Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 18/05) - City councillor Kevin O'Reilly says Mayor Gord Van Tighem needs to reach out and touch somebody - namely Yellowknife River Resorts.

The company made a deal with the city more than two years ago to purchase land on the prominent landmark in order to build a $25 million resort; but other than survey lines, no work has been done on the site.

A bylaw setting the property boundaries on Twin Pine Hill passed first and second reading Monday night, prompting O'Reilly to plead with the mayor to find out when Yellowknife River Resorts plans to start building.

The city budgeted $125,000 this year and the same amount for next year to build walking trails on the hill, but they are on hold while the city waits for the resort.

"Will you phone Yellowknife River Resorts and ask them what they're intentions are?" O'Reilly demanded.

"I'm getting fed up. We got money set aside for trails, let's get spending it."

Van Tighem assured him he would give the company a call.

A trailer park no more

It's official. There's no more "Trailer" in Forrest Park.

Council passed a bylaw Monday renaming Forrest Drive Trailer Park to simply Forrest Park. Residents complained to the city that having "trailer park" in the name carried negative connotations. Mayor Gord Van Tighem blamed the popularity of the hit TV show, "Trailer Park Boys," featuring foul-mouthed, unemployed bad boys.

Thin out their numbers

City council is taking another look at regulating the number of taxi licences after hearing a presentation from a cabby who says there are too many drivers on the road.

Fadil Memedi told council that the industry is so competitive that cab drivers often work 16-hour days just to make $30,000 a year after expenses.

He said there about 110 cab licences on the road between the two companies operating in town. "We literally live on the bread line," said Memedi.

Council passed the first two readings of a bylaw Monday, that will see the flag rate raised to $4 from $3.25, and the metre rate go to 16 cents for every 100 metres travelled from 10 cents every 70 metres.

Coun. Wendy Bisaro later made a motion to have the issue of regulating cabs go back to committee for further review.

"I don't know if I'm convinced if we should go there, but I think we need to listen to them," said Bisaro.