'He always had time for you': Remembering 4-term Whitehorse councillor Dave Austin
CBC
Former four-term Whitehorse city councillor Dave Austin is being remembered as a hardworking representative who always had time for people.
"He was the kind of person that if you were, say, a visitor coming from somewhere else, he'd take the time to talk to you and talk about our town, about the Yukon and the people that were here. And he was always positive," said former mayor Bev Buckway who served on council with Austin.
"That stands out to me a lot … He'll be really missed."
Austin served on city council from 2000 to 2012. He died on July 11 from a neurological disease. He was 79. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and two grandchildren.
"He was a hard working guy and very humble," said former mayor Dan Curtis who served in the position from 2012 to 2021. "And I really enjoyed him."
Current Mayor Laura Cabott said Austin was known for trying to get the best information on issues and working toward the best decision for citizens.
"He was always focused on hearing from the community," said Cabott, who knew Austin casually.
Buckway and Curtis each cited Austin's work in getting the Canada Games Centre built as a major accomplishment.
"There was tons of people that were really concerned that taxes would double and triple and there were people on his council who were adamantly against it," explained Curtis. "But, you know, that building, that facility has over 3,000 people a day, every single day that utilize it."
He said it was thanks to the courage of Austin and others on council that the facility got built.
Another one of Austin's major accomplishments was the planning of the public safety building, said Buckway.
"That building had to be replaced and started from scratch. And that came in on budget and on target for time, which was wonderful," she said.
Buckway also credited Austin for his contribution in the planning of the Whistle Bend neighbourhood.
"We're always going to be stretched on housing, but that was another one that we can look to for Dave's input on," she said.
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