Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Wednesday, July 18, 2007

RANKIN INLET - Council approved the first location near the airstrip as the site for the new jail at a council meeting July 10.

Sgt. Gavin Nash shakes hands with Mayor Lorne Kusugak as he finishes up the last RCMP report he'll be giving as detachment commander. Nash is being transferred to the RCMP headquarters in Ottawa, leaving Rankin Inlet Aug. 3. - Christine Grimard/NNSL photo

Coun. Justin Merritt said that with potential development near Nipisar Lake, this first location would make the best choice, leaving the other lot free for expansion.

Merritt said that similar feedback had come from a public meeting held June 25. During the meeting, requests were made for more public input through radio shows and a public poll.

Merritt noted that it would be too much work to get whoever was doing the polls well versed on the locations. He said the public meeting was enough input.

"We can only go so far, we could have 10 radio shows," said Merritt. "The people who had concerns were [at the meeting]."

Darren Flynn, of the Department of Community and Government Services, said the only possible hindrance on that site may be getting approval from transport, otherwise they continue to favour that location.

"We have no concerns at this point for that preferred location," said Flynn.

CGS pushed to issue tender for college

Mayor Lorne Kusugak and Coun. Justin Merritt pushed representatives from Community and Government Services to issue the tender for the new Nunavut Arctic College site as soon as possible.

Ralph Rudiger, representing the government department, told council at the meeting July 10 that they are looking into whether they can ask for supplies and materials, which will determine if the tender will be issued in its entirety this year or the next.

Council was apparently unimpressed with the delay in issuing the tender.

"We were under the impression that the tenders would be out this year," said Coun. Ron Roach.

"This has been a tight go, it's been a tight schedule" answered Rudiger. "Consultants are quite busy. We've been hounding them twice a day to get those designs."

Merritt reiterated to CGS that they want the tender on the building issued as soon as possible.

RCMP detachment commander leaving Rankin Inlet

RCMP Sgt. Gavin Nash announced at the council meeting July 10 that he would be leaving Rankin Inlet Aug. 3.

He told council he's been transferred to a position at RCMP headquarters in Ottawa, working in aboriginal policing.

"I think I wouldn't be going too far to say you're the best head of the RCMP we've had in Rankin Inlet in many years," Mayor Lorne Kusugak told Nash upon the announcement. "It's been incredible the change we've seen in attitudes around town about policing."

Cpl. Gerald Ouellet will be replacing Nash until the arrival of the new detachment commander Sgt. Peter Pilgrim.

Council approves 'experimental' recycling program

Rankin Inlet residents can start collecting their cans, as council approved an 'experimental' recycling program promoted by the Government of Nunavut.

Residents will get five cents per can for the program, which will employ one person part-time.

The main problem with the program pointed out by SAO Paul Waye is that the proposal doesn't consider how to get the recyclables out of Rankin Inlet.

"I think we might be spinning our wheels a bit on this one," said Waye during the council meeting.

"This is a way for someone to make money, when we're going to throw it in the dump anyways," said Mayor Lorne Kusugak.

With all the funding coming from the GN, they passed the motion anyways, saying perhaps if they keep the recycling in storage some means of disposal might come up later.

"It won't cost us any money, and it gives someone a job," said Kusugak.