Early interest is keen in Dec. 1 byelection
Eleven people have picked up nomination papers for the upcoming city byelection to fill the seat left vacant after last Tuesday's territorial election.
Eleven people have picked up nomination papers for the upcoming city byelection to fill the seat left vacant after last Tuesday's territorial election.
Whitehorse returning officer Norma Felker said this morning city hall has also received a couple of more inquiries about the byelection and nomination process.
The seat was left vacant with the election to the territorial legislature of Yukon Party candidate Doug Graham, a veteran of 11 consecutive years on council.
At Monday evening's meeting, city council approved first and second readings of the bylaw required to shorten the period to fill the vacancy from the minimum 30 days to 28 days.
Senior city administrator Rob Fendrick told council that shortening the campaign by two days will allow the new member of council to be sworn in Dec. 5 before the onset of the Christmas holiday season.
Under the bylaw, scheduled to receive third and final reading at a special council meeting Wednesday, nominations will open Nov. 2 and close Nov. 10, though nomination papers are available now at city hall.
Felker explained eligible voters and nominees must be Canadian citizens who have lived in Whitehorse for at least one full year and are 18 years of age as of polling day.
The city will not be conducting an enumeration for the byelection, but will use the 2009 voters list and a period of revision to compile a new list of eligible voters, she said.
Felker pointed out voters can still be sworn in at the polls by signing the written declaration that they meet the three requirements.
A minimum of 10 eligible voters must sign a candidate's nomination papers, she explained.
The city is divided into two polling districts for the byelection: those in Whitehorse northwest who must vote at the Takhini Arena; and those in Whitehorse southeast who must vote at the High Country Inn's Convention Centre.
The advance poll is scheduled for Nov. 24 at city hall between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
There were 10,713 eligible voters in 2009, though the Yukon government population statistics indicate the city grew from 25,636 in June 2009 to 26,711 to the end of last June.
It's estimated the cost of the byelection will be in the neighbourhood of $10,000.
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Comments (4)
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Cam Kos on Oct 20, 2011 at 8:22 am
Hi Ted,
FYI, my 'lose touch' (not 'out of touch' as you put it) comment at the end was not related to attending council meeting. It was a separate thought.
I just said whoever the successful person is, I hope they always stay in contact with the citizens.
Good luck if you choose to run.
Have a great day.
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bluzluva on Oct 19, 2011 at 11:14 am
Cam. I realize you are committed to spending your Monday nights at City Hall, but just so you understand, not everyone feels it's necessary to do so as a spectator in order to be committed to City business.
I am one of those who intends to run for council. I regularly check the City website to see what's on the Council agenda, and regularly watch the proceedings on Channel 9. I also keep close tabs on what's being reported in the papers and radio. And when I feel the need to, I approach Councilors or Managers to discuss matters.
I have on numerous occasions attended Council meetings when I had business there, but otherwise I don't see a need to drive downtown just so I can be in Chambers in order to feel committed to the process. Elected Council are required to attend, as they should, but I would hate to see what a circus Chambers would become, if every citizen felt it was their duty to attend Council meetings.
And I certainly don't see that absence from Council Chambers as a sign of being "out of touch" with what's going on in our fair City, as you imply at the end of your post.
Ted Lambert
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ANON2 on Oct 19, 2011 at 1:11 am
WS - what kind of reporting is this? You tell us there are 11 candidates! Good community stuff! But who are they?
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Cam Kos on Oct 18, 2011 at 7:52 am
It is great to see so many people interested in the position; I just hope the other 10 people who got packages start attending council meetings, as quite often it's lonely in the council chamber gallery with just reporters and a few citizens who randomly appear. To me this shows many people have given up hoping the city will listen to them.
Whoever the successful candidate is... I hope they don't lose touch with the citizens who will elect them!