Responses By Jim Van Horn
About Jim Van Horn

Question #1 For City Council Candidates: Published Saturday, September 7, 2002 11:30 pm

Gateway Human Services is one of the largest departments of the City of Ketchikan. As employees of the City they travel to and provide services in communities outside of the City and Borough (Metlakatla and Prince of Wales Island). If elected, would you support this practice to continue and expand or do you believe that more focus should be placed on providing services to City and Borough residents?

Jim Van Horn - Response to Question #1: Published Monday, September 23, 2002- 2:35 pm

The vast majority of funding for Gateway Human Services comes from grants. Most of these grants are for regional needs and not specific to the City of Ketchikan. I support their continued efforts in obtaining grants that provide services to the area including the City of Ketchikan.

Question #2 For City Council Candidates: Published Tuesday - September 10, 2002 - 7:00 pm

What is the most serious challenge facing the City Council and how would you address this challenge?

Jim Van Horn - Response to Question #2: Published Monday - September 23, 2002- 2:35 pm

I think the City of Ketchikan needs to do a lot of "fence mending" with the Borough. In my opinion, the recent attempt for consolidation was a disaster. We all need to work together for all the citizens of Revilla Island. I think the first step in this direction would be the formation of a joint work group to study issues that affect all of us. For example, local control of the shipyard. The mind set of many persons on both the City Council and Borough Assembly, is that "THEY" are the enemy. This attitude is wrong and very counter productive.

Question # 4 For All Candidates: Published Thursday - September 19, 2002 - 2:30 pm

Our community focuses on the importance of 'Youth Asset Building' - I would like to know that our elected officials set a good example. Have any of the candidates been charged for any serious violations of the law other than for minor traffic tickets.

Jim Van Horn - Response to Question #4: Published Monday - September 23, 2002- 2:35 pm

None

Question #5 For All Candidates: Published Sunday - September 22, 2002 -3:50 pm

Would you recommend to all the citizens of Ketchikan that they support building a bridge to Gravina? If so, what would you say to community members about the short-term and long-term benefits to the community as a whole? If you support building a bridge, will you or your family personally benefit monetarily from bridge construction or do you or your family own property on Gravina?

Jim Van Horn - Response to Question #5 :Published Monday - September 23, 2002- 2:35 pm

I very strongly recommend a bridge be built to Gravina Island! The short term benefit would be jobs that will bolster our already sagging economy. Long term, it will allow development of Gravina - Borough lands - Commercial and recreational. My family, like all the families in Ketchikan will benefit from a bridge by elimination of the most expensive toll road in America. It is called the Borough Ferry!