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In what's been symptomatic of a larger problem, Yk MLAs postponed the final joint meeting with existing city councillors, scheduled for Oct. 9.

This decision left a couple of city councillors frustrated, citing a delay in progress on issues such as crime, addictions and the need for a treatment centre, as well as eliminating a chance for councillors to communicate issues they want MLAs to raise during the next sitting of the legislative assembly, which starts on Oct. 17.

Our next city council needs to be fully aware that while they work for us, the residents of Yellowknife, Yk MLAs should also be working for residents and for councillors.

We need politicians in the legislative assembly raising important issues such as why the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has the authority to force the city to spend $22 million to build a water treatment plant.

That project adds to the burden as the city struggles to keep up with costs to replace and repair roads, sidewalks and water and sewage pipes. The city is projecting a deficit of $74 million by 2016 in trying to tackle these items.

The new water treatment plant wouldn't be so difficult to accept if Yellowknife suffered from poor drinking water, but by all accounts our water quality is excellent.

Beyond the water treatment plant issue, the GNWT has not made any commitments to maintain long-term funding for the day shelter, a place for the homeless to go. The territorial government has decreased the yearly amount available to the shelter to $125,000, down from $375,000 - and the Department of Health and Social Services is only making that pledge year to year.

On a related note, GNWT representatives have missed several meetings of the Social Issues Committee, which the city chairs. This results in serious issues being neglected, particularly those relating to downtown drunkenness and homelessness.

It's not acceptable.

There's also been questions over how ferociously city MLAs lobbied the federal government on behalf of mobile home dwellers in Northland, who are absorbing steep costs for water and sewage repairs.

The Oct. 15 election is for mayor and council, but Yk MLAs should be paying close attention because their willingness to go to bat for this city should be a top agenda item for our next council.

There are many low-income families and individuals in need in Yellowknife.

Putting items in good condition and good working order at the dump's salvage site is not going to get such items in the hands of those who need them most.

Yet that is Public Works and Government Services Canada's policy when it comes to household items from military quarters in Yellowknife. Last week, some dump salvagers came across a bunch of goods cast aside by the military: dining room sets, cutlery, a kettle, an iron, a vacuum cleaner, glassware and much more.

Lt. Paul Pendergast, a spokesperson for Joint Task Force North, said the items are handled that way because they're deemed damaged - undamaged items are sold through an auction. He also said dropping them off at the salvage site prevents the perception of the federal government favouring one group over another.

But the salvage area favours those with a vehicle, allowing them to access it and transport the items back home with them. The needy are at a disadvantage.

In addition, the items left at the salvage area are exposed to rain or snow and can easily be damaged by people carelessly dropping off other items.

The federal government should rethink this policy. Public Works and Services Canada could surely find a central facility where these items could be picked up twice a year. The department could also place a "to give away" classified ad right here in Yellowknifer, free of charge.

What took place this past month in Arviat is, unfortunately, the type of scene that plays out all too often in our wonderfully modern and technically advanced world.

Hearing of someone striking a teenage girl with their vehicle, and leaving her badly injured on the side of the road leaves one shaking their head in disgust over the unfeeling barbarism of the act.

It hits even harder when it's a community right here in the Kivalliq.

After all, this isn't Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal or some other large metropolis where the vast majority of its denizens have become totally desensitized to such news.

They hear reports of heinous acts on their home or car radios every day of their city-dwelling lives.

But we're supposed to have a true sense of community here in the North.

We, popular consensus will have you believe, are far more compassionate towards our fellow human beings.

We go out of our way to help people in distress, even if we don't really know them.

In fact, that sense of pride, warmth and caring is one of our calling cards and an integral part of what makes us feel kind of special.

But, as Dylan sang so many years ago, the times they are a changing.

In a world where people text habitually, converse on numerous Internet sites and use computer dating services to find that special someone rather than risk actual human interaction, we risk becoming a perpetual Me Generation.

About half of all marriages end in divorce, and ever increasing numbers put their own wants and needs above all else.

In short, many have become their own biggest fans and nothing is more important than what they want.

