Responses By Marty West White
About Marty West White

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?

Marty West White - Response to Question #1: Published Thursday, September 12, 2002

Do you think that Ketchikan is not being well served - that we are diluting the mission to local people? This is an interesting question and I don't have a ready answer. Let me find out some things and I'll tackle this again..

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?

Marty West White - Response to Question #2: Published Thursday - September 12, 2002

The challenges always come back to the economy. Our challenge is to make this an attractive place to locate new businesses and a stable place where present businesses can grow and prosper. I don't think there is a big industry just over the horizon that will save the day. I think the resolution will be in the more mundane arena of keeping taxes low, keeping technology up to date, and keeping streets clean and sewers invisible. Perhaps we should look into a short term tax or utility break for new business - this might be impractical - but it merits a look. We can build the sort of place where people want to live - where they, their employees, and their families can build a good life. We have a great start - this is a clean, beautiful place to live. I am glad the council supported the arts center and the aquarium projects. I think this will help rebuild our sense of community and civic pride.

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.

Marty West White - Response to Question #4: Published Friday - September 27, 2002

No.

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?

Marty West White - Response to Question #5: Published Friday - September 27, 2002

It's not that I'm against the bridge-it's that I don't think it will be the economic salvation that some might hope. If it's built we will still need to provide services - power, water, sewer - before the area can support business or residential use. Local match and maintenance are potential financial strains. I don't know how the state can add these supports in the current legislative atmosphere of dismanteling state services.