Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
It was a battle of epic proportions as Mark "Mr. Spock" Heyck and Paul "Captain Kirk" Falvo battled it out Vulcan style at city hall on Wednesday.

Mayor-elect Mark Heyck,shown above as Spock, and outgoing city councillor Paul Falvo battled it out Star Trek style at city hall Wednesday. The mock-fight was staged to raise money for the NWT SPCA. - Svjetlana Mlinarevic/NNSL photo

Lirpas - a Vulcan weapon - were flying and dramatic music was playing as Heyck and Falvo fought as part of a Pon Farr ritual not for possession of T'Pring's hand in marriage, but to raise money for the NWT SPCA. T'Pring was Spock's love interest in episode 30 of the original Star Trek television series.

"It's for a great cause," said Heyck, wearing Spock's blue Federation uniform and stick-on Vulcan ears. "The community likes to support the SPCA as they need assistance to complete the construction of their shelter."

The organization received $300,000 in Aviva Community Funding last year to build an eco-friendly 3,000 square-foot shelter in the Engle Business District, which will house 30 dogs and 10 cats once completed.

"It shows that, especially after the election, how two great people have the best interests of Yellowknife at heart to support the SPCA and to bring the community together at the same time," said NWT SPCA president Nicole Spencer as Heyck pinned Falvo down to the ground amongst the blood-thirsty cries of "More! More!" from the crowd of about 10 people.

"I want everyone who is watching this and reading about it to donate to the shelter," said Falvo, with a twinkle in his eye as Heyck grabbed him for another round.

The Federation battle royal was initiated by a friendly Facebook post by mutual friend Kate Guay, who was having difficulty deciding who to vote for in the Oct. 15 election for mayor. Heyck ultimately triumphed in that fight beating two-term city councillor Falvo by almost 1,200 votes. Although the goal was to raise $1,000 for the organization, only $450 was donated by press time, with Heyck contributing $100.

Spencer estimates the new shelter will have $150,000 in operating costs when it opens to the public at the end of November.

As the battle drew to a close and the combatants stepped away from the arena, the crowd wondered what would happen to Heyck's incredible ears.

"Maybe I'll keep them on for Monday during the swearing-in ceremony," he said with a laugh.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.