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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The annual general meeting for Northland trailer park had to be postponed Tuesday evening due to a lack of quorum, but reassurances were made that a future charge for the replacement of water and sewage pipes won't be as high as $455 per month over 25 years

Wade Friesen, vice-president of Condo Board #8, said a five per cent interest rate on a loan from the GNWT could make a significant dent in the figure.

"If we can get GNWT involvement, we can bring this under $250 and I believe strongly that we can," he said. "It won't be $450. Right now during negotiations, we are bringing it down from $360 a month. We are fighting for every dollar below that figure."

Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisaro said something similar the previous night, saying if the GNWT can extend its borrowing limit, the minister has the power to borrow and charge the city a lower interest rate.

"There is a possibility for a change in the borrowing limit for the GNWT, which has to be approved by the federal government," Bisaro said. "That, apparently, we will know by the end of March. If there is a change in the borrowing limit, which gives (the NWT) an increase, I think we can go back to the GNWT to ask about borrowing."

Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger announced in late January that the territorial government can't afford the previously requested no-interest loan and has no policy to deal with a loan to Northland. Bisaro has since challenged him on that in the legislature.

The federal government has also recently denied any financial assistance.

Dozens of residents turned out at Northern United Place for Tuesday's AGM, but the two-thirds of fully paid members needed to reach a quorum was not achieved. Non-payment of a $20 increase in condo fees that took effect in January added to accounting woes, according to board member Aldin Jansen.

It's hoped more members will be in good standing in time for the next attempt to complete the AGM, now set for next Tuesday at 7 p.m. This announcement resulted in some shouting among residents and some of them walking out in frustration. Friesen said there could have been some who thought they would be voting on a plebiscite to approve the memorandum of understanding Tuesday, however, he said that process could potentially take two to six months.

Tuesday marked the second straight night residents of Northland met at Northern United Place. On Monday, dozens were in attendance for an information session held by Citizens of Northlands.

Resident Lorraine Hewlett gave a slide presentation which featuring photos of some of the broken pipes in the trailer park as well as her own critiques of recent comments made by Miltenberger, the Yellowknifer editorial page, and Infrastructure Canada. Mayor Gord Van Tighem said if Northland residents agree to have the city take responsibility for the trailer park's infrastructure, which is currently privately owned, then condo fees will not be combined with the infrastructure charge until the work is completed, at least. Longer term, condo fees would remain subject to change.

The time frame for completion of the work will depend upon the extent of the infrastructure repair program, which is still to be determined.

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