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October 5, 2005
| Bed tax nixed; fire bonds approved | | | Kenai Peninsula voters sent a proposed bed tax proposition down to resounding defeat Tuesday, saying no to a 4 percent sales tax on accommodations at hotels, motels and bed and breakfast operations. |
| Bridge a no-go | | | By a nearly 2-1 margin, voters rejected a plan to begin the process of building a bridge across the Kenai River between Funny River and Sterling. A proposal to spend borough money on the bridge failed by an even greater margin. |
| Election results | | | Borough Mayor
Assembly District 5
Assembly District 8
School Board Dist. 3
School Board Dist. 4
School Board Dist. 7
Kenai City Council, (two, three-year seats)
Kenai City Council, (one, one-year seat)
Seward Mayor
Seward council, (three, two-year seats)
Soldotna Mayor
Soldotna Council Seat B
Soldotna Council Seat F
Proposition 1, (Accomodations tax)
Proposition 2, (CES bonds)
Proposition 3A, (Funny River Bridge)
Proposition 3B, (F.R. Bridge spending)
Proposition 4, (Capital improvements cap)
Proposition 5, (Sales tax roll-back) |
| Borough voters reject taxes | | | Kenai Peninsula voters apparently agreed Tuesday that a 2 percent borough sales tax was quite high enough and that a supermajority of voting residents ought to decide whether the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly should exceed that rate in the future. |
| Seat-holders stay put on school board | | | With three of nine seats on the ballot and five candidates campaigning, incumbents on the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education held fast in Tuesday's election. |
Friday, September 30, 2005
Six seeking borough’s top spot
Editor’s note: Candidate columns and answers to a Clarion questionnaire can be found on pages A-4, 6 and 7 in today’s paper.
Superman speaks at Nikiski chamber
With the Kenai Peninsula Borough municipal election days away, Gary Superman is focusing on a theme he says is a cornerstone of his campaign — that raising the borough sales tax one percent was a good idea.
Candidate views: Edward Oberts, Borough Mayor
The Kenai Peninsula is my home. I was born in the clinic in Soldotna before there was a hospital. My father, Mike Oberts, homesteaded in Sterling in 1953 and worked many local construction jobs through the Labor Union. My mother, Teresa, came to Alaska to help build the Catholic Church in Soldotna where she met dad. She decided to stay in the area and taught at the old log cabin school in Sterling until they married. In 1954, my uncle, Leo Oberts homesteaded along the Kenai River in Kenai. He owned and operated Leo T. Oberts Insurance for many years. My two brothers, John and Gary, are still living in the area with their families.
Candidate views: Gary Superman, Borough Mayor
The homepage of my website, supermanformayor.com, in bold lettering states a primary theme of my campaign: “Local government is where the rubber meets the road. We are the ones who must still provide the basic services of education, public safety, waste disposal etc. As the state continues to offload many of its historic funding obligations to the local level, we face the challenge of continued delivery of services communities need and desire as we grow and progress into the 21st century.”
Candidate views: Raymond VinZant, Borough Mayor
In 1981, my wife Violet and I moved to Alaska. After searching the west coast for a decent place to raise children we finally found Alaska, a beautiful place to call home.
Candidate views: John Torgerson, Borough Mayor
I have always had an uncompromising commitment to full funding for our schools and, as a state senator, co-sponsored SB 36, which brought $2.7 million of new, reoccurring funds to our schools. I will be an effective fighter for our children and help work with our legislators to establish an accurate area cost differential for our schools.
Candidate views: John J. Williams, Borough Mayor
The borough is at a major crossroads. The economy continues to change. Oil production continues to decline and additional large quantities of gas necessary to fuel our local industries are several years away. Our elected officials along with we citizens must redefine government and its role as a Second Class Borough. We must all ask ourselves what it is that is most important to the larger number of people.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Candidate views: Heidi Fielding, Assembly District 8, Homer
Thanks for letting me explain a little about myself, and the issues that are of concern to me.
