Outgoing city councillors said their goodbyes to each other during their final council meeting on Oct. 24, and also made some admissions.
Coun. Niels Konge opened by expressing how being part of city government changed his perspective on business and fostered his admiration for Mayor Rebecca Alty.
SA国际影视传媒淏eing in private enterprise basically my whole life, not understanding why government does certain things, well, I got educated,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 now understand a lot more of why and how government works. For that, I have to thank administration.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淩ebecca, I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 know you from a hole in the ground 10 years ago. I had no idea who you were. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for always listening. Thank you for telling me when ISA国际影视传媒檓 being an idiot. I need people to do that with me. YouSA国际影视传媒檙e too good for Yellowknife. I tell people all the time that they should be pretty thankful that youSA国际影视传媒檙e the mayor of Yellowknife, because you could be anything. You really could,SA国际影视传媒� Konge added. SA国际影视传媒淚 think itSA国际影视传媒檚 really great when you guys hold on to what you feel is valuable. Never lose that because I think that is something that is becoming less and less in the world and I think itSA国际影视传媒檚 really important.SA国际影视传媒�
Coun. Julian Morse shared his esteem for city manager Sheila Bassi-Kellett.
SA国际影视传媒�(I would like to) thank all of the directors for your sound advice and guidance over the years. I think we have a really strong team, and itSA国际影视传媒檚 only gotten stronger under (Bassi-KellettSA国际影视传媒檚) leadership,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淪he really helped to foster and guide collaboration between council and administration, and has brought a high level of professionalism and competence to her role. Similar to what Niels said about Rebecca, I think Yellowknife is very lucky to have Sheila, and youSA国际影视传媒檙e too good for this city. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 true. I think youSA国际影视传媒檙e probably one of the better city managers in the country.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 deeply going to miss the work,SA国际影视传媒� Morse added. SA国际影视传媒淭o the new council, I will just say congratulations and I really think the city is in good hands.SA国际影视传媒�
Like Konge, Coun. Rommel Silverio complimented Alty and spoke about living his SA国际影视传媒楥anadian dream.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒滻 had the chance to work with (Alty) when she was a councillor before she became mayor. You have these (ideas) in your head but as soon as she spoke, things were different,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 would like to say to all you guys, thank you for all your friendship, your assistance and guidance as well. I had a great opportunity here in the North, in Yellowknife. I had been fortunate to have a good job, good education, as an immigrant that came in this countrySA国际影视传媒� This is my Canadian dream. I finished and was able to give back to the community that has supported me throughout my beginning years in Yellowknife. I will continue to be part of Yellowknife as a citizen and, of course, to be an abiding citizen.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒楲earned a tonSA国际影视传媒�
Coun. Robin Williams said that he was thankful for the lessons he learned on council.
SA国际影视传媒淭hank you so much for bringing a young councillor along and showing us the ropes and the goings on of the city. I have learned a ton here over the last little bit. ISA国际影视传媒檓 sorry that itSA国际影视传媒檚 just a one-and-done for me. Well, maybe not so done. This great community has just supported me and my business so well that I really need to know where my calling is and spend the energy where it needs to be spent at this time,SA国际影视传媒� said Williams. SA国际影视传媒淚 want to thank the residents of Yellowknife for putting me in this seat and for, you know, encouraging me to do it againSA国际影视传媒� maybe in the future.SA国际影视传媒�
Steve Payne, who is returning for a third term, also expressed gratitude for his fellow council members.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was it was a great seven years with some and a great four years with othersSA国际影视传媒� Yellowknife is going to miss you. I hope that youSA国际影视传媒檙e going to be around for some advice,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 sure that weSA国际影视传媒檒l all be texting to get some input, but best of luck in everything that you do. I wish you all the best, and donSA国际影视传媒檛 be really hard on us.SA国际影视传媒�
Coun. Stacie Arden Smith also shared some brief parting words for her fellow councillors.
SA国际影视传媒淚t has been a treat the past four years, even when we didnSA国际影视传媒檛 always get to see each other in person. I have learned a lot. If anything, being on council has taught me plenty of patience. Mahsi cho, and best of luck on your endeavours.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒楪reat staffSA国际影视传媒�
Alty closed the remarks by sharing her gratefulness toward the council.
SA国际影视传媒淎 big thank you to council for a great first term as mayor. I couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 have asked for a better team. As I always say, itSA国际影视传媒檚 important to disagree without being disagreeable. I think that was (what we held to in) some of our difficult discussions. I think you (all) bring different elements, and it makes me think and really analyze the decisions before us in a more elaborate way,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
SA国际影视传媒淚f you think of what you did when you woke up this morning, the first thing you probably did was use a city service, and you just continued to use city services all the way up to right now. This city wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 run without the incredible staff. Council can sit here and give great ideas, but without the great staff, we canSA国际影视传媒檛 get that done. So big thanks.SA国际影视传媒�
