Published:
September 09, 2002
Monday - 11:00 pm

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Name: Dave Lieben

Candidate For: Borough Assembly

Address: 830 Harding St.

E-Mail Address: dlieben@yahoo.com

Phone: 225-3227

About Yourself - Background:

I was born at an early age.

But seriously, I'm the owner of First City Computer Services, we do web site design, and buy and sell used computers, among other things. I'm 43 years old. My lovely wife Katrina is a nurse at Ketchikan General Hospital and we have a one-year-old son, Danny. I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and also lived in California (Arcata and Sacramento) before moving here.

I'm the Vice President, Treasurer, Webmaster, Activity Coordinator, and Adopt-a-Trail Co-Coordinator for the Ketchikan Outdoor Recreation and Trails Coalition. We've worked to create new trails in the area. I've spent many Saturdays doing trail construction on the Lunch Falls Loop and Dude Mountain Trails. I'm the Treasurer of the Revilla Island Prevention Coalition and Chairperson of its Youth Activities Committee. We've worked to lessen drug and alcohol use among our young people. I've been a tutor for the HATS program. I've organized neighborhood cleanup days. I'm hoping to be elected to the Assembly so I can continue to work to make our community a better place to live.

List any experience that qualifies you for this elected position:

As the editor of kanoe.com, I covered every Assembly meeting for two years. This gave me an in-depth knowledge of many issues that the Assembly is still dealing with. It also gave me a good idea of what I don't want to do as an Assembly Member. I've seen our elected officials (to be clear, I'm not talking about Assembly Members Lybrand or Sallee) do everything short of holding their hands over their ears to let citizens know that they (the official) don't care what they (the citizen) have to say. I've seen the Assembly schedule a special meeting on a simple, straightforward question, and then laugh afterwards about having made "an easy 75 bucks." (their per-meeting pay, which is added to their per-month pay) I've seen them funnel taxpayer money to their friends. I've seen them treat Borough employees and citizens with a complete lack of respect. I've seen them constantly picking fights with the city, and with the school district. I've seen them try to raise their own pay. It's time for a change!

State at least 3 reasons why you are seeking a seat on this elected body:

I want to work to make this a town that people are proud to live in, one that our children will want to come back to after they finish college. I want all citizens, regardless of race or gender or religion or political leanings or economic status, to feel they're being represented on the Assembly. I want to try to build better cooperation between the borough and the city, and between the borough and the school district.

Why should the voters elect or re-elect you?

The "good ol' boys" have been running this town as long as there's been a town. Look around you. If you're happy with what you have to show for it, then you know who to vote for. If you want something better, I hope you'll vote for me, and George Lybrand, and Mike Sallee.

List local, regional and/or state-wide issues that you believe are a high priority and state your position on each.

Our economy is definitely the biggest issue. My ideas for economic development, however, don't include giving taxpayer money to private companies. I would like to see a public cruise ship dock in the Water Street/Hopkins Alley area, this would help invigorate that area and lessen the pedestrian congestion in the downtown area. I would like to see more dock facilities for yachts and other visiting boats who are currently bypassing Ketchikan.

I support the intertie. I support the Shelter Cove tie road. I would love to see a road to Hyder. I would like to see more neighborhood bike/walking trails, and an outdoor amphitheater where we could have free concerts. I will work to use available grant money to make safe water and sewer systems available to all residents.

General Questions:

How do others view you?

Outspoken: Sometimes.
Unbiased: Always.
Reasonable: Always.
Diplomatic: Usually.
Other: Honest. Intelligent. Considerate. Irreverent. Good husband and father. Not a great singer.

Comments - Statement:

Feel free to call me, or e-mail me, if you have any questions not covered here. I have a campaign web page at my business site: www.firstcitycomputer.com. Or stop me on the street, or in the supermarket. You can't miss me, I'm the guy with the brightly colored "VOTE FOR ME" t-shirts. It's time for a change!

 

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