Unalaska candidates, in their own words

Fisherman staff

October 02, 2008 at 9:53AM AKST

Five City Council and four School Board seats are up for election this month. With voting day just around the corner, The Dutch Harbor Fisherman took the opportunity to poll each candidate about qualifications and plans for improvement.

City Hall will be open for voting from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7. For more information, contact City Hall at 581-1251.

ZOYA JOHNSON
1. Why are you qualified to run for City Council?
I have called this community home since I first arrived in Unalaska in 1992. My husband, Bobby Johnson, and I are homeowners and have been owners/operators of a seafood processing plant since 1996. Our business has led to my deep involvement in the fisheries, and it has allowed me to gain firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the complex issues related to the fishing industry — the economic staple of our community. As a property owner, I understand the long-term implications of the economic decisions made by the council, and I have a vested interest in the economic health of this community. My years as a substitute teacher at Unalaska City School in the 1990s and my current position as the director of the only museum in the region have given me a strong appreciation and understanding of the importance of a healthy and sustainable education system. All of these experiences have provided me with a greater understanding of the issues and challenges faced by our community and have given me the skills to deal with those issues and challenges. As a small business owner and as director of the Museum of the Aleutians, I have gained experience in business management, in creating and managing large budgets, and in long-term planning. I have the ability to study the issues thoroughly and to analyze them based on facts before making decisions. I also realize that it takes time to make sound decisions, particularly on issues that affect this community now and in the future.

2. As a council member, what do you believe your responsibilities to the community will include?
A council member’s responsibilities to the community include helping to create a quality of life that provides a balance for the hard work we do and the harsh environment we live in; protecting the economic future of the community by being fiscally responsible and creating a long-term sustainable economy; ensuring federal and state funding for the city’s capital projects; and helping city administration to provide for the needs of city employees through a strong health insurance plan, a healthy retirement plan, assistance with relocating expenses, and a fair and equitable compensation plan.

3. What do you feel are the most important challenges facing Unalaska and how do you plan to address them? (name up to three issues)
There are quite a few challenges facing our community. Some of those challenges, such as energy costs, transportation, recycling and paving, have been on the council’s radar for some time, and the council has taken measures to identify them and to include them in our capital projects budget for the next five years. I personally think one of the most important challenges that we will have to address in the very near future is the problem of leaching from the landfill and its impact on the permitting of the new sewage treatment plant. Another big issue for the council to consider is the costs associated with the capital projects. We have a great number of important projects that are required in order to maintain and develop the community’s infrastructure, but, at the same time, we need to keep the costs under control for the sake of the future of the city. Lately, it has become very clear that Unalaska will become the epicenter of new oil and gas exploration, and it will be a huge challenge for our community to be prepared to respond to and take advantage of the new opportunities coming our way. Filling in the vacant positions at the city is another major challenge. Currently we have about 22 vacant positions at all levels, and we need to address the impediments in filling those vacancies; housing for employees and relocation expenses, for example, have become a major challenge in recruiting quality employees.

4. As a council member, you will face difficult decisions in order to advance a balanced budget. What criteria will you follow in making these decisions?
I believe that as elected officials we are obligated to represent and protect the interests of the community as a whole. The health and safety of our citizens will always be our first obligation. However, the economic engine that drives the city must also be nourished.  We must make sure that our decisions protect the financial interests of the city and support the existing infrastructure, and we must make sure that every decision we make helps us achieve clear and measurable results.


DENNIS ROBINSON
1. Why are you qualified to run for City Council?
I was born and raised in Unalaska. I am Aleut. I love this beautiful community with all of its diverse cultures. I have served on our City Council from 1986 to 1992.           

2. As a council member, what do you believe your responsibilities to the community will include?
I know it involves countless hours reading, research, communicating with and representing all of our community not just those who support or vote for me. I am willing to do just that.

