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Fort simpson Village Council briefs

Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (May 07/04) - At Monday's council meeting, Mayor Raymond Michaud vowed to continue lobbying for the elimination of liquor rationing in Fort Simpson.

Floyd Roland, minister responsible for the Liquor Act, informed council last month that he would increase alcohol purchase limits but not remove them.

"It's still dictated. They're not letting us do what we want," Michaud said of the territorial government. Alcohol is something people have to learn to live with and deal with, he said.

In response to MLA Kevin Menicoche's comment that an incremental approach will allow more time to bolster social services, Michaud noted that the government had 12 months to do that when former minister Joe Handley responded affirmatively to council's request last year.

We give up!

Council has ruled out maintaining the back-up generator at the airport. The Village had offered to take over the generator from the territorial government for $1. But the GNWT recently drafted a 26-page contract with a number of stipulations that make the takeover unfeasible.

"Now they're creating something that's going to cost us more," Michaud said.

Swanson added that reconnecting the generator alone, if that was ever necessary, would "cost piles of money."

The Department of Transportation had stated that it no longer needs the back-up generator for runway lights.

We give up, the sequel!

Council has officially written off $49,000 worth of outstanding federal grants-in-lieu from 2001, owed on behalf of squatters within municipal boundaries. The Village's lawyer and auditor both recommended letting it go. Councillors Dave Wright and Bob Hanna agreed that it would cost more to fight it than the Village would collect.

See you next time

Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Henry Zoe, who was invited to attend Monday's meeting, has committed to attend the May 17 council meeting.

Roof work approved

Leaky roofs at the village shop and the recreation centre will be repaired by Fort Simpson's Energy Efficient Technologies Inc. The shop roof will cost $13,792.90 while the rec centre rings in at $145,959.36. This comes with a six-year warranty.

Dogs in sight

Councillor Dennis Nelner complained of a close call where a growling dog chased his young son and, had Nelner not been present, could have mauled him. He said the dog has to be destroyed and called for a general cull by the dog catcher.

Mayor Michaud said the dog bylaw was more effective during his term as mayor in the early 1990s when loose, unlicensed dogs were permitted to be shot on sight.

Councillor Wright replied that stray bullets are just as dangerous as loose dogs.

Michaud countered that, back then, close to 250 dogs were put down with a .12 gauge shotgun without injuring residents.

Wright said, "I do not want to see a vigilante with a gun wandering the streets."

The existing dog bylaw states that the Village must hold the dog for three days to give the owner a chance to claim it before it is destroyed. However, dogs that bite can be killed immediately.

Swanson said she will urge the dog catcher, Danny Peterson, who is paid $100 per dog destroyed, to take action.

Summer help

The village has secured funding to help employ 10 summer students including one for the Seven Spruce Golf Course. The Village has budgeted $23,584 towards their wages while the territorial government will contribute $15,937. The overall number of hours worked will amount to 3,187.