Pipeline ownership is a small part of the equation. Oil and gas leases wisely negotiated will provide enormous wealth for the life of that pipeline and build a legacy of wealth that pays dividends forever.

Spring has sprung

It was great fun to get out in the fresh air with the people of Tsiigehtchic last weekend, to welcome spring back to the North.

Southerners recognize spring with crocuses and lilies popping out of the ground, but up here, we're happy just to have the sun return. We're all going to be busy over the next few weeks taking in the other salutes to spring. Aklavik this weekend, Inuvik next and Tuk after that.

By the time the spring carnivals are over here, it's almost summer! With the mild weather we've been experiencing lately, it's been a warm reminder that we'll be seeing that river ice flow down North real soon.

So get out and celebrate spring with your neighbours. You'll feel better for the fresh air and your smiler could likely use a workout.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson

Sam Gargan and several councillors have been elected to represent the Deh Gah Got'ie Koe First Nation.

Albertine Nadli and several others have been elected to the Fort Providence District Education Authority.

Each body has its own roles and responsibilities. When the chief and council try to use their sphere of power and influence to make a decision that rightfully should be made by the DEA, then they have overstepped their bounds.

If the lines get blurred on one occasion then where would things stop? What if the DEA had to make a major decision regarding funding or a disciplinary policy? Would the band insist on making those decisions too?

If Gargan or any of the band councillors had serious concerns about the DEA's school review then they should have voiced those concerns as parents or community members.

Are we to believe the DEA has been holding meetings in secrecy? To what benefit?

If any teacher has threatened to quit as a pressure tactic to influence the DEA's vote on renewal of the principal's contract, that is not appropriate. Nevertheless the DEA members are capable representatives who can look beyond threats, direct or implied. These individuals have earned the public's faith to do their job properly, the vote tally in the DEA election indicated just that.

If the community feels the DEA is not doing its job properly, then the people should attend DEA meetings and be heard. In the meantime, the DEA members should carry on with their mandate of ensuring students receive the best education possible.

We all lose

The wanton property crimes in Fort Simpson are not only costing the property owners money, but hurting the rest of the community as well. How so? For one example, PR Contracting, owned by Pat Rowe, donates a considerable sum of money to local organizations and causes each year.

However, when faced with unexpected $3,000 to $5,000 in repair bills as a result of senseless vandalism, Rowe is going to have to take that money from some portion of his budget. It's quite possible that he'll have less money to contribute the next time around because he has spent the cash fixing up the damage to his shop.

The question at hand is what to do about the problem. How do we make the offender understand the extent of his actions? If the guilty party has a long history of related offences, how many chances does he get before he faces a severe sentence?

Fortunately, these are not crimes that inflict harm on other individuals. There is no violence involved. Regardless, the torment of repeatedly finding one's property violated must be taken seriously.