1.

The municipality of Anchorage collected $400,000 more in taxes than the Service Area Spent in 2009.  What do we do with the surplus?

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Keli Booher

I think that there are several things that can be done with this money.  The money could be put in GBOS reserve funds.  Once that is done, if there is more I think that the community should decide how this money is spent through the GBOS.   

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Jennifer Johnston

Once GBOS fund balances are fully replenished than it should be a decision of the community through the GBOS budget process. 

2.

The Mayor says he wants to do away with IM testing.  What is your position on this issue?

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Keli Booher

I agree with the Mayor. 

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Jennifer Johnston

This was an old solution for air quality. It is not useful any more. 

3.

Which is a better use of tax payers’ funds:  a bridge over Knik Arm or upgrading the Seward Highway to a 4 lanes between Anchorage and Girdwood?

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Keli Booher

As a general principle I think it is always better to spend money maintaining and improving infrastructure we have before spending money on building more.  

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Jennifer Johnston

I do not feel state funds should be used for the bridge, currently the authority is suppose to look for private funding.  I do believe the Seward HWY needs to be improved for safety reasons

4.

Do you support dedication of Girdwood’s trail system and parks?

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Keli Booher

Yes, if the community is supportive of this.   

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Jennifer Johnston

Yes 

5.

If elected/reelected, will you commit to spending a day with members of the Girdwood Trails Committee hiking our trials and riding the Four Corners Hand Tram?

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Keli Booher

Yes, without a doubt. 

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Jennifer Johnston

Yes. 

6.

Should the MOA be in the business of selling life insurance?

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Keli Booher

No, I like many other residents await the resolution of this matter and support Harriet Drummond’s resolution addressing this issue.  

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Jennifer Johnston

NO 

7.

Do you support the recently passed Municipal Bike Plan?  If so, how do we pay for it?

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Keli Booher

Yes, this will be a question we will face in the coming years.  It comes down to a question of our priorities as a community.  We as a community have decided this is important and as an Assemblywoman I would try to budget for this and allow for the implementation of the Bike Plan.  

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Jennifer Johnston

I voted for it…it provides a plan for dedicated funds, most plans are not fully funded…they are only working plans. 

8.

How do we best diversify the municipal tax base? 

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Keli Booher

That is a difficult question to answer.  I’ll try to stay true on paper to the thirty second time limit that was provided to us at the forum.  I think it is important that we diversify our tax base.  There has been a lot of talk of trying to institute a sales tax, this is something that might be worthwhile to explore.  The most important aspect of this is that we, as a community need to have a serious conversation about what our priorities are and what we’re willing to spend money on and where we want to get that money from.  I do think that it is important that our property owners no longer shoulder the large portion of taxes that they do and look forward to tackling this issue on the assembly if elected.   

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Jennifer Johnston

This is something the citizens are going to have to request.  I believe in sale tax.  It is not a regressive tax, because federally you can not tax for staples that are needed for the low income members of our community…and I do feel there is an impact in consumerism. 

9.

What are your thoughts regarding the recent proposal to tax soft drinks?

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Keli Booher

I do not think this is a good idea.  If people want to drink soft drinks and be unhealthy than that is their business.  I don’t think it’s the government’s business to be taxing soft drinks.   

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Jennifer Johnston

Maybe it would be part of the sales tax…I have found working with youth $.02 to $.04 would not change any habits. 

10.

Is it worthwhile for the Assembly to spend $50,000 to determine if former Mayor Mark Begich under-informed the Assembly about municipal finances?

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Keli Booher

No, I think that this was a political issue that the incumbent supported with our tax dollars instead of using that money to offer us more police officers and rural fire service programs; that decision directly affected the safety of our communities.  

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Jennifer Johnston

Yes, because as it is right now the issue is a matter of subjective findings that could affect some very good people. 

11.

What is your view of Title 21, Chapter 9, which has been implemented in Girdwood without approval of Title 21 in Anchorage?

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Keli Booher

As someone who does not live in Girdwood I would have to look further in to the details of Chapter 9 of Title 21.  On general principle, as stated several times before, if I don’t have a strong opinion on a matter I always go to the community and ask those who have to live under Chapter 9 and see what they want.  I think that’s what a good representative does.   

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Jennifer Johnston

Title 21 has been a long painful process that sometimes contradicts itself.  Once the drafts are conditionally passed by the assembly, the administration needs to take a thorough review and get a full cost analysis. 

12.

Now that Anchorage is reconsidering Title 21, are you open to revisiting the Girdwood section of Title 21?

