Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Oct 21/05) - Coun. Dennis Nelner is considered to have resigned from village council.

Nelner missed his third consecutive council meeting without being excused.

The municipality has a bylaw pertaining to such absences and Mayor Raymond Michaud, deputy mayor Bob Hanna as well as councillors Tom Wilson, Betty Hardisty and Dave Wright voted to enforce it.

Councillors Kim Squires, Norm Prevost and Owen Rowe were not present for Monday's meeting.

Nelner couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.

Months ago, Nelner tried in vain to have Coun. Rowe removed from council for missing five straight meetings, but Rowe was excused from some of those so the bylaw wasn't applicable.

No parking

The village will not lease property to a private developer looking for parking stalls. Council rejected a request from Nick Sibbeston, of Nahendeh Developments Ltd., and Nola Benwell, representing the Fort Simpson Metis, for a 30- by 20-foot plot of land adjacent to their Nahendeh Kue building, near the swimming pool.

Coun. Tom Wilson said, "If we get into the parking lot business we're in competition with private enterprise."

Wilson, deputy mayor Bob Hanna and Coun. Betty Hardisty were opposed. Mayor Raymond Michaud and Coun. Dave Wright were the minority in favour.

That's our position

The village is releasing its position paper on anticipated impacts from a Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline. The 46-page document deals with expected affects on municipal infrastructure; items like the landfill site, local roads, the water supply, municipal land development, emergency services and recreational facilities.

Drafted by consultant Andrew Gaule following dialogue with Fort Simpson's Resource Development Impact Group and village council, the analysis also addresses topics governed by other bodies but that will affect the village such as health services, highways, policing, housing and employment.

Copies of the position paper are being distributed to the Liidlii Kue First Nation and the Fort Simpson Metis for comment.

Sell that truck

Council is taking bids on an aging emergency vehicle that's been sitting in a bay at the airport for years. The truck, equipped to spray foam on a fire, needs to be overhauled, according to Mayor Raymond Michaud. The vehicle will be advertised in NWT, Alberta and Saskatchewan papers.

An old ambulance - also taking up space in an airport garage that the Department of Transportation owns and wants to occupy - will be moved outside. It could be sold at a local auction, senior administrative officer Bernice Swanson suggested.