Glen Vienneau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 18/00) - For one day, registered voters in Yellowknife were granted power. Power to fill nine positions at City Hall.

It was a right that some voters, such as Shelly Johnson, believed residents had the opportunity to make a difference in their community.

"One vote can make the difference. A lot of people don't believe that, but I certainly do," said Johnson, who was among 45 per cent of eligible voters who casted their ballets at the polling stations.

But, she admits that leading up to Monday's election, politicians were a little quiet and were shy of controversy during the election campaigns.

The lack of interesting issues discussed may have played a role in that reticence, believed voter Stuart Neary.

"I think people are probably sick of it (politics). They (voters) don't really care about it."

But for Moira Cameron, the election gave her the opportunity to put forward her concerns to City Hall by asking for straight answers from politicians.

She did that by questioning each of the four mayoral candidates by e-mail, asking about their position of having a community arts centre in Yellowknife.

"This is why I had to ask them personally, because their pamphlets (from two candidates) didn't give me enough information," said Cameron.

"I based my vote on whatever it was that they said to my question."

For others, such as Josie Gould, making the decision was easier.

She was already familiar with the candidates and based her decision on one particular issue.

"I didn't like the property tax increase, that had a bearing," said Gould.

For others, however, the concern was not who would become the city's new mayor, but how will the mayor lead the community and relate to other communities.

Improving relations between city council and Ndilo and Dettah band councils was something Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus thought was important.

"We have a chief and council, they have a mayor and council, the two have to work together," said Erasmus.

One issue he believed needed to be addressed by the new mayor would be to give more clarification about the services the City of Yellowknife provides to the two communities.

Matthew Grogono was clear about the role of adults in casting their votes.

"People have to show a little initiative." said Grogono.

But not all eligible voters had their say.

Joshua Colford felt he had just as much right not to vote.

"Frankly, I was not at all interested," said Colford.

"I could exercise my right, but why exercise my right if I don't know what I'm voting for?"

He did admit that he was too preoccupied to follow the campaigns and would accept whoever became mayor.