The aftermath of an election is a time to reflect upon the past and look to the future.

The election is a time for the here-and-now, voters trying to get to know the candidates and make their best guess about who's best to lead the way into the future.

To know where we're going, we have to look to the past, and examine six years under the guidance of Mayor Dave Lovell.

Over the years, Yellowknifer has ridden him hard. One of the jobs of a newspaper, after all, is to hold public officials to account.

But that's not Lovell's legacy to the city.

A man who has grown up with Yellowknife, Lovell came to office in the height of a recession and stood his ground when it came time to make hard decisions.

Whether or not you liked his methods, the outcome was a city that weathered an economic storm of government layoffs, mine closure and more.

Now, voters want someone different to lead them into the better times that lie ahead: Gord Van Tighem.

A rookie politician, he brings different skills to city council and new ideas. He wants to "get the city moving."

Among his priorities are getting Niven Lake lots sold and moving ahead with waterfront development and Old Town revitalization.

It's likely people will have high expectations of our new mayor, and we hope they're tempered with the understanding that Mayor Van Tighem can only set the tone for council and the city.

He cannot do it alone and his goals cannot be accomplished overnight.

Van Tighem, too, must temper his expectations with the understanding that his powers are limited and that the city's ability to make change are also restricted -- by legislation and budget.

Thanks must also go out to Dave Lovell for his years in office, and to outgoing councillors Bob Brooks, Cheryl Best, two people who made a very credible run for mayor, and Robert Slaven, who chose not to seek re-election.

Everyone who ran in the councillor race, winner or not, also deserves congratulations.

We have been wasting time quibbling about renaming Mount Logan. Landmarks should never be renamed, only new ones created.

Former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, the top newsmaker of the 20th century in Canada doesn't need the country's tallest mountain named for him.

Mount Logan was named for a man, who much like Trudeau, was a pioneer of his day.

Sir William Logan's contributions are unsurpassed within the geological realm, much the same as Trudeau's in the political realm.

It was the people of Canada who voted Trudeau in as prime minister. Let them now vote on how best to honour him.

Like skilled trackers, Canadians have come to recognize the spoor of a politician on the campaign trail.

The telltale signs are obvious. Members of the governing party, for example, fairly reek with the scent of tax dollars as they walk among the voters, dispensing cash from this program or that.

If the writ has not been dropped, such political animals will be coy and evasive about the date that just about everyone has guessed. They may issue passionate denials that the government's "generosity" has anything to do with hunting votes.

That fairly describes Ethel Blondin-Andrew.

On a visit to Yellowknife last week, the veteran Liberal MP for the Western Arctic dolled out $357,800 for a handful of literacy programs.

Yes, we know it was Literacy Week. And, given the nature of our business, we won't argue with the intent.

But making a public show of giving out taxpayers' money is a questionable tactic at any time. On the eve of an election call, it gives off a bad odour.

Full marks must be given to the Nunavut Department of Education's Early Childhood and School Services Division in Arviat for the recent four-day workshop in Rankin Inlet.

Two programs introduced during the workshop, held at Nunavut Arctic College's Kivalliq campus, gave Nunavut childcare workers a lot to think about.

Based on what was shown during the seminar, both hold strong development potential for Nunavut.

The early childhood development model introduced by Alaska's Paul Sugar would be a comfortable marriage in Nunavut with the implementation of Qaujimajatuqangit.

Based in cultural values, the program is delivered in a region's first language and would be ideal for young Nunavummiut learning to speak Inuktitut at home.

In addition to helping identify deficiencies in a child's early development, it also focuses on and identifies strengths which can be nurtured as the child's learning progresses.

Coupled with the early intervention tool, Ages and Stages, which was also introduced at the workshop, early childhood development in Nunavut would greatly improve.

The combination of the two programs effectively identifies and addresses both strengths and weaknesses, and promotes family and cultural values.

Facilitators of both methods work closely with parents and other family members to promote understanding and provide teaching resources.

The ultimate aim of the programs is to ensure each child is given every opportunity to maximize his or her potential at a very young age.

Hopefully, our health and education ministers will recognize the value of these programs and work closely with leaders in the field to slowly implement the practices throughout Nunavut.

When it comes to the monetary value, which many politicians may hold dear to their heart, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure every time. The latter often costs up to seven times more than the former when it comes to child development costs. Our kids deserve the best shot we can give them at being healthy, educated, well-adapted and productive. Both programs can help them achieve their goals.