Whitehorse Daily Star

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Photo by Vince Fedoroff

WINS KEEP COMING – Dan Curtis, seen Thursday eve- ning, will have been the city’s mayor for almost a decade by the time he finishes his latest term.

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Photo by Vince Fedoroff

NOT DONE YET? – Colin LaForme, who finished third in the mayoral race, said Thursday evening there may be more chapters to his career in municipal politics.

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Photo by Vince Fedoroff

Wilf Carter

Voters opt for familiarity in the mayoralty

Voters in Whitehorse have handed Mayor Dan Curtis a third consecutive term.

By Stephanie Waddell on October 19, 2018

Voters in Whitehorse have handed Mayor Dan Curtis a third consecutive term.

“I’m absolutely blown away,” the obviously-pleased incumbent said inside council chambers Thursday evening when it became clear he’d won his third consecutive term.

As he spoke to reporters and others, he emphasized again and again that he’s very happy to have the support of the community.

This will be the first time since the 1980s for a Whitehorse mayor to serve more than six years in office, with the late Don Branigan serving from 1984 to 1991 as well as from 1979 to 1982.

The late Flo Whyard was the mayor between 1982 and 1984, when Branigan was then voted back into office. (Terms previously lasted two years.)

Since then, mayors have served up to two terms, some not being successful in a third run and others choosing not to seek another term of office.

This time around, Curtis maintained the lead with each poll that came in, showing him ahead of his closest challenger, Rick Karp. He also ran against Curtis in 2012 when Curtis was elected to his first term.

All the results were in by about 10 p.m. The poll from Vanier Catholic Secondary School took about an extra hour due to a technical problem.

In the end, Curtis garnered 2,933 votes, more than 1,000 ahead of Karp’s final tally of 1,908.

Colin LaForme placed third with 1,511, while Wilf Carter finished with 163 votes in his favour.

That was slightly ahead of fifth placer Kelly Suits, who ended up with 148.

Despite the Star’s requests, the city was unable to provide details on such things as the voter turnout and the number of spoiled ballots before press time this afternoon.

Thursday evening, looking back on the campaign, Curtis said he stayed focused on the issues, highlighting work already underway that he wants to see continue.

As he commented before the election, it was his wife who pointed out to him that he has essentially been interviewing for the job for the last six years.

It was just shortly after 8 p.m. after the polls closed, that the couple came into council chambers to take in the results.

After milling about the room, shaking hands with and speaking to other candidates on-hand, Curtis sat in the front row of the gallery to watch the results.

As a large screen displayed poll-by-poll data, he got up to take a closer look, moving his chair closer to the screen later on to watch for a bit.

Karp joined him at one point, and the two candidates stood chatting as they watched together the voters’ verdict arrive.

LaForme was also on-hand throughout the evening, standing with his wife toward the back of the gallery to watch the results and chat with other candidates and their supporters who filled the room.

Both LaForme and Karp later congratulated Curtis on the win.

The victor acknowledged that running as the incumbent meant facing criticism during a campaign and having to inform voters about the work already underway to address the many issues that came up.

Housing was a major concern, but as the mayor pointed out, that has been the “number one priority” of the current council.

It was not that many years ago, he said, that many would have argued the city’s role is not in housing.

Now, efforts by the city through development incentives and other intiatives have seen more units built.

Three years ago, there were a couple of houses in Whistle Bend. Now there are 1,800 souls who live in a variety of housing types and call the neighbourhood home, he pointed out.

“We’ve already planned the (last two phases) for Whistle Bend,” he said.

The downtown core has also experienced some big changes with the addition of 300 housing units during this term, he added.

Curtis also pointed to work done to improve city transit; most recently with Whistle Bend added to the regular schedule rather than the more part-time peak period option that had been offered.

Curtis went on to praise city staff – particularly city manager Linda Rapp – noting that without their work, those initiatives wouldn’t happen.

Moving forward over the next three years, Curtis said, the first order of business for the new council will be working on the strategic plan which sets the direction for council’s term. That will also involve consultation with the public, he said.

