I am again running for Ketchikan City Council, and if the voters choose to re-elect me, this will be my 4th term serving on the Council.

After serving nine years on the City Council, I feel I bring experience to the table and a knowledge and understanding of the process and of the current issues and projects important to Ketchikan.

I'm proud of the accomplishments over the years I've served the community. For instance, we now have bathroom facilities downtown -- although I am not proud of the cost. I feel the same about the costs for the new Ketchikan Library and new Ketchikan Fire Station. Although I had cost objections, the voters chose to build these facilities, and I supported the voters' decisions.

We have an excellent cruise infrastructure, of which I am proud. The cruise industry is vital to the economy of Ketchikan. I will continue to support efforts to build our economy.

Our taxes are high. We need to address the services we currently have and if and where cuts are needed and live within our means. Some things we need and some things we want. Needs always should come first.

I have lived in Ketchikan for 33 years. I moved to Ketchikan to work for the Ketchikan Children's Home as a live-in-house parent serving children with behavioral challenges. Later careers included the Merry Messenger Service, Security Guard for the Ward Cove Cannery, and a variety of other jobs including bar-tending.

I have been a business owner purchasing the Raven's Roost in 1994. As a small business owner, I understand the issues facing small businesses in our community. After selling my business in 2010, I now consider myself semi-retired and I am eager to continue to give back to our community as a public servant as a member of the Ketchikan City Council.

If you choose to re-elected me to the Ketchikan City Council, I will be open to listening to the concerns of all community members and will do my best to continue to serve in an honest and open manner.

I will always be honest in addressing your questions; however, the answers will not always please everyone. I will strive to make the decisions that will be in the best interest of all the residents and the City of Ketchikan.

I would appreciate your vote on October 7th - but most importantly, vote.

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Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska

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