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BAKER LAKE - Baker Lake Mayor David Aksawnee lists a new community hall and water-treatment plant as his top priorities entering his third term as mayor.

Aksawnee has worked hard trying to secure both projects during the past two years and said he will continue to work hard until his efforts are met with success.

"We had big problems this past spring with caribou in our lagoon area," said Aksawnee.

"A contract has now been awarded to a local contractor to do the fencing around our lagoon and the garbage area.

"That project has been started and will continue as soon as the weather breaks.

"We are also going to keep lobbying for a new airport for our community, which is growing at a rapid pace."

Aksawnee said he's still in ongoing discussions with Areva Resources Canada Ltd. and Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. in regards to what the two companies can do to improve infrastructure in Baker Lake.

He said he's been meeting with the two mining companies for the past two years to discuss a number of community-related issues.

"I meet with the two companies separately, and everything is still on the table as far as what they may be able to do for our community.

"I have every intention of continuing those discussions once the holiday season is past and we all get back down to business.

"I've been taking it a little easy during the holidays and relaxing a bit after the election."

Aksawnee, eager to finish what he started, said he was quite happy when the community voted him into another term as mayor during the December election.

He said a number of people have talked to him since the election to provide encouragement and support.

"People congratulated me on my election win and told me they've seen a positive change in our community during my four years as mayor.

"They've seen me working hard to try and open up more things for the community and they want me to continue my efforts, so that's what I'm going to do.

"I'm going to push very hard for a new community hall this year because our existing hall is about 25 years old and has become far too small for Baker Lake.

"The hamlet has money to put towards the project, and once we have a new community hall, the existing complex will become our new youth centre."