It's interesting to look back at the 1997 election results and see how Yellowknifer reported voter turnout was a "healthy 38 per cent."

This year, there are 9,050 registered voters. How many will go to the polls on Monday? To answer that, it is worth reflecting upon the election campaign, a rather dull, unmemorable affair in which there was no controversy and little testy debate.

Corrections In a recent issue of Yellowknifer it was incorrectly reported that John Murray was a member of Alternatives North. Mr. Murray has not been a member of that organization for some time and Yellowknifer apologizes any inconvenience this error may have caused. Also, a business brief in the Oct. 4 Yellowknifer gave incorrect information on NorthwesTel's 15-cent-a-minute Saturdays. Northerners can now call anywhere in Canada for 15 cents a minute from 8 a.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday. Yellowknifer apologizes for these errors and any inconvenience they may have caused.

The only real clue to the pending vote were the signs posted along city streets. Even the electorate seems nonplussed -- the largest crowd at a forum being the 70 people who turned out to watch the four mayoral candidates answer questions from the chamber of commerce.

Forum organizers were lucky to get 30 people out any other night. That doesn't bode well. In past elections there have been colourful candidates saying outrageous things that made us laugh and made us think.

It's unfortunate, but voters need to be roused to action.

We need to care about the city's financial position -- and our tax money. What's the impact of the $3.5 million buyout of Niven Lake partners? Is it wise that the city has all but committed its reserves to building a new arena? How many of us are aware of the auditor's warning of the cash crunch that could come next year and that the city might be forced to borrow money to pay for day-to-day needs? Are we faced with another tax increase as a result? Are we happy with the services the city provides?

It's the candidates who must challenge the electorate with tough talk and ambitious plans. This election there were many platitudes about improving tourism and setting a zero-tolerance policy about family violence -- important issues, yes, but not ones that make the electorate pay attention. The vote may be three days from today, but there's still time for people to get out and challenge the candidates for their positions on important questions.

Most have booths at this week's trade show. Get out and demand they tell you why you should vote for them.

News item: Sherwood Park, Alta.-based law firm has launched a legal service Web site.

With all manner of services available on the World Wide Web, it was just a matter of time before lawyers carved a piece of the virtual world for themselves.

Those in need of legal advice can simply log on and ask for advice. If it's a simple inquiry and advice is provided, the answer will be sent by e-mail.

The price is $50. Given the going rates for a lawyer's time that could well be the smallest bill ever submitted for legal services.

It could also be the best $50 ever spent by a person with a legal problem. There are many jokes about lawyers, but few are told by clients whose skins they have saved.

They have given hundreds of condoms to bar patrons in Yellowknife. They have had frank discussions with teens about sex, blood, drugs and needles.

They say education is crucial to controlling the spread of AIDS and HIV. They were forced to lay off three workers last week because Health Canada did not renew funding for AIDS Yellowknife's outreach program.

But fighting the disease is about more than money for them. Volunteers are filling in and the board is re-applying for funding.

The number of HIV and AIDS carriers in the NWT is low. But the number of teens in grades 9 and 11 who have had sexual intercourse is higher than the national average.

Perhaps the number of carriers is low because the message of prevention is being heard. Let's hope the government gets the message when it reconsiders funding the outreach project.

Youngsters from Inuvik, Fort McPherson, Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk had a blast here in town over the past week.

More than 90 people took part in Inuvik's first hockey school, and from all accounts it was quite successful.

Certainly lots of kids seemed exhausted but excited as they trudged off the ice at the end of a session, and it was not hard to spot youngsters just itching to lace up their skates again.

Charlie Villeneuve, president of the Inuvik Minor Hockey Association, said his group hopes to make the school an annual event.

Jim Harrison, owner of NHL Old Boys Hockey Schools and Clinics, which put on the school, said he detected a keen interest in the sport and that he and the coaches with him had a great time here.

Harrison said he likes putting on schools in Northern communities, as the attitude is usually better -- that is, more conducive to letting the kids learn the skills and have fun. He said that down south, the attitude often focuses on a desire to win.

Harrison said he and the other former NHL players involved in his company are in this because someone helped each of them get to the NHL, and that sharing their experiences and love of hockey with youngsters is their way of giving back to the game.

His comments are interesting, especially given the recent call for volunteers and coaches by several groups in town, including the Inuvik Minor Hockey Association.

Giving time

Speaking of volunteers, the Inuvik Centennial Library is also looking for more help from the community.

Nora Dixon, director of library services, explained that many programs are offered there, and that it's quite busy, especially every afternoon when a lot of young people visit.