Curtis added he is sad to see current councillors Betty Irwin and Roslyn Woodcock go. The two did not get enough votes to place in the top six of the 20 council candidate.

Irwin placed eighth with 1,969 votes, in her favour while Woodcock came in 10th with 1,614 votes.

The next council will see former councillor Jan Stick return to chambers as she garnered the highest number of votes with 3,946. She and Steve Roddick ran their campaigns together, and Roddick gained the next seat on council with 3,115 votes in his favour.

Another newcomer to council, Laura Cabott, was third, taking 2,725 votes.

Rounding out the councillor positions are incumbents Samson Hartland with 2,548 votes, Jocelyn Curteanu with 2,460 and Dan Boyd with 2,378.

“I think we’ve got a really solid crew,” Curtis said, highlighting the wealth of experience and diverse voices the members will bring to the table.

With Curtis’ win evident, Karp acknowledged Thursday night “it’s hard to come in second,” but also noted it was a well-fought race. He said he appreciates all the support he received over the course of the election.

He also said he wouldn’t change anything about his campaign.

“I fought the best fight I could,” he said, adding that while it was clear voters wanted a change on council, that was just not the case for the mayor.

With that, he said he was ready to congratulate Curtis.

“He obviously has the community behind him,” Karp said.

This marks the second time Karp faced off against Curtis. In the 2012 race – when there were also five running for mayor – Curtis was elected to his first term with 2,375 votes, while Karp placed second with 1,100.

It was just before he officially retired as president of the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce over the summer that Karp announced his plans to run for mayor.

Last night, he said he will now take some time to relax before looking at his next step. There’s a number of possibilities for him going forward, which could include going into consulting, substitute teaching, and/or focusing on his writing.

Meanwhile, LaForme will soon be back to his work as a city bylaw officer after taking a leave of absence to run in the election.

LaForme deemed his campaign a success, noting it provided an opportunity to get some new ideas out there.

Like many candidates, a large focus of his campaign was on land and housing. LaForme had urged voters to “stop the sprawl, vote tall” – by increasing height limits to allow more housing in the city’s core before looking to develop in new areas.

He said he was pleased with the election results, considering it was his first time running for office.

He went on to state he expects to be back on the ballot in the next municipal election in 2021, though he would not say whether he would seek the mayoralty again or run for a position as councillor.

As a city employee, he said he’s limited right now to running for mayor.

Carter, who had run against Curtis in the 2015 vote, told the Star this morning voters obviously liked what they heard from Curtis and those elected to council.

In the 2015 vote, where Curtis, Carter and Mandeep Sidhu sought the mayoralty, Curtis earned 4,640 votes compared to Carter’s second-place finish with 835 ballots in his favour.

“It is what it is,” he said, adding a “congratulations to all.”

Looking back on his campaign, Carter said he wasn’t able to get out and knock on doors, nor did he have any signage.

Moving forward, Carter is hoping to meet with Curtis to talk about his ideas for the future of Whitehorse.

“There’s a lot of things that need to be done,” he said, adding efforts need to be made to plan for the continued growth of the city.

Suits could not be contacted for comment.

Mayor and council will be sworn in to the new term of office at a special meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29.

Comments (26)

Up 2 Down 0

Can we find a full bodied council on Oct 25, 2018 at 12:48 pm

i've figured out the body of the council.

BoyD
Stick and Dick
Hart
Courteanu
Cabbott

So if we get rid of Courteanu and Cabbott and replace them with Arms and Legs... we'd just be left trying to find a brain and torso!
Only people that voted were the NDP

Up 3 Down 0

Josey Wales on Oct 24, 2018 at 11:12 pm

Hey Voter...you should have just told them in some really broken form of English that you are new, just touched down from Pakistan...oops I meant Syria....All that you have, is a cell phone and charger, no ID.

....to that some virtue signaling do gooder....would have showed you how to vote here for your first time.
When the ID issue came up with me?
Photo ID only they say, reeeeally?
I asked what would you do if I was wearing a burka.
Yes lady....Josey voted, and you handed me my ballot.
What happened to my vote when it was digitally accepted, well that is another matter.

