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Kam Lake candidate in court Sutherland calls Elections NWT a 'gong show'Danielle Sachs Northern News Services Published Friday, July 13, 2012
Candidates, successful or otherwise, are required to file an accurate and signed financial report to the chief electoral officer within 60 days of polling. In the 2011 election, the deadline was Dec. 2. Sutherland did not meet that requirement, according to Elections NWT. Chief electoral officer David Brock then sent Sutherland a letter on March 22 of this year, reminding him the fine must be paid, an Elections NWT spokesperson said. It's alleged that Sutherland failed to pay the $250 within 30 days of receiving the letter and for that he was issued a summons to appear in court. "I was fined $250 for a late form," said Sutherland. "I really wanted the matter resolved in one day but now I have to wait a week, either for a trial or a resolution." Sutherland, who pleaded not guilty, said he tried to pay the fine Tuesday morning, but after going from desk to desk he said he was told he'd have to see the lawyer to pay it. He called Elections NWT a "gong show" for spending public money arguing a $250 fine in court. "Now (Elections NWT) is saying they want to get together and talk to me because there might be other charges," said Sutherland. "It's ridiculous, I already took half a day off from work." Sutherland was chosen on 28 ballots, equating to five per cent of the vote, in the territorial election. He also ran in the 2009 municipal election, coming in a distant second to Gord Van Tighem in the race for mayor. He said the current legal battle may not stop him from making another run in the municipal election this October. "I'm considering putting my name in there but definitely not for mayor," Sutherland said. The court case is scheduled again for July 17, either for trial or resolution if both parties come to an agreement before the date.
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