Don Cherry would have a field day with city council over construction of the new twin pad arena.

We can hear him now...

"I'm normally a big fan of amateurs, but watching that council try to get the new arena built, you have to wonder.

Right from training camp, this team has been in trouble. Coach Gord and his gang, and the team they replaced, knew for years the good old, reliable Murph was on its last legs, but they pushed it and pushed it until its knees were blown.

Instead of developing new talent through the farm system, council went into the season thinking they could scrape by with their existing lineup. Yellowknife Community Arena's a fine facility, but it's not enough to carry the load.

New blood was needed but they couldn't decide where it should go. When they picked the spot, they forgot that you need a plan. They tried to dipsy-doodle their way through construction, with the hope it would be ready when the season began.

Is it any wonder they're over budget and way behind?

Even their attempt to ice-up the Murph again was premature. They went ahead and tried to get it back into the lineup without getting permission from the fire marshal. More money and more time wasted.

Now, they're on the losing end. The contractor looks bad; council looks bad and the city is left with half a team until the season is half over.

Across town, a private developer putting up a 14-storey tower is on top of his game, and could probably teach those elected officials a thing or two.

It's time council started playing like Canadians ... muck and grind along the boards and force the puck.

If they're not prepared to do that, then perhaps it's time to draft a new squad who can make sure we have a winning team."

That's what we think Don would say, anyway.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

It has been interesting during the past few weeks to listen to Health Minister Ed Picco react over the local airwaves to the story broken in the Kivalliq News on the plan to open a private clinic in Rankin Inlet (Rankin aims at world's first, Oct. 9).

If things go the Piruqsaijit Ltd.'s way, this would be no ordinary private clinic.

Rankin would be home to the first computer tomography laser mammography system to be put into general use worldwide.

The system has the ability to detect breast cancer by identifying breast tumours at a very early stage.

Picco says the clinic being open early in the new year is overly optimistic, and we tend to agree.

However, we're having trouble with some of the minister's other statements.

Picco says he's against private clinics because (a) everyone has the right to the same level of health care and (b) no one should have to pay for health care.

Both may be valid points on a level playing field, but that's far from the case here should the clinic open its doors as planned.

With the Nunavut government unable to provide the same technology, we can only surmise that Picco equates an uncomfortable traditional mammogram to the same level of care for Nunavut women as the painless new treatment promises to deliver.

Maybe the minister should talk to a few women who have had a traditional mammogram before finishing his equation.

Better yet, let's make sure one or two can relay to the minister the emotional suffering and physical pain associated with false biopsies.

On the paying-for- health care side, Picco's concerns seem to rest more with picking up the tab for Inuit women 35 and older to have laser mammography included as part of an annual examination, than Nunavummiut paying for the service themselves.

It is common knowledge that a traditional mammogram often doesn't detect malignant tumours until they've reached a point requiring major surgery.

We can't help but wonder if that was also figured into the minister's equation.

In Picco's defence, he has said the government would have to examine all aspects of the treatment before coming to a decision, if, and when, the clinic becomes a reality.

That being said, the prospect of women from across Canada receiving a medical treatment in Rankin that Nunavummiut don't have access to hardly strikes us as the same level of health care for everyone.

Editorial Comment
Terry Halifax
Inuvik Drum

The Oct. 3 all-candidates forum was hijacked by a handful of well-meaning but over bearing individuals who should have been shown the door.

The first hour of the meeting was informative and well-managed but it degenerated from there.

The Husky Trailer Park squad peppered the panel with pointed hypothetical questions and then the youth took centre stage.

What will council do about the youth? Oh, the poor youth!

The youth of Inuvik have many more facilities than most communities of this size in Canada and if the youth need more, the youth can get off their butts and do something about it.

Certainly there are a lot of good kids here, but there are also some ill-mannered little reprobates who wile away the evenings by making a spittle skating rink over the bridge on main street.