Endless books on self-worth and self-image sell by the millions, as do literary masterpieces on how to pick-up women without even trying or how to make the man of your dreams want you madly.

Sadly, when the importance of self rules the thought process, pureness of spirit falls to the wayside.

And that has consequences, even in our wonderful Northern world.

Too many, in our bits-and-bytes-driven society, are out of touch with the one common denominator that binds us all, our humanity.

Better to fear what we don't understand, push our beliefs rather than accept those of others, allow governments to cloak in secrecy, and judge, persecute and reward based on colour rather than substance.

Believe it or not, such disconnect does lead to a young girl lying on the side of the road in someone's doomed attempt at self-protection.

But it's not too late.

Fortunately most of us do believe our communities are special and we still do make the right choices, no matter how difficult they are.

Try as it has, the me-first-at-all-costs mentality has not taken control of our region.

That's why so many Kivalliqmiut truly felt utter disdain upon hearing what happened in Arviat.

But it's an ongoing battle that will only get tougher as, slowly but surely, Northern technology catches up with the rest of the country and tries to eat away at our humanity.

It's a struggle we can't afford to lose because once we decide to put ourselves ahead of all others, only two words remain to text - game over!

Money is coming to the Sahtu, big money.

If predictions about a recent oil and gas find in the region and plenty of related exploration hold true, tens or hundreds of millions could be added to the region's economy - everything from oil and gas wells to new roads, jobs and supporting businesses.

As a result of what Mayor Dudley Johnson describes as a boom, it's likely the Sahtu's population will increase. At the very least, more jobs will be available to Northerners and that means more money being funneled into the local economy.

It's vital people in the Sahtu be prepared for the positives and negatives that come from a booming economy. Training will be key.

Although the GNWT is responsible for ensuring educational opportunities, individuals have a personal responsibility to prepare themselves for employment. Filling a maximum number of jobs locally is necessary to realize the full benefit of the boom, otherwise the money will fly south with import workers.

While more money means families will be better able to make ends meet and possibly add a few luxury items to their lives, it also comes with risk.

Booming economies also tend to attract an increase in social ills, such as more drugs and alcohol. Support programs must be available not just to treat people who lose their way but to educate them before they succumb to addictions and poor choices. Something as simple as financial management courses could go a long way toward curbing potential problems.

Some municipal election candidates in Norman Wells have also suggested the town should reinstate liquor restrictions. Although they say problems in Norman Wells have not increased since the restrictions were lifted on Feb. 1, they are concerned with the effects the increased volume of alcohol is having on neighbouring communities.

If that is the case, more money in the region could further exacerbate the problem. It's definitely an issue to be examined closely.

Despite the potential risks, good things are coming to the Sahtu and a little preparation will help the reduce any potential harm.

Six communities in the NWT will go to the polls on Oct. 15 to select their municipal government for the next five years.

We encourage residents to vote to help choose their next council and mayor.

Municipal government, whether we like it or not, has a considerable impact on our day-to-day lives. Where people might not use hospitals or police services every day, they do use roads, water and, often, recreation facilities.

All of the elections have a mix of incumbents and new challengers running for an opportunity to serve the community. It's your responsibility to select the best person for the job. The more people who vote, the better chance the best council and mayor will be chosen. So know the issues and understand what each candidate is offering.

Then, on Oct. 15, exercise your democratic right and help choose who will decide how your hard-earned tax dollars are spent in your community.

The Iqaluit municipal election is fast-approaching, and Iqalummiut should take this time to think about the direction in which their city going.

The big-ticket issue for the Oct. 15 election is, of course, the proposed aquatic centre. Ratepayers will vote whether to give the city permission to go $40 million into debt to finance the project. The new council will be charged with either beginning construction with permission to borrow or, if ratepayers vote no, trying to find alternate funding for the project, or scrapping it all together.

It's unfortunate that only property-tax payers will be able to cast a vote in the borrowing referendum, as the increases in property taxes the project would cause will undoubtedly affect rental rates around the city; regardless, it is important that everyone eligible casts a vote.

