 Candidate For Ketchikan City Council 3-year term seat - Three seats open Published:
Candidate For: City Council (3 year seat) Address: PO Box 23601
About Yourself - Background: I am 33 years old, and have lived in Ketchikan for about 25 of those years. I am a veteran of the U.S. Navy. I have a beautiful 5 year old daughter named Siobhan (pronounced Shuh-von). I am the proud son of Patricia Fay Hickox. I am a local recording artist/singer and songwriter. I work at Ocean View Restaurante.
List any experience that qualifies you for this elected position: My experiences and successes as a supervisor and as a leader onboard the U.S.S. Enterprise (CVN-65) will serve me invaluably as a councilman. (I had over 60 sailors under my direct supervision during a complex overhaul of the Enterprise.) I am a skilled communicator from my years of working with the public in the food and hospitality industry.
State at least 3 reasons why you are seeking a seat on this elected body. 1. I seek election because I feel called to duty. It is time to stop complaining about this community and start acting on it's behalf. 2. The economy. Too many of my friends and their families are struggling in this economy. To paraphrase Doug Ward we need to "Ketchikanize" our economy. We need to fight tenaciously for a better economic climate for our fishing and our forestry, and make it much easier for local businesses flourish. The local government has sold my childhood away (where is The Little Dipper?) to outside interests, and I am not happy. 3. I want more attention paid to the social ills that plague our town as a direct result of the dwindling economy: Violence, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Chrystal Methamphetamine epidemic, etc.
Why should the voters elect or re-elect you? Because I am sure they are tired of the status quo as well.
List local, regional and/or state-wide issues that you believe are a high priority and state your position on each. Fishing - I want an aggressive PR campaign that targets the worlds fish markets and consumers and demonstrates the superiority of the Alaskan products. I want Alaskan salmon on every menu and in every fridge. It healthy for the mind, body, and soul, and should be touted as such. I want to expose those in the food industry that misrepresent farmed salmon as our salmon. Timber - I would like to see a marriage of industry and conservation. With the White House pushing to prevent forest fires via logging, now is an opportune time to revitalize our timber industry. But I would like to see it done intelligently, with a concerted effort on re-forestation, and no clear cutting along marine lanes. It should be managed like a garden. Pro-economic and pro-environment need to demolish their wall of opposition and work together to do what's best for Alaska and it's forests and it's economy. We don't have loggers in Ketchikan anymore, we have lumberjacks from North Carolina. Alaska Ship and Drydock Inc. - I want the shipyard fully funded and supported. I believe that it will be the cornerstone of our economic recovery and success. As an island community we depend heavily on maritime industries, if our drydock is augmented to it's intended layout we, as a ocean going society, will be able to self sustain our fleets, and service those who venture into our waters. The Bridge - This just needs to get done. It has been put off for too long. But it needs to be done wisely, and with as much local ingenuity and know how as we can muster (I personally am of the opinion that you do not want an ounce of concrete poured in this area without Eric Riley involved.). Not having room to grow has hampered our community long enough. Let's get to Gravina, and let's not sell everything off to outside interests. Let's build a golf course over there.
General Questions:
How do you determine your position on an issue? I gather information from the
news, I ask my friends and family and people I respect in the
community. I try to determine the common sense approach to the
What would compel you to change your position? Compelling, substantiated facts, figures, and testimony.
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? Well, obviously I would have to consider such a vigorous opposition, but I will make the right decision as to what's best for the community even if it is currently unpopular.
Where would you most likely obtain more information on agenda items? The internet, in the community, on the street, at the market, etc....
Who would you most likely talk to prior to making a decision that affects the entire community? Family, people at your work, civic organizations, private friends, government staff, people in the community...
How would you deal with people whose views oppose your beliefs who want to talk to you about an agenda item or issue? Directly and honestly.
In a public meeting discussion, what would you likely do? Try to reach a compromise...
How do others view you?
Comments - Statement: Please vote in this upcoming
election. I would hope to get your vote, but more importantly,
I just want everyone that is eligible to get out there and vote.
Apathy is killing democracy. If we are truly to be a government
of, for, and by the people, then the people have got to do their
civic duty, and vote. So please, mark it on your calendar, October
1st, 2002, your local election day. Thank you very much,
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