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News Briefs: Wednesday, Aug 29, 2012
Konge a candidate
Neils Konge, owner of Konge Construction, is the latest person to declare his intention to run for city council in Yellowknife's municipal election on Oct. 15. Konge told Yellowknifer that he is preparing his campaign.
"I'm definitely opposed to high taxes," he said.
The only other non-incumbent to declare an intention to run for councillor so far is NWT Construction Association executive director Phil Moon Sun.
Nominations for mayor and eight council positions open Sept. 4 and close Sept. 17.
- Sara Wilson
Calling aspiring pilots
Youth between the ages of 12 and 19 and their parents are invited to attend an Air Cadet information night at 7 p.m. on Sept 3 on the second floor of the Fieldhouse, the Air Cadet local headquarters.
The program has no registration costs, dues or uniform costs and youth who follow the program have the opportunity to obtain their pilot's licence. For information contact Lt. Katherine Worsley of the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.
- Lyndsay Herman
New deputy minister
Premier Bob McLeod announced on Friday that Gabriela Eggenhofer will take over as deputy minister of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) on Sept. 10.
Eggenhofer has been the deputy minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations for the past seven years and is a former associate deputy minister and deputy secretary to cabinet.
Gloria Iatridis, who has been serving as acting deputy minister at ECE since May, will resume her position as associate deputy minister at ECE while Andy Bevan, director of Intergovernmental Relations, will become acting deputy minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations.
- Sara Wilson
Fall programs
Information about recreational and cultural programs are detailed in a new guide being released today. The Fall 2012 Recreation Guide will be available at city hall, recreation centres, the public library and on the city's website. Registration for fall programs opens Aug. 31.
- Lyndsay Herman
Break-in at Rankin Inlet arena
Rankin Inlet
A break-in and ice-resurfacer joyride at Rankin Inlet's community arena on Aug. 9 won't affect the arena's opening date, according to hamlet recreation co-ordinator David Clark.
"Kids got into the building and decided to take the Zamboni for a ride on the rink floor," said Clark.
The floor, without its sheet of ice, contains fragile refrigeration lines. The ride on the ice-resurfacer damaged about one quarter of the floor, according to Clark. He estimated the damage to be in the neighbourhood of $10,000.
He said the hamlet has removed the damaged piping and was ordering replacements last week.
The hamlet filed a report with the RCMP, but is concentrating on getting the facility back in shape.
"It's not a good situation for a hockey town like Rankin," said Clark. "We're going to do our best to get the rink up and running like we always do mid-October. Keep positive and get things moving in the right direction."
Nunavut MP to chair Arctic Council
Nunavut
Canada's chair for the Arctic Council will be Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq, as announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper last week during a stop in Cambridge Bay.
According to a news release issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the council is a "forum for collaboration" among eight Arctic jurisdictions: Canada, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Russia, Sweden and the United States.
It was established in 1996 with stated goals including exercising sovereignty, social and economic development and devolving Northern governance.
Aglukkaq will continue in her roles as minister of health and of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.
Coral Harbour wins Junior Calm Air Cup
Baker Lake
The final game in Baker Lake's Junior Calm Air Cup was a close match between the host community and Coral Harbour, but Coral came out on top 9-8 after extra innings on the weekend of Aug. 3.
"Most of the games right through the whole weekend were pretty close," said Richard Aksawnee, the community's recreation co-ordinator.
In addition to two Baker Lake teams, there was one team each from Arviat, Whale Cove, Rankin Inlet and Coral Harbour.
The Baker Lake Softball Committee ran a canteen, and Aksawnee said the event was very popular.
"I've never seen so many people at that baseball diamond for a softball game," said Aksawnee.
Scholarship opportunity
Kivalliq
The Sakku Scholarship is available to Kivalliq Inuit, but there's only one more week left to apply.
The deadline is Sept. 7, and applicants must be residents of the Kivalliq region, beneficiaries of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, and enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited university of college program. Applications must have a cover letter, and must include the applicant's most recent high school transcripts.
For forms or more information, contact Kelly Kaludjak at Sakku Investments Corporation.
Rankin Inlet road closure for RCMP homes
Rankin Inlet
A street in Rankin Inlet was set to be closed permanently so the land could host more RCMP residences, pending a third reading vote at a hamlet council meeting scheduled for Aug. 27.
Specifically being voted on are an amendment to the zoning bylaw and municipal road closure bylaw, and an application for road development, according to planning and lands administrator Ashley Ymana.
The results of the vote were not available by press time.
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