Norman Wells (Sep 22/03) - For the first time that she can remember while holding office as a school trustee, Marlene Malick finds herself in uncharted waters.

There's actually going to be an election; something that hasn't happened the entire 11 years she has served on the Sahtu Divisional Education Council.

Every time an election year rolls along -- every three years -- she has been acclaimed because there were barely enough names entered to fill the six seats on council.

This year, however, there are eight candidates in the race, although three came after the Sept. 15 deadline. It was extended this year, as usual, because only five candidates could be found.

Malick says she is excited with the prospect of an actual election taking place.

"It's nice to see people take an interest." says the council chair and 20-year resident of Norman Wells.

This year's nomination race came with some hiccups. When only five candidates could be found by last Monday, the deadline was extended an extra day.

While the move did gather another three candidates, the town learned that the one-day extension was illegal under GNWT rules, and thus the deadline was moved up to today (Monday).

The names of the eight candidates -- supposed to be kept secret until nominations close -- were accidentally released to the public by the town's election officer because it appeared nominations were over.

On Friday, neither the town or education council would reveal who the eight candidates are even though they were briefly made public earlier in the week.

"They made two boo boos," says education council superintendent Seamus Quigg.

"One by shortening the length of extension to one day, and because of that they thought it was over so they released the names of the candidates.

"Now it's open but theoretically we're not supposed to know who's running."

The election date for the education council, plus town mayor and council is Oct. 20.