Council members follow O'Reilly's lead
Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Dec 01/00) - A majority of Yellowknife city councillors have revealed their campaign expenses and contributions for the October municipal election.
Kevin O'Reilly initiated the release of campaign financial statements at a regular council meeting on Nov. 13. He received $2,179.98 in cash and in-kind contributions. His campaign expenses totalled $1,746.82.
The councillor reported a campaign surplus of $433.16, which will be donated to the Yellowknife Food Bank. At that time, he challenged other councillors to do the same.
At Monday's council meeting, councillors Wendy Bisaro, Blake Lyons, Dave Ramsay, Robert Hawkins, Dave McCann and Mayor Gord Van Tighem accepted O'Reilly's challenge.
Bisaro and Lyons presented detailed statements including the names of all campaign contributors.
Bisaro reported expenses of $3,437.40 and contributions of $3,138. Lyons expenses totalled $2,246.62, but he only received $425 in contributions. He footed the rest of the bill out of his own pocket. McCann, McDonald Hawkins and Van Tighem said they planned on presenting financial statements at the next council meeting scheduled for Dec. 11. Alan Woytuik did not mention whether his financial statements would be released.
McCann is still waiting for permission from several contributors to release their names, but said he received donations in the amount of $1,070 and spent at total of $1,183.53 on expenses.
Coun. Ramsay appears to have been the most frugal of all councillors.
"I didn't seek any, nor did I receive any contributions in any way shape or form and my expenses were minimal, probably under $300," he said.
Ramsay recycled the campaign signs he used the last time he ran for council in 1997.
He also designed and printed his campaign brochures on his own computer.
All council members agreed they are in favour of complete disclosure of election expenses and believe it should be mandatory.