The aquatic centre should not be the only issue on the minds of voters. One only needs to take a drive through the booming plateau subdivision to see Iqaluit is expanding, and if Baffinland's Mary River iron ore project forges ahead, the pace of growth will surely accelerate further. It's up to Iqalummiut to elect the candidates they think are most fitting to manage that growth - keeping an eye on infrastructure needs, services needs and developing land with a keen eye for what the city might look like 10 or 20 years down the line.

Municipal politics can be a boring mess of bureaucracy and formality, and the public certainly doesn't show up in droves at city council meetings, but now is the time to get involved and get educated as to what the issues are.

It's in your hands, Iqalummiut, to choose what kind of city you want to live in.

The departure of Alexina Kublu from the role of languages commissioner leaves a perhaps daunting position for her successor.

Kublu has left on a high note. Legislation was recently enacted requiring municipal governments to provide services and documents in Inuit languages. Though most, if not all, hamlets were already offering services in Inuit languages, putting this law into effect was an important move to make sure things stay that way. She also held the position when the Nunavut Official Languages Act was given Senate approval and came into effect.

Though her tenure has been well-decorated, her successor will be faced with the uphill battle to make Inuit languages the languages of business and governance in the territory.

With mining companies entering the territory from all around the world and many government staff positions being filled by southerners who have moved north to work - most often only temporarily - making Inuktitut or Inuinnaqtun the default tongue is a daunting task. However, it's vital to Nunavut that this becomes the case.

Facing the perception of overly lenient sentences being handed down by NWT courts, Supreme Court Justice John Vertes granted Yellowknifer a rare interview last year which he used to chastise politicians for not tackling the root problems behind the NWT's high crime rate, such as poverty and overcrowded housing conditions.

The soon-to-be-retired judge also took a parting shot at Canada's parole system, which he suggested holds the real power in determining how long inmates stay in jail.

No doubt, Vertes' arguments hold some merit but once in a while a court case appears that drops the ball squarely back into the hands of judges. Enter Lloyd Thrasher, a notorious criminal with more than 20 convictions on his record. Thrasher has apparently become a champion of leftist causes, gracing the stage with Libby Davies, deputy leader of Canada's official opposition in the House of Commons, no less. Thrasher appears in a YouTube video dated July 1, playing guitar with his band at an anti-Harper rally in Vancouver.

All would be fine except for the fact that Thrasher was not supposed to be anywhere near Vancouver on July 1. According to the release conditions set by territorial court Judge Garth Malakoe on March 29, Thrasher was to remain under "tight conditions" in the home of his relative living in Yellowknife while awaiting trial on charges related to the break-in of two convenience stores; this, despite a previous charge of failing to appear in court Feb. 7. Two weeks later, Thrasher was arrested and charged for the second break-in at Willy's Convenience Store.

This is a man who stole and killed a small pet dog.

It's inexplicable, considering Thrasher's track record, that he was released again. This situation is reminiscent of the case of Anthony Griep, who, accused of stalking and sexual assaulting a young woman on the McMahon Frame Lake Trail, was free for months awaiting trial.

"I made a decision not to break the law anymore," Thrasher told a judge in March.

Obviously this is a criminal whose word should not have been trusted.

Outgoing city councillor David Wind made some good points last week with his comments about the City of Yellowknife's failure to meet its self-imposed target of committing 10 per cent of its tax revenue to capital projects.

While budget discussions and monitoring the city's financial state are arguably the most difficult tasks for municipal politicians, it is up to members of city council to keep a firm hand on administration to ensure that taxpayers' money is being spent efficiently.

We're not suggesting that there has been mismanagement of city coffers. In fact, the city's financial position seems to be quite solid, despite the fact it had to borrow $20 million for a new water treatment plant. Mayor Gord Van Tighem says the municipality has adequate reserves and a strong credit rating.

The city's estimated $74.1 infrastructure deficit is more worrying, however. Considering the city expects to collect approximately $23 million in tax revenue in 2012, that $74.1 million figure looks large.

