Yellowknife (Jan 31/05) - A municipal by-election will be held in Enterprise on Feb. 28 to fill the vacancy left by a councillor who resigned with a full year left in his term.

Donald Gray, the interim senior administration officer for the Enterprise Settlement Council, explained that Al Flamand submitted a resignation letter and council dealt with it on Dec. 30.

Afterwards, Gray said, Flamand tried to retract his resignation, but it was too late.

Acting Mayor Winnie Cadieux says council decided on a by-election at its Jan. 21 meeting because there was a year to go on Flamand's term and, at the time, more than one person appeared interested in the seat.

"We felt it would be best if the community decided," Cadieux said.

Former councillor Anne Leskiw was disappointed to hear there would be a by-election. She was one of three candidates in a three-way tie for the final two of three seats available in December's elections.

Leskiw, Amy Mercredi and Karl Mueller all earned 21 votes.

Under election rules, the returning officer placed a vote for each in a ballot box and Mercredi and Mueller's names were drawn, officially giving them 22 votes each and the last two seats.

Because of the tie, Leskiw feels council should have appointed her to replace Flamand instead of holding a by-election.

"I have no understanding why they're doing that," she said, noting she had even collected a petition in favour of her appointment.

Leskiw plans to run in the by-election. Flamand was unable for comment.

Nominations for the by-election close Feb. 7.