3. What do you feel are the most important challenges facing Unalaska and how do you plan to address them? (name up to three issues)
Why does this city continue to have so many jobs unfilled? Some (are) open as long as three years. Working for the city used to be one of the most desirable jobs on the island. Let’s bring that standard back to the City of Unalaska.
Our cost of living: It may be tough for our City Council to effectively and directly reduce the cost of living, but the council can certainly reduce the amount of taxes that the city collects from the people. I have many ideas that address this issue.
We used to call Unalaska “the birthplace of winds,” yet recently our city turned away a grant to study wind power generation. Some of the energy (sources) we should be developing are wind, hydro-electric, tidal current and geothermal energy. Let’s start to move away from fossil fuels and the internal combustion engine. It does not need to be a mega-project to begin with.
Other challenges include, housing, our dump, roads, airport, diversity in industry.

4. As a City Council member, you will face difficult decisions in order to advance a balanced budget. What criteria will you follow in making these decisions?
Unalaska is fortunate that the revenues exceed the expenditures. I will work very hard for Unalaska as a whole to be certain to tax just what is needed for the city to operate.


MICHELLE COCHRAN
1. Why are you qualified to run for City Council?
My work history and my civic involvement qualify me to run for City Council. For the last 15 years, I have worked with communities and City Council in a variety of ways. As the executive director of USAFV, as an elected board member of the Unalaska City School District, as a human resources advisor, as assistant ombudsman for the City of Boise and as the human resources manager for the City of Unalaska, and now for UniSea, Inc., I have worked cooperatively with communities and city councils regularly and effectively. I have a demonstrated track record in developing, recommending and implementing public policies.

2. As a council member, what do you believe your responsibilities to the community will include?
My responsibilities will include not only fulfilling the obligations as outlined in the code of ordinances, but being an active listener to input from community members, city staff, and fellow council members, being a responsible and respectful steward of the council’s fiduciary obligations and both encouraging and actively participating in transparency in the public process.

3. What do you feel are the most important challenges facing Unalaska and how do you plan to address them?
The three most important challenges I see facing Unalaska are:
Effectively addressing the rising costs of energy in our community. The city has been very active in researching hydro-power, wind power and geothermal power, while, at the same time, in recognition of the fact that there is no quick fix, working hard to build and bring a new power plant on line. Continuing to conduct serious research into energy alternatives and being open to emerging technologies will be a priority for me.

Effective recruitment and retention of employees continues to be a challenge for the city. I will encourage an independent, third-party, objective classification and compensation study for all positions — both Title 3 and union represented. The last comprehensive study of this kind was done in the late 1990s. A second, less comprehensive study was completed in the early 2000s. In order for this to be successful, building partnerships with union representatives will be imperative. This action could be a very good way to facilitate the building of trust between city management and union representatives.

Steady revenue streams versus rising expenses, in combination with an overflowing plate of capital projects is a serious challenge. The council has discussed developing a fiscal sustainability plan a number of times over the past year. I will work hard to see this proposed plan through fruition. Developing a framework that identifies values and priorities makes good planning sense.

4. As a council member, you will face difficult decisions in order to advance a balanced budget. What criteria will you follow in making these decisions?
As stated in my previous answer, I will work hard to encourage the council to develop a fiscal sustainability plan. In the interim, I will always ask how does this benefit the community?  Is this paying for a necessary service the community expects?  Have conditions in the community and/or in the city changed, and if they have how could those changes impact our budget planning and its effects on our community? 


KATHERINE McGLASHAN
 1. Why are you qualified to run for City Council?
I am qualified because I have served on the City Council for seven years, I have been involved in the community, and have experience on other boards and committees which include: Qawalangin Tribal Council, PCR Advisory Board, Grant in Aid committee, UCSD budget committee, economic development committee and five years of professional training.

I also own a business, Cape Sarichef Salon, and I have five children. Keifer has graduated and is attending his first year of college, Catina, Kanesia, Carter and Tegan are all in our Unalaska schools.

