And the race is on....

Dan Curtis, Skills Canada Yukon's executive director, has announced his plans to seek the mayor's seat in the Oct. 18 municipal election.

"I think looking forward is the way we're going to have to think,” he told the Star this morning.

Curtis is the second candidate to announce his intentions for the mayoralty.

Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce president Rick Karp stated his plans in June. Incumbent Bev Buckway is not seeking a third term.

Having spent his entire 46 years in Whitehorse, Curtis said, the time is right for him.

He believes he'll be the best candidate for the job. It's a position he's been thinking about going after for some time, he said.

"I've received a lot of encouragement,” Curtis commented.

He was defeated in his run under the Liberal banner for the Riverdale South seat in the October 2011 territorial election.

That process made him realize the effect municipal government has on its citizens. He began thinking about going into municipal politics, eventually deciding on

seeking the top job.

He noted he opted to go after the mayor's seat rather than seeking one of six councillor positions first because he believes he is the best candidate for mayor.

If he'd believed a councillor's seat was the best spot for him, he would have pursued that, he said.

Issues to be dealt with by the new council will range from the city's snow clearing policy to recycling to recreation facilities to many others, he said. He plans to speak with residents to learn what they see as the major concerns.

In focusing on moving forward and not looking back, Curtis said, he plans to do everything he can to create a good working relationship with all levels of government as well as industry. That's one area his seven years with Skills Canada Yukon will help in, he added.

Curtis also wants to ensure the voices of all Whitehorse residents are heard, and he hopes citizens will make their voices heard at the ballot box.

He plans to spend much of the campaign encouraging as many residents as he can to cast a ballot. Previous election turnouts have been dismal, hovering around the 30-per-cent margin.

"I'm just really excited,” he said.

He'd have to leave his role with Skills Canada Yukon if he is elected in October.

However, after years of building relationships and seeing success in competitions, he said, he believes the organization will continue down that road.

The 46-year-old also brings with him previous experience as a realtor and in industry support before his time with Skills Canada Yukon.

"It's been a great ride,” he said of his varied career experience.

Curtis is married and has two teenaged boys.

Curtis' competition in the race for the mayor's chair welcomed the news of a second candidate.

"This is democracy,” Karp said today, adding it's wonderful for voters to have a choice in electing a mayor.

He said Curtis' announcement won't change his strategy for the election campaign.

By STEPHANIE WADDELL

Star Reporter