Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 30/98) - Less than a year after their settlement's council was dismissed by the GNWT and a bureaucrat put in place to run the local government, Enterprise residents will be heading to the polls once again on Dec. 14.

Settlement administrator Paul Gammon said last week a full slate of candidates will be available for Enterprise's 36 eligible voters to choose from on the upcoming election day.

"Nominations closed Nov. 9," he said.

Five candidates -- Winnie Cadieux, Genevieve Clarke, Anne Leskiw and Karl Mueller -- have sat on council in the past.

Chaal Cadieux, Dave Richards and Earl Wyatt have put their names forward and have not sat on Enterprise's council before, Gammon said.

MACA Minister Manitok Thompson dismissed the former council suddenly April 1 after an inspection report found numerous violations of territorial laws and policies in the settlement's operations.

These included findings of conflict of interest or the potential for conflict of interest regarding matters such as the hiring of the community's senior administrative officer, a recreation contract and the delivery of school bus service and the training of the bus driver.

Other irregularities uncovered included:

1. the Enterprise Settlement Council had violated municipal acts by electing co-chairs instead of a single chairperson

2. the SAO had invested $40,000 of the community's money without a resolution from council

3. council made two $50,000 advances to contractors despite being prohibited from making loans

Gammon is currently in the process of completing a new set of policies and procedures that will be reviewed by MACA officials before they are put into effect by the new council.

Residents can cast their ballots between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Enterprise's community hall.