I have lived here in Unalaska for 30 years and love our community to the fullest. I am hopeful to continue to build our community and build it to an environmentally friendly one.

2. As a council member, what do you believe your responsibilities to the community will include?
To be fiscally responsible, to be accountable, to attend all meetings physically, to listen to the community and to uphold the City of Unalaska code of ordinances as said when we take our oath.

3. What do you feel are the most important challenges facing Unalaska and how do you plan to address them? (name up to three issues)
The cost of living is the first and most important to me. We as a council have discussed energy rebates, which will take $50 off residential electric bills. We passed an exemption on fuel taxes. We as a council also lowered the mill rate to 10.5 mills this year. These three items hopefully will help our residents with the high cost of living.

Renewable energy is and has been a difficult issue for the council with negotiations on geothermal; we may need to look into wind power as geothermal will take at least 10 years to construct at over $100 million. How we plan to tackle all capital projects is to lobby our senators, congressman, and representatives in Juneau and Washington, D.C., and to apply for grants.

Finishing paving the roads of Unalaska has always been a job that needs to be completed. I hear from the community all the time: “When will you finish paving the roads?” We do have a paving plan in the works, and once that is complete we hope to move forward. The plan should be completed this fall.

4. As a council member, you will face difficult decisions in order to advance a balanced budget. What criteria will you follow in making these decisions?
The past seven years as a council, we looked at the budget closely, we have had Saturday work sessions so the public can come to the work sessions before we even think about passing the budget. If we ever come to the point of cutting the budget because the expenditures are crossing the revenues, we will look hard and prioritize capital projects, look at the needs of the nonprofits, and go over the whole city budget with a fine tooth comb as always. Also when departments request equipment/projects, we have to decide as council if it’s a “want” or a “need.” It is always a stressful time for all council members to decide what is most important for our community.


EARL “SKIP” SOUTHWORTH
1. Why are you qualified to run for City Council?
I have been living in this community for the last 28 years, and I am an established community member. I am a home and landowner, I have raised my family in this community, and I care about this community. I can see opportunities that we have before us and I want to steer us in a productive direction that will lead benefit us all.

2. As a council member, what do you believe your responsibilities to the community will include?
First as a council member, I will serve the residents of Unalaska through the entire term elected. This is very important because if the voters choose me to represent them, I need to fulfill my commitment to them.

 I believe my responsibilities are to look out for the well-being of our community, to push for alternative energies. To help the residents maintain security in the sense of wellness and well-being. I also believe that it is my responsibility to protect our assets and always maintain a budget and improve our standard of living.

Another responsibility is to support the community, and especially our school system because they are educating the next generation of Unalaskans, especially through the school bond on the upcoming ballot.

I will also keep a close eye on the fisheries to look for reductions that will require us to compensate in our budget. If we run into problems, we’ll look to savings to ensure our infrastructure is not compromised.

3. What do you feel are the most important challenges facing Unalaska and how do you plan to address them? (name up to three issues)
The reduction in the pollock quota in 2009; even though there is a reduction, there should be an increase in value, but that may not be enough to recover the fish revenues. If there is a loss in fish revenues in this class of fish, we will look to savings to cover any difference instead of trying to adjust the budget.
I want to increase the awareness of the Alaska Housing Energy Rebate. I feel that there are not a lot of people who know about this opportunity, and I think we need to make homes more energy efficient.

I also support exploration of a recycling program, because of the limited amount of space in our landfill. The city has already done a wonderful job of increasing the longevity, but in 50 years, there will not be enough space and we need to plan for the future now. Other options to increase the longevity of the landfill is a glass crusher. Even though it is a small portion of the garbage, we could use the crushed glass in asphalt and in other projects, and could lower dump fees as a result of that.

Cardboard is a high-dollar recycling item and that is another option for recycling, and it would be easy to turn a profit.

