Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (June 10/05) - A fierce debate over a development application for a tent frame consumed more than 30 minutes of Monday's council meeting.

Richard Hardisty, whose house was destroyed by fire in April, started to build the tent frame on his lot but was stopped by senior administrative officer Bernice Swanson.

Coun. Tom Wilson said at least one of Hardisty's neighbours has voiced concerns. Mayor Raymond Michaud acknowledged that an outhouse, if erected on site, would pose a problem.

Coun. Norm Prevost said Public Health can deal with the outhouse if it is built. He maintained that the village should never have been involved in the ordeal and should apologize to Hardisty.

"I don't know why we're picking on this guy whose house burnt," he said, noting that the many teepees standing around town didn't require development permits.

Coun. Betty Hardisty concurred.

"It's his lot, let him do what he wants to do with it," she said.

Ultimately, no councillor would move or second the motion dealing with Hardisty's development application.

Lease or own?

The Village is seeking more information on having several leased lots transferred to fee simple title. Officials from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs will be invited to the June 20 council meeting to discuss the pertinent sites which include the sewage treatment plant, the landfill, the ball diamonds, the golf course and the public works compound.

Mayor Michaud said he's concerned that if the village takes ownership, the GNWT may start enforcing regulations on the properties that weren't enforced previously.

Coun. Norm Prevost questioned how the land could be transferred when the Dehcho First Nations hasn't yet settled a land claim.

No room at the inn

The village denied a Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) request for office space at the Visitor Information Centre. Acting superintendent Gerd Fricke wrote to inquire whether ITI seasonal parks staff and two tourism staff could move into the building.

The majority of council agreed that the Village should not lease office space when there is availability through private enterprise in the community. In addition, the village's own seasonal tourism staff occupy most of the existing Visitor Information Centre office space until October.

Not worth the money

Mayor Raymond Michaud informed council that a May 16 resolution to have Coun. and former deputy mayor Dennis Nelner investigated by the Conflict of Interest Commissioner would be a legal issue that would cost the municipality money. Council decided to consequently rescind the motion.

Nelner, who requested the investigation because he rejected the conflict allegations, said council should also rescind the resolutions removing him as deputy mayor and installing Bob Hanna in his place.

"You can't have it both ways," he contended.

Michaud pointed out that Nelner was also alleged to have breached council's code of ethics several times. He added that council has the right to replace the deputy mayor, an appointed position, each year if it sees fit.

Nelner replied that the alleged code of conduct violations are not binding and based on hearsay.

Michaud said Nelner is free to have his lawyer take the village to court.