Dawn Ostrem & Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 18/00) - Obvious disappointment clouded over Bob Brooks's face as the final numbers were phoned into his campaign headquarters at the Scotia Centre Monday night.

His wife Lynn showed support by placing a hand on Brooks's shoulder as he braced his frustrated face in his palms.

Other supporters to Brooks' bid for mayor lined to give heartfelt embraces as he left the building to congratulate Van Tighem at the new mayor's headquarters.

The final vote was 1,549 for Van Tighem and 1,355 for Brooks.

"I'm very disappointed," Brooks said as the final numbers rolled in. "Because I felt two years ago, if I was going to do the job I needed a lot of experience and (I accumulated that on various committees).

"I'm probably most disappointed people would rather have someone that was never on council and they'll expect from this new mayor all the things as if he was ... but I wish him the best of luck."

When the first numbers were marked on the board a sombre mood fell over the 30 volunteers and supporters attending Brooks's headquarters election night.

When the votes from St. Joseph's high school and N.J. MacPherson school were phoned in, showing a slight lead in those jurisdictions, their voices rose higher as did their spirits.

But subdued dialogue soon swept over the room again.

Brooks promoted a strong stand on cracking down on crime in Yellowknife during his campaign. Brooks supporter and wife of RCMP Sgt. Doug Ivey explained her disappointment.

"It's pretty devastating when you know you're supporting a man with all the qualifications who has paid his dues," she said. "When someone has all the qualifications then people start looking for the flaws."

The former city councillor said he spent nearly $15,000 on his campaign, half of which came out of his own pocket.

Brooks said in the near future he will be able to spend more time with his family and play a stronger, more focused role as the executive director of the NWT Chamber of Commerce.

The buzzing of excitement at MacKenzie Lounge, election central, quickly dissipated as the first results came in Monday night.

The numbers said it all. Cheryl Best was far behind, with only 15 votes, in the four-person race for the mayor's seat.

Moments before, Best said she was "excited, nervous, anxious."

"I can't tell if I'm excited or scared. I'm just feeling very, very anxious. I need to know one way or the other and get this over with," she said.

Just a short time later, the first results came in. Best was nowhere in sight and did not re-appear at election central that evening.

Later, Yellowknifer caught up with Best at The Office, where she was surrounded by her family and friends. Her parents, two brothers and sister travelled all the way from Ontario to support her mayoral ambitions.

"I feel very satisfied. I am quite comfortable with not winning this election.

"I did what I set out to do. I've proved to the people of Yellowknife that I care and that I would be there for them if they wanted me ... for me, I've got my life back, and that's great," she said.

Best congratulated Van Tighem on his victory, stating she believed "he would do a fine job."

"As much as I'm disappointed I feel very rewarded and very happy," she said.

Now, Best said she will focus her attention on her job at the NWT Development Corporation, running her restaurant, and spending quality time with her family.

"I have a life to live and now I can do it justifiably and say Yellowknife had their chance to make me mayor and they decided they want another leader.

"I still care, but now I can go back to living my life for me instead of doing it for Yellowknife ... everything is going to be fine," she said.