Anchorage

21 questions: Anchorage Assembly candidate Ron Alleva

The Anchorage Daily News asked candidates for Anchorage Assembly in the 2019 election to answer a series of issue questions. Many of the questions were based on suggestions from readers. Find all candidates and their answers here. We did the same thing with candidates for Anchorage School Board.

Candidate: Ron Alleva

Age: 67

Occupation: Real Estate, auctioneer, utility owner

Current employer: Retired

Previous public offices held or sought/community leadership positions: Assembly and School Board candidate, Community Council member

Education: B.S., University of Wisconsin; Master’s, University of Alaska Anchorage

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Website: AllevaforAssembly.com

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What steps have you taken to prepare for this job? What strengths do you bring to office, and what in your life demonstrates those strengths?

Attended and participated in years of Assembly and Committees meetings. My strengths are my education, experience and common sense, along with my ability to act. I can through civil, intelligent dialogue make the right decision for all. From my work ethic, I have taken advantage of opportunities and my success is shown in my accomplishments.

Describe an ordinance or legislative issue you plan to bring forward as an Assemblymember, and any funding it might require.

Taxes, surcharges, fees on nonprofits and churches. Houseclean on exemptions to allow for a price for services received.

What is the largest budget you’ve managed? State the amount, length of time and your level of responsibility.

$1 million plus. Years of small business ownership.

Describe your position on policies that affect the way Anchorage grows in the coming years.

Title 21 too complex, safety, poor use of funds. Homelessness continues due to long-term enabling. Not enough attention to mental health. Education underfunded.

Do you support the alcohol tax proposed by the administration of Mayor Ethan Berkowitz? Why or why not?

No, alcohol is already taxed, the Governor is giving the tax back to the communities for services.

What should the city do to alleviate the problem of illegal camps in green spaces in the city?

Remove them immediately. These are a health hazard, crime, sex and drug dens.

The cost estimate for modernizing the Port of Alaska recently doubled. What do you think the city should do?

Seek funds from every possible source and make this a priority.

There could be tough budget times ahead with state cutbacks. What can the city do to make up for those cuts?

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Share the burden with the nonprofits and churches!

What did you think about Alaska’s efforts at criminal justice reform, which began in 2016 with Senate Bill 91?

Catch and release, not enough punishment and penalties.

Describe your position on crime in Anchorage.

Mental health issues, drugs, understaffing in legal systems and a lack of community involvement has to be addressed.

How do you feel Anchorage performed in the recent 7.0 earthquake? What can the city government do, or what would you do on the Assembly, to improve seismic safety or emergency preparedness?

Over all I thought it went well except for the funding for repairs and rebuilding. Better estimates of damage needed to taken. Every citizen should have been sent STATE AND FEMA APPLICATIONS.

What do you think of the job Ethan Berkowitz has been doing as mayor?

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Not as well as he could and he should being doing a lot more.

Overall taxation in Anchorage is....too low? Too high? Just right? Explain. If taxes are too high, what would you cut? If taxes are too low, what would you raise?

Too high for the services we receive. Real Estate taxes.

Tell us your ideas about transit and infrastructure in Anchorage.

Transit-Continue to increase the economics and efficiency of the bus system,work closer with fairness to the taxi industry, Uber, Lyft. More incoming parking outside of central city. Work on a commuter train from the Mat-Su. Increase bike routes.Infrastructure, strong economy is number one. The anchor industries, tourism, transportation, port, u-med district, fed, states employees, military and small business have to provide any assistance to allow them to grow and prosper.

What other important issue would you like to discuss here?

Apathy, 40% of the Assembly seats went unchallenged. This is a dangerous thing for our democracy. Cost of a campaign puts a lot people out of running, plus they given up on the political system. More involvement must be taken.

What is the most pressing problem facing your district?

The state budget for the University of Alaska. Crime.

Would you support a law allowing on-site consumption of marijuana?

Not a smoker myself but have concerns about DUI.

What three places would you pick when highlighting Anchorage to tourists?

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Museum, Ship Creek, Girdwood.

Would you take steps toward reversing Anchorage’s plastic bag ban?

Through (Alaska Waste Management Services) have reusable bags available to all.

Do you support the Berkowitz administration’s efforts to create a climate change action plan?

Yes.

If you were asked to cut the city budget by 10 percent in the coming fiscal year, in which three areas would you recommend cuts?

Labor, police, fire.

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