The head of the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce has become the first person to announce plans to seek the mayor's seat in the Oct. 18 election.

Rick Karp made the announcement early Thursday afternoon outside the chamber's office downtown. He cited the need for change in the city government to deal with the region's continued growth.

"I feel the next few years (are) a critical time,” the 65-year-old businessman told reporters, after noting the need for more controlled growth.

A resident of Whitehorse for the past 26 years and chamber president for the past eight, Karp said he has learned how the city operates from both a council and staff perspective.

That has come through his experience in making presentations to council, participating in a number of planning initiatives and other city processes.

Over the years in his role with the chamber, Karp has called on council to slow the annual property tax hikes, raise building height limits and take other action.

The mushrooming growth has seen issues like a lack of affordable rents and a small local labour market impact the community, Karp said.

Every day, the chamber receives calls from people who want to move to Whitehorse asking what the housing market is like.

Karp noted when he began working at the chamber, the organization raised money through golf tournaments and such.

He worked on a number of initiatives that brought in many parties to enrich the revenue coming into the chamber.

"It's that partnering I'll bring to the city,” he said.

Along with his experience with the chamber, Karp noted in his press release that since moving to Whitehorse from Kingston, Ont. in 1985 to open the first McDonald's restaurant in the territory, he has remained an entrepreneur.

After selling the McDonald's on Fourth Avenue, he and his wife, Joy, established and continue to own the Hair Sensations salon.

As Karp stated, like many Yukoners they moved up here with a plan to stay just a few years – only to find themselves still here more than a quarter-century later.

In a statement, Karp noted his interest goes beyond the business community, having contributed to a number of initiatives in both the private and public sectors.

"He has helped to influence government policy and has worked successfully with all levels of government and established co-operative working relationships even on controversial issues,” a press release states.

With a review of the Municipal Act now underway (see p. 9), Karp said there's a number of issues that will need to be looked at in that.

For Whitehorse, transfer payments will be a major one, with increases needed to facilitate the ongoing growth of the city.

Other issues to be examined will be the powers of city council. Karp suggested it will be important to look at the legislation from other jurisdictions in reviewing the Municipal Act.

Karp will officially take a leave from his post with the chamber after the election writ is dropped. While he will remain with the chamber until then, he will be working more behind the scenes, with other officials delegated to speak publicly on chamber issues.

The Karps have two grown children living in Vancouver.

Prior to moving to Whitehorse and opening the McDonald's restaurant, Karp worked in education in Ontario. He taught high school and was eventually named department head at the school where he taught.

Mayor Bev Buckway has yet to announce whether she will seek a third term as mayor.

"I have not made that decision,” she said this morning confirming she will continue to think about it over the summer.

The mayor said she is pleased to learn that there is someone seeking the seat, noting she's heard of a few others interested in putting their names forward as well.

"It's good,” she said.

It's always better to have an election race with a cross-section of people from within the community than be acclaimed into office, she added.

Whether she runs or not, Buckway said she would like to see a clean campaign and not the personal attacks often seen in campaigns in other jurisdictions.

Buckway is also encouraging anyone interested in seeking a council seat in the fall election to contact herself or anyone else on council to discuss exactly what the job entails.