Up 4 Down 0

Voter on Oct 24, 2018 at 2:04 pm

I went to vote and since my driver's license address didn't match the address they had on their list (both in Whitehorse), "we are unable to 'help' you"....honestly I was on the list....but they were unable to help me.
It's hard I know...

Up 1 Down 5

Curious George on Oct 23, 2018 at 5:14 pm

@joseum
Now correct me if I’m wrong but did you not forsake all things political with the municipality, or as you so colourfully termed “village of idiots”. It seems even with your raincoat put away, you just can’t resist dancing in the rain. Perhaps another visit to city hall is in order, to relinquish the thoughts in that head of yours and speak completely in the third person. Regardless, your name change insinuates you may finally be taking your meds. Don’t fall into old habits now.

Up 4 Down 5

Politico on Oct 23, 2018 at 11:29 am

Just love PSG pontificating. Lots of innuendo and spurious charges but little substance and fact. If you have actual evidence of wrong doing put it out here so something can be done. Just because the government spends money doesn't mean they do it badly.

Up 6 Down 0

Joseum Wales on Oct 22, 2018 at 9:26 pm

@Proscience

What do you mean by graft. Please say because we all want to know.

Up 8 Down 7

Moose on Oct 22, 2018 at 7:33 pm

@PSG 1) If money is tight for you, just imagine how tight it would be if you actually had to fully pay for all the municipal services you probably enjoy! Also, since we live in a very low tax jurisdiction, how do you think people in normal or even high tax areas function?
2) Tax dollars are spent on many things. Who exactly should be the arbiters of what is a waste and what is not? If you want lower taxes, please sacrifice some services you personally use first before identifying other areas which don't affect you. Most people who complain about taxes, predictability want services cut which only affect other people.

Up 11 Down 1

Bobby Bitman on Oct 22, 2018 at 4:33 pm

If you don't vote, good! My vote is 3x as powerful as a result.

Up 15 Down 5

ProScience Greenie on Oct 22, 2018 at 12:34 pm

Two things Moose - 1) Money is tight for a lot of us. 2) Our tax dollars are used very inefficiently including a certain level of graft.
Many of us left, right, center and green are upset with that and most of us are educated including civics courses.

Up 15 Down 1

Reasons to not vote on Oct 22, 2018 at 12:01 pm

I know people who didn't vote because they didn't want to choose any of the candidates. I also know people who didn't vote because they showed up to the poll when they were supposed to be open and they weren't set up yet. There can be reasons not to vote.

Just for the record, I did vote and I reserve the right to complain if I don't agree with something. Those who did not vote do not get that same right, in my opinion.

Up 6 Down 7

YT on Oct 22, 2018 at 8:29 am

Jeff S.
Did you read your comment after you wrote it?
Forcing people to vote is the day we start looking like a dictatorship?
You better look up "dictatorship".
As one commenter stated, it was a 37% turnout. I'll echo others thoughts that it is appalling.
So you'd rather go to prison rather than vote? Well that's reponsible, and pretty much a hearty FU to all those who died fighting for our rights and freedoms.
If you have a better idea on how to get people to show up, I'm all ears. People (in general) don't respond to anything unless it affects their pocket book.
You don't vote, you're abdicating your responsibilities as a citizen and there should be consequences. Democracies depend on citizens participating, and saying you're staying home as a protests is a BS cop out.

Up 11 Down 22

Moose on Oct 21, 2018 at 11:11 pm

@Stella - Whitehorse pays some of the lowest taxes in the country. Do you simply feel entitled to municipal services without having to pay for them? Good god the anti-tax populism in this town is nuts. Perhaps it's just a lack of education. A basic civics course should be mandatory.

Up 13 Down 7

jake on Oct 21, 2018 at 5:38 pm

Australia fines those that do not turn out to vote. Time that happens here.

Up 15 Down 5

north_of_60 on Oct 20, 2018 at 8:49 pm

The voter turn-out was appalling.
There should be incentives to vote, like a discount on property taxes or utilities for those who participate to make City government legitimate.
If this is the government less than 40% of the elligible voters want, then so be it.
People in a democracy get the government they deserve.

