INUVIK - Mayor Derek Lindsay took the Sept. 30 candidates forum as an opportunity to review his accomplishments over the last three years, while his lone rival Denny Rodgers tried to sell himself as a leader looking to engage residents on critical issues facing the town.

The mayoral candidates took to the mic as the second half of the all-candidates forum held at the community hall. After being asked by a resident the financial status of the town, Lindsay said Inuvik is currently in solid shape with a $700,000 surplus this year.

"We have the best community services right here and we can continue to offer those services without raising taxes, not a problem," said Lindsay.

Rodgers argued that part of the surplus could be attributed to the several job vacancies at town hall throughout the year and by the fact that the town didn't go through with its paving project this year.

A resident asked how the candidates would waken this "sleepy town" and go about inspiring council and residents, a comment Lindsay took some exception to.

"I don't believe it's a sleepy little town," said Lindsay.

Rodgers said reaching out to residents would be one of his main priorities.

"People inspire me," he said.

"I would work toward making council gel and becoming a team and it's incumbent on us to reach out to individual taxpayers, businesses, the Children First Society, whoever, and get initiatives going and wake up the sleepy town."

Leading up to the forum, Rodgers had criticized Lindsay for failing to submit written reports to council members at regular monthly meetings and not continuing with the town newsletter, which is meant to keep the public up-to-date on council's activities.

Lindsay said the newsletter service was recently added to the town's website.

The candidates were asked how they would stimulate the economy if the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline project didn't go ahead. Lindsay said he would focus mainly on developing the town's tourism industry while Rodger's plans hinged on the delivery of planned infrastructure.

"I'm an optimist," he said. "We get the road to Tuk, we get our businesses working on that and by the time we have a pipeline, we move on to developing regional activities. We can get involved in promoting Inuvik as the destination for global warming research and work closely with our businesses."

At one point the candidates were even asked whether they would support random drug testing for members of council, a suggestion both agreed they would consider.

Rodgers and Lindsay both agreed that part of the solution to youth crime in town lies with developing recreation programs and working together with the community to solve the problem.

Lindsay said the town is in the process of moving the Inuvik Youth Centre, currently located on Mackenzie Road, to a location beside Midnight Sun Complex where the Public Works and food bank offices are located. He added that a roller-skating park will be built in the area as well.