Five candidates running for council
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Providence (Nov 17/00) - It's a two-way race for mayor in Fort Providence.
Incumbent Jim Thom is being challenged by former Deh Cho MLA Sam Gargan.
 Sam Gargan, former MLA and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, is challenging incumbent mayor Jim Thom. |
Ann Bouvier, Priscilla Canadien and Sam Gargan are running for the two District Education Authority seats.
Thom, who has been serving as mayor since he was acclaimed in a scheduled byelection in February, said human resources and social issues remain as top priorities.
"We need to somehow get people motivated to change their lifestyles, upgrade their skills and learn," he said.
The GNWT is providing the community with tools through funding programs, but it's up to residents to decide how the funding should be allocated, said Thom.
"We've got to be giving out more information to the public and let the people know in order to participate more in these type of programs," he said, citing the community wellness committee and justice committee as examples.
"We've got to have a strong backing from healthy community members to make a it go. Otherwise we're just setting ourselves up for failure."
Aboriginal residents paying property tax is another issue that needs to be resolved, said Thom.
Gargan said he would like to see some territorial jurisdiction turned over to the smaller municipalities such as decisions regarding capital projects and student financial assistance. The NWT Association of Municipalities could help lobby for these objectives, which would reduce red tape, he said.
"I'm saying a lot should be done at the local level. A lot more control should be devolved to the local level," he said.
Issues of self-determination are also important, he added. He said the new western territory needs greater recognition.
"I've been pushing to have the name changed to Denendeh and to get more local autonomy," said Gargan, who had served four terms as MLA. "I want to do more grassroots issues and, from that, derive more territorial issues."
The municipal election is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 11.
