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Terry Halifax
Northern News Services
Running for seven DEA positions are: Jeffery Amos, Mary Beckett, Sue Clarkson, Shauna Grant, Judy Harder, Deanna Marie Jacobson, Jo-Anne Kinsella, Shauna MacKay, Kenneth Wayne Richards, Gerri Sharpe-Staples and Ruth Wright.
After a short introductory statement, the forum was open for public to question the candidates.
While no questions were asked of the DEA candidates, the public asked questions to council candidates on a number of issues.
Two residents of Husky Trailer Park dominated much of the forum, but candidates also fielded several questions on other topics.
An advance poll was held Monday and the election will be held Oct. 21.
Alfred Moses
Occupation: Community Health Representative
Years in Inuvik: 25 years
Questions for candidate:
Q: What experience do you have that would make you the best choice for this position?
A: As the community health representative I work in and for the community. I find out what the major health concerns are from people who live here and address them the best way I can. As a candidate for town council, I will address all of the community s concerns, not just health.
Q: What's the single biggest issue that you'd like to address during your term in office?
A: The single biggest issue right now that I would like to address is the high rental rates for accommodations in the community. I'm sure with the support and cooperation of town council that a solution can be found regarding this issue.
Clarence Wood
Occupation: Career Development Officer
Years in Inuvik: 15
Questions for candidate:
Q: What experience do you have that would make you the best choice for this position?
A: I have served two terms on town council, two terms on the District Education Authority, two terms as vice president of the NWT Association of Communities, sit on the board of directors of Northern Employee Benefit Services, hold board positions with the NWT Legal Services Board, Liquor Licensing Board and Board of Revision for the GTA. This combined with local involvement with the Inuvik Housing Authority (board chair), Inuvik Utilities Commission, justice committee and Turning Point.
Q: What's the single biggest issue that you'd like to address during your term in office?
A: The town's infrastructure still needs major improvements, in particular the roads. In addition more development of residential lots needs to be done.
Derek Lindsay
Occupation: Royal Canadian Legion Manager/Accountant
Years in Inuvik: 21
Questions for candidate:
Q: What experience do you have that would make you the best choice for this position?
A: I've served four years on town council, three years as health board member, chairman Turning Point, three years with Inuvik alcohol committee, chairman Western Arctic Business Development. Also sat on boards at Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre and civil air search and rescue.
Q: What's the single biggest issue that you'd like to address during your term in office?
A: Public awareness of town council and the issues that arise -- get rid of the secrecy that has evolved since I last sat on town council and pick up on the outstanding items that have not been addressed by council ie: new dump location and cemetery.
Dez Loreen
Occupation: Web designer
Years in Inuvik: 19
Questions for candidate:
Q: What experience do you have that would make you the best choice for this position?
A:I held a position on council last year as student representative for the high school.
Q: What's the single biggest issue that you'd like to address during your term in office?
A: Town beautification. As a community we need to come together and give Inuvik the best image possible.
Denny Rodgers
Occupation:
Finance manager
Years in Inuvik: 8
Questions for candidate:
Q: What experience do you have that would make you the best choice for this position?
A: My experience as a town council member, a businessman and community involvement as a volunteer.
Q: What's the single biggest issue that you'd like to address during your term in office?
A: To ensure that we build on our new family centre using sound financial decision-making.
We must ensure that other areas of our capital budget do not suffer as we move forward with construction.
Jerry Lennie
Occupation: NTPC mechanic
Years in Inuvik: 40
Questions for candidate:
Q: What experience do you have that would make you the best choice for this position?
A: Two terms as councillor at hamlet of Aklavik, 10 years in Inuvialuit politics, chair of ICC, treasurer of IRC.
Q: What s the single biggest issue that you d like to address during your term in office?
A: All issues are important.
Brian Campbell
Occupation: Health and safety co-ordinator NWT Power Corporation
Years in Inuvik: 27
Questions for candidate:
Q: What experience do you have that would make you the best choice for this position?
A: A member of community for 27 years. Have sat on District Education Council for 10 years. Been involved in community with youth in all sporting activities. Will represent all members of the community -- not Brian Campbell. Also have no personal agenda.
Q: What's the single biggest issue that you'd like to address during your term in office?
A: Youth centre moved from main street to be included in the family centre.
Vince Brown
Occupation:
Finance/Accounting
Years in Inuvik: 13
Questions for candidate:
Q: What experience do you have that would make you the best choice for this position?
A: Business manager and long-term resident.
Q: What's the single biggest issue that you'd like to address during your term in office?
A: Dog control.
Arlene Hansen
Occupation: Business owner
Years in Inuvik: 24
Questions for candidate:
Q: What experience do you have that would make you the best choice for this position?
A: I have served two terms on town council, with this past term as deputy mayor. I have always been an active member of Inuvik, volunteering with Girl Guides, figure skating, minor hockey and the ski club. I sit on the recreation board and fundraising and design committee for the new family centre.
Q: What's the single biggest issue that you'd like to address during your term in office?
A: I believe in community-based representation. Council should take a pro-active approach to our community and plan for the future rather than dealing with issues as they are presented. I think the past council has made many positive changes for our community.
George Doolittle
Occupation: Contractor/ Educator
Years in Inuvik: Since 1968
Questions for candidate:
Q: What experience do you have that would make you the best choice for this position?
A: Thirty years in government, tradesman, educator, past councillor Inuvik and Norman Wells. Long term resident.
Q: What s the single biggest issue that you d like to address during your term in office?
A: Roads and drainage, town appearance to attract tourists and industry.
Vince Sharpe
Occupation: Contractor
Years in Inuvik: 33
Questions for candidate:
Q: What experience do you have that would make you the best choice for this position?
A: Five terms on council, two terms on Inuvik Housing Board. I served as one of the founding members of the Inuvik justice committee.
Q: What's the single biggest issue that you'd like to address during your term in office?
A: People come first. On every issue, council should be looking at how it's going to put people first and look into other issues later.
Cheryl Patricia Sharpe
Occupation: Courtworker, Coroner, Sheriff
Years in Inuvik: 30 years
Questions for candidate:
Q: What experience do you have that would make you best choice for this position?
A: I have lived in Inuvik for 30 years, I relate to this community and its people, I enjoy interacting with members of Inuvik. I have watched Inuvik grow since a small child; I see change for the future of Inuvik and would like to be apart of this change.
Q: What's the single biggest issue that you d like to address during your term in office?
A: I see youth as a major concern for this community; I look forward to working with town council to generate better solutions to address these matters. With oil and gas around the corner let's not let another generation of people slip though the cracks of this community. We have a head start now let's use it.
Marja van Nieuwenhuyzen
Occupation: Educator/Consultant
Years in Inuvik: 27
Questions for candidate:
Q: What experience do you have that would make you the best choice for this position?
A: Many of you are familiar with my work history in the adult education field with the NWT Training Center, which I was involved with for the 20 years. I am employed by Aurora College, as the coordinator for the Native Artisan Program. I have served on a number of boards including Delta House, The Inuvik Council for Disabled People, the Inuvik Daycare Centre and Family Counselling. Through my work at the training centre I am familiar with government departments and services both federal and territorial, the aboriginal organizations and the services offered by non-government organizations.
Q: What's the single biggest issue that you'd like to address during your term in office?
A: I am finding it very difficult to choose one single issue to focus on during my term in office should I be elected. As a member of town council it is important to me to work with the council on issues that are important to all Inuvik residents and thus make our community a better and healthier place for everyone. Issues that are important to me personally are education, recreation, green space, seniors, roads, community beautification and self-government.
