Dez Loreen
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 24, 2007

INUVIK - Twelve years after ousting incumbent Fred Koe, Boot Lake MLA Floyd Roland was ready to run in this year's election.

"I was called and told that nobody was running for my riding and that I was acclaimed," said Roland.

Roland topped the polls in 1995 and 1999. He was acclaimed in 2003 and again this year.

Since the announcement last week, Roland has already been at work, preparing for the next term.

"I called in already and am working to see what needs to be done right away," said Roland.

"We'll have to wait until the election is over before we can return to our offices."

During the down time, while others are campaigning, Roland will still need to fulfill his duties as minister of Finance and Health and Social Services.

"As ministers, we have to keep going until new names are given," he said.

During his first term in office, Roland served as a regular member and learned the ropes as a member of the social programs committee.

During the second term, Roland challenged then Premier Stephen Kakfwi for his position.

"There was some controversy there, but I learned the lesson," said Roland, who served as minister for Housing and Health and Social Services.

Roland said that his first priority is Inuvik and the well being of the residents in his community.

"During my first term, we hit some rough times here in Inuvik," said Roland.

He noted that the addictions treatment centre, the Delta House was closing.

"Across the Territories, we shut down two of the five existing centres. Unfortunately one of them was here in Inuvik," said Roland.

Another of the big projects to come was the new hospital.

"That needed updating and it's fully operational now," he said.

Working with the community, Roland identified that the three education facilities in town also needed to be replaced.

"The college, the high school and the elementary school needed to be fixed," said Roland.

"With the help of community organizations, we have a new college and are building the new schools."

Being seen as a role model in the community is something that Roland appreciates.

Roland said that with determination and education, anyone can reach their goals.

"If I can do this, then anyone can do it," said Roland. "If you're ready to make changes in your life, you can be almost anything you want."

Boot Lake riding covers the southeast side of Inuvik. There were 680 registered voters in the last election in 2003.

In an effort to even out the two Inuvik ridings, some of Boot Lake was moved to Twin Lakes last year.

The riding includes the downtown core, a mainly residential area on the eastern boundary, the hospital, visitors centre, police station and an elementary school.