HAY RIVER - Hay River will have a new mayor after the Oct. 19 municipal election.

The three candidates are Sandra Lester, former councillor territorial government employee Peter Maher, and businessman Kelly Schofield.

They are seeking to replace Mayor Jean-Marc Miltenberger, who is not running again after winning a byelection 18 months ago.

"I am running because I would like to see the town progress," said Lester.

She lists a number of issues of concern to her, including the need for a new town hall and fire hall, and arena upgrades.

Besides that, she said the town needs to defend the NWT Power Corporation, which is headquartered in Hay River, against privatization by the GNWT and support Northern Transportation Company Limited.

Lester would like to see council as a fully-operating committee, as opposed to being given "complete direction" by the mayor.

Currently, she said it is difficult for councillors to get something on the agenda because the mayor has too much veto power over the agenda.

"I think every councillor has a valid opinion," she said.

Lester also has concerns about the town's tendering process, saying, "I'd like a full review of our policies."

One of the main problems she sees with council is a shortage of staff, noting there is neither a director of public works or financial officer.

"Things are happening, but they're not happening at the speed they need to happen," she said.

Lester also mentioned two territorial issues - seniors' benefits and super boards.

She argued the GNWT should not reduce senior benefits since people are planning their retirements based on those benefits, and she believes Hay River should have stand-alone boards.

Lester, 60, has lived in Hay River since 1962, except for 10 years in Alberta.

She is a retired businessperson, who once owned the town's bakery and now owns rental property.

She has been on council for two years, but has never ran for mayor before.

As mayor, she said she would work with people.

"I would probably be an open leader, open to suggestion and open to council," she said.

Schofield said he is running for mayor because positive change is needed and the town is divided.

"There's a lot of people angry at the government," he said, explaining that anger is being created by too many secrets.

"My main goal is to have an open and accountable government that works for the people and with the people," he said.

Schofield said one of his main concerns is youth, pointing to the Hay River Community Youth Centre.

"I think it should be part of the recreation department," he said.

The candidate added the town's administration needs restructuring Presently there is neither a human resources person nor town engineer.

Some of his other goals as mayor would be to improve the town's tendering process and infrastructure.

Schofield also wants the territorial and federal governments to recognize Hay River as an ideal place to set up offices, instead of always focusing on Yellowknife.

Schofield, 34, has lived all of his life in Hay River, except for a year in Alberta.

He is a volunteer mortician at the community's hospital.

The co-owner of North Country Inn has never run for political office before, although he doesn't consider that a drawback.

"I feel I could stand up and be the voice for the people when I believe something is not the way it should be," he said.

In fact, he believes people with political experiences are more resistant to change.

"We don't have time to slowly make a change," he said. "The change needs to be made immediately. That's what the people want."

Schofield anticipates an exciting and very close race for mayor.

Maher wants to create clearly defined roles for the mayor and councillors.

"I want to build a team that's working together," he said, adding he would focus council on the issues that need to be addressed.

"The last couple of years have been pretty fragmented," he said. "There has been a lack of direction."

Maher said things have been "disjointed" since a 2007 court decision overturned the election of all councillors a year earlier and led to a byelection.

The town needs to get back on track, become focused and decide where it wants to go at an important time in its history, he said. "If you don't know where you're going, you're not going anywhere."

On particular issues, Maher first mentioned the future of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

"I really don't think privatization is the answer," he said.

Maher also said the town has no strategic plan, explaining it would set the direction for the community and how to get there.

A strategic plan would look three to five years into the future and could continually be reviewed, he said. "It's a living document. You don't just make them and throw them on the shelf."

Maher also believes the mayor and council need to work closely with the town's two MLAs.

The 48-year-old has lived in Hay River since 1973 and works as manager of purchasing and distribution with the NWT Liquor Commission.

Maher previously served as a town councillor for seven years, and unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2003.

He described that experience as "humbling" and said it was premature to run at that time.

"I didn't have the experience that I do now," he said, adding he is now much more aware of what the job entails.

Voters will also choose eight councillors. The candidates are Rashna Bundan, Andrew Cassidy, Bernard Dueck, Warren Douglas Gibb, Jason Hunter, Reiss Kruger, Bernard William Langille, Ken E.L. Latour, Michael John Maher, Roman Moizis, Kevin M.W. Mulligan, Dawna O'Brien, Allyn Rohatyn, Robert Dean Steel and Kevin David Wallington.