Janet Smellie
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 21/98) - He's been called everything from one of the best candidates for mayor Yellowknife's ever seen to a bitter, municipal shit disturber.

But regardless, of whether he's liked or disliked, Matthew Grogono likely won't be forgotten -- even if he is packing up his family and heading back to Nova Scotia on Tuesday.

Destination: Hubbards, Nova Scotia, a place CBC television fans will immediately recognize from the Black Harbour series now running on Wednesday night.

"It's mostly to take a break," Grogono told Yellowknifer adding, that along with returning to his old trade as an auto mechanic he will also be spending some long overdue time with his parents, sisters and 11 nieces and nephews.

Grogono, who's managed the Yk City Market for five years, had hoped to find an interested party to jump in and manage the seasonal market in his absence -- he plans to return to Yk next year -- but since no one came through, he's now busy selling off everything left.

As it stood on Thursday all the materials and structures currently sitting on the market grounds will be taken away, meaning everything is up for grabs.

"It's all available at a very good price," noted Grogono, who adds that the property, too, is apt to be re-leased to whoever is interested.

As for his business, YK Glass Recyclers, Grogono says "it will continue to run and be managed by the very capable Cynthia Brown."

Grogono, who arrived here in 1984, began to get avidly involved in city politics in the late '80s in his plight to get the city to improve its recycling capabilities. He also ran unsuccessfully for mayor last year, was president of the YK Ratepayers Association and more recently started a petition calling for Mayor Dave Lovell's resignation.

All told, he's pretty tuckered out.

"Obviously I've pushed people's buttons. But it's important to see that the city and councillors speak out about the principles of democracy. I feel the people think that I'm going after Dave Lovell for the sake of going after Dave Lovell. They are mistaken, because all I'm interested in is enhancing the function of city hall," he said.

"I apologize to anybody I accidentally pissed off. I also want to express my thanks for the hundreds of supporters I've had for my many ventures."

While Yellowknife Mayor Dave Lovell, didn't say he'd exactly miss Grogono, he did offer this:

"He has a great family -- a great dog, he is a wonderful dad. He would be a great neighbor to have. I obviously didn't agree with everything he did, but he really loved this town and had the people's best interest at heart."