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DEH CHO - Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche has his work cut out for him.

From May 5 to 7 Menicoche toured his riding holding public meetings and listening to constituents' concerns. Robert C. McLeod, the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, accompanied Menicoche on the trip.

Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche pictured here during a community tour in early May. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Menicoche was gathering issues to raise at the next sitting of the legislative assembly, which will be held from May 27 to June 4. In the communities roads, water and schools were raised as the main areas that need to be addressed.

Water was at the top of the list for Jean Marie River.

The community's reservoir needs to be expanded so it can hold more water, said Chief Isadore Simon.

Simon said he raised the fact that the community has been growing and the new buildings have larger water tanks. It used to take one water truckload to fill up all of the tanks in the community but now it takes five or six, Simon said.

"The water reservoir is too small," he said.

Levels in the reservoir are currently running low because it wasn't topped up during the winter. Simon is concerned about how the reservoir will cope with the demands that will be placed on it when the community hosts the Dehcho First Nations' annual assembly in June.

A further concern relates to the water quality.

"They say it's safe to drink but most people don't like that yellowish colour," he said.

The water's natural yellow tinge has led most community members to buy bottled water and bring it back from Hay River or Fort Simpson to drink. In addition to having the reservoir expanded Simon said he'd like the government to supply a central filtration system so people could treat their drinking water.

Menicoche said he made note of the request and will bring it forward in Yellowknife. The community is scheduled to receive a water treatment plant next year but is concerned about the water in the meantime, he said.

Water quality was also an issue that was raised in Wrigley along with a request for a swimming pool and a modern fire truck.

Small communities are having difficulty adjusting to a new financing deal with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Communities now receive funding from MACA to cover, operation, capital and maintenance costs. However, Menicoche still heard numerous requests for pools and fire trucks.

Communities are planning but they still expect the government to come forward with money for items that are now their responsibility, he said.

Wrigley was told that they will have to plan and budget to be able to purchase the two items on their own.

In Trout Lake, a pricier project was on the minds' of residents. To meet the needs of an increasing student population the community would like a larger, stand alone school. The current Charles Tetcho School is housed in a room connected to the community complex.

"I'll continue to challenge the government with that," Menicoche said.

In Fort Liard residents raised issues surrounding bison management and road conditions. Menicoche said he is committed to seeing the work on Highway 7 from Fort Liard to the boarder completed as well as getting the chipseal project for Highway 1 from Checkpoint to Fort Providence on the territory's capital plan.

In Fort Simpson, Rita Cazon drew awareness to services and building accessibility for people with disabilities. None of the government buildings are fully accessible," Cazon said.

"People have to wake up and smell the roses," she said.

Menicoche said he will continue to follow up on accessibility issues, but noted some of the buildings are privately owned.

Menicoche was unable to visit Nahanni Butte due to runway conditions.