Politics

Few revelations in final debate before Anchorage mayoral election

The final televised debate before Anchorage's mayoral election broke little new ground Sunday evening as candidates Amy Demboski and Ethan Berkowitz sought to shore up their support with voters.

Recently proposed cuts to teaching positions, future city leadership positions in the new mayoral administration and the relocation of a black bear family in Government Hill were among the focal points of the debate, hosted by local television station KTVA.

But similar to a debate Thursday on television broadcaster KTUU, Sunday's event started off on another foot -- the social and personal issues that have been buzzing through the campaigns over the past week. Moderator Emily Carlson said recent political talk has been on issues like adding legal protections for the LGBT community, the publication of details from Demboski's divorce records and a controversy over whether Berkowitz once said on a talk show that he approved of incestuous marriages.

Berkowitz had said in his opening statement that he was disappointed over what he described as "unproductive personal attacks" in the final week. He said the social and personal issues distract from solving problems the city faces.

Demboski, meanwhile, said she had been put in a position where she was asked to defend Berkowitz's positions -- such as when a talk show host asked her last week whether she truly believed that Berkowitz supported incestuous unions.

"Quite frankly, you have let the media, let many associated with your side, absolutely bash me because I refused to speak for you," she said, addressing Berkowitz. "I think that's sad."

A few hours earlier at the Anchorage Baptist Temple, pastor Jerry Prevo played to his congregation a radio interview where KFQD talk radio host Bernadette Wilson said she heard Berkowitz, her co-host at the time, say he supported marriage between a father and a son. Ushers also handed out copies of Wilson's op-ed column published online Saturday night at Alaska Dispatch News.

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Prevo told his congregation that Wilson's op-ed proved he was correct. But Berkowitz refuted the claims Saturday and responded Sunday with his own op-ed in Alaska Dispatch News.

After the first questions and comments, the debate didn't delve into social issues again, turning briskly to a series of questions posed by moderators Carlson and Joe Vigil. The candidates also asked each other questions, and additional ones came from social media. Berkowitz noted that two were posed by current or former Demboski campaign staffers, David Boyle and Cale Green.

Vigil and Carlson pressed the two over whom they would hire to fill key city positions if elected mayor. Vigil said he wanted the candidates to name just one person they would tap for their leadership team.

"People really want to know that," Vigil said.

But the question went unanswered. Berkowitz said he wouldn't say until he has the job, but he would "make sure the mayor's office looks a lot more like Anchorage than the current one does." Demboski also said she has some ideas, but said she hasn't completed her conversations with possible staffers and doesn't make political promises.

Vigil and Carlson then narrowed the focus to Anchorage Police Chief Mark Mew. Of Mew, Berkowitz said he would make a "very, very careful review" before deciding whether to replace the chief.

Demboski said she had identified a gap in police department leadership, which she said isn't necessarily Mew's fault. She did say changes would be coming overall.

"I can tell you there will be leadership changes in multiple municipal departments, and APD is no different," Demboski said.

In another part of the debate, Demboski criticized Berkowitz for accepting political donations from municipal unions that he would be bargaining with as mayor. The city police and fire unions are among those supporting Berkowitz both through direct campaign contributions and through independent expenditure groups.

Vigil and Carlson also asked whether the candidates supported a recently proposed Anchorage School District budget that would cut 70 teaching positions. Demboski said she was among those on the Assembly who didn't support the School District adding $17 million in reserve funds to its budget earlier this year for teaching positions. She said the district should "scrub" its budget at the administrative level.

Berkowitz said the $17 million was not an addition, but funding related to the district not hiring as many teachers as planned. He said vacancies have been filled and teachers hired.

Both candidates pledged to lower property taxes as mayor. But Demboski, as she has on two other occasions this week, asked Berkowitz whether he supported the city budget passed Tuesday by the Anchorage Assembly and whether he would veto any part of it. Berkowitz responded that it was "effectively" Mayor Dan Sullivan's budget and he was surprised Demboski was opposing it.

Demboski said she did support Sullivan's original budget revisions, and blamed a "left-leaning Assembly" for increasing property taxes 5.6 percent last week.

The Assembly actually set a lower mill levy during Tuesday's meeting. Because assessed values increased in 2015, the city will collect more money in taxes.

Berkowitz said he would reduce expenses and increase efficiencies between the School District and the municipality to reduce property taxes.

Toward the end of the debate, the subject turned to the relocation of a family of black bears from the Government Hill neighborhood at the request of Gov. Bill Walker. Vigil asked the candidates if the governor did the right thing.

Berkowitz said yes. He said that public officials dealing with wildlife should listen to experts, but also factor in public opinion.

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Demboski said the "jury's still out," and said the bears may eventually return to the area. She called it an emotional decision and pointed out that the governor's recommendation went against what wildlife managers had decided. She also said the city should focus on making bear-proof garbage containers available for rent.

If you missed the debate, you can watch it in full at KTVA's website.

Reporter Laurel Andrews contributed to this story.

Devin Kelly

Devin Kelly was an ADN staff reporter.

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