THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - Fort Smith's next mayor will be new to political office.

Neither of the two candidates - Janie Hobart, 54, and Brad Brake, 41 - have ever held municipal office before.

They are seeking to fill the chair being left empty by Peter Martselos, who is not running for re-election after 12 years as mayor.

Hobart, who ran for mayor in 2006, said her main issues include the need to create a master plan for the community.

She also said there is a need for strong leadership and more transparency on council.

Hobart said she would have a collaborative style as mayor.

"I think it's important to have a collaborative style when working with people," she said.

Among her goals as mayor would be to create partnerships among groups and establish a larger volunteer base.

"I feel I do have the skills to bring groups together," she said.

The candidate also has concern about municipal infrastructure, noting, "We have aging infrastructure here."

Hobart, originally from Alberta, has lived in Fort Smith for 27 years.

In that time she has held a number of positions, including the town's executive secretary in the late 1990s, manager of the swimming pool, and most recently a civilian employee at the RCMP detachment.

As a volunteer, she has helped organize various local and territorial sports and recreational events. That includes this year's inaugural Seniors Games, which was her idea.

"I feel I have been a good citizen of the community," she said.

Hobart said there is a need for improved communication between the municipality and residents, noting that could be through meetings or an online system.

"There are online opportunities I think we should explore so the community thinks the council is listening to them," she said.

"People should be able to obtain information on how the municipal government is operating."

Brake, a corrections officer who has lived in Fort Smith for 10 years, said he is running for mayor because he loves the community and has been involved in smaller-scale politics with the Union of Northern Workers.

"I looked at it from the point of view that I want to move forward and I want to lead," he said. Brakes said he has the skills to guide people towards necessary decisions.

"I'm not scared of tough decisions," he said.

Brake, who is originally from Newfoundland, added he likes to help and encourage people.

"I think the mayor's job could be a place I could stay for a good amount of time if I get things moving forward," he said.

Brake has been second vice-president of the Union of Northern Workers for four years.

His past volunteer efforts have included being president of the Kaskiw Radio Society and driving an ambulance. Brake said his issues include the need for strategic planning.

"We need to work together to create a strategic plan," he said. "Fort Smith is many different groups and many different people."

In addition, he mentioned the need for more doctors in the community. He also thinks the town could be better promoted.

"I think we need to build on the potential of the river," he said, explaining the Slave River has opportunities for kayaking, bird watching and barging.

Brake has no criticism of the current council. "I think they're doing OK," he said. "I'd be happy to work with any of them."

The elephant in the room of the Fort Smith election is the continuing controversy over large payments to former senior administrative officer Roy Scott. Both mayoral candidates said they don't have enough information to offer detailed comment on the controversy.

"I think we need to let what's currently happening run its course," Brake said, referring to the forensic audit being conducted by the town.

"I don't think it should turn into a witch hunt nor do I think it should be a whitewash," he said. Hobart said measures need to be put in place to make sure something like that doesn't happen again.

She said a large portion of the population wants to know what happened, noting, "That's one of the reasons people feel there is a lack of transparency."

Voters will also choose eight councillors. Candidates are Arliss Arbeau, Pat Burke, Sheila Sauteur-Chadwick, Fred Daniels, Simon Haaima, Toni Heron, Ron Holtorf, Claudette James, Brenda Johnson, Beckie Linaker, Brad A. Marta, Don Matthews Jr., Tim McDonald, Bernie Minute, Grant Paziuk, Kevin Smith, and Christian Westwell.