On the Issues

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Anchorage residents deserve a safe and clean community. I will ensure quality essential services are provided as a matter of course, not as an exception. Our Citizens should expect the highest standards of services from our local government, whether individual taxpayers,  businesses, or community groups. 

The present management of our homeless population has devolved into one of the most contentious and complex issues in our community. I will actively engage with the Assembly, the Business Community and Citizens of Anchorage in constructive dialogue to arrive at consensus driven solutions on steps to resolve and mitigate the concerns of our property owners and businesses, and provide those suffering from homelessness a path to safety, stability and recovery. 

The Port of Alaska is the most critical piece of infrastructure in our state. I am committed to the urgent repair and strong financial management of this most strategic asset. We have planned well for the future of the Port.  Now its time to get the work done!

I am committed to recapturing a vision of Anchorage that makes us believe and invest in ourselves again and produces a prosperous, sustainable, and diverse economy that grows Anchorage. Workers and investors both are looking for cities that are passionate about their future and willing to invest in that future.  I want Anchorage to become top of mind for anyone seeking a new place to live, work, play, and invest.

I will work to attract and retain a skilled and available workforce. I will collaborate with businesses to identify workforce needs and training programs and seek partnerships with labor unions and businesses to develop vocational training and apprenticeships. I will work with schools to align curriculum with local job opportunities. 

The key to a skilled and growing workforce is a successful education system.  I will be an advocate for strong and well-funded education opportunities in Anchorage and I will foster relationships with parents, students, the Anchorage School District (ASD), University of Alaska-Anchorage, Alaska Pacific University, Wayland Baptist University, and the many vocational and skilled trades training facilities in Anchorage.

Available and affordable housing for all income levels is vital to our city’s future.  I will work with community leaders, developers, and contractors to bring good ideas to the table to improve planning and permitting systems, find ways to make more land available for building new homes, and to promote redevelopment strategies with willing land owners that give homebuyers more opportunities to find the kind of housing they are seeking and can afford.

Anchorage has nearly 11,000 acres of municipal parklands. The year-round recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike are critical to the well-being of our community. I am committed to enhancing the safety of our parklands and facilities, and expanding the connectivity and usability of our trail systems so that more of our residents can benefit from the natural beauty and fitness opportunities they provide. 

I will put politics aside and bring competency and decorum to the office of Mayor. I believe the best governance of our City will come from an effective, honoring, and balanced partnership between the Mayor and Assembly. Each shares a joint responsibility to come before the other with transparency and good information on matters of joint concern to the residents of Anchorage.