Fort Simpson (Jan 19/07) - Village councillors voted to rescind the 2007 budget at the meeting on Jan. 8.

Many councillors weren't happy with the first budget which showed a surplus of $510,674 and was passed on Dec. 18, said Mayor Duncan Canvin.

Council voted on the budget again changing it to an interim budget.

Councillors have vowed to work with the budget and reallocate revenues to create a more balanced budget, Canvin said.

Pipeline fiasco'

Calling the Mackenzie Valley pipeline and the hearings surrounding it a "fiasco," Mayor Duncan Canvin said he wouldn't be attending a Joint Review Panel hearing in Inuvik.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has offered an all expenses paid trip so the village can make a further submission about infrastructure costs. Canvin said the village doesn't have any new issues.

"I cannot waste any more of my time," he said.

There's still a chance that Tom Matus, the village's senior administrative officer, will be sent to the hearing.

Coun. Tom Wilson agreed that the hearings have been dragged out.

"It's getting a wee bit boring and tiering this whole meeting thing," said Wilson.

Coun. Candy Brown disagreed with the idea that no one from the village needs to attend.

"If we have to say it 14 times to them, then we need to say it 14 times," she said, referring to the Joint Review Panel.

Although Canvin said he'd like to see the project move forward, he's not sure it will. "It's frustrating. I've never been this long without knowing anything."

Changing rules

Council is asking Minister Floyd Roland for consistency with regards to the village's liquor restrictions.

Roland informed the council through a letter that he has asked for feedback from Chief Keyna Norwegian, Grand Chief Herb Norwegian and President Marie Lafferty with regards to the restrictions. After receiving the feedback, Roland said he wouldn't make a decision.

During a vote on the restrictions held on Jan. 23, 2006, out of 443 votes cast, 291 were in favour of removing the restrictions.

Coun. Tom Wilson said he is concerned about the fact that only three people are being consulted.

"If it's applied to this it could apply to any vote," he said.

Roland isn't supporting the council or the people who voted, said Coun. Candy Brown.

"I'm insulted as a person who voted in this plebiscite that Mr. Roland can't make a damn decision," Brown said.

Coun. Carl Lafferty suggested a different approach might be needed because many other communities in the North are voting to put restrictions in place.

A letter will be written asking Roland for a clear set of rules.

Slippery roads

Some people have raised concerns about slippery roads in the village, said Coun. Dieter Cazon.

A number of intersections on top of the hill could use scarifying, agreed Mayor Canvin.

Scarifying is done by packing down snow on the road with a toothed blade on the plow instead of the regular curved blade.

"It is slippery," said Canvin.

The village's foreman will be asked to look at the road conditions.

Welcome to Fort Simpson

A welcome to Fort Simpson sign could be in the works.

Coun. Olinto Beaulieu said people keeping asking him if a sign will be put up.

The Chamber of Commerce has been working on a sign although the project has been side lined, said Canvin. Canvin said he'd raise the issue with the chamber at their annual general meeting in February.

Supporting winter events

Responding to requests from the men and women's hockey associations, council donated 50 per cent of the rental costs for the recreation centre ice for the upcoming hockey tournaments.

Council also decided to donate $250 to have a silver sponsorship at the Merchants' Mixed curling bonspiel. The village might also enter a team in the competition.