Published:
September 21, 2002
Saturday - 4:25 pm

Name: Jim Van Horn

Candidate For: Ketchikan City Council

Address: 3434 Arnold Avenue - Ketchikan, AK 99901

E-Mail Address: nemo@kpunet.net

Phone: 225-5573

About - Background:

I was born June 12, 1938 in Yakima, Washington. Upon graduation from high school in 1956, I enlisted in the United States Coast Guard as a Seaman Recruit. In 1963 I was a Radarman First Class (E-6) and applied for and was accepted to the Coast Guard Officer Candidate School in Yorktown, Virginia.

In January 1964, I was commissioned as an Ensign and assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter Sweetbrier in Juneau. From June 1968 to August 1970, I was assigned as the Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Fir in Seattle. I arrived in Ketchikan in November 1970 and served as the Operations Officer and then as Executive Officer of Coast Guard Base Ketchikan.

I was assigned to the Coast Guard District Headquarters in Juneau as the Assistant Chief of the Search and Rescue Branch from 1973 to 1976. In April 1976, I returned to Ketchikan and assumed command of the Coast Guard Cutter Laurel (WLB-291) until my retirement in November 1977.

In 1982, I went to work for the State of Alaska, Department of Corrections here in Ketchikan. I retired from the State in 1998 as the Administrative Manager of the Ketchikan Correctional Center.

I have been married to my wife Kathy for 23 years and we have a daughter Nicole, 22 who is presently attending cosmetology school at Shoreline Community College in Seattle. I have another daughter, Lee Ann Nitz of Marysville, Washington and three grandchildren, twins Michael and Jennifer, age 23 and Cassie 16.

List any experience that qualifies you for this elected position:

When I commanded the Cutter Laurel, I worked with a 54-man crew and was responsible for a $1.5M budget. As the Administrative manger of the Correctional Center, my primary duty was personnel officer and worked very closely with the Superintendent in administering a $2.6M budget.

I was on the Gateway Borough Assembly from 1996 to 1999, plus I served on the Ketchikan City Council for one year (2000-2001) until illness caused me to miss many meetings and my position was vacated as required by the city charter. In addition, I served on the Ketchikan Public Utilities Advisory Board for six years and served as chairman for two of those years.

In 1997, I was elected to the Board of Directors of the Alaska Municipal League and served until 1999.

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

I have called Ketchikan home for many years and am concerned about the economy.

As a long-time resident, I feel I can represent all segments of the community.

My administrative experience can be a great help in making critical decisions that affect the community.

Why should the voters elect or re-elect you?

My previous Borough Assembly and City Council experience will enable me to "hit the ground running".

I understand the budget process and am not afraid to ask critical questions.

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

Gravina Island Bridge:

This project will aid our sagging economy as well as open up new development. Some persons have called it a bridge to nowhere. I call it the bridge to our future.

Lake Tyee - Swan Lake Electrical intertie:

Completion of this project will not only allow us to manage our lake levels, but reduce our dependency on diesel generation. The intertie is also the first link of a long overdue electrical grid for Southeast Alaska.

Capitol Move:

Although I don't feel we have received all the support from Juneau on certain issues that we should have, moving the Capitol is a foolish idea. Why create another economic disaster area in SE. The trickle down effect will more than likely hit here as well.

General Questions:

How do you determine your position on an issue?

By carefully reading the meeting packet, staff recommendations and then making an informed decision.

What would compel you to change your position?

If there was overwhelming information presented that my position was not in the best interest of the community.

If a dozen people speak at a public meeting on a controversial agenda item with the majority of the speakers opposed and the minority for, how would this impact your ability to form a decision on what is best for the community?

I think it would depend on each situation. There are over 6,000 registered voters in the community. I don't think several people with an "Agenda Item" necessarily represent the community as a whole. I would try to remain focused as to what is best for the community.

Where would you most likely obtain information on agenda items?

In the majority of the cases, I rely on staff recommendations. Often times just talking to people can be very informative.

Who would you most likely talk to prior to making a decision that affects the entire community?

As many people as I could.

How would you deal with people whose views oppose your beliefs who want to talk to you about an agenda item or issue?

I would listen to them state their position and hope they would let me state mine. All citizens have the right to be heard.

In a public meeting discussion, what would you likely do?

Listen to the position of others and tell them mine.

How do others view you?

Well-prepared, knowledgeable, unbiased and reasonable.

 

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