Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Jan 21/05) - The third and final reading of a dog control bylaw sparked vigorous debate on Monday evening.

Coun. Dave Wright said he has a problem with dogcatchers being authorized to shoot dogs without first seizing and impounding them. He also said he's very concerned about shots being fired within municipal boundaries for safety reasons and because of possible damage to property.

Mayor Raymond Michaud said dogs in his yard had killed two cats within the past month. He's worried a child may be next, he said.

Wright replied, "I've seen a teenager kill a cat and I don't want the right to shoot (the teenager) on sight."

He later said he's more worried about vigilantes with guns than roaming dogs.

Michaud said a 12-gauge shotgun may be used to put down loose dogs that can't be caught. They are packing and pose a danger to the public, he contended.

Council voted 5-2 in favour of the bylaw with Wright and Coun. Tom Wilson being opposed. Coun. Owen Rowe was not present.

Call a moving van

Mayor Raymond Michaud asked council to consider moving village staff and council meetings to the Visitor Information Centre. It's a more accessible building and occupying it would make better use of its space, he noted. The existing village office is in need of renovations.

Severance amendment

The senior administrative officer is now entitled to a severance package based on the number of years of service times the weekly rate of pay to a maximum of 13 weeks pay. However, that is conditional upon four years of continuous service.

Coun. Bob Hanna was among the majority in favour of the measure, arguing that the SAO has to endure the aggravation of council and the aggravation of village employees. He said the SAO's raise should be in line with other unionized employees, but the severance package should be greater.

"I think the captain of the ship should get a little more," he said.

Giving half

Village council decided to give the Swinging Teens a $347.75 in-kind donation - half the cost of renting the community hall - towards their use of the facility for a Christmas dinner and dance they held on Dec. 20. The group had requested a full donation, as was often granted in the past. Council agreed to make the $347.75 in-kind donation the new policy for hall rentals except for licensed (alcohol permitted) events, which will be charged the full rate.

Welded tender

South Side Porta-Weld Ltd. of Calgary is the successful bidder on a tender to provide the village with a live-burn training structure. The bid - one of only two received - came in at $58,366, which is more than the $50,000 that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) offered to contribute. Senior administrative officer Bernice Swanson said she assumes MACA will cover the excess cost. If not, the eight- by 40-foot modified shipping container is still a sound investment because it will provide Fort Simpson with a regional training centre and thereby bring others to the community - council agreed.