Hay River (Sep 29/03) - Harvey Werner has been confirmed - for a second time - as a candidate for Hay River town council.

"Nothing can stop him now from running," says Hay River returning officer Selena Pukanich.

In a lengthy and confused process after the Sept. 15 nomination day, his candidacy was challenged twice - once by Pukanich (although the town also says it challenged his eligibility) and a second time by an unidentified individual.

Werner was required to sign two declarations that he was eligible to run. The last was signed Sept. 23, even after Pukanich had deemed him eligible three days earlier.

The Town of Hay River claims Werner has unpaid bills and property tax arrears with the municipality, although he vehemently denies it. Such unpaid accounts would make him ineligible to run under the Local Authorities Elections Act.

Pukanich says any issue with Werner's candidacy will now have to wait until after the election.

If he had been unable to run in the Oct. 20 election, the eight other candidates for council would have been acclaimed.

Werner, who also has a probation order preventing him from entering town hall, is a long-time opponent of council and town administration, which he claims is involved in a conspiracy to prevent him from running.

When contacted, Werner declined comment, although he did say he is disappointed by the "distasteful" media coverage of the whole affair.