Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Nov 11/05) - A meeting involving Tri-Council leaders, the premier, a pair of GNWT ministers and the MLA on Monday afternoon only resulted in dates for more meetings, acting mayor Bob Hanna lamented.

There was discussion of how the $1 million Community Capacity Building Fund would be spent, but no decision, he said. Another Tri-Council meeting on that topic has been scheduled for late December.

As well, Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Michael McLeod offered to meet with village council in January to discuss the hamlet versus village issue, the community's five-10 year capital plan and the New Deal for Community Governments legislation.

What good would that do?

Council tabled a resolution to support a technology and trades centre in Fort Simpson. The request for council's endorsement was put forward by the Fort Simpson Resource Development Impact Group.

Coun. Dave Wright questioned whether a community the size of Fort Simpson could sustain such an institution, especially when similar facilities are already well funded in the North. He added that basic education should be promoted instead.

Many people aren't able to pass a trades entrance exam, which would permit them to begin apprenticeship, he maintained.

Early gift

Council granted a $250 donation to the Deh Cho Friendship Centre's annual Christmas hamper program.

New rec co-ordinator

Andrew Hillaby has been hired as the new recreation co-ordinator.

He was due to arrive from Halifax on Tuesday and start his job on Wednesday.

Tapped and flushed

Fort Simpson's water and sewage funding should be used to provide services to several dwellings on the flats, said Coun. Kim Squires. It's "a crying shame that we have people in this day and age" without water and sewage, she said.

Coun. Norm Prevost agreed. He said one would be hard pressed to find people using outhouses and honey buckets in any other NWT community.

The village will have $2 million to spend on water and sewage projects by 2009, as long as the municipality can match the GNWT's grants, senior administrative officer Bernice Swanson said.

Long way down

It's just a matter of time before someone slides off a portion of Mackenzie Drive and into the river, Coun. Dave Wright warned.

He said the stretch of road between the Power Corporation plant and Marc Andre Avenue is slippery and the road is higher than the narrow river bank.

He urged that barriers consequently be placed along the road.

Thompson steps in

Jenny Thompson made her debut as the youth councillor at Monday's meeting.

Thompson is the vice-president of student council at Thomas Simpson school.

President Caitlin Jaffray attends the District Education Council meetings.