Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Jan 23/06) - An interest in small, local businesses will be the guiding factor for Dennis Nelner's vote on Jan. 23.

Nelner has decided to vote for Jan van der Veen, the independent candidate.

Dennis Nelner, who plans to vote independent, takes a call in his office at T.J. Grocery. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

"I am a businessman and his platform supports small businesses," he said.

Nelner, 40, has managed T.J. Grocery Ltd. in Fort Simpson for almost two years. Born in Edmonton, his mother was from Fort Simpson and his family moved north when he was five.

Except for van der Veen, none of the other candidates have addressed what they will do for small business owners, said Nelner. He says that van der Veen's statements about preserving the rights of individuals fall in line with the rights of small companies.

Small businesses are the backbone of every economy, said Nelner. Without the convenience store and gas bar, 13 people would be unemployed in the community, he points out.

But managing a small business isn't always easy. Nelner points to high heating fuel and gas prices as well as the recent decision that cigarettes have to be hidden from view.

People start businesses to grow, but Nelner said he hasn't seen much to suggest future growth.

"The small business guy is getting the short end of the stick," he said.

Claims about an economic boom in the Northwest Territories are all based on Yellowknife. More support should be given to the small communities where things are a lot different, Nelner said.

"As a businessman I don't see any support at a territorial level," he said.

One of Nelner's interests is nurturing and drawing businesses to the Deh Cho region instead of seeing them all go to Yellowknife.

He has talked to van der Veen, who's developing a 10-plex in Fort Simpson, about property development of the Deh Cho Hall to make room for a trade and technical centre.

Despite his decision to vote for van der Veen, Nelner, a member of the Liidlii Kue First Nation, said he has nothing against the other candidates. He is just disillusioned with their parties.

Based on political agendas, Nelner characterizes himself as an NDP or Liberal voter. He did have a brief interest in the Conservative party while Belinda Stronach was a member. She had new ideas and new ways of thinking, said Nelner.

When it comes down to casting his ballot, it is the interests of businesses that will sway Nelner and this time it means voting independent.

"If capitalism could become a political party, that would be my vote," he said.