Up 8 Down 7

Joseum Wales on Oct 20, 2018 at 6:14 pm

I enjoy the sarcasm of the other Mr. Wales.
This is my real name and I apologize for any confusion it may create. I may have originated from Ontario but am not a snowflake.

Up 10 Down 6

Bob Folster on Oct 20, 2018 at 3:20 pm

It's so quiet in here without a Wilf Carter rant
I expected at least one "the election was rigged" followup

Up 24 Down 5

Joseum Wales on Oct 20, 2018 at 1:45 pm

Over coffee we talked about our disappointment about all the campain promises.

Whitehorse sucks compared to the way it was. This town should not belong to aggressive drivers, drunks and people on drugs, the snowmobile club, the people who get corporate welfare for designing and building tall ugly buildings, and all those firms that pay wages that create working poor.

Up 14 Down 7

Jeff S on Oct 19, 2018 at 10:09 pm

@YT the day the government starts forcing people to vote is the day we start looking like every half bit dictatorship. It’s also the day i’d Rather go to prison than see my freedom be reduced by such a draconian thought that democracy is only about voting.

Up 10 Down 3

eek on Oct 19, 2018 at 8:20 pm

@YT, I think they said the turnout was 37 percent on the radio.

Up 21 Down 7

Stella on Oct 19, 2018 at 5:21 pm

Well Whitehorse remember you voted to raise taxes and spend money on virtue signalling. So disappointed.

Up 17 Down 4

Josey Wales on Oct 19, 2018 at 5:08 pm

Hmmm....gotta say folks, gobsmacked I am.
Assuming an honest election, the people spoke clearly.
So folks on civic matters I will remain quiet, as it appears our community is okay with...
“Stellar” leadership, with no accountability.
Chronic taxation sodomy.
Delusional liberal philosophy.
Commi lite AND commi regular....wow just wow folks!
Have nobility rule them.
Etc....
Y’all know how I feel about the political blowholes and their minions, so break you shall get.
To said victorious blowhole, the most transparent government you say?
Enjoy another tour with your head in our trough, it will still fit I hope...we cannot afford a new supersized one.
Oh yes forgot...CoW, we always have money...other peoples money.
I suppose underestimating civic governments ability to lord over us, is like blue hair...all the rage these days.
A return of team orange Jan, really people?
Oh I know....everybody was high, thanks to Mr. Dress Up
Our civic results suggest very strongly that too much blazing went down.
Everyone must have been freaking high, or blind, maybe deaf, perhaps seriously cognitively challenged.....nah....high, clearly!

Gobsmacked Josey...
Enjoy the shower folks, for all those just getting off the train.

Up 18 Down 6

Ginger Johnson on Oct 19, 2018 at 5:01 pm

Wilf Carter got 163 votes - that would be 1 vote for every 50,000 words that he posted in these comment forums.

Up 28 Down 3

George on Oct 19, 2018 at 4:22 pm

Is Kelly Suits even a real person?

Up 12 Down 26

YT on Oct 19, 2018 at 4:20 pm

So 6663 people voted (at least for the mayoral candidates).
Whats the total number of eligible voters in the city?
Voting should be mandatory. Period. At all levels.
Even if you spoil your ballot, write in a candidate, you must vote.
Perhaps some worth of Penalty where if you are registered/eligible and don't vote, you have to pay a fine on your taxes.

Up 16 Down 8

Jayne W on Oct 19, 2018 at 4:16 pm

Congratulations to everyone, win or lose, you put yourself out there! I am hoping someone can help me with the number of eligible voters in Whitehorse for the City election. I thought it was aprox 19K eligible voters. Mayor Curtis received 2933 votes last night, is that an accurate showing of "support from the community"?

Up 18 Down 3

Henry Wensleydale on Oct 19, 2018 at 4:12 pm

SOOOOOO - will Wilf Carter be running for the Maxime Bernier Party in the next Federal Election ?

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