Northern News Services
Friday, April 13, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - With regrets, the Fort Simpson village council accepted the resignation of Coun. Carl Lafferty at its meeting on April 2.

In a letter, Lafferty said that when he put his name forward for council last year the situation between the mayor, the council and the volunteer fire department was dire and the community was on the brink of a crisis. The situation has been reversed and confidence in the current leadership has been restored, said Lafferty.

Lafferty also noted that the unpredictable nature of his job leaves little time for his commitments to council.

No community members expressed interest in taking the seat vacated by Coun. Bruce Thomas. Now with two empty councillor seats, council has decided to call a by-election. The election will be held on June 11.

Tightening the dog bylaw

Dog owners will soon find it more expensive to allow their pets to roam freely.

Council passed the first and second readings to amend the bylaw for control and licensing of dogs.

If a third reading is passed, residents of the village will be allowed to own or harbour three dogs with one being an outdoor dog. The previous limit was two.

Fees for seizure and impoundment will be increased. The first offence within three years will a be fine of $75, up from $25, $150 for the second offence, up from $50 and $250 for the third, up from $100.

The first seizure will cost $50 compared to $25, the second $100 compared to $50 and the third $150 compared to $75. There will also be an increase in the impoundment fee from $10 to $30 per day.

Removing fees

If the third reading of a bylaw is passed, residents of the village and not for profit organizations will be able to use the facilities at the recreation centre free of charge for recreation, leisure, rest and funeral activities.

Council passed the first and second readings to amend the levy and collection of charges bylaw. A third reading still needs to be passed.

There are currently fees for these activities.

Rezoning opposed

Council passed the first and second reading of a bylaw to rezone a property from residential to commercial despite a letter opposing the change.

Andrew and Cecile Gaule wrote to oppose the proposed changes to lots 174, 175 and 176 on Antoine Drive. They live two lots away from the proposed rezoning.

The rezoning has been requested by Wendy and Kirby Groat who have plans to build a five suite rental unit.

Supporting soccer

Village council decided to donate $2,500 to the local soccer players who have been identified to represent the Northwest Territories at the 2007 Indigenous Soccer Cup in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Twenty-three Fort Simpson athletes along with one Jean Marie River athlete and two athletes from Fort Liard will be making the trip from July 27-August 4.

The trip is expected to cost of $65,200.

Another energy source

Coun. Candy Brown would like to see council examine how the village could look for another electricity provider.

"Maybe it's time to bring this up again," she said.

Brown said she's not saying the village should switch providers, but that they should look at the options.

Assisting the RCMP

Mayor Duncan Canvin has been appointed to the policing advisory committee.

The committee is designed to make recommendations to the RCMP on concerns and enforcement issues for the village and surrounding area.

Keeping main street safe

In light of recent break-ins and vandalism on the village's main street, Coun. Olinto Beaulieu suggested the community should consider installing cameras on the street similar to the program Fort Smith has started.