 Candidate For Ketchikan City Council 3-year term seat - Three seats open Published:
Name: Marty West White Candidate for: Ketchikan City Council Address: 911 Forest Ave E-mail: whites@kpunet.net Phone: 225-2455
I am running for reelection for a second three-year term on the Ketchikan City Council. I am presently the Vice Mayor and serve as the City representative on the Ketchikan Visitor's Bureau Board of Directors. In past years, I represented the Council on the KPU Advisory, Gateway Center for Human Services, Library, and Museum Boards. I work for the Ketchikan campus of the University of Alaska Southeast as Coordinator of vocational and continuing education. I have lived here about 25 years and have been involved in a variety of activities. I managed KRBD-FM for eight years. I also worked in other capacities there for an additional five years. I am still a volunteer. I worked at KTKN for five years in the late 70's, early 80's. I taught speech when UAS was Ketchikan Community College. I managed the Arctic Bar for several years as well. In the past, I have been involved with Chamber of Commerce and have been a member of Rotary and on various boards. I was part of a group that spearheaded the formation of CoastAlaska, a public radio organization formed to cut costs and maximize service for the five regional stations. This model is cited by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting as an innovative and successful method of coping with funding cuts. I have been involved in activities at my children's schools. I am married to Jim White who is a USPS letter carrier. We have two children at home. Our older daughter lives in Seattle where she insists on keeping our two grandchildren.
Qualifications: I managed a successful non-profit through a difficult period of downsizing. During that time, we increased local fundraising and listenership. I helped develop and administer the station budget. I managed the building rentals, which included three apartments, two retail stores, and a restaurant. I am keenly aware that using public money brings an obligation to run an efficient and effective organization. I am a good listener and have ties to a variety of people and organizations in the community. I think people feel comfortable talking to me and that they know I will represent them as best I can. I work to achieve a consensus on issues. As a reporter, I became familiar with local issues and how our governments work. I know how to ask questions and research issues.
Reasons I'm running: I think government can be a good tool to build a strong community. There are several projects I would like to work on-the ports and harbors study will provide insight for planning the next stage of tourist activity; the intertie is underway; and, the city will have an important role in the future of the shipyard. Since you asked for three reasons, a final one is that I like doing the work and I think I'm good at it. During the development of CoastAlaska, I chaired the Policy Committee - not very visible or exciting but it provided the core around which we built an organization to strengthened public radio during potentially disastrous funding cuts. I know what its like to squeeze the most service out of the least money.
Why Vote for Me: I will listen.
High Priority Issues Jobs. Since AIDA has made clear that they want the city and/or borough to take over management of the shipyard, I favor a local operator. I think we are on the right track with ports and harbors. The upcoming study will provide us with ideas of what can and should be accomplished. We need to keep our technology up to date and affordable. We need to continue to build, and bill, our community as a great place to live and work to attract new investment. We are 90 minutes from Seattle where a home with a view is only a dream. Some people can walk out their front door and go fishing. The rain washes things clean. Who wouldn't want to live here? Ferry service needs to be improved. A skeptic might think there has been a deliberate attempt to make the ferry as inconvenient as possible so that it would be used less and make additional funding cuts sound wise. Jim Van Horn had a good idea to rename the hospital something like the Southeast Regional Health Center to emphasize the increasingly regional nature of the service it provides. Our fate is tied in with our neighbors, the communities on POW and Metlakatla. Perhaps there is a way to work together better. Or we can annex them. Seriously, there is discussion of a cold storage facility. What support and help could this provide regionally? What other communities might someday be included in the intertie project? Funding. People cringe at the mention of income tax but we see those stores close in winter and boats head South and see that money leave here as well; or, perhaps institute a state sales or education tax. I don't see where we can keep cutting. Education is essential to any economic development. We need to support schools and the University.
How I determine my position on an issue: I read whatever I can about an issue. I talk with city staff, with coworkers, family, and friends. I try to see each side of an argument and make decisions based on what I think would be best for the community. I listen to people at the podium and read letters and editorials.
Change my position: I would change my position on an issue if there is a well reasoned argument presented or if new information becomes available that should be considered. While I don't want government to drag, it's like the carpenter's saying that it's better to measure twice and cut once.
People at the podium: I try to listen carefully to what everyone says. Sometimes people are emotional-naturally since we deal with issues that have an impact on lives; but reason can't take a back seat to emotion. If there is great opposition, it might be appropriate to postpone decisions until questions and problems can be ironed out but sometimes, we have to go ahead despite opposition in order to do what is best for the community.
Other questions: I get information on agenda items primarily from staff. I turn to editorials and letters to hear opinions. In making a decision that affects the community, I try to talk with a lot of different people but I start with my family and coworkers. How do I deal with people who oppose my beliefs and want to talk to me? I listen and try to keep an open mind. If appropriate, I present my opinions and reasons. Someone's mind might change but if not, we haven't closed doors on future conversations. What do I do at a public meeting? I think I mostly try to listen to others' positions. How do people view me? Hopefully as "reasonable". Thank you for your time.
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