CamBay voters can pick and choose in upcoming municipal election

There’s lots of civic interest in Cambridge Bay where several candidates are running for mayor and council seats. The election takes place Dec. 12. (FILE PHOTO)

When voters in Cambridge Bay go to the polls Dec. 12, they’ll have some choices to make about their community’s municipal leadership.

Candidates for mayor include the incumbent Syd Glawson, James Panioyak, Jeannie Ehaloak and Peter Harte — who’s withdrawn from the race, but will still see his name on the ballot.

Thirteen candidates are running for five council seats: Cindy Analok-Villebrun, Richard “Nigeonak” Ekpakohak, Peter Harte, Sarah “Olayok” Jancke, David Kaosoni, Keith Lear Sr., Hugh MacIsaac, Harry Maksagak, Iona Maksagak, Mary Rose Maksagak, Michael Maloney, Shawn Marriott, and André “Akana” Otokiak.

And while most voters in this community of 1,500 have probably decided who will get their support— because they know all the candidates personally — there’s clearly a choice of people and positions among the four candidates for mayor:

Syd Glawson

The incumbent Mayor Syd Glawson, who was unable to be reached for an interview, joked earlier this autumn that he hoped to “walk” not run in his re-election bid.

Glawson, a long-time councillor and deputy mayor, stepped into the hamlet’s top job when the previous mayor Michelle Gillis resigned in 2009.

Voters then elected Glawson to the position later that same year.

Among Glawson’s achievements: the successful awarding to Cambridge Bay of the High Arctic Research Station, which is expected to open in 2017.

James Panioyak

James Panioyak, an interpreter and translator, also chairs the Ekaluktutiak Hunter and Trappers Organization. Panioyak has also served on the boards of the Ikaluktutiak District Education Authority Ikaluktutiak Co-op.

“Why I’m running for Mayor of Ikaluktutiak is simply because I think we need an Inuk voice to speak about our Inuit concerns, our Inuit interest and our Inuit needs in terms of our culture, language and most importantly our youth of today and tomorrow,” Panioyak said by email. “We need to voice what our elders’ needs are while they are able to help us and guide us with their wisdom and knowledge, to work together with our youth while our elders are still able to teach us the Inuit way.”

Panioyak said he also wants to seek more training for youth “so that they can find employment locally and in the mines and afford to look after themselves and their families, who are struggling,”

If elected, Panioyak said he wants to see more help for the disabled and elderly. He said he plans to focus on CHARS and work closely with the territorial government and Inuit organizations on community projects.

Among his campaign promises: artificial ice on the arena so the hockey season can start earlier.

Jeannie Ehaloak

Jeannie Ehaloak, a former hamlet councillor who works in the lands department of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., said she’s running for mayor because she believes a healthier community will be able to take more advantage of future opportunities.

“I believe in the importance and the need for good community government to ensure opportunities for all,” Ehaloak’s platform says.
” My values come from the strong sense of pride and appreciation I have as a resident of Cambridge Bay.”

Ehaloak’s background also includes experience at the local district education authority, as chairperson of the Kitikmeot Divisional Education board, and, most recently, as chairperson of the Kitikmeot Law Board.

“With the continued support and participation of the community we will take our programs, services and economic opportunities to a higher level. With the help of the community we can make our community a welcoming place to visit and live,” she said.

Peter Harte

Cambridge Bay lawyer Peter Harte put his name forward to run for mayor, but now he’s urging his supporters to vote for Ehalok.

Harte said he wanted to withdraw his candidacy when he found Ehaloak was running. But it was too late to change, and Harte’s name remains on the ballot.

“Given my work commitments and the depth of Jeannie’s community roots (and the support that she will receive from NTI), I think that she will be in a better position to give the position of mayor the attention it deserves. If I am elected mayor, if Jeannie ends up in 2nd place, I will resign in favour of Jeannie,” said Harte who’s still hoping to land a seat on the hamlet council.

Harte said he wanted to run for municipal office because he’s worried about Cambridge Bay’s finances.

“‘Financial accountability’ has to become the new watchword for the Hamlet,” Harte said. “Cambridge Bay is living beyond its means and that has to change.”

Budgeting remains a chronic problem, he said, and in 2011, Cambridge Bay also ended up more than a half a million dollars short on its reserves.

“It may well be that Cambridge Bay still has the weakest financial position in Nunavut, but without comparisons, it is hard to know. We do know that three years running Cambridge Bay has significant budget variances (to the tune of millions of dollars) and it is not keeping money in the bank that it is legally required to keep there,” Harte said.

Voters can cast their ballots Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Luke Novoligak community hall.

An advance poll took place place on Dec. 6 for those voters who expected to be absent or unable to vote on Dec. 12.

A mobile poll will be held on Dec. 8 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for voters who are disabled or physically incapacitated and unable to vote at the voting station.

Anyone interested in arranging a visit from the mobile poll is asked to call Megan Livingston, the municipal returning officer, at the hamlet office.