INUVIK - With the town election just around the corner, we've provided readers with 15 candidate profiles to make your job of choosing your representatives easier. We asked 15 councillor candidates and two mayoral candidates why they want to be elected, and asked them to respond to a few pressing questions facing the town, in 25 words or less. Councillor candidates Donavon Arey and Kurt Wainman did not respond.

Polls open Oct. 19 at 10 a.m and close at 8 p.m. Residents living on Reliance Street and areas west of it are to vote at Ingamo Hall. Residents living east of Reliance Street vote at Midnight Sun Complex Community Hall.

Mayoral candidates

Derek Lindsay

Occupation: Mayor (Accounting)

Lived in Inuvik for: 28 years

Why do you want to be on council?
This my home. I want to do what is best for my community and being on council gives me that opportunity.

What would be your main focus if you're elected to council?
To work with all groups to enhance Inuvik's future in every way.

Should the mayor's position be full time or part time?
A mayor is elected to be a mayor 365 days a year.

Can youth curfews be effective?
Yes, if the parents of those youth not complying police the bylaw from home.

Without a pipeline, how would you stimulate Inuvik's economy?
Promote Inuvik as a conference destination and build on the tourism industry as an economic driver for the community.

Denny Rodgers

Occupation: Finance manager, Dad, and novice cook.

Lived in Inuvik for: 15 years

Why do you want to be on council?
Inuvik is my home and I have the experience and the governance background to do the job. I am willing to work hard to ensure our community continues to be a great place to live.

What would be your main focus if you're elected to council?
Communication and community involvement. As mayor I would focus on community initiatives and do my best to bring the appropriate community leaders to the table to address the needs that affect us all.

Should the mayor's position be full time or part time?
With the appropriate strategic direction and vision, there is much the mayor can accomplish. I would leave it to the council to determine if the workload warrants a full time salary.

Can youth curfews be effective?
To be effective it would take community buy-in. It has to be enforced at home as well as by the municipal and RCMP enforcement officers.

Without a pipeline, how would you stimulate Inuvik's economy?
Work with the local leaders and the business community. Diversification - tourism, conferences, research support, national interests (sovereignty, climate change), a regional centre. Be a strong and vocal cheerleader for Inuvik.

Councillor candidates

Amier Suliman

Occupation: Property management and security

Lived in Inuvik for: 14 years

Why do you want to be on council?
To contribute to the development of the Town of Inuvik. I would like to work with youth groups and develop a youth club called Next Generation.

What would be your main focus if you're elected to council?
Focus on the youth as the next generation of leaders by creating sub-committees that will enhance their potential physically and mentally.

Should the mayor's position be full time or part time? Full time.
The debate is finished. Such a salary would attract the best candidate and means job security. The mayor must work closely with claimant groups and GNWT.

Can youth curfews be effective?
A curfew should not be imposed. Bad and good, it is a human nature. There are existing laws involving child protection or the justice system which are not being broken by the majority.

Without a pipeline, how would you stimulate Inuvik's economy?
We can develop Inuvik as a conference centre. The town facilities include adequate accommodation, recreational and conference venues that can support more community, regional and territorial level events.

Jesse Harder

Occupation: Manager, Wrangling River Supply Ltd.

Lived in Inuvik for: 20 years; moved with family to Inuvik in August 1989.

Why do you want to be on council?
Inuvik is my home and I have questions and concerns I would like to see addressed. I want to be a positive influence for change in Inuvik.

What would be your main focus if you're elected to council?
Town infrastructure and beautification; focus on youth - create more activities and venues for the youth and family; help to create a safer, positive environment for all residents of Inuvik.

Should the mayor's position be full time or part time?
Full time; a mayor's occupation is not 8-5, but is a public representative at all times and should be busy promoting Inuvik.

Can youth curfews be effective?
Not if enforced by law; a curfew needs to be given and enforced by all the parents of Inuvik.

Without a pipeline, how would you stimulate Inuvik's economy?
Inuvik has already survived a "boom and a bust" and will continue to thrive with or without a pipeline. The town should focus on tourism which is a world renowned industry; the North with its natural beauty needs to be seen and experienced as it is Canada's best kept secret.

Alana Mero

Occupation: I work at Aurora Research Institute as NWT's Co-ordinator for International Polar Year. I build connections between researchers, educators, media and communities to support research.

Lived in Inuvik for: Inuvik became my home in 1998 when I moved here to teach Social Work and later Criminal Justice at Aurora College.

Why do you want to be on council?
Our community is more than roads and utilidors, it is about people. I will bring forward concerns and work for solutions that benefit the community.

