Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Thursday, July 12, 2007

DEH CHO - Fort Simpson resident Bob Hanna has plans to move from municipal politics to a bigger stage.

Hanna has announced that he will run for the position of MLA in the Nahendeh riding in the upcoming territorial election. Hanna is a familiar face on the Fort Simpson village council where he has been a councillor for a number of terms and also held the position of deputy mayor. This will be his first foray into territorial politics.

"I've been toying around this a long time," said Hanna.

The final decision came a few weeks ago after Hanna was in Yellowknife talking to friends about the idea and they encouraged him to go for it. Hanna said he's always felt that if you think you can do something better you should try or stop complaining.

"I've been a very outspoken, opinionated person," he said.

Hanna said there's also no time like the present to try something new. At age 69, Hanna said he might be the oldest candidate running in the territory.

"I've wanted to do this for a long time and I'm running out of track," he said.

Hanna has lived in Fort Simpson for 20 years after moving there in July 1987. He worked for the Fort Simpson Housing Authority for 16 and a half years. He now runs his own business, Bob's Mechanical. Hanna said he enjoys living in the village and, if he were elected, has no plans to move permanently to Yellowknife.

In addition to being a village councillor, Hanna sat on the Community Education Council before it became the District Education Authority. He currently sits on the board for the Fort Simpson Housing Authority and the Territorial Apprenticeship Board.

Once the election starts, Hanna said he hopes there will be a public forum where all of the candidates will have a chance to speak about their plans.

"I have values in what I have and what I believe in," he said.

MLA Kevin Menicoche, Nahendeh's incumbent MLA, has also announced that he will be seeking another term.

Those interested in running in the Oct. 1. election must return nomination papers to their local election officer between Sept. 3 and Sept. 7.

"I'm kind of looking forward to see what happens because it's all new for me," said Hanna.