Inuvik (Mar 17/06) - The town has decided to revise its policy regarding posting the names of those persons banned from municipal facilities for poor behaviour.

"The point was to identify names of people banned," said Mayor Peter Clarkson of the policy.

"Now we have one list (at each municipal facility) instead of five or six letters taking up space."

Previously, the town had displayed letters to parents informing them why and for how long their children had been banned from town facilities, which raised the ire of parent Ruth Wright, who received one such letter.

"I wasn't mad because my child was named, I was mad because any child was named in public," she explained.

"It's sure not going to shame these kids because they are way past that."

As the town has maintained, the policy exists to help staff identify those who are banned.

Wright says all that's required is a list with photos behind the counter instead of on public display for all to see.

Wright says she sent a copy of the letter from the town regarding her son's behaviour and banishment from town facilities to the NWT Human Rights Commission, accompanied by a letter outlining her concerns.

She said the commission has yet to get back to her regarding the matter.

As for whether or not that had any impact on the town's revision of the policy, Clarkson maintains it didn't and that Wright was the only person who made a complaint to the town.

"We've actually had people calling complimenting the town on the policy," he said.

Clarkson said the town consulted with a lawyer regarding its policy and was told the town had a right to post the names and reasons for banishment.

Bans are on a case-by-case basis and Clarkson says only in serious cases are bans actually meted out.

They can range from being barred from the library, pool and arena for the day, one month, three months, or a year.