Former mayor wants job back
Madeleine Redfern joins Noah Papatsie in quest to unseat Iqaluit Mayor Mary Wilman
Casey Lessard
Northern News Services
Monday, September 21, 2015
IQALUIT
Iqaluit Mayor Mary Wilman faces a formidable challenger in her re-election bid with former mayor Madeleine Redfern seeking re-election three years after leaving council. Coun. Noah Papatsie is also seeking the top job.
Redfern did not seek re-election in 2012 in order to pursue other opportunities, and left office just as council decided that the position deserved full-time pay.
Wilman was appointed mayor in November 2014, serving as acting mayor after John Graham resigned in June 2014.
Papatsie lost to Graham in 2012 but won a 2013 byelection to replace Coun. Jimmy Kilabuk, who resigned due to poor health.
In an e-mail, Redfern stated that she was running "because of the current state of the city with its $8 million deficit and the need for strong leadership to find ways to eliminate this deficit without compromising essential city services, e.g. water, sewage, garbage, etc."
She said, if elected, she would lobby the Nunavut and federal governments to help ease the city's infrastructure deficit, especially for water, the sewage system and the dump. A housing strategy for the city, including the new subdivision, would also be a priority.
But first, the city's business needs a makeover.
"(My) plan is to first assess why and how the city got into this situation these past few years," she stated, and "where there can be cuts without compromising (the) city's essential services."
Redfern said residents appreciated her leadership style and responsiveness on social media, where she could often be found responding to citizen concerns within minutes of a Facebook post concerning the city's operations.
Wilman said she wants to see the city have a balanced budget in 2016, and would develop a five-year corporate strategic plan. She said the hiring of chief administrative officer Muhamud Hassan has led to steps taken to address the city's deficit.
"People of Iqaluit want a positive leader who can negotiate new solutions in response to our current situation," she stated in an e-mail. "I bring strong, cohesive leadership and excellent communications skills to the position. We must be proud to showcase Iqaluit to gain better support in our efforts to further develop opportunities, programs and services for our residents."
Wilman emphasized her past as a lifelong citizen of Iqaluit, noting how she has "been involved in the development of this community" and wants to make Iqaluit "a better place for all," and "a better and more sustainable community."
She said it will take a group effort to ensure the city's success going forward.
"I believe that with the future population growth Iqaluit expects, it is critical to call upon businesses in town, other agencies and interested investors to work together to provide support and to make positive contributions to the development of our city," she stated.
Papatsie sought more time to answer Nunavut News/North's questions, but comments were not received by the press deadline.
Nine people are running to fill eight council positions. They include deputy mayor Romeyn Stevenson, councillors Joanasie Akumalik, Terry Dobbin, and Simon Nattaq, as well as Lynda Mary Gunn, Gideonie Joamie, Kuthula Matshazi, Megan Pizzo-Lyall, and Jason Rochon.
Four Apex residents - Anne Crawford, Kerry McCluskey, Joseph Murdoch-Flowers, and Corenna Nuyalia - are each hoping to fill one of the three positions on the Apex District Education Authority.
Only two people - Sherene Gissing and Alden Williams - have submitted their names to become members of the Iqaluit District Education Authority. The DEA had six positions, so nominations are being kept open until Sept. 21 in hopes others will come forward.
The Commission Scolaire Francophone du Nunavut is in a similar position. It has three openings and only one person, Daniel Hillman, has put his name forward.
Gissing, Williams and Hillman are expected to be acclaimed by press deadline.
The election coincides with the federal election. Polls will open Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Anglican Parish Hall in Iqaluit and Abe Okpik Hall in Apex. Only those who have lived in the city for at least 12 months are eligible to vote.
