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Meet the candidates
Jason Unrau
Northern News Services
Lydia Bardak
Age: 45
This is Bardak's first attempt to win a seat on city council and if elected she wants to bring some balance to concerns about safety in the downtown area. "Both in the media and at public meetings there's a lot of discussion about how unsafe the downtown is," she said. "Only through working together with government and business can we find a solution. It's unacceptable to just sit back and complain." Bardak would also like to see a local economic climate in which independent businesses can compete with franchises. As well, Bardak would like to put her experience "building partnerships with municipal, territorial and federal governments to address homelessness," to tackle other issues such as increasing greenspaces in the city. "I'm counting on a broad and diverse council and I'll support councillors with business experience who want to encourage small businesses downtown," she said.
"And I can lend my skills and deep understanding of social issues."
Bob Brooks
First elected to council in 1991, Brooks is seeking his fifth term. "There's a lot of things we haven't accomplished yet," said Brooks. "The beautification of the downtown core and the diversification of the downtown economy for example. "I'd like to see a lot more manufacturing and there's a lot of environmental business opportunities (so) if one of our sectors happens to fail, the others can pick up the slack." Brooks would also like to see improved zoning bylaws to protect the city's park areas and balanced neighbourhoods, "Interspersed with parkways and park spaces."
As well, Brooks wants to work more closely with the residents of Ndilo to, "Fulfil their needs and what they'd like to see for their neighbourhood."
Paul Falvo
Age: 38
"I'm involved in the community a lot so I think I've got something to contribute at the council level," said Falvo of why he's making a second try at council, after coming close in the 2003 election. "I want to build on the good work the previous council has been doing and as a parent now, I want to work to improve things, make the community a good place to grow up in." Part of achieving this is to ensure Yellowknife has the police and fire services it needs, Falvo added. In the realm of waste management, Falvo would like to see the discussion on curbside recycling in the previous council become a reality. "I also think keeping the dump open to public salvage is important, and makes a lot of ecological and financial sense." As well, Falvo said Yellowknife needs more athletic and arts and library facilities, and he supports the fieldhouse project, "But we have to make sure we can afford it." He also wants to improve communication between council and residents.
"If elected, I'd like to have regular meetings to find out what Yellowknifers want."
Mark Heyck
Age: 30
Running for his second term on city council, Heyck says he originally ran because he was concerned about the rapid growth and development in the city. "I've worked hard over the last three years to make sure we develop responsibly and I want to continue working towards that end," said Heyck. "We've made some progress but I think there's still room for improvement." Other notable accomplishments for Heyck include being involved with the recently unveiled Community Energy Plan for Yellowknife.
"That was a big part of my last term," said Heyck. "Council has just adopted that and I'm eager to see it properly implemented."
Kevin Kennedy
Age: 38
New to municipal politics, Kennedy said after years of lobbying council with his concerns, "I feel it's time to take a turn." Kennedy said he's in favour of "sensible planning" that involves better zoning and enforcing our planning rules. "There's been a number of cases in the last few years where the city's planning and bylaw rules have not been followed," he said. "We should encourage more people to live downtown, provide a better trail system and better protect our green spaces." As well, Kennedy wants a "safe and sustainable downtown. "I want to see improvement to transit, parking and public services," added Kennedy.
Getting funding for a new stand-alone public library/cultural centre; working with social services and law enforcement to deal with root causes for downtown crime and vandalism; and improving the quality of life, inclusiveness and accessibility for all Yellowknifers are on Kennedy's list of items he would support if elected.
Blake Lyons
Age: 65
Seeking his eighth term on city council, Lyons' major concern is securing fair and equitable funding for Yellowknife from the territorial government. "When I look at estimates being provided for 2007, Yellowknife is not getting an adequate share," said Lyons of the territorial government's formula for funding communities. "Every community in NWT would get two per cent of the $32.9 million fund and with the rest (34 per cent) divided on a per capita basis, it won't mean that much for Yellowknife. We're on the far end of a short stick." As well, Lyons would like to see the $1 million he maintains was promised to Yellowknife from the federal government for its public transportation system. Another issue important to Lyons is making continued development in the city possible.
"I was the one who stood by the Niven Lake development. I said hold the course and I'm glad we did," he said.
