The Anchorage Daily News asked candidates for the April 2 election to the Anchorage Assembly to answer a series of questions on issues facing those bodies. We’re publishing select responses daily. The answers were fact-checked when facts were cited and edited for spelling, grammar and writing style. For more questions and to see all the candidates’ answers, click here. For School Board candidate surveys, click here.
Q: What do you think of the job Ethan Berkowitz has been doing as mayor?
DISTRICT 2, SEAT A: CHUGIAK-EAGLE RIVER
Crystal Kennedy
In Chugiak/ Eagle River we appreciate the mayor’s responsiveness to our request to assign an additional police officer to patrol our vast area from Hiland Road to Eklutna. Our community would like to see even more engagement between the mayor and our residents to bring greater awareness to our large population (over 35,000) and our unique issues especially as we deal with earthquake repairs.
Oliver Schiess
Mayor Ethan Berkowitz has been an effective leader and weathered through some of the most difficult obstacles or city has faced. I look forward to working with Mayor Berkowitz to continue to improve our municipal government’s activities.
DISTRICT 4, SEAT F: MIDTOWN
Ron Alleva
Not as well as he could and he should being doing a lot more.
Christine Hill
There is room for improvement. He needs my help, vote Christine Hill for Assembly!
Meg Zaletel
The Mayor has led our city during a decrease in state funding and an increase in crime. I believe that he has worked hard to make good decisions for our current situation – like bringing police and emergency staffing back up to appropriate levels. At the same time, his team is looking for creative ways to reduce costs. Overall, I believe Mayor Berkowitz has been a good example of tackling hard issues, without losing sight of the people being affected by his administration’s decisions.
DISTRICT 3, SEAT D: WEST ANCHORAGE
Liz Vazquez
Not enough effort in addressing crime wave, economic recession.
Kameron Perez-Verdia
I believe the Mayor and Assembly are on the right track on many of our most important issues, particularly in addressing crime in Anchorage. Increasing the police force was necessary and essential, and the proposed alcohol tax is a creative option to generate desperately-needed revenue for public safety.
Dustin Darden
He taught me I can keep talking after the bell rings so you don’t stop talking mid sentence when you are saying something important like contact your legislators and have them pass a Alaska life at conception act.
DISTRICT 5, SEAT H: EAST ANCHORAGE
Forrest Dunbar
I haven’t agreed with him on everything, but I think Mayor Berkowitz deserves credit for focusing on public safety, crafting balanced budgets that include appropriate revenue measures, and largely avoiding the divisiveness and drama that seem to consume DC and Juneau.
DISTRICT 6, SEAT J: SOUTH ANCHORAGE, GIRDWOOD, TURNAGAIN ARM
John Weddleton
He campaigned on building up the police force. He has done that. I like working with the Mayor and the exceptional team he has built.