I was born in Unalaska, I live with my wife Lynda, piano teacher and composer and our two boys, Liam and Tristan. I also have five grown daughters, Chelsea, Vanessa, Mariah, Kyesa and Ashley. I have served on the Unalaska City Council from 1986-1992 and 2008-2014. My passion for this community, its citizens, its potential, its power and its beauty are unwavering. My interests in the community are as diverse as the community itself, ranging from city’s long and rich history, local industry, diverse cultures, and the arts. I am committed to do the best I can for all that live here. I have many priorities; I will give you my top three:
1) Addressing the housing shortage. This is an age old problem that will take the cooperation and willingness of the entire community to overcome. It has to start with a commitment from the entire City Council to solve the problem. Where there is a will, there is a way. Let’s build a community not a work camp. I have some ideas that I believe will help solve this. The City Council has addressed a couple of these, let’s keep up the progress and I am sure we will see results.
2) Securing a stable source of water in the face of the changing climate that is capable of supplying water to all in our community. Improving on the source we have in Pyramid Valley and upgrading our existing infrastructure to better use what water we do have. I believe we also need to start planning to develop a new source that will provide water for the industry that keeps this community going and not affect our salmon habitat.
3) Electricity. I know Unalaska now has a state of the art power house. While it is working well it cannot supply the power that is needed to service potential new customers as well as current customers that wish to buy more. 1) We have a new processor coming to town that needs to buy power. 2) A shipping company that will be doing a very significant upgrade to their facility as well as adding a new crane that needs electricity. 3) At least one existing processor that would like to purchase more power. I see a multifaceted potential here. It involves a power sharing agreement with a current power producer as well as delving into renewable resources on many levels. These include wind, water, stick water, solid waste and sewer water to name a few. These viable possibilities involve many of the capable and knowledgeable members of our community.
I believe we all have something to contribute to the process and to the prosperity of our city. This is a good time for all Unalaskans to discover the value of their contribution with their voice and their vote.
I would appreciate your vote on October 3rd.
