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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The nominations are closed and the jockeying is beginning with 10 candidates running for election to the seven-member Yellowknife Catholic school board.

Among the returning candidates is Amy Simpson-Hacala, who is seeking election after the Catholic school district tried to prevent her from running for re-election in 2006 by claiming that she was not Catholic.

"I didn't run in the last election and found that I really loved being a trustee and really missed it," said Simpson-Hacala. "I really like being engaged in the board and being involved in policy-making and decision-making and getting a bigger picture of what is going on with my children's education."

In another notable aspect of the race, Catholic board chair Mary Vane is not seeking re-election.

Other candidates for the Catholic board are Francis Chang, Erin Currie, John Dalton, Gerda Hazenburg, Jeffery Kincaid, Lee Stroman, Simon Taylor, Steven Voytilla and Miles Welsh.

Meanwhile, there are eight candidates for the Yellowknife Education District No. 1 school board, including Terry Brookes, Jay Butler, Heather Clarke, Mira Hall, Blake Lyons, Allan Shortt, John Stephenson and Mildred Wilke.

Bill Gilday, chief returning officer for the school board elections, said there had to be a minimum of seven candidates for each board to prevent trustees from being elected by acclamation.

"Since we are over seven candidates, we are going ahead with the election procedure, as opposed to acclamations," said Gilday.

Voters for the school board elections have 72 hours after Monday's public notice of the election to object to the nominees. Advance polling will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 1 at the Yk1 board office. The election falls on the same date as the municipal election - Oct. 15 - and will take place at all seven polling stations across the city.

Regarding the municipal election, three people are vying for the mayor's position while 12 people are running for city council.

Running for council are incumbents Lydia Bardak, Bob Brooks, Amanda Mallon, and Cory Vanthuyne. The newcomers to the city council race are Adrian Bell, Beaton MacKenzie, Rebecca Alty, Linda Bussey, Phil Moon Son, Dan Wong, Niels Konge and Ian Mathers.

The Chamber of Commerce is planning to hold a mayoral forum on Oct. 10 at the legislative assembly with further details to be determined.

Running for mayor are city councillors Mark Heyck and Paul Falvo, and chamber of commerce executive director Tim Doyle.

"We are in the process of planning one," said chamber president Larry Jacquard yesterday. Jacquard said a questionnaire will be issued to candidates for mayor and a subsequent report card will eventually be presented based on concerns by chamber members.

Alternatives North has yet to get back to Yellowknifer about plans for a forum for city candidates.

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