by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 17/97) - Outspoken alderman John Dalton has resigned from Yellowknife city council.

Dalton (left) said he resigned to comply with a NWT law governing aldermen who owe the city money, calling it a "matter of personal integrity."

The resignation came a day after a council meeting was called to deal the situation.

"It's a tough pill to swallow, but the rules are there," Dalton said in an interview Thursday, shortly after handing in his resignation, which came eight months short of the end of his term.

The NWT Cities, Towns and Villages Act says an alderman "shall" vacate his seat if he, or any company in which he owns more than 10 per cent, owes the city more than $500 for more than 90 days.

Mayor Dave Lovell, acting senior administrator Brian Chambers and three aldermen refused Wednesday to discuss the purpose of the meeting.

But late Thursday afternoon, following Dalton's resignation, the special meeting was cancelled.

Asked why, Mayor David Lovell said "there's no need for it now. If John didn't deal with it, which he did, council would have had to."

Lovell confirmed Dalton paid the amount owed in full the same day he handed in his resignation.

Dalton, who owns several businesses in town, including the Unicorn Pub, Old Town Pub and Yk Cabs would not specify how much was owed. He said only that the debt, an outstanding water bill, "wasn't a staggering amount."

"I thought the accounts were not in excess of 90 days. I thought they were paid. They were not, and the accountability rests with me."

Dalton said he became aware of the outstanding debt a week-and-a-half before resigning.

Many observers anticipated Dalton would run for mayor in September's municipal election and he did little to rule out that possibility Thursday, saying only, "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."

Council policy has been to either leave vacant or reappoint someone to fill seats on council vacated less than a year before an election.

Now that Dalton has paid his debt, there is nothing to prevent council from appointing him.