Therefore, Wind's suggestion that the city work harder at setting aside 10 per cent to fund future capital infrastructure projects seems prudent. One has only to drive around the streets of Yellowknife to realize the state of some key city infrastructure.

Some streets are disgraceful. Water and sewer services require constant monitoring and maintenance simply because anything mechanical will eventually wear out. There's no shortage of capital expenditures.

We urge the new crop of city council candidates to be aware of the financial implications of not adequately planning for future infrastructure needs and recognize that, as representatives of the people who pay property taxes, it is part of the job description to keep administration fully accountable for budget decisions.

This week communities in the Deh Cho are working to create awareness to combat family violence. A number of events are planned in Fort Providence and Fort Simpson, including a Take Back the Night walk, a barbecue and a movie night, among other activities.

Events such as these are important but violence isn't a topic that should only be talked about one week a year. Discussions about violence should be ongoing.

Violence continues to be an issue across Canada. According to Statistics Canada, six per cent of Canadians reported being physically or sexually victimized by their spouse between 2004 and 2008. Also, between 2000 and 2009 there were 738 spousal homicides and 326 homicides committed by a family member against a child aged 0 to 17. Finally, during the same time frame there were 160 family-related homicides against seniors.

Residents in the Northwest Territories aren't immune to the issue and in fact it is a huge problem. In Statistic Canada's 2006 Measuring Against Women Statistical Trends it was reported that 12 per cent of adults in the territory have experienced spousal abuse, compared with seven per cent in other areas.

Meanwhile, in Fort Simpson, the RCMP laid 19 charges in relation to spousal abuse in the village during 2010.

The statistics paint a grim picture but this doesn't have to be the case. Communities can band together to fight family violence and individuals can choose to make a change to better their life and the lives of those around them. As children we are taught to use our words, not our fists, so why is it OK to use violence to solve our problems when we are older?

Residents who find themselves turning to violence should seek help. It may be frightening to admit your wrongs but be courageous.

On the other hand, if you're on the receiving end there are services available through Dehcho Health and Social Services, and the RCMP are always a phone call away.

No one deserves to be kicked, punched, slapped or hurt in any way – this includes emotional and psychological abuse. We all deserve respect and we should all demand respect from each other. Don't be afraid to reach out for a helping hand from a friend, parent, sibling, whoever. Have the courage to make a change for the better. You deserve it.

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Protecting what belongs to the community
Editorial Comment
Danielle Sachs
Inuvik Drum - Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012

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There are only so many hours in a day. Well, to be more exact, there are 24.

What do we do with that time? Obviously there are the basic necessities that take up time, like sleeping and eating. But where does all that extra time go? The time when you're not at work, school or running errands?

For a lot of people in this community it's spent volunteering for different causes. It can be coaching sports teams, helping with a course, walking dogs, organizing events and generally just making sure there's something for everyone.

It's nice to have those options. There's are so many activities in Inuvik that even with 30 hours in a day there wouldn't be time to try everything.

Inuvik is a giving community. It's evident in the number of organizations that are funded purely by donations and grants.

There's a lot of doom and gloom in the news about the uncertainty of energy prices. But even with the amount of bad news, this community doesn't pull back. If anything, it pours even more time and effort into continuing the same level of services and volunteer commitment to the various causes around town.

But it can be frustrating at times. For example, volunteers struggled to keep the food bank running, only to have it destroyed by vandals.

And now, residents are taking up the fight to further preserve the community as a safe, beautiful place to live and build a family.

A new volunteer group has started, Inuvik Citizens on Patrol, or ICOPS. The first meeting was filled with faces from all areas of Inuvik. These are people who are fed up with increasing vandalism and theft and want to do their best to protect their community, while working within the law.

It's one more organization that needs volunteer time from individuals. But it didn't stop anyone from signing up.

The new group is not about vigilante justice. The volunteers can't leave their vehicles or apprehend people. They're meant to be a support for the RCMP who can't possibly be everywhere at once.

They're also, intentionally or not, a support for the other volunteer groups in town.

By patrolling neighbourhoods and reporting anything suspicious, they're working to protect what the community has worked so hard to build up.

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