Fort Simpson village council briefs

Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Oct 08/04) - After a deadlock forced a defeated motion at the last meeting, village council approved the placement of a $135,000 mobile home on a 101 Avenue lot.

A motion of reconsideration was passed at Monday night's meeting, allowing for another vote on the issue.

It was approved 5-1 with Mayor Raymond Michaud and councillors Betty Hardisty, Bob Hanna, Tom Wilson and Dave Wright in favour. Coun. Norm Prevost remained opposed.

Coun. Kim Squires, who voted against the motion at the last meeting, was not present, neither were deputy mayor Dennis Nelner or Coun. Owen Rowe.

Prevost said that this dispute is only a preview of what's to come if council doesn't update its zoning bylaws and create a general plan as industrial development takes hold in the region.

"When things start happening, we're going to be scrambling all the time like this," he warned.

Give us the franchise

Lawyer A.O. Ackroyd will be retained by the village to pursue a franchise agreement with the NWT Power Corporation. Council is aiming to have Ackroyd's fees covered by the Power Corp., but some councillors remained pessimistic about the benefits from such a deal.

"I think we all end up paying anyway because they tack it on to your utility bill," said Coun. Tom Wilson.

Coun. Bob Hanna added, "It's a no-win situation."

Coun. Norm Prevost countered that the franchise agreement will put a substantial sum in the village's coffers while the franchise fee will greatly be offset by government and commercial power customers.

Residents will only pay a small share, he maintained.

Post some signs!

Municipal boundary signs will be posted at the Liard River ferry landing and on the road to Wrigley, at Coun. Norm Prevost's urging.

He said he was working on a house being built in the new Nogha Heights subdivision last week when an elder with a rifle opened fire on a moose in the area.

Other than authorities such as the police and Renewable Resources officers, discharging firearms is prohibited within municipal limits.

Prevost said he wanted signs erected to remind people that they are within municipal boundaries.