General
Hanseatic Award
Every year the Association of Yukon Communities receives nominations for an award that recognizes a significant contribution by a past member. This award is called the Hanseatic Award and am proud to say that I was this year’s recipient. It was presented to me at their AGM banquet held at the historic Palace Grand... »
A Very Unfortunate Decision
As predictable as it may be, it is still very odious. I’m referring to the Territorial Government’s decision to ignore the Yukon Socioeconomic Assessment Board’s recommendation that placer mining not proceed in people’s backyards on the Dome Road. Apparently the decision body wasn’t able to grasp the full scope of the proponent’s intentions or... »
Councillor Ashley Doiron
During the dark winter months of 2006 Ashley Doiron helped organize the Dawson City Citizen’s Action Group. Its purpose was to attract people that wanted to do something about the intolerable state of our municipal affairs. I’m referring to the government appointed trusteeship that was running the town in the absence of the mayor... »
The Gushing Money Faucet
I read with interest MLA Steve Nordick’s recent open letter to the public expressing his ‘personal’ view that Dawson should receive a brand new recreation complex. I think almost everyone would agree that a shiny new recreation centre is something we all deserve. Especially when taxpayers in the rest of Canada are obliged to... »
Farmers of the Year
Belated congratulations to the 2009 Yukon Farmers of the Year, Grant Dowdell and Karen Digby. Recognition came at the annual North of 60º Agricultural Conference Banquet last November. They missed the ceremony because the Yukon River gets choked with ice during freeze-up making it impossible to leave their island farm, about 13 kilometers up... »
What’s old is new and what’s new is old
Ah… nice to get out of Dodge for a breather! As much as I love Dawson I was feeling a bit claustrophobic after the big sundown shoot-out on Front Street last October. The glare coming off the shiny new pavement skewed my aim and was only able to graze my opponent. One thing is... »
Trumped?
The Yukon Municipal Act which serves as the rule book for Municipalities and Territorial Government states the following - Effect of this Act 5 – The Government of the Yukon is bound by the bylaws of a municipality, except as otherwise established by the Commissioner in Executive Council by regulation. Because municipalities are a... »
Anatomy of a Town Council Meeting – Part 1
A lot of people think that the mayor sets the agenda for a council meeting – a common misconception. The mayor brings a draft agenda forward with input from staff and other councilors in accordance with the Procedures Bylaw #05-18. This draft agenda is posted in public at least 48 hours before the meeting.... »
Musical Chairs Anyone?
If ever there existed a case for doing away with party politics, the moment appears nearer than we think. An already tenuous faith in our legislative political system teeters on the brink of the absurd while some members dance back and forth across the floor at will for the sake of convenience, not conviction... »
Dawson Staff to Unionize
There you have it! Previously, little appetite existed for city workers to unionize during my term as Mayor of Dawson, until now. Unionizing our municipal workforce only two days into Mayor Jenkins’ term speaks volumes to the anticipated difficulties that may lie ahead for our town. That says it all. Personally, I believe the... »
