With Nomination Day coming right up on September 19, and bearing in mind that the current council in Dawson, except for the Mayor, was originally filled by acclamation, it seemed like a good idea to have a public meeting titled “Let’s Run” to test the public interest in the local vote, which will take place on October 17 at the Art and Margaret Fry Recreation Centre from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
A Baker's dozen of regular citizens, including three members of the current council, turned out for the meeting in council chambers, which was also broadcast on Zoom, on the afternoon of Saturday, Sept 14.
The meeting was emceed by former mayor Wayne Potoroka, who is currently a director with the Yukon government’s Community Services Branch; along with former counsellor Molly Shore, who is now a policy analyst, with YG’s Regulatory and Consumer Services Branch; and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Deputy Chief Erin McQuaig. Available to assist were Samantha Crosby, Community Affairs assistant director and Riel Allain, the community advisor currently assigned to Dawson.
Potoroka offered a slide show, featuring the following topics:
- Why you should run (to be of service to your community)
- Nomination Process – fill out the necessary papers supported by 10 residents between Sept. 19 and 26.
- Requirements – to be a permanent resident within the boundary of the town
- The role of Council – to represent the entire community and contribute to council’s decisions and policy making; for the good of the community and not for one’s personal gain .
- Meeting Procedures – to attend regular council and committee of the whole meetings, and other events as may be necessary.
- Councillors must obey the spirit and letter of the law and, in particular, the provisions of all relevant statues, regulations, local laws and instruments.
- Municipal Services – to provide for the interests of the town with efficiency, impartiality and integrity.
- Interaction with the public- to interact with the public in a proper and effective manner.
- Interaction with the staff, which is through the office of the Chief Administrative Officer, who is actually the only employee of the council.
There were questions about details. There were lively discussions on a number of topics.
Virtual meeting attendance by phone in the past or by ZOOM since the COVID-19 pandemic is acceptable.
Every councillor has a vote on every topic unless there should be some personal or business-related conflict of interest. Advice on this can be had from the CAO or the Community Advisor.
Potoroka and Shore shared some of their experiences from their years of service, concluding their time had been valuable to them and well spent. McQuaig said being of service was her motivating factor.
Three members of the gallery filled out forms and obtained signatures from others in the room.
No members of the current council had indicated their intentions as of Sept. 16.
