by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Aldermanic candidate Larry Adams got no help from city hall when trying to do some research for his campaign.

Adams wanted copies of the 1996 and 1997 budgets, a review of the municipal enforcement division and the Yellowknife Community Services Plan.

He was told by a staffer no copies of the 1996 budget were available, that the 1997 budget was available, for $75, the community services plan would cost him $25 and that the bylaw review was not a public document.

Adams pointed out that the bylaw review was available at the Yellowknife public library, but to no avail.

As a taxpayer who contributes $8,600 a year to city coffers, Adams said it shouldn't be so difficult to find out how his tax dollars are being spent.

Teamwork

Look for a new approach to campaigning from husband-and-wife team Cheryl and John Best.

The two aldermanic candidates are joining forces for a question-and-answer classified ad campaign they hope will help illuminate some issues and earn them your vote.

"We're calling it the He Says She Says campaign," said Cheryl Best.

"John and I are in agreement on most of the issues," she explained. "The difference is I say things in a female way and he says things in a male way."

Grogono balks at hiring

Mayoral candidate and long-time city hall monitor Matthew Grogono is questioning a recent city hall staff hiring.

Grogono noted that city lawyer Tracey Foster has been hired as clerk, replacing Brian Chambers, who's moving to a new position in British Columbia. Grogono wondered why city hall didn't advertise the position before offering it to Foster.

Before taking on the job as clerk, Foster, a lawyer, was prosecuting the city's lawsuit against the houseboaters. Grogono owns a houseboat and is named in the suit.

No third try

"I received some encouragement, but not enough to make me run," said Robin Beaumont, who finished second in the last two mayoral campaigns.

Beaumont just returned after spending seven weeks in New Brunswick. One of the reasons he went there, he said, was to figure out whether he wanted to take a third shot at the mayor's seat.

"I was a good place to do some thinking," he said, adding another reason for deciding not to run was his uncertainty about how long he will remain in Yellowknife.