Council wants the chamber to stop making money at its building in Conibear Park.

Council believes for-profit activity in the park violates a 1950s' written agreement by which the Conibear family donated the land to the town. Under the agreement, the small park was to be used for the enjoyment of town residents, not for business purposes.

Since August, the chamber has been a registration and licensing agent for the Department of Transportation.

"Council is of the opinion that the chamber has breached a trust placed in the community of Fort Smith by the Conibear family," states a letter from Mayor Peter Martselos to the chamber.

Martselos adds the town owns the land and acts as stewards over the agreement with the family.

"As stewards over these lands, council has directed that all revenue-generating activities presently occurring in Conibear Park be brought to a close no later than March 31st, 2003," the mayor's letter continues.

Representatives of council and the chamber met Jan. 9 on the issue.

Chamber president Fred Daniels is bothered by council's demand, claiming it shows an anti-business bias of council.

That charge is flatly rejected by Martselos, who says there is no way something like that would happen.

Daniels also argues acting as an agent for the Department of Transportation is not operating a business. "It's a government service."

The chamber president also raised the possibility the building might close if it loses the GNWT income.

The money helps pay for an executive director for the chamber and building maintenance.

Daniels notes the chamber has been in the building for about 30 years, and up to three years ago ran the community's visitor information centre, which has since moved elsewhere.

The chamber president also speculates that perhaps the best way to solve the issue is in court.

"I'm not sure if we're going to meet the deadline or not," he adds.

When asked what would happen if the chamber refuses to follow the council order, Martselos says council will deal with the issue at that time.

However, he adds, "I think they're going to obey the order from the mayor and council."