40.0°

Occupation: Professor

Education: Seward High School; Alaska Methodist University, B.A.; University of Washington Law, J.D.; M.S.,Columbia University.

Prvious political experience: Mayor, City of Seward, 1999-2003; Council Member, City of Seward, 1996-1999; Commissioner, Dept. of Commerce, Community & Economic Development, 2003-2005; Alaska Railroad Board of Directors, 2003-2005; Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, 2003-2005; Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, 2003-2005.

1. How do you plan to vote on the ballot initiative that would continue term limits for assembly members? Why?

I plan to vote "no" on term limits. I believe the ever-watchful voter is the best judge on whether a public servant ought to continue in office.

2.With the grocery tax holiday and a poor tourism season, the borough's sales tax revenue is expected to decline this year. What are your budget priorities? Do you support funding education to the cap? Please explain.

My priorities are education and economic development. I believe that every resident ought to have the opportunity to be employed if he or she wishes, and that means we must continue our efforts to expand our economic base and seize other opportunities that are sure to come. Our resident workforce must have the education, skills, and training to make us more attractive in an ever competing world.

Yes, I support funding education to the cap simply because, in this day and age, with world-wide competition for our products and services, our students must be prepared to be gainfully employable and internationally competitive.

3. Two projects in the developmental stage are Pebble Mine and the Chuitna Coal projects. These would have huge impacts on the borough. What, if any, role should the borough play in advancing either of these two projects?

The borough should seek to protect its own base industries of commercial fishing and sports fishing, but once assured that it will be done, then the borough should explore ways that the peninsula could benefit either through employment of residents or expansion of the tax base.

4. Many service areas have trouble attracting candidates for their board of directors. Would you support appointed boards as opposed to elected boards? Why?

The objective and goal must be to get assurances that local residents have the most say in their service areas. If it is elected, then so be it. If not, then the borough should ask the local residents if they favor the appointed system. In any event, it is the local resident who should decide which fits best.

5. The mayor and the assembly have had a rather contentious relationship this past year. How would you improve the situation?

I would work with both the assembly and mayor. First, I would listen carefully to the merits of each point and then, secondly, I would weight their opinions and then I would arrive at my own independent decision.