Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 16/00) - It may not be that obvious to non-political types, but there is a flurry of behind-the-scenes organizing going on in the North these days.

With a federal election rumoured for Nov. 27, political parties are planning election strategies, looking to load up their coffers and selecting candidates.

The Western Arctic Liberal machine, which has trounced all comers in the last three federal elections, is rumbling in to action again.

At an Oct. 7 meeting, the Western Arctic Liberal Association appointed Ted Blondin its new president and set its nomination convention for Dec. 2 in Rae.

Blondin said selecting a candidate will likely be a formality.

"Right now the incumbent (Ethel Blondin-Andrew) is running again, there's no doubt about it," said Blondin, a cousin of the Western Arctic MP.

The Western Arctic Liberal Association executive was to meet again Saturday (after deadline).

Last Thursday, veteran NWT politician Dennis Bevington threw his hat into the ring. Bevington announced he will be seeking the nod to represent the NDP.

Bevington has no shortage of political experience. He served as mayor of Fort Smith for nine years, was president of the NWT Association of Municipalities for three and is a past president of the Northwest Territories NDP Association.

The Western Arctic Progressive Conservative Party will combine its annual general meeting and candidate nomination this week.

Association president Dave Ramsay said a time and date have yet to be firmed up.

Undoubtedly one of the focuses will be the impact the Canadian Alliance's debut in the Western Arctic riding will have on Conservative fortunes here.

David Wind of Yellowknife is heading up an effort to gauge interest in forming a Western Arctic Alliance riding association.

The Alliance is holding a meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Yellowknife Public Library meeting room A. If the support is there, Alliance members would elect an executive, which would then go on to recruit a candidate.