For 17 years, Cory Adams has called Whitehorse home.

Now the long-time manager of Coyote Video/Ice Cream in Porter Creek is aiming to serve on city council.

Adams announced this week he’s seeking a councillor’s seat in the Oct. 18 municipal election.

“I am running for council because I want to do my part to keep Whitehorse great, and I see opportunities to make it even better,” Adams said in a statement.

While Whitehorse is a great community, he said, there are a number of issues facing the city.

Among them, he noted, are affordable housing and “more importantly, the cost of land.”

Adams also cited crime, transportation and infrastructure, including the need for another bridge in and out of Riverdale.

He noted the high cost of land has impacted both the rental market as well as those looking to buy a home.

“With people having to purchase at the current prices we are seeing, then having to pay to build a home on top of that cost; it results in little to no rental housing being available,” Adams said.

“Because of the higher demand of rental housing and a lack of availability, rental prices are way too high. This makes it especially difficult for seniors and those on fixed income to afford.

“Families are also finding it hard to find large enough and affordable housing, as rooms to rent are becoming more popular instead of full units due to the high cost to build and sustain.”

The need for an alternative route in and out of Riverdale is evident, he believes. That’s not only due to the congestion during the peak morning and evening rush times, but also given the need for emergency vehicles getting in and out of the neighbourhood, he added.

Adams also pointed to the new francophone high school planned for Lewes Boulevard.

With five schools already in Riverdale, the addition of a new school and rising population will only intensify the need for another route, he said.

“.... it would be beneficial to be proactive and build a second bridge now instead of later when it becomes an immediate concern or urgent matter,” he said.

Crime is another major issue the city needs to address, Adams said. He highlighted problems with thefts, such as smash and grabs to stores and overnight vehicle break-ins.

He suggested more work could be done to better support businesses in being properly secured as well as providing more education to residents on how to keep possessions safe and deter theft.

Finally, he said, there’s a number of other areas the city needs to focus on.

Those include bringing down tax costs and utility expenses, finding long-term solutions to downtown parking demands, and dealing with “the large amount of municipal spending that is happening.

“We need to approach city spending in a more balanced and focused manner to better support infrastructure.”

Incumbent councillors Samson Hartland (see story below) and Roslyn Woodcock, former councillors Mike Gladish and Jan Stick, former Yukon Party MLA David Laxton and local residents Steve Roddick and Laura Cabott are also seeking council seats.

The mayoral candidates are incumbent Dan Curtis, Rick Karp and Wilf Carter.

See letter, commentary in Opinion section.