Fort Simpson (Nov 05/04) - With nominations for the Twin Lakes byelection set to close Nov. 5, those who have made it known of their intentions to run for the seat vacated by Roger Allen are already weighing in on the issues.

So far, Arlene Hansen, Clarence Wood and Tom Williams are the only ones to come forward to run in the election.

An all-candidates forum has been planned for Nov. 9 at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex.

Three set questions have been selected for the contenders to answer. They are:

• What is your greatest weakness as a prospective MLA and how will you compensate for it if elected?
• As we are all aware, the GNWT faces serious financial constraints. Assuming that transfer payments from the federal government remain as they are, what are some of the expenditure reductions or tax increases you believe should be considered in order to prevent our financial position from deteriorating further?
• If given the opportunity, what would be the first Private Members Bill you would introduce in the Legislative Assembly?

Hansen, a town councillor and businesswoman, declined to answer the questions prior to the all-candidates forum.

"I don't have any difficulty answering the three set questions at the debate," she said. "I hope, and suspect, questions from the floor will be more community-based."

When asked what issues were of greatest importance, Hansen said she would discuss these at a later date.

Over to Williams, the chief operating officer with the Gwich'in Tribal Council.

"I don't believe I have any weaknesses. What I do have to offer are my strengths," he said, outlining his experience working in various levels of government.

As for expenditure reductions or tax increases, Williams said the GNWT needs to take a serious look at the expanding public service.

"We've got more people working for the government now than before (the territories') division in 1999."

Speaking to the issue of a private members bill, Williams said he would take such a mandate from voters.

And finally Wood, town councillor and career development officer for Education, Culture and Employment, was the only candidate officially registered with the Inuvik returning officer as of press time.

Wood said that if elected, he would let constituents "point out my shortcomings and I will act on them accordingly."

Wood is confident that a new resource revenue-sharing agreement with the federal government would mitigate financing shortfalls.

Baring that, like Williams, Wood was keen on "top down" cuts to the civil service.

As for a private members bill, Wood said that if elected, he plans to draft a bill that would see an alcohol and drug treatment facility in each of the major regions.