Yellowknife (Sep 13/06) - Gord Van Tighem was in a celebratory mood Monday afternoon after being acclaimed for a second time as Yellowknife's mayor.

"To me it's a strong vote of confidence that I must still be doing the right things," said Van Tighem after nominations closed and he remained unopposed. Van Tighem also went unopposed during the 2003 municipal election.

"I'm waiting for the campaign team to show up with champagne like last time."

However, there would be little time for bubbly and toasts as the mayor had a council meeting to attend that evening before heading to the Canadian Capital Cities Organization's Annual General Meeting in Newfoundland, Tuesday.

Not prepared to rest on his past accomplishments, Van Tighem said there's the Arctic Winter Games which Yellowknife is hosting to work on, initiatives from the community energy plan to implement and the construction of the men's transitional shelter to oversee, among other things.

"The next thing is the election campaign," said Van Tighem, adding that while not involved, he'll be getting to know the people who are running.

"What's important for me is to identify trends in the community and it's really exciting to see the calibre of people who've put their names forward (for council)," said Van Tighem.

Eleven Yellowknifers have thrown their hats into the Oct. 16 city council election.

Incumbents include Bob Brooks, Mark Heyck, Blake Lyons, David McCann and Doug Witty.

Newcomers are Lydia Bardak, Paul Falvo, Kevin Kennedy, Steven Meister, Shelagh Montgomery and David Wind.

Councillors Alan Woytuik, Kevin O'Reilly and Wendy Bisaro have decided not to run again.

For O'Reilly, who has served three terms as a city councillor, spending more time with his family and at the hockey rink played a big part in his decision not to run again.

"After nine years I think it was time for a break," said O'Reilly, adding that there was a good range of candidates to continue the work he had a hand in bringing to fruition. "When I started on council they were still having secret briefings and a lot of that has changed (with) more accountability and openess," said O'Reilly.

"I worked very hard to try and make sure that council stayed on track with those things."

O'Reilly said it's possible he may make a return to politics, possibly as an MLA candidate in the next territorial election in 2007.

Perhaps O'Reilly's most prolific sparing partner in the realm of council discussions is outgoing councillor Alan Woytuik, also retiring from municipal politics.

Both men agreed that there is value in having a range of opinions on council and will miss the lively debates.

Like O'Reilly, Woytuik is leaving civic politics for personal reasons.

"I've retired now with my job at the school board and so my plans are up in the air," said Woytuik.

"I'm thinking about leaving Yellowknife and may not be here for a full term (of three years) of council."

Attempts to contact Bisaro - the lone woman on council - were unsuccessful at press time. Eligible voters will be able to vote for up to eight councillors on election night.

Public school board trustees Terry Brookes, Mary Lou Cherwaty, Duff Spence, Reanna Erasmus and Dale Thomson will return to serve on the YK1 board while outgoing trustees Lavona Clarke and Keith Scott will be replaced by newcomers Jay Butler and Mildred Wilke.

(See page 10 for coverage on YCS board elections).