Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (Oct 13/03) - The vote for mayor of Fort Smith is less than a week away. Incumbent Peter Martselos has one challenger: former Smith's Landing First Nation Chief Fred Daniels.

In addition to electing a mayor and council, rate-paying voters will be asked to vote on a plan to build a swimming pool. The proposed $2.5-million project would increase property taxes by 15 per cent over the next 10 years.

For Martselos, who is seeking a third term as mayor, the primary issue is stimulating economic growth in the community.

To help facilitate this, Martselos said that if re-elected he will continue to push for a road south. Currently, the only all-weather road to the town is Highway 5.

"We also need to finish the chipsealing (on Highway 5)."

As for the pool, Martselos said he is encouraging people to vote "yes" and added that the town has committed to kicking in an additional $500,000 should the ratepayer's decide in favour of building a pool. Former SLFN Chief Fred Daniels is not as enthusiastic on the issue of a new pool.

"I support it but let's sit down and try and find some alternative financing," he said. "I don't believe in going to the bank and putting the burden on the taxpayer."

If elected, Daniels also wants to hold public meetings every six months to get input on his and council's efforts.

Daniels said that housing concerns need to be addressed, as well. Currently, there is a zero per cent vacancy rate in Fort Smith.