Photo by Whitehorse Star
PAST WOULDN’T AFFECT FUTURE – If he is elected to council Oct. 15, says Rob Fendrick (above), he would be able to work with all members of the bureaucracy – including city manager Christine Smith.
Former city director becomes a council candidate
“It’s a new chapter for me.”
“It’s a new chapter for me.”
After being fired without cause by city manager Christine Smith last March, Rob Fendrick, the city’s former director of corporate services is hoping to make a return to council chambers, this time as a councillor.
On Monday, Fendrick filed his nomination papers to run for council in the Oct. 15 municipal vote with his Facebook campaign page being launched today.
“The community has been really good to me,” he said in an interview this morning, noting his desire to give back to the city he was raised in.
Serving on council would give the 58-year-old that opportunity, as he also balances family life with his wife and two kids and his consulting business.
Fendrick noted his career with the city – which spanned 17 years in total – gives him the experience for the role, knowing exactly how the city systems, processes and budgets work.
“I can hit the ground running,” he said, highlighting a number of areas he hopes to work on as a councillor.
He first noted affordable housing as a major area he would like to see the city focus on.
“I think the city does have a role (in affordable housing),” Fendrick said, pointing specifically to a program where the Yukon Housing Corp. provides a matching grant for affordable housing projects.
While it would require greater investigation, Fendrick said he envisions a pilot project that could see six or eight affordable housing units created through the city and Yukon Housing fund.
Recreational opportunities are also a major focus for the council candidate, who noted he would like to examine the possibilities for popular recreational spots in Whitehorse like the Canada Games Centre, Millennium Trail and Mount Sima, among others.
“I really believe in the power of recreation,” he said, noting the benefits sports and recreational activities for youth in the community.
Fendrick would also like to see the local business community consulted on ways the city can assist in improving things for businesses.
There are ways to bring in regulations – such as through the zoning bylaw and others – that can assist in improving the overall business environment.
After being dismissed from his city position, Fendrick said he is confident he can work with city administration.
The city, he said, is a great place to work and has a strong administration in place.
Asked about working with the city manager, Fendrick pointed out that administration follows the direction of council.
He said he has “no doubt” that he can work with council and all members of the administration.
He noted he’s excited to see many of the candidates who are stepping forward in seeking a seat on council.
The city manager, meanwhile, had little to say on Fendrick’s plans to run for council.
As Smith noted, every citizen has a right to run for office if he or she chooses.
A total of 11 people have submitted nomination papers for councillor seats, with another three stating they will run.
Incumbent mayor Dan Curtis filed his forms for re-election, and Wilf Carter has also announced his plans to run (though he has yet to file his nomination papers).
See related coverage.
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Comments (13)
Up 27 Down 15
Wilf Carter here is what people for told me on Sep 26, 2015 at 3:08 pm
Put in place an operational management cost controls program like a critical path method on water, sewer, waste management and others.
Review the $54 million building project to see if the City is getting the best bang for their buck.
Develop a crime stoppers program like most other Cities have. This is done by the RCMP and the Yukon government would fund.
Develop a healthy family program and center that will have all services to help people in need like homelessness, housing period, food, clothing and health services . YTG and Feds responsibility. Talking to the medical community and with doctors that have lived around this, is key. This would be a major step for the Yukon Anti Poverty Coalition, plus the cost of these services would be more cost effective because they would be in one place. The services are all over the place and we need them together.
Develop possible solar and wind energy to offset energy needs of the City.
Work with business to change by-laws that supports business, not stop them.
Skills development, starting with kids in grade nine plus under skilled people to study for higher paying jobs in the City.
Example has anyone started a program to train staff for the new senior care center because there will be more staff needed. You need lead time and we have it.
Develop a relationship structure with all levels of government to talk about where best to invest our public funds, how, where and when. Not all work in silos.
Municipalities need a better finance agreement with the Yukon Government
There are three levels of government working in housing, with servicing and tax costs going up I don't think City residents want the City in housing directly. City can support through planning, services. I have been told get the City house in order before moving on to other ventures.
The Yukon Government should be paying for half of the operational cost of the Canada games center.
The center has an operating deficit of around $2 million per year. This is why costs of services are going up.
The City of Whitehorse can be stronger, if the communities are strong. One candidates has already said he would like to see the City working with small business.
What I propose is a $20 million dollars community economic development fund over 10 years for all the municipals and a major amount going to rural communities to research business opportunities in their communities. For example, why don't we have a cold water fishery, in the Yukon, for export and support companies like Icy Water to expand if they are interested. We could use the small lakes and there are 100's of them.
Most people know there is fresh water snails that grow in our lakes in the Yukon. Other regions of Canada are growing all kinds of shell fish.
Another individual wants to develop a wild berry business like John Bragg did in Nova Scotia and it is now worth $800m dollars employing 3500 employees.
As the City of Whitehorse Mayor there is so much opportunity out there to do better but we need the leadership and vision to drive it forward.
