Dawson City municipal candidates talk waste, housing at forum

A housing shortage and waste management were the big topics as Dawson City's municipal candidates met to debate Tuesday evening.

A little more thana dozenpeople gathered in council chambers to hear from the five people vying to fillfour council seats. Jay Farr and incumbentsBill Kendrick andKylaMacArthur took part in person, while challengerDriss Adrao and incumbent Stephen Johnson participated by phone.

Both Johnson and Adrao called for more waste to bediverted from the town's landfill, which is nearing capacity.

"We should have more blue boxes and more incentive for the citizens to actually recycle," Adraosaid.

But MacArthurargued thatincentives are less important than facilities right now.

"If we don't have a place to store and deal with that recycling, it doesn't do us much good," MacArthur said.

On housing, the incumbent councilors touted new lots in town, butFarrsaidseasonal hotels should house people during the winter.

Bill Kendrick suggested creating a zone for "tiny homes," andsaidthe townneeds tax incentives to spur new construction.

"The idea here is to have a series of carrots and sticks to get people moving," Kendrick said.

The five candidates also heard questions about food security, crime, small business, and taxes.

Dawsoniteswill vote tomorrow as municipal elections are held across the territory.

Dawson City mayor Wayne Potoroka has already been acclaimed to another term.