Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 04/99) - City councillor Dave Ramsay says a city the size of Yellowknife can operate just fine with seven councillors, instead of the usual eight.

It's up to city council to decide what to do about replacing Coun. Peggy Near, who will be leaving her post Sept. 1.

There are three options: Appoint a councillor, hold a byelection, or leave the position vacant.

"There's other much larger municipalities in Canada that operate with six councillors. The way the public has been so upset with council, I don't think they'd mind if that seat remained vacant," Ramsay said.

"The only people that would mind having a vacant seat are the people who would be interested in becoming councillor."

If a byelection is held, Ramsay said it would cost as much as $15,000.

"There won't be a by-election if I have anything to do with it. I think the most prudent thing for us to do is keep it vacant," Ramsay said.

Councillor Near disagrees with Ramsay because they are only halfway through the term. She said her seat should be filled.

"The way I look at it is I think it should be filled, whether by appointment or by-election. I think with eight councillors the city is better represented," Near said.

Mayor Dave Lovell said he would support holding an election. To hold a meeting, five councillors must be present for quorum, so leaving the seat vacant doesn't sit well with Lovell.

"My view is that we have to have a byelection. Having fewer councillors means it will be that much harder to meet quorum on our meetings," Lovell said.

"There is still more than a year left in this term so we should give people the option of choosing who they want to represent them. That's what democracy is all about."

The issue is an agenda item at an Aug. 4 Financial, Legislative and Administrative Committee meeting. The committee will recommend a course of action and council will vote on the recommendation.