It's been three terms of office since Doug Graham was first elected to council, but he's ready for another.

"There's still a lot of things I want to do,” says the Yukon college registrar and former territorial Conservative cabinet minister.

One of the biggest concerns for the veteran councillor is city taxes, which have risen during his years on council, most recently with a four per cent hike this year.

Taxes, Graham says, could soon "get out of control” if someone doesn't "draw a line.”

Graham has been vocal in his criticism of the tax hikes over the years, arguing the need to decide what's important and let go of things that aren't.

"I know there's a way,” he says when he announced his candidacy.

Land development also tops the list of issues for Graham, who has also been a vocal opponent of the smaller residential lot sizes the city is moving toward.

At many council meetings where residential development has come up, Graham has argued Whitehorse residents want large lots and the city will likely have trouble selling the smaller lots.

It could also mean prospective Whitehorse residents locate outside town limits, continuing to use city infrastructure, but not contributing to the tax base.

Many, he says, want room to park a boat and have a yard.

"We're not social engineers,” he says, arguing it's council's job to represent people rather than telling people what they want.

Despite his criticisms, Graham also notes there have been some positive steps taken in solid waste and composting, along with ongoing work on the new public safety building (designed to serve as both a fire hall and other city needs) under construction near the top of Two Mile Hill.

The $9.8-million project is now at a "manageable level” the city can afford thanks to the federal gas tax dollars that have come into the community, says Graham. It also helped that bids on the project came in lower than expected.

Graham also praises the move to a ground water source of water over the former Schwatka Lake supply the city used for its water system.