Age: 49
Family: Daughter (10)
Occupation: Compliance Examiner/CFP/Six Sigma Black Belt
Previous government experience or community involvement: No
Highest level of education: B.S. Montana State Bozeman, MT
What is the latest book you’ve read? Or, what book do you recommend and why?: Derivatives and Alternative Investments, CFA Program Curriculum
COVID closures, cancelled civic and culture events and the decline of summer tourists have turned Anchorage’s downtown into “a ghost town.” How will you revitalize downtown Anchorage?
Do you support a minimum wage of $15 for municipal workers? Why or why not?
What ideas do you have to ensure that the make-up of the municipal workforce reflects the diversity of the Anchorage community?
With steep declines in revenue sharing from the state of Alaska, how will you support essential city services? Will this level of support be enough to attract future investment?
Being dependent on the state of Alaska was never the right approach. I do not support the state of Alaska and the way they have handled spending over the last four decades. Independence from the state of Alaska is in the best interest of Anchorage. Reducing unnecessary spending and building incentives for industries is where we must focus moving forward. Anchorage needs to prioritize essential functions and use available land/funds to manage what we can afford. I would work with the Mat-Su Borough, JBEAR and the Port of Anchorage to contract subsidies with corporations and government entities to establish business over the Knik Arm to open up available land for future investments. It is no longer a function of depending on the state of Alaska, oil, fish and tourism. Anchorage needs to draw revenue from other means and that involves attracting corporations that are leaving high tax states for less tax and higher profit margins. Connecting the MOA with MSB over the Knik Arm is the bridge to expanding and attracting revenue for the 21st century.
Do you have a commitment to incorporate and utilize renewable energy sources?
Anchorage has a shortage of housing at multiple income levels. What can you do to mitigate the problem and how will you influence housing development toward what the city needs?
The homeless crisis in Anchorage is persistent, disturbing and humanly tragic. How do you plan to help the municipality solve this crisis?
Work with surrounding native villages throughout Alaska and coordinate with those communities to provide effective and manageable facilities for individuals that gravitate to Anchorage throughout the year. I would also create a comprehensive website, similar to social media sites, where registered voters of Anchorage could generate ideas around homeless solutions have civil debate, prioritize and oppose or vote in favor to implement the peoples views on all topics relating to the progress of the city of Anchorage.
Anchorage is a university town with two institutions, one public and one private. What opportunities does this represent to the municipality?
Can the mayor influence the tone of community dialogue? How?
Local builders continually complain about delays in the municipal permitting process, and that Title 21 requirements make homes expensive. The complaints are old. Will you make changes?
