Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services
Wednesday, March 02, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - City council unanimously agreed Monday to send all eight of its councillors to this year's Federation of Canadian Municipalities meeting in Calgary come June.

Casting worries of "bad editorials" in Yellowknifer to the wind, council will embark on a trip that, according to their travel budget, will cost $3,334 per member, which would bring the total to $26,672 if all eight councillors go.

Last year's FCM travel budget to send the mayor and four councillors to Montreal was $17,276.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem is also attending the Calgary conference but the NWT Association of Communities will cover his travel costs, because he is the body's president.

Coun. Kevin Kennedy assured ratepayers that he'd save them money by hopping on a bus instead of taking taxies. He added he would also stay at a hostel.

"I guess in this case we can have our cake and eat it too," said Kennedy. Council had originally authorized only six councillors to attend the FCM meeting but decided to send eight because it's an "excellent learning and networking opportunity for members of Council from across Canada," according to minutes from the Feb. 19 Priorities, Policies and Budget Committee.

Tax troubles

The city 2007 tax auction list is out.

Those on the list who do not pay their overdue property taxes within 30 days will see their property auctioned off by the city. Twenty-five properties are listed for the June 15 auction.

Johnson's Building Supplies, its deceased former owner Karl Lust, and present owner Sandra Gellenbeck are listed ten times all together. Michael Magrum has five properties on the list. Also listed are James Magrum, Jovan Madanovic, Peter Basko, Jennifer Poissant, Ed But, Wanda Norwegian, Joss Tremblay, Graham Fuglsang, Bonnie Koslowski, Barry Davenport, and John Carlsen.

Coun. Bob Brooks said most people pay up once they see their names on the list.

"This has worked very well in the past to bring these matters up to date," said Brooks.

Downtown depression

News that JJ Hobbies is leaving downtown after 30 years has one city councillor wondering if the city is doing enough to ensure the downtown core remains a viable place to do business.

Coun. Paul Falvo said he likes shopping downtown because it's an easy commute by bike or foot as opposed to Old Airport Road.

"We need to be conscious of this," said Coun. Paul Falvo.

"Maybe we need to renew our efforts."