Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 12/04) - City council has named two new members to the development appeal board, in a process one councillor says has become too political.

At Monday's regular council meeting, Councillor Kevin O'Reilly made a motion that council direct administration to set a clear policy on the appointment of members to the appeal board and board of revision.

Because those boards are quasi-judicial in nature and have the power to make binding decisions, he said more stringent rules are needed.

"These boards actually sit in judgment and make decisions on what may be a variety of competing interests," O'Reilly said yesterday.

"I think it's important that council commits to a process where individuals are selected on the basis of merit, expertise and experience and are free as possible from political considerations and discrimination."

His motion passed 6-1. Coun. David McCann was the lone hold-out against O'Reilly's motion, although Coun. Doug Witty had earlier accused him of "wordsmithing."

"These are, ultimately, political appointments," said Witty. "We can't get around that."

The board of revision makes rulings on disputes involving property assessments or classifications. The chief role of the development appeal board is to rule on complaints made against development permits issued by the city.

The two appointees to the board are landscape architect Karen Hamre and Eitan Dehtiar, chief financial officer for Braden Burry Expediting. Their terms run from now until March 2007. No honorariums are given for the services they provide.

Environmentally-friendly

Former city council candidate Paul Falvo, who came in 9th during last year's municipal election, also applied to be on the board but was not selected. His main campaign platform called for an environmentally-friendly approach to landscaping and zoning bylaws.

"I did have 1,219 voters who supported me in October. I don't know if that is taken into consideration at all," said Falvo, who insisted he has nothing against the selection process.

"I can only assume they found more qualified people or had some other considerations."

McCann said he voted against O'Reilly's motion because administration already has enough work to do.

"I think they have other, higher priorities," McCann said.