Sahtu to hold public meetings on liquor issues

In the Sahtu, people will get a chance to weigh in on changes to the Liquor Act in a series of meetings to discuss the community's lone liquor store in Norman Wells.

Public hearings will be held this weekacross the region.

Norman Wells, which has the only liquor store in the region, lifted alcohol sales restrictions several years ago.

That's when other communities in the area started noticingthey were dealing with more liquor-related problems.

The changes to the Liquor Act would allow Sahtu communities to hold a plebiscite on how booze is sold in Norman Wells.

"This isa very unique approach for the communities to have a say in the liquor store that's having an impact on all four communities," Sahtu MLA Norman Yakeleya said.

The first meeting to discuss the issue will be in Norman Wells on Sunday at 7p.m. at Melnyk Hall.

On Monday,the standing committee dealing with the changes will move on toDeline for a meeting at noon in the Cultural Centre, andat7:30p.m. in Tulita's council chambers.The finalpublic hearing will be held on Tuesday in theFort Good Hope community hall at 7:00 p.m.