The kids block traffic there until it's late enough to smash planters and knock garbage cans into the street.

If town council wants to do something for the youth, how about a curfew? Then our bylaw officer can spend his days chasing dogs and his evenings chasing brats.

No, the problems our youth have cannot be solved by municipal, territorial or even federal government people. Our teachers and principals cannot be blamed for the outrageous temperaments of the young people.

Our town has lowered the speed limit to 40 km/h because the youth can't stay off the roads. They have donated a building so youth have a place to go. The town built an arena/fitness centre and will soon have a new swimming pool, but that's not enough for some people.

Parents won't find the recipe for successful child rearing at town hall or even the bingo hall. Try spending some time with your kids in the living room and around the dinner table and you might find that more helpful than pointing fingers at politicians.

Our town council has their hands full with zoning, rezoning, planning and re-planning, but most of the public doesn't understand that because they've never attended a council meeting.

That was another topic that came up at the forum, "Why can't council let us know what's going on?"

The mayor publishes a monthly newsletter, regular reports in the Drum, and notices on the rolling television channel. Heaven forbid you could attend a meeting.

Every other Monday and Wednesday nights there are public meetings in your town hall and lots of empty seats. Council would love to see you there and I could sure use the company.

The next time there's an all-candidates forum, I'd suggest having a couple of the Zoo's bouncers in attendance to keep the questions at one per person and keep the youth at home.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum

Wearing a camouflaged T-shirt emblazoned with a skull and the word "hardcore," Arthur Lafferty sits down at the kitchen table in his parents' home. He's ready to discuss his completion of the 10-week Canadian Armed Forces' Aboriginal Entry Program and his subsequent enlistment in the military.

From the adjacent living room, a television newscaster informs viewers of the latest political tensions between the United States and Iraq. That precarious situation could have a profound impact on Lafferty's future. If war is declared, and if Canada supports the Americans on the battlefield, Lafferty could be plunged into active duty after he finishes his training. Has that thought crossed his mind?

"Everyday," he says solemnly. "I think I'd go in a heartbeat because it's my job."

It takes courage and conviction to serve one's country, especially if duty entails laying one's life on the line in a hostile environment. A soldier must be well-disciplined to thrive in the military, and even more so to survive combat.

Hopefully Arthur Lafferty never has to dodge a bullet or take shelter from artillery, but it's a risk he says he is willing to take.

Youth achievement

There is an overwhelming theme of accomplishment among young adults in this issue of the Drum -- from Arthur Lafferty's completion of the Armed Forces' Aboriginal Entry Program and pursuit of a military career to the graduation of five Deh Gah school students, each of whom has his or her own dreams and aspirations. Two of the grads, Jamie Lacorne and Brendan Matto, are attending post-secondary school. Another, Tommy Gargan, is interested in welding. Troy Gargan, like Arthur Lafferty, foresees himself in a military uniform. Tanya Steinwand is currently employed as a clerk at the RCMP detachment.

Then there's the story of Fort Simpson's Shannon Swartzentruber, who has realized her goal of becoming a nurse. She said she had a cousin who was a nurse and she always admired her. Equally, Arthur Lafferty looked up to his father, a military veteran. Young people often emulate adults in their lives.

In addressing students, Sharon Firth and Ethel Blondin-Andrew reminded them they can become anything they desire. Firth emphasized that it takes a great deal of hard work to get there.

Indeed it does. Little in life comes without an honest effort.

But having family members and others in the community provide encouragement can sometimes make all the difference. Rarely if ever does a child make it on his or her own. The key to success is support and encouragement.

A caring home environment is a crucial element in fostering a healthy, responsible young adult. Let's not forget that.

A few more dollars

Future stories on local achievement may hinge on the federal and territorial governments supplying more funding for adult and post-secondary students. It's obvious the Fort Providence Local Training Authority is feeling the squeeze. Moral support is one thing, but sometimes help is needed in financially supporting one's self and a family while upgrading.