Rae/Edzo (Nov 01/04) - A resident of Rae says he should be seated on the community's band council right now, but was told he will have to wait for the next election next spring.

John Mantla said he came in 12th during Rae's band council election in 2002. The top 10 vote-getters were awarded seats on council.

After councillor George Mackenzie stepped down eight months ago, the vacant seat was awarded to 11th place candidate, Violet Camsell-Blondin.

This July, another council seat was vacated when Coun. Clifford Daniels was elected chief following the death of Eddie Paul Rabesca.

Mantla said what was good for Camsell-Blondin should've been good for him.

However, after months of inquiries to the band council, he was told the seat will remain vacant until the next general band election in April.

He believes his past criticisms of the band council played a big part in their decision to keep him out.

Mantla, who has served on council before, was among 300 residents who packed a community hall last year to demand a forensic audit of the band's finances.

When reached for comment, Daniels denied that council was trying to keep Mantla out because of past political turmoil.

He said council decided it was better in this instance to wait until spring to fill the seat.

He added that he thinks Mantla is making a big deal out of nothing.

"We all have different versions of things, but it's good to deal with them right at the source level anyway."