Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Resolute (Sep 09/02) - Mayor Aziz Kheraj says the 40 Resolute residents who signed a petition asking him to step down don't understand the limits of his office.

Resident Joadamee Amagoalik circulated the petition a few weeks ago, claiming Kheraj refused to help him find work cleaning up the Polaris mine. Amagoalik said hamlet council should have pressured the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation to hire Inuit from Resolute.

The petition was presented to council in August.

Hamlet councillor Minnie Nungaq is among those who want Kheraj to resign. "He told someone who wanted him to help the community to get some jobs that he doesn't have to help anyone and he will not help anyone," Nungaq said.

Kheraj no longer effectively represents the tiny hamlet of 250, she added, noting he often dismisses hamlet business for his private business interests. Kheraj is the owner of South Camp Enterprises, a construction business, and the South Camp Inn. His company also holds the government contract for the distribution of local fuel.

After the mayor refused to resign, residents appealed with the Department of Community Government. But deputy minister John Walsh said Kheraj can stay until defeated in an election.

Hamlet senior administrator Ralph Alexander said he has no position on the apparent loss of public faith in Kheraj's leadership.

"They end up looking foolish when they find out that what they're doing just doesn't make sense," Alexander said. "The people have been told by somebody other than us that the petition is nonsense."

Alexander said the hamlet is responsible for ensuring beneficiaries are considered in hiring processes at Polaris, but final decisions are made by Qikiqtaaluk Corp.

"Don't complain to the hamlet. Complain to the Inuit organization," he said.

QC should help

Kheraj said he isn't surprised at the petition, as they are not an uncommon. He said allegations that he doesn't support hiring beneficiaries is simply "not true."

Kheraj said that when Am-agoalik asked what the mayor would do about Amagoalik's failure to find work at the Polaris project, he suggested asking the local QC representative, George Eckalook.

The mayor agreed to take the issue to hamlet councillors, noting he cannot act without their direction.

"We came to the meeting, he came with his petition and said, 'We want you to resign,'" said the mayor.

Kheraj said Amagoalik admitted he did not tell petitioners that he had been told to ask Eckalook. Then, at a Sept. 3 council meeting, Kheraj said Amagoalik told council he had made a mistake by coming to them.

He instead filed an appeal with the Department of Community Governments and is now awaiting a decision.