Whelly has served on Fort Simpson’s council 16 of the last 17 years, with four terms as mayor and one term as councillor. Now, he’s seeking re-election for mayor.
Should he serve another term as mayor, Whelly says he plans to focus his time on the safety and stability of the community, by keeping the town financially stable and completing a community plan.
A community plan will allow council to strategically invest in infrastructure like a new health center and advance emergency preparedness measures.
“I use my business background, I have an MBA, I’m well-acquainted with budgets and financial forecasting and that’s something I’d like to do,” Whelly told Cabin Radio.
“It keeps your community stable and keeps costs lower for everyone which makes a better community for people to live in … My focus is on the quality of life for people here.”
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Whelly had no contenders for the position as of Thursday afternoon, according to returning officer Ria Letcher. Along with the position of mayor, eight seats are up for election on Fort Simpson’s council.
Nominations close Monday, September 23, at 3:00pm and election day is October 21, 2024.
Four other communities – Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik, and Norman Wells – will have full elections in October.
Plans for a community plan
Whelly says a community plan that incorporates community feedback will help the council plan for and prioritize infrastructure projects, such as upgrading senior facilities or building a new health centre.
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“We’re the last community in the north that will receive a new health center. Somehow, we fell to the wayside,” Whelly said. “We’ve got to get that back on track.”
Whelly also wants to address the needs of seniors, which are on the rise, by providing “good accommodations.”
Having served as mayor through the 2021 flood and 2023 wildfire season, Whelly says he will use his experience to continue an “emphasis on emergency preparedness,” including enhancing fire guards and purchasing equipment to protect infrastructure in the event of a forest fire.
“We’re much more prepared than we were, but there’s a lot more work to be done. I’d like to ensure that that happens as well,” he said.
“We’ve done a lot here in the last six years, and it’s important that we consolidate what we’ve done, make sure that we’re able to maintain what we have, and deliver efficient services to the community.”
