Anchorage Daily News

The Daily News asked candidates for Anchorage mayor their views on a variety of issues. We're printing their responses between now and the April 7 election.

Paul Honeman

B. Mark Begich knew this municipal government very well due to his many years of service as an executive, Assembly service and as mayor. He was successful in establishing strategic planning for departments and proposed budgeting according to priorities.

Phil Isley

Did not respond.

Paul D. Kendall

Did not respond

Jacob Seth Kern

A+.

Dominic S.F. Lee

When I taught engineering economics at the state University of Missouri, if my students skipped class for two months, I would give them an F grade. If a student had a good excuse I would give him an "I" incomplete grade so he could make up the grade later. Mr. Begich skipped his duty for the last two months to run for U.S. Senate. So I would give him an "I" (incomplete) grade.

Bob "Joker" Lupo

C. Because he was your typical money-spending bureaucrat!

Walt Monegan

C. While I appreciate the energy and momentum he brought to Anchorage, I felt he was not focused enough to move us in any specific direction. Also Begich left us with a budget shortfall. Let's find a focus and direction and move forward with the funds we have.

Billy Ray Powers

F. I would normally not say anything negative but when asked point blank it was the most detrimental administration to the people of Anchorage. Did someone say $430,000,000 one-year budget. We have a $17,000,000 and growing shortfall. I'm not sure we needed to heat the sidewalks all the way from the convention center to Kobuk Coffee. We need good police work based not on revenue but on safety and protection. Photo Radar anyone?

Sheila Selkregg

I give him a B-. Mayor Begich created a boom in Anchorage through economic development and new construction. He was deeply engaged with youth and reached out to ethnic communities, efforts I support. He helped to revitalize neighborhoods like Mountain View and took leadership in addressing key energy issues. However, on the fiscal side, some of the administration's development efforts overreached, leaving taxpayers with significant burdens. The economic slowdown magnified this impact.

Larry Shooshanian

Did not respond

Dan Sullivan

B-. The Begich administration brought a lot of energy to the job but the increased level of spending under his watch doesn't equal a corresponding improvement in services. Residents aren't seeing the value for the increase in their property taxes.

Richard Wanda

I would give B because Senator Begich was elected to U.S. Senate, and this is the approval from Alaska voters.

Matt Claman

I give the Begich administration an "A" because of all the positive development, especially downtown.

Eric Croft

I would give the Begich administration a B+. I think our city has made significant progress during the past six years, but we still need to work together on improving education, creating jobs and making government more efficient.

Merica Hlatcu

Did not participate.

Mayoral candidates

Find out where the Anchorage mayoral candidates stand on the issues and why they want the city's top job. Find all the questions and answers, plus video interviews: adn.com/mayor

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