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But the ice tea machine still chugs along, files are in their places and items are laid out for traditional ceremonies unperformed.
There's another saying: A glass half full is also a glass half empty.
In this case, we have a treatment centre for drug and alcohol abuse, but no money to properly run it.
This seems to have been the curse of Somba K'e Healing Lodge from its hopeful beginnings 12 years ago.
The government of today admits as much, with Justice Minister Roger Allen noting the centre never had the funding to sustain itself.
A glass half empty.
The lodge cost the territorial and federal governments $3.04 million to build. It continues to cost taxpayers $10,000 a month in mortgage payments and $100,000 a year to keep that ice tea machine running and to make sure no one steals it.
It's not like we don't need an alcohol and drug abuse treatment centre.
But what we do need, evidently, is government willpower to put up the money.
No matter if it's at Somba K'e or another -- new? -- centre, the facility is needed and the costs will have to be borne.
It seems almost unbelievable that after 12 years no one will keep watch over busy Long Lake beach this summer.
In the past, the city hired three full-time lifeguards and up to six part-timers on behalf of the territorial parks department. Grant White, director of community services for the city, says no one applied this year. They only started looking in mid-May.
Granted, students have options galore to choose from in Yellowknife's busy job market, but we're not asking them to dig ditches or empty septic tanks.
At $14 per hour, and the perk of hanging out at the beach all day, it sounds like a pretty good summer job. The city and territorial parks department had better start hiring earlier and look harder for next year. This should also be a wake-up call to teens who want a summer job: start lifeguard training now.
Most importantly, this year's experience should not be an excuse for cutting out the service altogether.
Editorial Comment
Chris Puglia
Kivalliq News
The history of alcohol in the North is one filled with hardship, sorrow and even death.
It is a topic that governments and communities struggle with every day.
In the coming months, the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet will also struggle with the question and bring it with them to the polls.
The question will be: 'Should the Royal Canadian Legion be granted club status in Rankin?'
In trying to get a club license for their organization, the legion is facing what may be the ultimate bump in the road for any decision-making process, a plebiscite.
President John Hawkins calls the situation absurd.
Maybe he is right. Maybe for what the legion is trying to accomplish, a plebiscite is a waste of money and time.
As well, maybe it could set a precedent on alcohol consumption in the hamlet.
One that could close the door on the possibility of other businesses obtaining licenses to sell alcohol, or it could blow it wide open.
A 'yes' vote on this type of plebiscite could open up new territory for Rankin Inlet.
It could lead the way for other establishments to seek similar rights, something that could have been avoided if the liquor board would have merely accepted the application from the legion.
Of course, a club license for the legion does leave room for the organization to eventually open five nights a week. However unlikely they say that is, the possibility exists. They wouldn't be the first legion to do it.
The legion president worries that this will become a community alcohol issue if it goes to plebiscite. I say it's already a community alcohol issue. If the legion is granted club status, it could open up a new era of alcohol consumption in Rankin -- an era that should be ushered in, or held at bay, by the entire community.
The intentions now may be to only open one or two times a week, but what about two years or five years from now?
What then? Will it be open six times a week? Will other businesses want the same rights to sell alcohol or open clubs? Maybe not, but who can say?
It's not a decision to be made lightly or by one organization. Let the people have their say.
Editorial Comment
Terry Halifax
Inuvik Drum
While it's not going to be a popular decision with students, the new rule banning junk food from the schools is a good idea.
I've spent a lot of time around the schools and I can really sympathize with teachers who are trying to impart wisdom to a throng of 20 or so kids who are buzzing on a sugar jag.
Attention spans are reduced to zero and time is wasted, both for the teachers and the students.
It's become obvious to educators and the board that they aren't getting much help from parents, so they had to make a move on their own.
Banning sugar and grease from the schools might also send a ripple effect back home to the parents, who might think about reducing the junk food around the house too.
Laying pipe
There was sure a buzz of excitement around town last week after the announcement of the pipeline deal.
Even outside the oil and gas show, the people on the streets and in the shops were finding it very easy to smile.
For many it was long overdue, but for most it felt like a dream that's finally come true.
All around town you could feel it; that hum of hope that something huge is happening.
The dealing is far from done though, with benefit and land access agreements yet to be finalized and environmental assessments to be conducted, but this deal provides something tangible to work from.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum
Keyna Norwegian is chief of Fort Simpson.
She garnered more votes than any of the other eight contenders but only had 25 per cent support overall. It was highly unlikely that one candidate would attract 50 per cent or more of the vote with so much competition. Whether Norwegian's lack of majority support will become a recurring issue will largely be up to her. If she and her council are responsive to band members' needs and demands, she ought to cruise along without too many squeaky wheels.
Fortunately, she will be undertaking her first term with three years of experience as sub-chief. She is, therefore, familiar with current issues.
This band election generated a great deal of interest, a healthy sign. Eight people wanted to become chief and 12 put their names forward for council. Voter turnout, it should be noted, was around 69 per cent, a pretty impressive figure.
Although Norwegian was successful, seven other candidates met with disappointment. Obviously, they felt they had something to offer. Now they'll have to contribute by being active band members -- speaking out when necessary, promoting debate and keeping chief and council accountable. It's still an important role to play.
Small enterprise
It's nice to see a couple of new businesses springing up in the Deh Cho. A mobile cook shack is serving up burgers, fries and other food in Fort Liard. A clothing store has opened its doors in Nahanni Butte -- no kidding, a clothing store in Nahanni Butte!
There isn't a large population base to serve in either case. Fort Liard is home to about 500 people while Nahanni Butte has less than 100 residents.
Not surprisingly, both ventures are seasonal. Regardless of whether the enterprises remain open for only a short period, they spark interest and pride in the community. They imbue business skills in the entrepreneur. Maybe they will inspire others to start up their own little operation.
Even if the businesses don't stick around for long, the impression they make will last for quite a while.
Good for the business-minded individuals who have dared to step out on their own.
Quote of the week
There wasn't much to laugh about when Paul Guyot brought his complaint to council on June 16 (see related story in this edition). Councillor Sean Whelly did inject some levity during a rather tense moment. He quipped:
"I'll be Perry Mason here. Somebody must be telling us a lie."