Editor's note: In the days leading up to the April 2 Anchorage municipal election, we'll be publishing responses from Assembly and School Board candidates to a range of questions.
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the direction Mayor Dan Sullivan has been taking the city? Why?
District 3: Seat D
West Anchorage
Ernie Hall: Some, but not all. I feel he could have a more personal relationship with municipal employees.
Nick Moe: I agree with him on the leadership he took with glass recycling and the maintenance of our city's parks. I disagree with him on the way he has divided the community over issues such as Title 21 and the recent labor ordinance, AO 37, and how he has led us into the recent budget crisis.
District 3: Seat E
West Anchorage
Phil Isley: I think he is taking us in the right direction, but sometimes I don't care for the path he takes.
Tim Steele: Dan's efforts to inspire real budget discipline in our community are commendable. But the failure to communicate with stakeholders prior to introducing cost cutting proposals is short sighted. That communication is essential to sustaining trust in government and preventing bitter, public fights from becoming the norm. Effective leaders build their reputation on communication, and that's the standard of leadership I want to make sure I bring to our assembly
Cheryl Frasca: Generally agree. Without major changes in the level of services to citizens, he has made spending reductions that were able to cover significant personnel cost increases. I would like to see more attention to examining effectiveness of how well services are being delivered with changes as appropriate (i.e. permitting).
District 4: Seat F
Midtown Anchorage
Dick Traini: Disagree. The administration and the legislative branches must work together. Right now, there is no participatory management.
Andy Clary: While I don't agree with every decision the mayor has made, he has done a good job of making sure we can deliver essential services with the revenues we have available. He has made some very tough decisions under difficult circumstances and has put us on a path to fiscal sustainability.
District 5: Seat H
East Anchorage
Paul Honeman: I disagree. This mayor has no long-term strategic plan to present the Municipality as being welcoming or inviting to anyone. We have had attacks on the public in the form of unnecessary laws, attacks on our workforce through the current AO 37, and an almost complete disregard of the public process regarding projects and developments.
District 6: Seat J
South Anchorage
Jennifer Johnston: Overall financially it is working. I think more time could be spent on permitting process.
District 2: Seat A
Chugiak/Eagle River
Peter Mulcahy: I agree with the general direction the mayor is taking the city. I frequently disagree with the path we're taking, but the general direction is correct. His goal of getting the city's costs back in line with revenues is the right direction.
Bob Lupo: I agree with most of his suggestions, except the ones which could endanger us, like cutting fire department services
Amy Demboski: I agree with the direction the mayor is taking the city. I think the Mayor is putting the city on a stable and sustainable path. With the cooperation of city leaders, business leaders, and residents in our community, I believe that the Anchorage Economic Development Corp. goal of Anchorage becoming the best city in America by 2025 is attainable.
Anchorage