Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 3, 2007

HAY RIVER - Despite serving less than half its term, there were no shortage of complaints voiced against Hay River's recently dissolved municipal council.

Sixteen candidates entered the byelection and had the chance to debate the issues during last week's candidates' forum.

The dominant theme of the forum - attended by about 100 people - was public unhappiness with the former council's handling of a sewer line project on Stewart Drive. During the project, the street was dug up twice and it was a muddy mess for a couple of years. Most of the street is still unpaved.

Incumbent councillor Ron Karp said he tried to get detailed information on the project from town administration, but was denied.

The project was a disaster, said candidate Sandra Lester, adding, "It's my belief there's something wrong with the system."

"It's been a gong show out there," said candidate Alonzo Croucher, who lives on Stewart Drive.

No one knew exactly how much the project has cost the town beyond the original $1.1 million contract and a $1.5 million additional contract.

Lester said, if she is elected, she will call for an audit of the project.

Cindy Caudron, a town resident, said people on Stewart Drive deserve a tax break, adding the project was a total mishandling of public money.

A related issue, council accountability, was also addressed by several candidates.

"The councillors have to realize we don't work for them, they work for us," said candidate Mike Huard, who called for eight new people to be elected.

Huard objected to cost overruns on town projects, such as the swimming pool, without penalties being imposed on contractors.

"It's got to stop," he said.

Peter Maher, an incumbent councillor, said the previous council had made difficult decisions.

"But we have made decisions with what's best for Hay River in our hearts," he said, adding the town is run like a business and some information is protected for privacy reasons.

Incumbent Vince McKay said he is not a professional engineer and he relies on documents from professionals when making his decisions.

"I will continue to do that," he said, adding that, if council has to make unpopular decisions, it has to live with that.

Another prominent issue during the candidates' forum was public safety, prompted by the Oct. 6 shooting death of RCMP Const. Christopher Worden.

Candidate Beatrice Lepine said she is running because of the officer's killing and her desire for a safer community.

"Crime prevention, that's my interest," she said.

Ken Latour, another candidate, said social issues are among his main concerns.

"We have to tackle them or we can wait for them to tackle us," he said.

Several other issues were raised during the forum, such as healthcare, homelessness, animal control and economic development.

The byelection became necessary after a recent court decision overturned the election of October 2006.

The election of all eight councillors was declared invalid, since ballots had been counted by scrutineers for candidates.

The ballots for mayor were counted as required by the returning officer and deputy returning officer, meaning Mayor John Pollard remained in office.

One of the questioners at the forum was Wayne Keefe, who launched the court action that ultimately led to the byelection.

Keefe asked for the candidates' thoughts on democracy and the court decision.

Lepine congratulated Keefe for launching the court case, leading to applause from the crowd.

"You have done a service to this community," Lepine said.

Peter Maher, one of the councillors who lost his seat because of the court decision, said people must have confidence in the electoral system.

"The court decision was right," Maher said.

Seven of the eight ousted councillors are running again: Tom Hamilton, Ron Karp, Mike Maher, Peter Maher, Vince McKay, Dean McMeekin and Kevin Wallington.

The nine other candidates are Diana Ehman, Pat Burnstad, Alonzo Croucher, Earle Dumas, Michael Huard, Ken Latour, Beatrice Lepine, Sandra Lester and Dawna O'Brien.

The new councillors will be sworn in on Dec. 11 and will serve until the next regularly scheduled municipal election in October 2009.