Abby Bradberry

Candidate for Ketchikan City Council
3 Year Term (3 Seats Open)

October 06, 2020 - Tuesday
Ketchikan Regular Election

Received: September 11, 2020
Published September 11, 2020

My name is Abby Bradberry and I am running for a 3-year seat on the City Council. I am running to encourage involvement from younger generations and to work towards a proper balance for our community with tourism, diversification of our economy, affordable cost of living, and to support the needs of citizens and businesses. Through my experience, I can assist in creating solutions that not only benefit the citizens but the city too!

My work experience in Ketchikan has allowed the opportunity to meet individuals from all areas of the community and in all fields. I have sat with people on their saddest days in the vet clinic and cheered loudly with them and others at the Lumberjack Show. My resume includes:

In addition to my diverse employment I serve on boards in varying capacities. I currently serve as the Vice President of the Alaska Travel Industry Association's - Ketchikan Chapter to help promote Alaska as a top visitor destination, and help be the voice of our local industry to statewide partners. I also served as the President of the Ketchikan Dog Park and led fundraising efforts to set up proper fencing and obtain gravel for the interior. I recently was inducted into First City Rotary and look forward to learning more about the wonderful ways to serve the community ahead. Other areas of servitude include: participating in the PeaceHealth Foundation’s Annual Enchanted Forest Event, and volunteering to facilitate the Annual Icebreaker for seasonal employees each summer. Through my employment, I manage the Annual Community Lumberjack Show and the 4th of July Ironjack Timber Carnival. These events traditionally give back to local non-profits and scholarships. The more active I have become in the community, the more I see the level of need and it increases my desire to do more.

This pandemic has brought pressing topics to the forefront of our community conversations: budget reductions and protecting reserves, maintaining control of port management, setting up additional CARES Act funding for basic community needs, and diversifying our economy. For this article I will be brief, though invite you all to call me for further discussion at any time.

The topic of the city budget should be one that gives everyone pause. We are facing one of the largest deficits this town has experienced due to the loss of tourism and the city council will be forced to make many difficult decisions moving forward. It will be necessary to comb through every line item with department managers to ensure all wasteful spending is cut, prior to jumping directly into wage reductions. I believe that I will be able to assist in reducing departmental spending by 5-10% across the board and work collaboratively with managers to set up our community to survive through this pandemic. We must remember any cuts are temporary and will serve to set us up for success in the future.

Another topic that will help ease budgetary concerns will be to diversify our economy. We have an abundance of resources right here in our backyard and local experts available to provide guidance and weigh in with concerns when warranted. I want to utilize them to navigate us through their fields to success! Timber, rare earth mining, hydroelectric power, and remote business are some of the industries that we should be rallying for in Southeast Alaska. I fully support the timber and mining industry when done responsibly and with respect to the surrounding community.

In addition to our resources, we are uniquely positioned to become a hub for remote workers with employers based in the lower 48. The enhanced fiber network and our proximity to Seattle creates an opportunity to fill up vacant rentals and encourage home ownership within this new work from home environment.

Lastly, I would like to see more development in the hydroelectric area. We have an opportunity to use our most abundant resource to help provide electricity to surrounding communities. This would require development of reservoirs and dams, though in turn creating a long-term plan for revenue. Imagine a bill without the diesel generator surcharge!

Through collaboration with the borough, we can foster new business creation and build a more diverse economy so future generations do not feel the squeeze if any one industry is disrupted. If elected, I will diligently work to make sure your concerns and solutions are spoken at the table. I am committed to the success of Ketchikan for all and encourage you to get involved and be heard.

Join me on October 6th and let me be your voice on the City Council.

The right choice, for your voice. Vote Bradberry for City Council

Abby Bradberry
816-918-1613
abradberry18@gmail.com

Send your letters of support for the candidates of your choice to editor@sitnews.us