Yellowknife (Oct 15/04) - Embattled Twin Lakes MLA Roger Allen threw in the towel Tuesday, tendering his resignation as a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Citing family and personal issues as the reason for stepping down, Allen submitted a written statement to Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Paul Delorey.

Roger Allen - NNSL file photo

Reacting to the news, Mayor of Inuvik Peter Clarkson, a vocal critic of Allen, had this to say.

"It's unfortunate given the circumstances, but this sets the stage for Inuvik to move on and elect a strong representative for the region," Clarkson said.

The mayor had taken issue with the Twin Lakes MLA for what he perceived as Allen's lack of concern for his constituents: primarily his failure to turn up at any town council meetings since being re-elected to the assembly in November 2003.

"Hopefully we can go back to having two MLAs working for Inuvik in Yellowknife," Clarkson said.

Problems began for Allen earlier this year after he made the questionable claim -- in a sworn statement to the GNWT's Board of Management -- that his official residence was in a cabin at Campbell Lake, approximately 50km outside of town.

The small cabin lacked electricity and road access.

The board later called into question his residency claim and ordered Allen to repay nearly $10,000 in housing allowances.

If that wasn't enough, Allen was charged with sexual assault in August and is slated to appear in front of a judge at the Inuvik Courthouse on Oct. 18 to enter a plea.

The charge represents the culmination of a three-month investigation by the RCMP.

Inuvik town councillor Clarence Wood, who lost his bid for a seat in the legislature against Allen in the last territorial election, reacted to the MLA's resignation in this way.

"It's about time," he said. "Part of me is glad he did resign, but part of me is disappointed it has taken this long."

When asked if he would run for the inevitable by-election to fill the vacant seat, Wood pulled no punches.

"I don't think that I have a choice in the matter. It's what I've been working towards for the last six years and I think the people of Twin Lakes deserve more."

Once Allen's resignation is finalized, the Commissioner of the NWT Glenna Hansen and Chief Electoral Officer David Hamilton will discuss a date for a by-election in Allen's Twin Lakes riding.

Hamilton said the election would likely be held before Christmas.

"We need to inform the electorate and potential candidates, which will take some time," he said. "But we will move forward as quickly as we can."

At Frosty's Arctic Pub, a favourite watering hole in Inuvik, reaction to Allen's resignation was mixed.

Upon hearing of Allen's resignation a patron raised her glass proclaiming, "This calls for another drink."

After serving the customer, bartender Patsy Hoydalo was slightly more sympathetic to Allen's plight.

"He's always been nice to me," said the four-year resident of Inuvik. "You know, my mother always said that if you don't have anything nice to say, keep it to yourself."

-- with files from Andrew Raven