SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Dennis Kefalas is expected to permanently become the city's top administrator next week and he will bring with him a new tone for city business.
Dennis Kefalas was named senior administrative officer this week by the city after serving in an acting capacity following the dismissal of Bob Long. Kefalas says he is looking to run an administration that will have a more "blue-collar" focus, with an open-door city hall policy. |
While the decision is still to be finalized at Monday's regular council meeting, Kefalas is fairly straightforward as to the type of atmosphere he wants at city hall.
"I think it is time, and I believe council believes it is time, to have more of a blue-collar approach to address any issues that need to get done," said Kefalas. "You know, maybe we shouldn't concentrate on big projects like geothermal, but concentrate on getting all the replacements done at Northlands and just meet the immediate needs of our residents."
In a similar vein, he said getting the new water treatment plant and maintaining recreational facilities for youth are more practical issues for the city to deal with.
Kefalas said there is a need to rebuild trust between city hall and council as well as with residents, adding an open-door policy at the municipality will help accomplish that.
Kefalas took the acting role for the position six months following the October municipal election. The new council voted to terminate former SAO Bob Long two years into his contract. The dismissal followed an election campaign where Long was criticized by the public for communication problems at city hall.
Kefalas, who will celebrate his 51st birthday on April 4, said he is looking forward to leading the more than 200 city staff and said his goal is to encourage Yellowknife's growth while maintaining its hometown feel.
"Even though we are changing toward a metropolis in the North, we still want to keep that small town attitude so that we can keep an open-door policy at city hall," he said. "It used to be like that when I first started. We went away from it, but we never grew to a size where it didn't warrant us remaining keeping that open-door policy."
Born and raised in Montreal, Kefalas graduated from Concordia University with a bachelor of engineering degree. He moved to the city 17 years ago, and began working for the city as manager of public works and engineering in 2002. In 2008, he took over the director position and since that time filled in as SAO numerous times during vacations and absences.
Kefalas sees a number of broader challenges ahead including seeking "equitable funding" from the federal government and GNWT, continuing to promote development within the city, creating higher density in the downtown, and increasing revenues to help alleviate future tax increases.
Chris Greencorn, who has been acting public works director for Kefalas, welcomes the new appointment.
"In my opinion, Dennis deserves it," said Greencorn, noting that Kefalas has a good working relationship with council and is dedicated to the community. "I think it would be hard to find someone more qualified for that job."