David Wind
Age: would not disclose
This is Wind's first attempt for a seat on city council and he is running because, "Yellowknife needs a stronger voice at council to put forward issues residents of the city face, such as planning, garbage collection, preserving our neighbourhood greenspaces and ensuring there is sufficient land available so the city can grow." Wind said he wants to see the line held on taxation. "I'd be reluctant to raise rates, it's a last resort for me." he said. "I think there's a lot of economic development happening in the North but Yellowknife is not getting its share of this. Most of the economic growth flies over the city and that needs to be addressed by making the city a more attractive place to live."
Wind said he would push for more support from the GNWT and federal government. "The territorial and federal governments must recognize this city is key to the NWT so we have to maximize the benefits that are available from the development of northern resources."
Doug Witty
Age: 43
Witty is running for his second term on city council, with the hopes of completing projects already in the works. "I'd like to see the fieldhouse completed, assuming we can come in on budget," said Witty. "And something that's fallen off the radar and needs to be pushed further is the 9-1-1 (emergency phone) service. Yellowknife certainly should have it. I'm sick and tired of all the excuses and I want to see what I can do to help get it up and running." Like incumbent councillor Blake Lyons, Witty wants to get fair and adequate funding for Yellowknife from the GNWT. Witty is also interested in freeing up more land for development that balances the city's need for greenspace with the realities of living in a winter city. Without more development, Witty says Yellowknife will face some tough choices. "Yellowknife has been able to maintain a growing tax base because of development that has taken place but what's happened now is we've run out of land to do any more," he said. "Accessing land is the key here to seeing more commercial development as well as more residential development.
"Without increasing our tax base, the only way we can continue is raise taxes or reduce services."
Shelagh Montgomery
Age: 40
Active in city issues since moving to Yellowknife from Deline, Montgomery said she's been both encouraged and discouraged by her experiences. "The 2006 Citizens Survey shows that the city is letting residents down in planning and development," said Montgomery. "There is no long-term vision for Yellowknife and meaningful public participation has been diminished. This needs to be changed." Montgomery said with the capital's fast-paced growth, social pressures are being created that must be addressed. "The homelessness coalition and community policing are positive steps that need support," added Montgomery.
The top three areas Montgomery would act on if elected are: Promoting responsible, sustainable and quality development; develop solutions to solve problems in the downtown core; and defending public participation in decisions about the city's direction.
David T. McCann
Age: 63
Running for his third term as city councillor, McCann says he's back in the hunt to continue work he initiated during his previous time on council, including the town beautification/Keep Yellowknife Clean committee and the city public market - the creation of which he spearheaded. "A lot of time is focused on mining and government," said McCann of his desire to diversify the city's economy. "While we're in this period of relative prosperity, finding new ways to give (local) talent a new avenue to express itself is important and venues such as the public market is a good way to encourage that."
As well, McCann would like to see the trail system expanded and Yellowknife continue to be an attractive place for potential residents and businesses.
Steven Meister
Age: 42
Also running for council for the first time, Meister wants to see organized growth of Yellowknife for the future. "This can provide some achievable outcomes at the municipal level and I'm running on the platform of public safety and the cleaning up of Yellowknife," he added. Meister said this can come through working with Emergency Medical Services, the fire department and the RCMP, "To continue the good work they've been doing and make Yellowknife a better place." Meister is also in favour of "responsible development" and planning that takes into consideration the needs of all manner of accommodations, for greenspaces, parks and adequate recreational spaces. A supporter of the proposed fieldhouse, Meister believes with measured development of the sports facility, other sports can be accommodated. "We can keep adding more facilities to accommodate all needs for all citizens of Yellowknife," said Meister. "Badminton, rock climbing, volleyball, I mean there's lots of potential. We may not be able to do it all at the beginning but I believe, over time, it's achievable." Asking the candidates Yellowknifer is asking each candidate for city council three questions based on issues that will likely come up over the next three-year term. Here they are:
Answers to each question are limited to 50 words and will be printed in Yellowknifer Oct. 11. Deadline for submitting answers is 5 p.m. Oct. 4. Candidates can drop off their answers at Yellowknifer's office, (5108-50th Street), by fax (873-8507) or e-mail to editorial@nnsl.com. Please make sure they are sent to the attention of Mike W. Bryant.
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