Amanda Vaughan
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 24, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The Yellowknife South riding has one overwhelming defining feature: It is largely residential and essentially one neighborhood.

Subdivisions of modular homes with families are the primary demographic.

"I think Yellowknife South has a lot of young families, people that want Yellowknife to be a good place to raise their children," said Bob McLeod.

McLeod is running against Amy Hacala and Garett Cochrane, and the three are about as different as three candidates could be.

"People are getting a very good choice this time around," said Hacala.

The riding was previously the seat of Economic Development Minister Brendan Bell, who has left territorial politics.

Bell was acclaimed in 2003, so this is the first time in eight years Yellowknife South voters will be going to the polls

Garett Cochrane. 18, is the youngest candidate in the election. The recent graduate of Sir John Franklin has an avid interest in politics.

Cochrane has worked for the federal Liberal party and took part in the NWT's youth parliament in 2004, and was a member of the mock cabinet. He has done sales and telemarketing jobs, and is currently employed at Wal-mart.

Also new to territorial politics, 28-year-old Amy Hacala served two terms on the Yellowknife Catholic Schools board, and has served as a director of the Chamber of Commerce.

She is on leave from her communications advisor position with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, and previously owned her own communications business.

Hacala and her husband, Kevin, have three kids, and he owns a small construction company. She said her motivation to run was that she really wants to make a difference.

Bob McLeod is a long time deputy minister with various departments of the GNWT. He is currently on leave from his position as secretary to cabinet for the purpose of running, something he said was prompted by the desire for a new challenge.

"I have two grandsons, and I want to work to keep Yellowknife and the North a good place to grow up," said McLeod.

He has an active community participation history, being involved in the city's recreational hockey league and the Elks Club, and has also served on many boards and agencies such as the Mackenzie River Basin Committee and the Canadian Wildlife Coalition.

One of McLeod's priorities is he'd like to keep the communities of the North healthy and safe.

When pressed to choose one of her issues that she's very adamant about, Hacala mentioned crime and public safety, and said that many of her other issues, such as education, would affect the root causes of crime in communities.

Cochrane is particular about education, and would like to see Aurora College in its own facility, and able to offer a wider range of programs.