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The ups and downs of being mayor; some Nunavut leaders reach the end of the road

Some familiar faces wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be returning as mayor when municipal elections are held on Oct. 28.

Joanni Sallerina in Gjoa Haven, Ryan Nivingalok in Kugluktuk and Celestino Uyarak in Iglulik are among the incumbents who are not seeking a return to the top municipal office.

Gjoa Haven Mayor Joanni Sallerina: SA国际影视传媒淚 canSA国际影视传媒檛 make the whole community happy but if I make one person happy a day then ISA国际影视传媒檝e done my duty.SA国际影视传媒 photo courtey of Joanni Sallerina

Sallerina, a school teacher who served seven years as community leader over two terms, said he simply doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 have enough time to devote to the position anymore.

There are too many extracurricular activities that he has to tend to after school to allow him to maintain the part-time mayorSA国际影视传媒檚 role, he said.

SA国际影视传媒淭he community needs to be represented well,SA国际影视传媒 said Sallerina. SA国际影视传媒淚 didnSA国际影视传媒檛 feel comfortable in sending somebody else to do my job so I decided not to rerun.

SA国际影视传媒淩ight now ISA国际影视传媒檓 going to be focusing on the students, our future leaders.SA国际影视传媒

As he reflects on his tenure, he said heSA国际影视传媒檚 most proud of having achieved more housing, the community is overcoming its financial deficit and there are better mental health supports, although that still remains one of the biggest issues in Gjoa Haven, he said.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have a lot of people who need (mental health counselling) and we donSA国际影视传媒檛 have the services in the community.SA国际影视传媒

As a piece of general advice, he said itSA国际影视传媒檚 crucial for the next mayor to develop a strong understanding of municipal and territorial governance and to maintain strong communication with the chief administrative officer.

He also shared part of his philosophy on how he struck a balance over the past several years.

SA国际影视传媒淚 always say to myself, I canSA国际影视传媒檛 make the whole community happy but if I make one person happy a day then ISA国际影视传媒檝e done my duty,SA国际影视传媒 he said.

Focus on family and health

Kugluktuk Mayor Ryan Nivingalok: SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 been tough, a struggle. Some days are long, yes. It has its ups and downs. It has its rewards and challenges.SA国际影视传媒
photo courtesy of Ryan Nivingalok

In Kugluktuk, Nivingalok said heSA国际影视传媒檚 opted not to pursue a third term in office for personal reasons.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e got to take care of my healthSA国际影视传媒 ISA国际影视传媒檓 ready to focus on my family and my health,SA国际影视传媒 he said, adding that he has five children at home.

Nivingalok held down the mayorSA国际影视传媒檚 responsibilities while working for the Kugluktuk Housing Association.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 been tough, a struggle. Some days are long, yes,SA国际影视传媒 he said. SA国际影视传媒淚t has its ups and downs. It has its rewards and challenges.SA国际影视传媒

Among the rewards have been replacing the hamletSA国际影视传媒檚 mobile equipment, getting a quarry running, acquiring new housing and the numerous benefits from the now concluded Moving Forward Together program, he said. The community also has a new diesel power plant with solar power capacity.

However, there has been considerable turmoil over the past several months since Kugluktuk residents voted to remove alcohol restrictions. The crime rate has risen, the police have been accused of not being responsive and there have been at least three recent alcohol-related deaths.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 stressful. I donSA国际影视传媒檛 want to comment on that. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a difficult one,SA国际影视传媒 said Nivingalok.

One of the projects that Nivingalok and his council have been doggedly pursuing for years is the establishment of a long-term care centre. Although there was nothing announced officially, he hinted that some news may be coming soon.

SA国际影视传媒楾he job is never finishedSA国际影视传媒

In Iglulik, Uyarak will not appear on the ballot for mayor, but he is seeking a council seat.

He said he and his staff set out to improve the hamletSA国际影视传媒檚 finances while also improving pay and benefits for municipal employees and he feels thatSA国际影视传媒檚 been accomplished.

SA国际影视传媒淲e did that,SA国际影视传媒 he said, adding that the water reservoir and sewage lagoon have been overhauled, corresponding training has been provided, the financial department is also upgrading and an ambulance has been brought into Iglulik for the first time.

Without being prompted, the mayor disclosed what he considers to be his failures: he was unable to revive the RockinSA国际影视传媒 Walrus Festival, he couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 get the public radio station fully functioning and his hopes for improvements to search and rescue werenSA国际影视传媒檛 realized.

SA国际影视传媒淏ut the job is never finished,SA国际影视传媒 he said. SA国际影视传媒淜eep in mind that no matter what you try to do best you donSA国际影视传媒檛 satisfy everyone. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 part of being in politics.SA国际影视传媒

As mayor, Uyarak travels to represent the community and said he meets daily with the senior administrative officer (SAO), including weekends, to strategize. A former SAO, assistant, SAO and recreation staff member, he, like most mayors, frequently gets stopped in the streets and takes phone calls at home at all hours from people with urgent concerns.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou have to be open to everyone. If you cannot answer right away, you (look) into it and get back to the individual if you can,SA国际影视传媒 he said. SA国际影视传媒淵ou donSA国际影视传媒檛 get too excited. You donSA国际影视传媒檛 get too low. You try not to show it.SA国际影视传媒

0710mayorsNNivingalok
Kugluktuk Mayor Ryan Nivingalok: SA国际影视传媒淚t's been tough, a struggle. Some days are long, yes. It has its ups and downs. It has its rewards and challenges.SA国际影视传媒 photo courtesy of Ryan Nivingalok


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