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 and council as a consequence of their ignominious dismissal in 2004 under authority of the Municipal Act.
Unfortunately, the trusteeship along with the appointed advisory council were over staying their welcome and by some accounts it was time to get a fresh start and elect some representatives to our municipal government.
With Ashley’s help along with myself and some others we were able to agitate the the territorial government into agreeing that after two long years of trusteeship it was time to send Dawsonites back to the polls and elect a proper council.
This election was held in June of 2006 and Ashley stepped up to the plate to run for a council seat, which she won quite handily receiving the most votes of anyone.
During her term on council she made significant contributions to the governance of our town helping usher in a new transparent way of providing leadership with an emphasis on upholding procedural rules to make it fair for everyone.
During her term she and her partner Doug were running Whitehouse Cabins, gave birth to their son Cove, resurrected CFYT community radio along with so many other accomplishments.
Then Ashley threw here name in the hat for re-election in October 2009 along with myself as incumbent. Ashley was acclaimed with the other three and I was edged out by a few votes, definitely an “aw shucks!” moment.
After four months on the new council it was clear that other pressures were going to sway her resolve to serve our community in this context. So Ashley bit the bullet and tendered her resignation from council.
Staying the course for almost four years of council duty is no mean feat!
Hopefully a by-election will produce a worthy candidate to replace her.
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I will miss Ashley’s council. As a rookie councillor, I am thankful for her knowledge and help in sorting out council meeting process.
I agree with you John. Being on council for 4 years is an accomplishment in and of itself as a great deal of demand is placed on one’s time. Ashley has given a great deal in terms of her efforts and I thank her for that.
Indeed, let us hope that a worthy candidate is elected in the upcoming by-election.