What would be your main focus if you're elected to council?
My main focus will be to have town council work with community groups and government departments to provide the best services possible in Inuvik.

Should the mayor's position be full time or part time?
The new council needs to make an informed decision about whether a full time mayor is needed given the uncertainty of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline.

Can youth curfews be effective?
Curfews only work when supported by parents and the community. Public education on the risks to unsupervised youth is a better use of resources.

Without a pipeline, how would you stimulate Inuvik's economy?
Our unique location means potential for tourism, conventions and as a world class Arctic research site. All three need to be promoted nationally and internationally.

Chris Larocque

Occupation: Business Owner/Manager

Lived in Inuvik for: Hometown, 40+ years

Why do you want to be on council?
I have enjoyed working for and with the people of Inuvik, knowing their concerns are being dealt with. It is also one of the ways that I can give back to the community.

What would be your main focus if you're elected to council?
My main focus would be to ensure that the mandated services set for council remain our top priority, and that your tax dollars are being used in the most efficient manner.

Should the mayor's position be full time or part time?
I, and the many people I have canvassed on this issue agree, that the Mayor's positions should remain full time. This position was never a part time job, just ask previous mayors who have tried it, only to attend meetings, field calls, mornings, afternoons, evenings, etc. They just were never compensated for their long hours.

Can youth curfews be effective?
Yes, curfews can be effective, but it takes more than just the RCMP and bylaw to enforce. I would also like to see some government services and the community more involved.

Without a pipeline, how would you stimulate Inuvik's economy?
Although optimistic about the pipeline, I think this town will survive without it ... again. Pursuing an all-weather road down the Mackenzie Valley would stimulate construction and tourism significantly.

Jim McDonald

Occupation: Electrician/Owner McDonald Bros Electric.

Lived in Inuvik for: Born and raised in Inuvik. Father helped build the town in the 50s and my family is one of the original families of this town.

Why do you want to be on council?
As a home owner, parent and grandparent I am concerned and care about what happens in our community and feel that I can contribute positively to improve life in Inuvik.

What would be your main focus if you're elected?
My main focus, if elected to council, would be to continue working to improve infrastructure such as roads, water supply and maintain our recreation facilities.

Should the mayor's position be full time or part time?
Part time.

Can youth curfews be effective?
Not without full support of families and the community.

Without a pipeline, how would you stimulate Inuvik's economy?
Work to improve tourism, promote Inuvik as an education centre, advocate for and support research initiatives and lobby the federal and territorial governments to build the Mackenzie Highway from Wrigley to Tuk.

Grace Loreen

Occupation: Office Administration

Lived in Inuvik for: 40 + years

Why do you want to be on council?
To be a voice for all the residents of Inuvik.

What would be your main focus if you're elected to council?
To keep going with the five-year plan that the town has in place now.

Should the mayor's position be full time or part time?
Full time. I don't think that a person can commit to a job part time and give it their 100 per cent.

Can youth curfews be effective?
Yes, we just have to make sure it is enforced and get everyone involved on board, like the guardians, parents, older siblings.

Without a pipeline, how would you stimulate Inuvik's economy?
Tourism, training in apprenticeships, trades - we survived before the oil companies were here, and we can do it again.

Lionel Harder

Occupation: Business Owner: Wrangling River Supply Ltd.

Lived in Inuvik for: 20 years; moved to Inuvik with his wife and three children in August 1989.

Why do you want to be on council?
Because I felt impressed to do so.

What would be your main focus if you're elected to council?
To attempt to address every situation/concern with common sense and good decision making.

Should the mayor's position be full time or part time?
Full time.

Can youth curfews be effective?
No, not by a bylaw by Town Council; setting and enforcing curfews for children/youth is a parental responsibility.

Without a pipeline, how would you stimulate Inuvik's economy?
Be fiscally responsible; promote tourism - make Inuvik visually attractive; develop tourism venues (lots to do/see/experience); tourists should be Inuvik's best advertisement!

Ethel-Jean Gruben

Status: Married, three children, and three grandchildren

Occupation: Human Resource Officer, GNWT.

Lived in Inuvik for: Born and raised in Inuvik by my mom, Martina Cardinal. I lived in Tuktoyaktuk for 16 years but I have been home since 2005.

Why do you want to be on council?
I believe I can make a positive difference, taking on new challenges that improve the quality of life for the residents and businesses of Inuvik.

What would be your main focus if you're elected to council?
Firstly, familiarize myself with the town of Inuvik's current strategic plan, offering ideas that contribute to an effective, economic, capital plan, that allow for positive results to the people of Inuvik.

