ENTERPRISE - Three men are vying to become the next mayor of Enterprise in elections set for Dec. 14.

Allan Flamand: mayor wants to continue work for people of Enterprise. - NNSL file photo

The three are Allan Flamand, the current mayor, and Coun. John Leskiw II and Michael St. Amour, a former councillor.

Flamand has been mayor for two years since Enterprise changed political status from settlement to hamlet, and also served one term on council about six years ago.

The mayor said he is seeking re-election to continue what he and the outgoing council have started.

"It's just to finish the projects we got on the go and to continue the work for the people," he said.

Flamand points to a number of projects completed since he has been mayor – a library, a fitness centre, trails, walkways and a playground.

Plus, he said the hamlet recently received $563,000 from the Build Canada Fund to help build a community centre.

Flamand said a study will also be done on the hamlet operating its own garbage and sewage trucks to keep the money and jobs in the community instead of hiring contractors.

"I believe strongly that we should become more self-sufficient," he said.

Flamand, a 59-year-old plumbing contractor, said the community also needs to attract more businesses and become a destination instead of just a truck stop.

Flamand is running only to become mayor, while Leskiw and St. Amour are candidates for both mayor and councillor.

Leskiw, who has been on council since Enterprise became a hamlet in 2007, said the community was once larger and has shrunk to basically a truck stop.

"This shouldn't be happening," he said.

Leskiw said, as mayor, he would like to refocus direction to attracting businesses and tourists.

Basically, he said he would like to develop the potential of Enterprise, especially for tourism, adding it is the closest community to the Alberta/NWT border.

Leskiw said Enterprise needs a new direction, even though he said the current mayor and council have accomplished a lot.

"But it's small things, not contributing to the growth of Enterprise."

Leskiw, 52, is the operator of Junction Café, an Enterprise business now closed for the winter. St. Amour served almost six years as a councillor, before resigning a few months ago.

"I wasn't happy with the direction the council was taking on the health and safety of the residents," he said.

St. Amour, the Enterprise fire chief, explained his concern was mostly about fire protection and the need for council to upgrade the fire hall.

"It's letting it get run down," he said.

His other concerns include the need for more activities for young people.

"I really want to have active-living programs for the children," he said, adding that, while he doesn't believe there is a problem with illegal drugs in Enterprise, he doesn't want the door to be opened to it.

St. Amour, 45, works as a camps supervisor with Northern Transportation Company Ltd.

Along with Leskiw and St. Amour, the candidates for the six council seats are incumbents Robert Fry, Anne Leskiw and John Leskiw III, along with Mathew Gauthier, Joe Lalonde and Craig McMaster.

The top three finishers among council candidates will serve two years, while the next three finishers will serve one year.

The mayor will be elected for a two-year term.