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: Describe an ordinance or legislative issue you plan to bring forward as an Assemblymember, and any funding it might require.
DISTRICT 2, SEAT A: CHUGIAK-EAGLE RIVER
Oliver Schiess
The most important issue to me is the municipal budget. The most pressing issue will be ensuring critical municipal services remain funded with the cuts coming at the state level. I will work to ensure our police, fire, teachers and transportation systems have the resources necessary to serve our city. To do this, our city is going to need to find efficiencies within our budget as well as new revenue sources which do not create unnecessary burden on the citizens of Anchorage.
Crystal Kennedy
I’ll bring forward any ordinances that will protect and maintain those policies that support the Chugiak Eagle River Comprehensive Plan.
DISTRICT 4, SEAT F: MIDTOWN
Christine Hill
SAP is a drain on Anchorage. Employees are not being paid timely nor accurately. As an employer this is illegal. This matter needs to finally be resolved. Other city software systems are running smoothly and efficiently.
Ron Alleva
Taxes, surcharges, fees on nonprofits and churches. Houseclean on exemptions to allow for a price for services received.
Meg Zaletel
I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with the mental health community and know we must do more. As an Assembly Member, I would work to build community partnerships to protect this vulnerable population. One solution may include the expansion of the Mobile Intervention Team. Mobile Intervention could provide better care and free up our other public safety employees to deal with emergency and crime issues.
DISTRICT 3, SEAT D: WEST ANCHORAGE
Dustin Darden
Consider conducting Assembly meetings outside at Cuddy Park. It would be free, I like free stuff.
Kameron Perez-Verdia
The number one issue I am hearing about when knocking on doors is theft and petty crime. I would like to see improved community policing through better coordination and support of neighborhood watch programs.
Liz Vazquez
Passing more laws is not my priority. However, addressing the crime wave and economic recession is my priority. In addition, making city government more transparent, accountable and efficient is a top goal. The “devil is in the details” and that would include, for example, reviewing audits of city departments and addressing problems identified in the audits.
DISTRICT 5, SEAT H: EAST ANCHORAGE
Forrest Dunbar
I have worked on a wide range of issues, many ongoing, from housing policy to marijuana regulation to public safety to large projects like the ML&P sale. One issue I hope to see turn into an ordinance by summer is the ongoing challenge of bear-human interactions. That’s a polite way of saying that our trash is attracting bears and those bears can be a dangerous. I’m hopeful that we can partner with the waste utilities to reduce these interactions.
DISTRICT 6, SEAT J: SOUTH ANCHORAGE, GIRDWOOD, TURNAGAIN ARM
John Weddleton
People are getting nervous about bears in our neighborhoods. You will see soon an ordinance that addresses bears, trash and responsible behavior. Not a significant budget change.I will continue to work for better access to Chugach State Park that is respectful of the property rights of people owning land that could provide access. No budget change.I am working on a new way to prioritize the way we spend Federal Highway funds to direct them towards community development. No budget change.