Should the mayor's position be full time or part time?
At this point, the mayor position should be a full time position. If Inuvik wants to experience positive results, Inuvik requires a full time Mayor.

Can youth curfews be effective?
I do believe youth curfews and a parent's responsibility. Parents should know where their children are and take more responsibility for their children.

Without a pipeline, how would you stimulate Inuvik's economy?
I strongly believe Inuvik survived the last boom and bust. We already know how to survive without a pipeline. We need not get discouraged and start exploring opportunities sitting right in our back yard.

Terry Halifax

Occupation: Photographer

Lived in Inuvik for: Eight years in Inuvik, 13 years in the NWT.

Why do you want to be on council? I've spent eight years studying issues affecting Inuvik and hope to share that experience to help make this a better place to live.

What would be your main focus if you're elected to council?
Working with council on a strategic plan that encompasses energy, waste management, roads, water treatment, public safety and recreation goals for the next three years.

Should the mayor's position be full time or part time?
This position is too loosely-defined and personality-driven; lacking any accountability or expectations. For now, make it part time and hire professional staff with money saved.

Can youth curfews be effective?
Curfews can be an effective tool for both parents and law enforcement. In the absence of either or both, no, curfews can't be effective.

Without a pipeline, how would you stimulate Inuvik's economy?
I lobbied hard to get an Arctic Research Centre built here. Climate change and sovereignty are major global initiatives. Inuvik can benefit from both.

Vince Sharpe

Occupation: Contractor

Lived in Inuvik for: I've lived in Inuvik for 40 years

Why do you want to be on council?
I just want to help the community. It's my town and want to help my fellow residents.

What would be your main focus if you're elected to council?
My focus would be to see that everyone is treated fairly by town council and that we sit and work out a three year plan for our term that has some goals to work towards. Possible goals could be obtaining the power plant from NTPC.

Should the mayor's position be full time or part time?
That should be up to the elected mayor to decide.

Can youth curfews be effective?
Curfews cannot work if they can't be enforced. I will not support any bylaw that the town can't enforce.

Without a pipeline, how would you stimulate Inuvik's economy?
We need to work hard to get money for the road to Tuk. Working in partnership with the Inuvialuit and Gwich'in leadership we could take advantage of many other opportunities available as well to gain more infrastructure for our area. The key is working together.

Nick Saturnino

Occupation: Manager of Financial Operations, Health Services Administration, GNWT.

Lived in Inuvik for: I have lived in Inuvik for 14 years and have been a homeowner for 8 years.

Why do you want to be on council?
To ensure Inuvik residents have well maintained municipal services, accessible recreation facilities and an effective town office which addresses the concerns of all residents.

What would be your main focus if you're elected to council?
I have worked in the accounting field for the past 12 years therefore would become a member of the finance committee and ensure fiscal responsibility.

Should the mayor's position be full time or part time?
This depends on the vision, strategic plan and budget of council. Whether full time or part time the mayor needs to communicate and be accountable.

Can youth curfews be effective?
Youth curfews can be effective but they are difficult to enforce without the proper resources. More community discussion is needed to determine its effectiveness.

Without a pipeline, how would you stimulate Inuvik's economy?
Tourism. We need to better promote our history, culture and current community events so that Inuvik is a "Must See Community."

Clarence Wood

Occupation: Self-employed

Lived in Inuvik for: 22 years

Why do you want to be on council?
To continue the work of the last five councils and because I have an interest in the community.

What would be your main focus if you're elected to council?
To continue building new and improving old town infrastructure as well as making this a safer community to live in. In addition I would like to see Inuvik take its rightful place in the NWT's leadership hierarchy.

Should the mayor's position be full time or part time?
Full time.

Can youth curfews be effective?
It will only be effective if the residents want it to be. Without a buy-in from the community it is ineffective.

Without a pipeline, how would you stimulate Inuvik's economy?
There are various ways, one of which is to promote tourism to make Inuvik a "destination of choice" for visitors. We also have to aggressively promote our community complex as a convention centre which, of course, will increase tourism through word of mouth.

Vince Brown

Occupation: Property Manager

Lived in Inuvik for: 20 years

Why do you want to be on council?
To contribute to the Town of Inuvik.

What would be your main focus if you're elected to council?
Fiscal responsibility.

Should the mayor's position be full time or part time?
Part time

Can youth curfews be effective?
Of course they can be effective but not on their own. As a tool, the degree of their use by responsible parties ( i.e. bylaw, RCMP and parents) will determine their effectiveness.

Without a pipeline, how would you stimulate Inuvik's economy?
Push for the road to Tuk. Sell Inuvik as a tourism and conference destination. Lobby for better single rate power or at least better corporate power subsidies.