Policy official says he can turn ideas into 'success stories'
by Sidney Cohen September 13, 2018 September 14, 2018
Courtesy of Dane Mason Dane Mason, manager of policy and strategic planning in the department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, makes a second bid for a seat on city council. Sept. 13, 2018
Dane Mason hopes to be the policy wonk on city council.
The manager of policy and strategic planning at the GNWT's department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mason has more than a decade of policy experience, mostly within the territorial government.
Courtesy of Dane Mason
Dane Mason, manager of policy and strategic planning in the department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, makes a second bid for a seat on city council.
"Looking at the last council, I think one of the issues that posed a few challenges for them was not having anyone with a particular expertise in policy and public administration," Mason said on Wednesday.
"I can definitely help not just bring my own ideas to fruition but be able to assist any other councillors in taking their ideas and turning those into success stories."
The 12-year Yellowknife resident has a slate of ideas for city hall.
One is to create a business incubator and innovation hub in town. Another is to fill abandoned lots by implementing a tax regime that encourages development.
Mason also want to push the city to make its internal policies public and adopt access to information and protection of privacy rules.
This election is not Mason's first rodeo.
He ran in 2015, but fell 354 votes shy of snagging a council seat.
In the last campaign, Mason promoted IserveU, a participatory democracy platform aimed at collecting votes from constituents on matters before city council.
He promised to vote on motions according to the will of IserveU users.
IserveU is not playing a role in this year's election.
Chamber of Commerce hosts debates
Yellowknifers can hear city council candidates speak their minds on business issues at two upcoming debates hosted by the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce.
The Mayoral Business Political Forum will take place on Oct. 2 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Northern United Place, and the Councillor Business Political Forum will happen on Oct. 4, from 6:30 to 9:30 in the same location.
Deneen Everett, the chamber's executive director, will moderate both debates and will ask the candidates questions submitted by the chamber before opening the floor to questions from the audience.
The moderator will only accept business-related questions.
Both debates are open to the public.
Alternatives North is also planning to host at least one debate, tentatively scheduled for Oct. 10.
Grab a cuppa joe with Sibbeston
Mayoral candidate Jerald Sibbeston is inviting anyone interested in his anti-corruption campaign to join him for coffee on Sunday.
"Open invitation to all of Yellowknife to drop in and chat me up for a coffee about my platform or anything!" wrote Sibbeston on the Facebook page for his event, called YK Election 2018 Anticorruption Coffee.
Interested residents can find Sibbeston at the McDonalds at Walmart from 8:30 to 10 p.m.
Tagged: #Yellowknife, #YKElection2018, Yellowknifer