Published: Thursday
September 18, 2003

Bob Weinstein PO Box 7801 Ketchikan, Alaska 99901 Phone: 247-8103 E-Mail: mayor@city.ketchikan.ak.us

  
Background:

Occupation: School Administrator (retired)

Family: Marta Poore; Krisan and Maya

Public Service:

• Southeast Island School District (1974-1994);
• Alaska Professional Teaching Practices Commission (1986-1992);
• Ketchikan City Council (1991-1997);
• Ketchikan City Mayor (1997-present)

Education: Bachelors Degree - University of Massachusetts; Masters Degree-University of Oregon

Ketchikan resident since 1974

Experience:

My experience as a school administrator, a City Council member, and City Mayor has given me some practical experience in how our local, state and federal governments work. I have a lot of experience with participation in public processes, as well as with running orderly, businesslike City Council meetings.

I also have a considerable amount of experience with budgets. I am a strong believer in fiscal responsibility. General government and KPU have a combined budget in excess of $60 million and over 300 dedicated employees. City residents need to know that their money is being spent wisely, that our spending patterns reflect community priorities, and that local government can maintain budget discipline. Since I have been Mayor, we have been able to improve services to our citizens despite significant reductions in state revenue sharing. I am proud of the fact that the city is in good financial shape today-without raising property or sales taxes.

Issues:

If re-elected, I want to focus on efforts to

• improve the efficiency of local government.
• make utility improvements to meet current and future community needs, e.g. addressing the long term electric power demand by completing the Swan Lake-Lake Tyee intertie, extending the water system, and continuously upgrading telecommunications services to meet the needs of residential and business customers.
• position Ketchikan as a maritime support center, by improving our ports and harbors, adding capacity to the shipyard, developing a fishery cold storage, supporting improvements in the Alaska Marine Highway System, and adding homeport facilities for large state, federal, and commercial vessels such as NOAA research and Alaska Marine Highway vessels.
• continue efforts to support and strengthen our timber, fishing and tourism industries.

Comments - Statement:

I am seeking re-election because I believe that I can continue to provide effective leadership in addressing the critical issues facing Ketchikan. We need jobs and government efficiency. And we need a Mayor with a solid record of fiscal responsibility. As Mayor, I have brought experience, energy, and commitment to the position, and have worked hard so that Ketchikan will continue to be a great place to live.

I will continue to encourage economic initiatives at the local and regional level to strengthen and diversify Ketchikan's economic base. The proposed completion of the Ketchikan Shipyard, the development of new and upgraded port and harbor facilities, the proposed fishery cold storage, and the expansion of Ketchikan's visitor industry are examples of how local government can work with the private sector to expand Ketchikan's economic base. We are also making progress on projects like the renovation of the Long Term Care Unit at Ketchikan General Hospital and the construction of the Swan Lake-Lake Tyee Intertie which enhance services to our citizens while improving our economy.

Ketchikan is a place that supports people, especially our youth and senior citizens. We need to work with the state to maintain programs and services for our senior citizens, while working with the borough to maintain educational and recreational opportunities for our young people.

Like all elections, our local on October 7 is an important one. Please take the time to vote - and I would be honored if you would consider voting for me.

If you would like to discuss any issue, please call me at 247-8103.

 

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Ketchikan, Alaska