Candidate statement

I believe in kids. I believe they are good people with dreams, and abilities that deserve to be unleashed on the world. I believe adults have the ability to get in the way of that process, and sometimes do. When they do…I want to be there as an advocate for kids. Whatever the situation is, whether home life, school life, social life---I want to be at the very least an ear for them to speak to and possibly even more by being able to go to bat for them.

I know what it means to have to work hard without having a higher education behind you. I want to see as many kids do well in their academic endeavors as possible.

Background

I grew up in Anchorage in the 70’s and 80’s. I attended a parochial school from K-8th grade, and was jammed into the Anchorage high school system in 9th grade with very few defenses in regards to public school social systems. High school was hard for me, and I hit just about every peer group to try and find my place. Needless to say, I eventually found the wrong groups, and along the way got lost in the system. By the time I was in 11th grade I knew I was not going to make it and dropped out. At that time in the 80’s the alternative schools weren’t a good fit for me either for various reasons. I got my G.E.D. and then tried college my senior year and did not do well in that system either---kind of one small party to a bigger party.

I moved to Ketchikan, and for the next decade or so I worked very hard at very many jobs. I fished for many years, worked construction, delivered flowers, worked at a book store, worked at a grocery store (where I met my wife Eliasica).

I married Eliasica and together we opened a small game shop that catered to the youth (and some adults) of Ketchikan called Gateway Games. As our family was starting to grow, and Wal-Mart coming to town we realized we needed to get a more stable long term income. That is when I got hired with the City of Ketchikan. I have been working for Port and Harbors for the last 12 years, and currently hold the position of Port Operations Coordinator and manage the downtown security and safety program for the cruise ship docks.

As mentioned above---I am married to a beautiful Haida woman named Eliasica (my best friend!), and together we have 4 children ages 17, 15, 11 and the newest addition a 10-month old.

In my spare time I coach Little League baseball, basketball, softball, soccer, and Schoenbar basketball.

Qualifications:

5 years on the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Board of Education (current Vice President)

2 years President Ketchikan Little League (7 years on the board)

Volunteer at various levels with very many other organizations

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Ketchikan, Alaska

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