Being mayor is like been captain of an airplane and the Mayor/Captain has to know where everyone wants to go and that is to one or more places. Where is the City of Whitehorse flying to?
Wilf Carter your mayoralty candidate.
Wilf Carter
Up 26 Down 8
Thanks but no thanks on Sep 26, 2015 at 3:58 am
Please do some research before you vote for this fellow (or for any candidate). Some of the very things we complain about regarding high taxes and fees can be pointed right to him (parking meters, so-called 'excel spreadsheet errors' when making mistakes on budgets, just a couple of examples). Yes, he is local, and I'm sure he's nice in many ways, but it takes more than that to be a good council member.
Up 27 Down 10
I supported the concept of a new $56 million dollar building to consolidate services. on Sep 25, 2015 at 4:21 pm
I have done that before and it does work and the City buildings are old.
But I the questions to me are, why a $56 million dollar building and why so much?
Has the City made it clear how this building is going to pay for it. That the City of Whitehorse is funding the new $56 dollar building by drawing down reserve funds by substantially amount. I could not get a real number of what would be left in the reserve funds but 2009 levels which was what?
Canada funding will used, which is fine.
What I found interesting and residents need to know this, is the fact that the City is planning on borrowing the max it can under the municipal Act.
So the City is going to go into max debt for this project.
Do the residents of the City want clear accounting of the project before it goes ahead?
Thumbs up if you do or send me an email @wilf_carter27@hotmail.com to provide me your input because we do need a building.
The project is not started yet so we have time to get the information on the actual plan out before going ahead.
Thanks
Wilf Carter
Up 51 Down 17
Got my vote on Sep 24, 2015 at 8:44 pm
This guy has my vote, People, let's face it, looks like we are headed towards more tax hikes considering the forecasted spending spree with the majority of these candidates. We might as well have some entertainment between this guy, his Worship, and the city manager! Dysfunction at its finest! I can't help but LOL!
Up 117 Down 65
bignorth on Sep 24, 2015 at 12:19 pm
This is great! This is a very nice, hardworking man who knows his stuff. I think the council need to have more people like Rob who know how money works rather than dreamers who want the city to spend exorbitant amounts of money on things which we really do not need. Live within our needs!
I also like the fact that he has been in the Yukon for a very long time and understands how lifestyles in the Yukon are and should be unique - not dictated by other cities.
I will vote for him!
Up 6 Down 43
Mike Grieco on Sep 23, 2015 at 9:11 pm
Trevor the dog for council.... Got an extra 50 grand to piss away on a court fight?
A blast from the past....
Up 50 Down 2
Lost in the Yukon on Sep 23, 2015 at 9:37 am
What is that saying about karma beings something or other? Or is it "you reap what you sow?" or "what goes around comes around"; but maybe this will become a time of reflection, penance and the seeking forgiveness for some.
Up 52 Down 66
Sloopy on Sep 23, 2015 at 7:15 am
What a sinister, threatening looking dude. Possibly Ms. Smythe was correct in reeling in Major Dorph none to soon.
Up 65 Down 26
Salar on Sep 22, 2015 at 9:54 pm
June et al......the delinquent youth and disrespectful young adults you complain about on a daily basis would benefit (you) from having places like sima, etc.......why so frugal with your 2k per year?.......and I know it's a forced march when it comes to taxes so you should just let those with a real life, who may happen to raise kids, decide how it gets spent......oh and there is power in numbers, so get on board for a change.
Love Me
Up 87 Down 61
Lisa on Sep 22, 2015 at 5:45 pm
I think or would hope, with Mr. Fendrick on council that he will actually be able to speak up instead of being someone who agrees with the council, only to keep his job cause now he doesn't have to worry about that. Mr. Fendrick has the experience and nobody to answer to but the citizens now. I will gladly vote for Mr. Fredrick
Up 51 Down 27
Wilf Carter Interesting election on Sep 22, 2015 at 3:59 pm
I will be filing my papers on Thursday at 9 AM.
I wish all candidates good luck.
Let get the city back to basics as the name for campaign.
Staff in any organization is important it helps build a strong and solid service for our people of all ages.
Up 102 Down 2
Lost in the Yukon on Sep 22, 2015 at 3:57 pm
Well this should be interesting. Let's hope that a certain City Manager, who was quoted on CBC North as saying "to each his own" when asked about Mr. Fendrick's decision to run, has been saving most of her $185,000 a year salary and not spending it on motorcycles etc.
Up 190 Down 179
June Jackson on Sep 22, 2015 at 3:06 pm
Nooooooooooooooo! After the public raised such a fuss about taxpayer dollars going to Mt. Sima Mr. Fendrick thinks that saying he supports that is going to get him a vote? Not mine Mr. Fendrick..it is because of many of your recommendations to council that we are in the mess we are in.
Adding your name to the list of those I wouldn't vote for if they promised to plow the snow on my street all winter.