Candidate views: Bill Smith, Assembly District 8, Homer
The Kenai Peninsula Borough has been facing difficult funding decisions. The assembly felt compelled to raise the sales tax to 3 percent in order to avoid a large property tax increase together with serious cuts to services, including essential school programs. Our borough has always been a leader in funding education, and I think we should remain committed to education.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Candidate views: Grace Merkes: Assembly District 5, Sterling
Leon and I homesteaded in Sterling in 1959. I have fond memories of the closeness and support of our neighbors, as people didn't have family near in those days. Everyone helped each other; building roads, clearing fields, taking kids to school, giving rides to church and doctors. Now we look mostly to our government for roads, rides, hospitals, fire protection, dust control, junk, noise, etc. Yes, things have changed!
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Candidate views: Margaret Gilman, Assembly District 2, Kenai
The Kenai Peninsula Borough is a wonderful place to work and raise a family. We have an abundance of natural beauty surrounding us which we must protect. Our economy continues to grow and diversify. We have tremendous schools throughout the borough which meet individual students' needs as well as answer the educational priorities of their particular communities.
Candidate views: Betty Glick, Assembly District 2, Kenai
I appreciate the opportunity to convey to you, the reader, my thoughts and philosophy on what it means to be an Assembly Member.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Candidate Views: Debra Mullins, School Board Seat 3, Nikiski
As a child I often heard the saying, “Do as I say and not as I do”. The problem with this advice is that most youth see better than they hear. Children often copy the behavior of their parents or other adults in their lives.
Candidate Views: Victoria Pate, School Board Seat 3, Nikiski
How much do you know about the history of education?
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Candidate views: John Nels Anderson, Seat 4, Soldotna
I would like to talk about my philosophy of school board service. I believe board members should represent all students and not an area. I believe the basis for board decisions should be, "Is it good for kids?"
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Soldotna mayor, council members run unopposed
Editor's note: The following is the third in a series of stories focusing on the upcoming municipal elections Oct. 4. Candidate columns and answers to a Clarion questionnaire can be found on pages A-4 and A-5 in today's paper. Wednesday's coverage will focus on the race for the Soldotna school board seat.
Candidate views: Dave Carey, Soldotna Mayor
I have believed in the American democratic republic since I was eight and heard the words of President Kennedy, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." I heard this message four years after my father and namesake, a Navy pilot, was killed overseas in Operation Deepfreeze at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. I grew up wanting to serve America as my father had.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Candidate views: Michael Boyle, Kenai City Council
... Though I have served in many organizations and on several committees, this is my first go at a public office. It has been an interest of mine to serve in a public capacity for many years and as a seat became open for City Council, I chose to run. I have always felt that it is important to give something back to the community of which one is a part. This has been a great place to be a parent, teacher and resident.
Candidate views: James Butler, Kenai City Council
I have served on the Kenai City Council for almost one year and learned what hard work it takes to be an informed and effective council member.Ê
Candidate views: Linda Swarner, Kenai City Council
I appreciate your support and encouragement during my tenure on the Kenai City Council not as a politician but as a public servant. As a long time Alaskan, I am committed to compassionately serve you with dignity. My passion continues to be the City of Kenai whether it's a new business or service available in town or an economic enhancement such as our fishery or oil and gas product. As a team player I have witnessed Council members accomplish more for the community as we work together. I am always ready to hear your comments on how we can improve the government to our residents as government is a process and procedures change slowly. I follow through with your suggestions and ideas especially as we all "think outside of the box." I appreciate the many hours you the residents volunteer, whether as a commission member, participating in comprehensive planning sessions or other areas to help our city be the best place to live in Alaska.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Candidates eye Kenai 1-year seat
Editor's note: The following is the first in a series of stories focusing on the upcoming municipal elections Oct. 4. Candidate columns and answers to a Clarion questionnaire can be found on pages A-4 and A-5 in today's paper. Tomorrow's coverage will focus on candidates for two three-year seats on the Kenai council.
Candidate views: Robert Molloy, Kenai City Council
As a 23-year City of Kenai resident, I value our City and the opportunity to contribute as a member of the Kenai City Council. I am willing to listen and work for you ...
Candidate views: Scott Walden, Kenai City Council
Though I've been in public service for over 25 years I've never held a political office. As fire chief, politics certainly became a part of the job.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Williams for road, against tying officials’ hands
Reducing the ceiling cost for what the assembly can spend on capital projects without a vote of the people and setting a maximum sales tax ties the hands of elected officials when they try to balance the borough’s budget, Kenai Peninsula Borough mayoral candidate John Williams said at Thursday’s Nikiski Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
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