Candidate runs for mayor and council
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Chesterfield Inlet (Nov 22/00) - Council's great, but the mayor's seat would be even better.
That could well be the campaign slogan for Chesterfield Inlet's Hilarie Makpah, who is listed as a candidate for both hamlet council and mayor.
The senior inspector of monitoring/evaluation for the Department of Community Government and Transportation says Makpah is perfectly within her rights to offer for both seats.
Margaret Taylor says when her department noticed Makpah was running for both hamlet positions, an immediate check was undertaken.
"There's nothing in the Local Authorities Elections Act forbidding a candidate from entering both races," informs Taylor.
"If she (Makpah) gets elected as mayor, then, of course, she wouldn't get on council."
Problems could surface if Makpah were to win the mayor's race.
If that were to happen, her council candidacy -- and her votes -- would be deleted.
If a candidate were to lose a council seat by a few votes, they'd probably wonder who Makpah supporters would have voted for had she not been in the race.
Should that scenario unfold, there is no right of recourse under existing rules.
Taylor says if any candidate had a problem with Makpah running in both, they should have spoken up during the nomination process.
"The other candidates, or anybody else for that matter, had the opportunity to question her running for both positions.
"A notice is published in the hamlets informing the other candidates and voters if they have a problem with any of the candidates to make a formal complaint.
"All they have to do is advise the returning officer."
Makpah says she originally intended to run for council and had to think long and hard before agreeing to seek the mayor's seat.
"I entered both races because people in the community wanted me to," says Makpah.
"I'd like to be elected mayor, but it was a bit scary to me at first because I don't have any political experience.
"If elected, I feel I could do a good job for my community and the hamlet office."
