Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Liard (July 25/05) - Floyd Bertrand isn't leaving office quietly.

He is appealing Harry Deneron's 54-vote victory in the Acho Dene Koe band election on July 14. Bertrand said he believes Deneron and a friend unfairly influenced people to vote for Deneron.

Deneron countered that this has become a "cat and mouse" game and "I'm not going to get into that."

"I didn't even campaign. I didn't even go to any house," an incredulous Deneron said in regards to Bertrand's accusation. "There's nothing (to it), I'm telling you."

Returning officer Rita Cazon said Bertrand, as of filing his grievance, had 10 days to make his case to an appeal board comprising four community members and an elder.

In the meantime, Deneron said he's laying low.

"I don't know what they're looking for," he said. "Until those things surface I'm going to stay home, shut out from the office."