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City councillors prepare for election Sara Wilson Northern News Services Published Friday, July 13, 2012
City councillors Paul Falvo and Mark Heyck have announced their intentions to seek Gord Van Tighem's seat as Yellowknife's next mayor, which, under territorial law, leaves them ineligible to run for city council and makes room for two Yellowknife residents to take up the call. Lydia Bardak, a city councillor since 2006 and executive director of the NWT branch of the John Howard Society, said she has giving much thought on whether to seek re-election, and is "leaning toward running again." Bardak's commitment to increasing the availability of affordable housing within the city will remain a major focus if re-elected, she said. After surviving a steep learning curve, Cory Vanthuyne is preparing his campaign to seek a second term on council in October's election. He said among his proudest achievements over the past three years has to do with changes to the city's bylaws surrounding property development and the milestone agreement with Northland residents to repair aging infrastructure plaguing the property. Winding up his sixth year on council, David Wind remains uncertain whether he will seek re-election. "Although it has been difficult at times, I feel honoured and humbled for the opportunity to speak up for what I believe are the interests of Yellowknifers," Wind stated in an e-mail to Yellowknifer. "But I also wonder if it isn't time for some new blood and some fresh ideas on city council." Bob Brooks, a senior policy analyst with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment who was first elected to council in 1991, has received approval from the GNWT Code of Ethics and intends to campaign for his seventh term on city council. Amanda Mallon has confirmed that she will seek re-election for a second term this fall, and will continue to focus on a "common sense approach" to municipal politics. "I think it's important for the city to finish the streetscaping projects that we started three years ago," Mallon said. In addition, finding a solution for the city's infrastructure issues and an in-depth look at the city's property tax regime will be on Mallon's agenda. Shelagh Montgomery is still on the fence about running and is taking the summer to decide, but admits that she would "love a chance to work with a mayor Heyck. "Our council has done a lot of good work (over the past term)," Montgomery said. "(There is) a lot more multi-family housing in town now. I think we've been pretty clear about the need for affordable housing." If Montgomery seeks re-election she will be campaigning for her third term on council.
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