She said one thing staff would like to be able to do is link up volunteers to go read with a child. But she pointed out volunteers can help out in other ways, and that it wouldn't have to involve a lot of time.

Certainly in today's high tech world of video games, movies and the Internet, the value of curling up on the couch with a book, or reading something over with a friend, can be overlooked.

A good book can absorb one's attention for hours, allowing the rest of the world to pass by until that final page is turned and the outcome is at last revealed. Characters discovered in books as a child can be remembered forever. Many classic novels deal with issues and concerns that are universal, and timeless, in their appeal.

In many ways, reading a book can be like discovering a whole new world. It's something people, especially children, should experience as often as possible.

A forum for mayoral candidates was to have been held in Fort Simpson on Wednesday evening.

Hopefully, there was a large audience at the event. More importantly, barring an emergency, all candidates should have been there to present their platforms to residents and respond to questions.

Accountability is one of the key attributes that any politician should have. As readers of The Drum can see, only nine of a combined 23 candidates chose to reply to the questions that were published over the past two weeks.

Some candidates have decided to run on their reputations, saying they have lived in the community for many years and people know them for who they are. But what about people who don't know them well, if at all?

Those who didn't respond to The Drum are, by extension, not responding to every Fort Simpson resident who reads the paper. It seems a few of the incumbents are letting their track record stand for itself. That's their choice.

Voters are entitled to get some sense of the candidates' objectives and approaches.

In some cases, a candidate may have a committed block of support and is content to know that he or she stands a decent chance of being elected. With 20 candidates for council, a large field, it may only take a marginal portion of the overall vote to put a candidate on council. Would that person then represent the best interest of the entire community?

The questions for candidates in the newspaper was not intended as a definitive means of ascertaining whom voters should support. Rather, it was designed to give residents some insight into candidates' positions on pertinent issues in Fort Simpson. It didn't prove to be a very popular exercise for many of the prospective councillors.

As a councillor, sometimes individuals don't seem to be answerable for all decisions because those decisions are made by the collective body, a "council decision." But now is a time for individual voices and ideas.

It's not just a matter of who you are, but what you stand for. Apparently, we won't know for sure with some of the contenders.

Getting insured

This is fire prevention week, a time when we should all reflect on fire safety. Smoke detectors (with a functioning battery), fire extinguishers and an escape route plan are essential to avoiding death or injury. Having furnaces and chimneys checked and cleaned is also a worthwhile expense.

There's never any mention of fire insurance at this time of year, but in light of a most unfortunate situation in Fort Liard, everyone should be investing in or renewing their policies.

Our local volunteer fire departments do a great job, but they are sometimes strapped for resources and equipment. There's no insurance like insurance.

A big thumbs up to Repulse Bay's Donna Crawford for completing her Grade 12 education.

Crawford is the first graduate in the history of Tusarvik school. The hamlet is planning to go all out to commemorate the historic event on Oct. 18.

With eight more graduates set to receive their high school diplomas in Coral Harbour on Oct. 21, the number of Kivalliq graduates is on the rise.

All too often we tend to focus on the negative issues surrounding our education system and overlook the positive accomplishments.

While there are still areas that need to be improved, and the implementation of Qaujimajatuqangit won't happen overnight, the number of graduates to receive their diplomas this past school semester shows we are doing some things right in the Kivalliq.

A tip of the hat also goes to Rankin Inlet physical education teacher Steve Faulkner and Alaittuq high for earning their fifth national award for excellence in their phys ed program.

Building business

A big thumbs up to the hunters and craftsmen in Coral Harbour who are working diligently to get a new industry on its feet.

Outfitting, guiding, eco-tourism and arts and crafts hold tremendous potential in the Kivalliq Region and the hamlet of Coral Harbour is quickly establishing itself as a leader in developing these industries.

Training local people to implement and oversee our own business operations is a solid step towards maximizing the potential our region holds for economic self-reliance.

Name of the game

Kivalliq residents to take a more active role in our minor hockey programs.

With a back-to-the-basics-of-the-game focus sweeping the nation, it is imperative we here in Canada's newest territory increase the level of training among our coaches, referees, trainers and administrators if our amateur hockey program is to flourish.

Sport Nunavut's Kyle Seeley also deserves praise for his master course instructor delivery of the Gator-Aid Safety Training program.

Seeley has been with Sport Nunavut for the past 11 weeks.

Hopefully, the efforts of our amateur sports bodies will be recognized and the 2000-2001 season will be our region's biggest yet for the number of people to get involved with the coolest game on Earth.

The more skilled volunteers we have, the more our kids will benefit and that's the true name of the game.