Jocelyn Curteanu has become the final city council member to confirm her plans for the Oct. 18 election, confirming Thursday that she will seek a third term.

“I am passionate about serving a third term,” she told the Star. “I want to continue to build on the work that we have done and help shape the future based on a shared vision.”

Curteanu is one of five councillors seeking re-election, with Coun. Rob Fendrick being the only councillor not planning to run. Another 12 candidates have also stepped forward so far in the race for six councillor seats.

“A busy and varied list of candidates is good for the city because it adds to the diversity of views and ensures more citizens feel they are represented” Curteanu said.

“Ultimately, the people of Whitehorse will decide what voices they need to hear in council at this time.” After six years on council, Curteanu highlighted the importance of economic diversification. That’s a key to sustainable growth in the city.

By working with stakeholders like the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce and Yukon government, she suggested, efforts can be made to explore ways to diversify the economy.

“Having a broad range of successful industries and businesses in Whitehorse will create a resilient economy, a more balanced tax base and well-paid jobs for our citizens so they can afford to live here,” she said. “Affordable living is a huge concern for Yukoners.”

Over the last few years, Curteanu said, there seems to be an expectation from residents that the city could do more with less “and do it better.”

To deal with this, Curteanu said, she wants to encourage the city to consider a “smart city” initiative that would take advantage of technology to improve city services, make things more efficient, increase city transparency and improve engagement.

A transit tracker app, for example, could let transit users know where their bus is in real time. That way, if a bus is running late when it’s -40 C out, passengers won’t be left waiting at a bus stop longer than they need to.

Similar to that, she believes, could be an app for drivers letting them know where construction is happening so they can better plan their routes around town.

Parking meters that would allow residents to pay by debit or credit card and online payment options for parking tickets are also on the list of technology the city could make use of to give residents more options, she added.

Curteanu said she’d also like the city to explore the possibility of Skype or a similar system for phone, a proposal the city opted not to pursue in its most recent phone contract.

She also noted there could be more citizen engagement through online options, including looking at online voting and such.

“It is the city’s responsibility to be proactively transparent and do everything in its power to ensure all residents feel that they are being engaged and listened to,” she said.

Along with her role as a councillor, Curteanu has taken on a number of roles with local community groups.

She also ran under the Liberal banner in the 2016 territorial election in Copperbelt South. She lost to Yukon Party MLA Scott Kent by just 24 votes.

She has no regrets in running for territorial office two years ago, Curteanu said, as it was an opportunity to learn more about the issues facing Yukoners and her community. However, she said she has no plans at this time to run for territorial office again.

There is a lot going on in the city, she pointed out. She believes maintaining a seat on city council is the best place for her to play a role in the community.

“Whitehorse is such a happening place right now.”

Asked if she considered running for mayor, Curteanu said she still has a lot of learning to do, so opted to run as a councillor.

In 2015, Curteanu secured the highest number of votes for councillor, with 2,662 ballots in her favour.

Also seeking seats as councillors are incumbent councillors Samson Hartland, Roslyn Woodcock, Betty Irwin and Dan Boyd; former councillors Jan Stick (also a former NDP MLA) and Mike Gladish, ex-Yukon Party MLA David Laxton, and community members Oshea Jephson, Laura Cabott, Steve Roddick, Cory Adams, Andrew Smith, Danny Macdonald, Eileen Melnychuk, Jim Cahill and Scott Etches.

Mayor Dan Curtis is pursuing a third term, challenged by Rick Karp and Wilf Carter.

Nominations for council must be in by noon next Thursday.

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