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Mayoral candidates talk priorities
Morgue, breakwater and health care top issues

Miranda Scotland
Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 2, 2013

SANIRAJAK/HALL BEACH
Annual public meetings, better health care and a morgue are at the top of the list of priorities for Hall Beach mayoral candidates this election.

Solomon Curley, the current deputy mayor, said he wants to create an open dialogue between the hamlet and the public by running an annual general meeting - something done by past councils.

"I haven't seen that for a while now," said Curley. "I would like to get that one back because we get really good feedback from the community when we have this kind of meeting."

Hall Beach residents have eight candidates to choose from to be their next mayor on Dec. 9.

Among those running are Ammie Kipsigaq, Cain Pikuyak, Jason Kaernerk, Jayco Simonie, Peter Siakuluk, Timonie Pikuyak, Paul Haulli and Curley.

Meanwhile, an impressive 12 candidates are hoping for a seat on council.

When asked what he thought about the large number of people running against him, Haulli, the hamlet's current mayor, said he isn't concerned.

"I've been around for a while, and I believe I can put the hamlet on the right track, where they should be," said Haulli, adding his main concern continues to be on getting proper health care for residents. "Patients should be the number one priority."

There are too many people who have cancer and aren't getting treatment because the health centre staff can't identify the problem, he said. Instead, patients should be flown out immediately to Iqaluit or down south so they can get a more thorough checkup. Haulli plans to lobby the government on this issue if he gets re-elected.

Meanwhile, Curley said he would push the federal and territorial governments into handing over cash for Hall Beach to get a breakwater.

The hamlet's banks are eroding and it's becoming quite a concern, he said, adding a breakwater would allow residents to anchor their boats rather than having to pull them up onto the beach.

"My main priority is to get this done," said Curley. "The sooner, the better."

Kipsigaq is pushing for the hamlet's motor vehicle bylaw to be better enforced and for changes to be made to the domestic animal bylaw to address the problem of loose dogs. He also wants the hamlet to get a morgue, especially for "when the warmer season is in," as well as the Anglican and Catholic Dioceses of the Arctic to be invited when the mayors in the Qikiqtaaluk region and the Nunavut Municipalities Association meets.

"(They could) discuss how the churches could be more of a help to their communities, not only by preaching, but in a way of healing from long ago when the early missionaries started pouring into the Arctic," Kipsigaq stated in a message to Nunavut News/North.

A 26-year-old father of three, Cain Pikuyak said he wants to be a voice for young people in his community.

He said he wants more activities to help youth stay out of trouble and programs to keep elders busy.

"People say we are the future. To make that happen, I want to become mayor," Pikuyak said.

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