4. As a council member, you will face difficult decisions in order to advance a balanced budget. What criteria will you follow in making these decisions?
I believe the people should be first with our infrastructure. We have to take care of the people who take care of us. If we have a shortfall in fish revenue because of a lean year, I believe that we should look to savings to carry us through and to not alter the budget. We have money in savings, we are a wealthy community and we have the luxury to look at the savings to carry us through and maintain our infrastructure and well-being. I also believe it is time to pay our employees the wages they deserve because of the cost of living here in Unalaska is so high that the wages need to reflect that.


 JOANNA ALDRIDGE
1. Why are you qualified to run for City Council?
My previous experience on the Unalaska City Council, the Unalaska School Board, and volunteering for numerous committee seats enables me to understand the critical issues at hand and the enormous time commitment that holding this seat involves. As former manager of Key Bank and Bank of America, this accounting background gives me the understanding and experience in financial matters concerning budget expenditures and controls. In addition, I would bring leadership and most importantly the desire and will for unity — to work together to solve the tough issues we face now and in the future.

2. As a council member, what do you believe your responsibilities to the community will include?
To represent Seat F in regards to fostering economic growth, to guard the fiscal integrity of the city and to carry forth the City of Unalaska ordinances.

3. What do you feel are the most important challenges facing Unalaska and how do you plan to address them? (name up to three issues)
Rising cost of living: We need to continue to review and adjust taxes; look at promoting industry to hire locally and to reinvent ourselves in regards to developing diverse industries.

Alternative energy: Smaller multi projects; give tax rebate/incentives to local residents to promote individual wind generation projects; commit the time, energy and money to move forward as fast as possible and not limit ourselves to one project; expand our vision and focus.

Protect our communtiy/work force in regards to keeping families from moving off island: Look at housing allowances/incentives; figure out the reason why and tackle it immediately in an open forum.

4. As a council member, you will face difficult decisions in order to advance a balanced budget. What criteria will you follow in making these decisions?
My criteria will include breaking down the budget and prioritizing essential programs.  If budget cuts are needed then looking towards our directors and workforce for input to support those cutbacks.  I would also look at other revenue-generating ideas, which I believe are essential for Unalaska's future. Not one person is capable of achieving this goal — it will take all of us working together to accomplish a successful future for Unalaska.


DANIEL MASONI
1.  Why are you running for School Board?
My wife and I love this community.  I know how important a good school is to the success of a child, not only professionally, but socially and culturally.  I also know how important a good school system is to the success of a community.  The great wealth of this community is seeded in its cultural diversity, and our school does a great job of teaching respect for the cultural differences that make up the fabric of our community and that, at the same time, bring us together as one. I am running for School Board because I want to play a more active role in the positive progress that is already evident in Unalaska City School District.

2.  What qualities or experiences would you bring to the School Board if elected?
As the city librarian and a strong advocate for education, I bring a great deal of experience to the School Board.  I have served on the school’s technology committee since 1997, and I have been the head judge for the spelling bee nearly every year since it was introduced in Unalaska City School.  I have served on the strategic planning Committee, and I assisted with the setup of the library at Eagle’s View Elementary School. Each year, I apply for Native American library grants on behalf of the Ounalashka Corp., and for the last two years, an education stipend has been included in the funding, and those funds have been transmitted to the school for its use. Whether it is by organizing programs designed for specific classes, assisting older kids with research projects, or ordering books that address the specific needs of a group of young people, I work with students and teachers nearly every day at the public library.

The qualities I bring to the School Board include integrity and dedication to education at all levels. As the parent of three children who were educated in the public school system, I am very aware of the way the school system shapes a young person’s life.

3.  What would you like to see changed about Unalaska City School District and how do you plan to address those issues?
UCSD is already far ahead of most school districts in Alaska. Our students are successful academically, and they excel in the arts, music, language, sciences, and athletics. The high percentage of students who go on to college and who go into professions is a great testament to the way the school is run.