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Keli Booher

If there are things that Girdwood residents are not happy with in their section of Title 21 then most definitely.   

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Jennifer Johnston

We did amend Chapter 9 to allow for conditional use permits this last year.. I have always been open to revisiting Chapter 9 and I will be glad to work with the community on any proposal the community can agree on. 

13.

Jennifer, as a representative, you are strangely absent from Community Council meetings, and even the Girdwood Board of Supervisors meetings.  Where are you during those meetings and can we expect you to be more present if we elect you again?

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Keli Booher

This question is directed at the incumbent but I would like to add to it.  I think that this is one of the most important aspects of being a representative on the Assembly.  If you are not willing to show up to CC meetings and GBOS meetings to hear what the constituents have to say than you’re not offering the type of representation we deserve as a community.  I think it is important to be at these meetings.  I, like the incumbent, sometimes get busy with other things I have going on.  But I have made it a priority to go to as many CC meetings as possible.  I have not been able to attend a GBOS meeting due to weather but if elected going to both will be a priority because constituents deserve the time of the person they elected.  

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Jennifer Johnston

This district has 14 community councils in addition to GBOS and HALO…so I have never tried to go to all of them all of the time.  I do try and stay in touch and attend on a quarterly basis.  And I do respond when there is an issue that requires my involvement. 

14.

Can we expect your regular attendance at GBOS meetings?

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Keli Booher

Yes 

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Jennifer Johnston

Sometimes I do have conflicts on the Monday night.  That is why I have chosen to work with Sue Kennedy.  She attends most all of the community meetings and keeps me informed of the issues.  Also, I answer all emails to either my muni account or jjohnston@gci.net and phone calls at 346-1087. 

15.

Do you support the Girdwood CIP?  Which are your priorities?

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Keli Booher

Yes, not living in Girdwood I would take my lead from the community on which Capital Improvement Projects they felt were most necessary.  

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Jennifer Johnston

Yes…I am trying to work out a program so that the Industrial Park can be funded, I have worked to get the earmarks released for Olympic Circle, and I am working with Rep. Hawker’s and Sen. Bunde’s office to get a grant for roads and drainage. 

16.

Are you a skier and how often do you get to Girdwood?

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Keli Booher

I can’t ski, I do enjoy sledding and ice skating but skiing is an accident waiting to happen in my case.   

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Jennifer Johnston

Yes I am a skier and I do not get down to ski nearly enough. 

17.

Would you support another furlough on the backs of Municipal Employees?

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Keli Booher

No. 

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Jennifer Johnston

I would prefer not to ever have to do that again.  That is why I am working so hard to get the municipality financially healthy. 

18.

Why is a MOA employee sitting on the GBOS Board when that’s not allowed by law?

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Keli Booher

I wasn’t aware this was the case.  If elected I would look into this. 

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Jennifer Johnston

This is the result of the Municipal’s ethic’s code that was passed just before I was elected.  When Mr. Gallup ran he was unopposed….and he was elected.  I helped him get a waiver from the assembly, because he was a teacher with ASD and GBOS does not have any authority over the ASD budget.  

19.

What do you see for the future of our libraries (funding)?

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Keli Booher

I think fully funding libraries in our community is important.  Libraries can be, and in Anchorage, are an integral part of solving many of the problems we have.  They help keep crime rates down in the summer  by entertaining our youth.  They provide a service to our community that should not be devalued.  

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Jennifer Johnston

I hope with a healthy municipal budget we can start looking at innovative ways to fund and improve our libraries. 

20.

Regardless of your position on the issue, how would you handle discussion like the civil right ordinance differently?

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Keli Booher

I would not have allowed those who live outside the municipality to testify.   

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Jennifer Johnston

I would not have allowed folks who lived outside of the municipality testify. 

21.

How do you feel you will be able to represent South Anchorage along with all of Turnagain Arm – those without running water and those in the city?  There is a very diversified population to represent – how will you address these differences?

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Keli Booher

I think the most important part of representing any area is being active and engaged in the community.   I don’t see how you can do that when you are not committed to going to CC meetings or GBOS meetings.  If you take the time to listen to the community they will tell you what they want.  That’s the way I intend to represent South Anchorage on the Assembly.  Being an active, engaged, and present Assemblywoman for South Anchorage.  

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Jennifer Johnston

It is a large district.  I am thankful for being raised in a small village, living in Fairbanks, and spending time in rural Alaska.  It is why I believe in personal responsibility and community engagement.