I would like to see more opportunities to move away from the stringent requirements of No Child Left Behind. This federal mandate does not recognize the unique needs of the people of rural Alaska. With the pending shift in federal administration, the opportunity will present itself to lobby for change to enhance quantitative education like math, reading, and writing, with additional programming that is qualitative in nature like music, the arts, and cultural heritage.

KATHERINE McGLASHAN
1. Why are you running for School Board?
My oldest son graduated last year, I have graduated from Unalaska High School, and I still have four children in Unalaska Schools. To be involved and to make a difference with the children and our community has always interested me. As a council member I have voted to pass the school budget to our maximum each year. I have volunteered to be on the UCSD budget committee. I have traveled on my kids’ basketball trips. I also have volunteered at Camp Qunayuux for a week with 51 children. To me being a positive role model for the children is an asset for all.

2. What qualities or experience would you bring to the School Board if elected?
As listed above, I served City Council for seven years, I have been involved in the community, and have experience on other boards and committees which include; Qawalangin Tribal Council, PCR Advisory Board, Grant in Aid committee, UCSD budget committee, economic development committee, and five years of professional training.

3. What would you like to see changed about the Unalaska School District and how do you plan to address those issues?
I think the Unalaska School District is doing a great job, I would just like to be involved and to keep the high standards that the Unalaska School District already has in place.


TONYA MILLER
1. Why are you running for School Board?
It is very important for me to be involved in the school because as a parent, my life centers around my children. The best way to participate is by serving on the board that is the voice of the community in the school. The Unalaska City School District Board of Education has a proven track record as a strong board that puts the education of students above all else, that endorses the selection of the highest quality administration and staff, that believes strongly in the overall education of students, and that has as its highest goal the immediate and future success of each child who passes through the school. It would be an honor to serve on the Unalaska City School Board.

2. What qualities or experience would you bring to the School Board if elected?
As a parent with two children in the Unalaska City School, I have a vested interest in the school system. While attending Unalaska City School, my children have excelled in foreign languages, sciences, English, and the arts. I have no doubt that they will be fully prepared for their future education and any profession they choose to pursue. As a CPA, I am impressed with the district’s use of its funding, and I bring a greater understanding of and devotion to the financial structure that plays an essential role in the success of the school. In addition, I have served on many boards and commissions and recognize the importance of being a team player. I am a good listener and will be open to the thoughts and ideas of all parties concerned before making a decision.

3. What would you like to see changed about the Unalaska School District and how do you plan to address those issues?
Unalaska City School is one of the finest schools in the nation. It has an extraordinarily talented administration, faculty, and staff, all of whom play a key role in the success of the students. The performance of our students has been consistently exemplary, as their standardized test scores have shown. The talent and devotion of the staff and the success of the students are key reasons why I would like to be a part of this team. At this point, I do not see changes that must be made, nor do I feel there are issues that have not been addressed by the board and/or administration.


SONIA HANDFORTH-KOME
1.  Why are you running for School Board?
I am running for School Board because I feel that ensuring excellent education and health are the two most important things that our society can do to develop and safeguard its most important assets — our children.  I also believe that the two — education and health — are intertwined.  I work in the health care field, so I am running for re-election to the School Board to continue to do what I can to provide our children with an exemplary education.

2.  What qualities or experience would you bring to the School Board if elected?
I bring a variety of experience to the School Board. I have been a School Board member for six years, and have served on the budget committee, the strategic planning committee, the emergency committee, the wellness committee and the building committee during those years. I have also been involved in advocacy for the Unalaska City School District schools.

3. What would you like to see changed about the Unalaska School District and how do you plan to address those issues?
I would like to see the roof fixed, the windows and doors made energy efficient, the kitchen enlarged, and those ancient carpets replaced. I would also like to see an expansion of the ESL program, a gifted and talented student program, and more opportunities for students to take “electives” like language and band and art, without having to choose one in place of the other.