Mayoral Candidates' Night 2009

Below are the questions posed by members of the Girdwood community at our Girdwood Rotary’s Mayoral Candidates’ Night on March 25^th. Candidate’s answers are listed in the order in which they are received. To view pictures from the Candidates' Night, please click here.

Dear Anchorage Mayoral Candidate,
As you know, we were unable to ask a number of the questions submitted by our audience at Candidates’ Night this past Wednesday due to time constraints. If you will provide answers to these unasked questions we will publish them on our Girdwood Rotary Web Site for our community’s voters. Please email your responses to our web master.
Again, thank you for your participation in our forum and your responses to the questions below.
Tom Yeager
Girdwood Rotary

Unasked Questions from Girdwood Candidates Night March 25, 2009
1.	To All: Girdwood is asking the state legislature to deposit grants for capital projects into the Girdwood dedicated “106” account, bypassing the Muni administration and giving that power to Girdwood’s elected officials. Do you support this request?
	*Phil Isley - Yes*
	Walt Monegan - No, Girdwood is part of the MOA and developing stand alone funding streams complicates responsibility/accountability issues and could lead to fairness issues. It isn't the 'funding system' that needs fixing, it is the MOA's handling process of it that does. Your Question #2 hits it on the head. I would be willing to work to resolve the root issue, rather than pursuing a one-off solution.
	Billy Powers - Absolutely. I believe our communities are better managed by people who live in the community, not by special interests and media that own the MOA government.

2.	To All: The 25% pass thru fee on State Funds, used in Girdwood, frustrates many of us. Is there a way thru this problem?
	*Phil Isley - There should be a way to allocate the 25% back to Girdwood.*
	Walt Monegan - Yes, revamp the "administrative fees" schedule. Set the fees on the TIME it takes to process, not the AMOUNT to be processed. Your municipal government should be assisting your development with an eye for long term growth, not short term gains.
	*Billy Powers - I am very aware of the greed of our power happy city government. We must elect people that will give control back to the people.*

3.	To All: Property owners pay MOA taxes. Do you have a plan to change this unfair taxation?
	Phil Isley - By now you should know I am not big on taxes. I still feel it is up to the community to decide on your taxes. I would like to see all taxes go down or at least be spent where they are collected.
	Walt Monegan - I would support the diversification of our tax base; primarily through a sales tax under specific conditions. Such as: 1.) dollar for dollar relief of property taxes under the repaired tax cap; 2.) no tax on groceries or medicine; 3.) place a ceiling on the tax for larger items, like vehicles, etc.; 4.) set a sunset clause that will force us to renew it or not in 3-5 years, giving us all time to see if has met our expectations. Focus the percentage to be set for the services all residents and visitors use; such as public safety, health, and road maintenance/snow removal.
	Billy Powers - Of the candidates I will be the most likely to focus on this and other unfair taxes in the Muni. We have to also replace most of the city council members to accomplish this. It will not be easy but we have to start somewhere.

4.	To All: If asked by Gov. Palin for advice on stimulus funds (to take them or not), what advice would you give and why?
	Phil Isley - I look at the stimulus funds as a major move to socialism. If any funds are accepted, I would like them spent on renewable energy or small business that creates manufacturing jobs.
	Walt Monegan - Take the funds as a bridge over these tougher economic times. The concern that we are borrowing money from overseas as a loan, lacks the understanding and acknowledgement that we are all in a global economy and should the US finances fail, the rest of the worlds' will as well. The stimulus money will supplement our most critical social needs, and allow us the hope we must have to pull ourselves out of this money mire. It’s my understanding that the majority of the stimulus funds have few or no strings attached in terms of long term funding commitments and/or changes to legislation.
	Billy Powers - I would have advised Gov. Palin to not take the stimulus money evan though there is always something important to spend it on. The Governor could have sent a very strong and important message to the rest of the country. The message is that it will be difficult in these trying times but that Alaskans are a smart and industrious people who will live within our means and work past this and prosper. Our country not living within it's means and not being smart is what got us in this predicament in the first place. The threat that California is a big hog ready to slurp up the money if we don't take it only makes our message stronger.

5.	To All: Per discussion @ the assembly last night should school funding be cut to balance the budget?
	Phil Isley - I still believe that we could do more with less school funds. We have all the resources to educate our children, why can't we do it. With 64% of all students failing to graduate and 53% of minorities there is lots of room improvement. People need to get involved. People solve problems money does not solve problems.
	Walt Monegan - Cutting about 1/2 of 1 percent of their total budget will not destabilize their program. To believe that our children will suffer over the cut is, at best, an overreaction, and at worst, a misdirected fear tactic. Knowing Superintendent Comeau, she would seek the reductions in areas other than direct services to our children.
	Billy Powers - I have been promoting a Trimester system that will allow us to use our schools all year for the benefit of students, teachers, and tax payers. We cannot afford to vacate billions of dollars worth of school properties for a third of the year. By offering families the flexibility to choose two of the three semesters offered we will see better results. And if a child falls behind the third semester is there, so no child will get left behind. Teachers will have flexibility to teach one semester (payed for one semester) two semesters (payed as they are now) or if they want to make more money they can work all year. Tax payers will not have to pay for another school for decades because we will immediately be able to accommodate 30% more students. The only school we will need will be a nice school for Girdwood. I also intend to establish our schools as community rec centers with libraries, computer labs, gymnasiums, pools, locker rooms open early and staying open late including weekends. We already own these properties let's use them. As we retire the bonds currently on the books tax payers will see relief.

6.	To All: How many of our children have to get mauled before we shoot bears?
	Phil Isley - Bears and humans don't mix well. Bears could be relocated or sent to zoos if possible before being killed if possible. I am not fond of killing needlessly, but people are more important then animals and if a parent has to kill a bear to protect his family or property so be it.
	Walt Monegan - This is a question from the heart that wants to hear only one answer. But, the real answer must focus on a multi-level approach of game management and public education. Tag, monitor, and remove problem animals; and outreach to the community through classrooms, public forums, signage, and internet, about urban/animal interface issues.
	*Billy Powers - NONE. I personally enjoy bears, but when they get out of hand in an area we have a hunt in that area.*

7.	To All: How does Girdwood fit into your plans for the M.O.A.?
	*Phil Isley - That would be up to the Girdwood Community Counsel*
	Walt Monegan - Girdwood will be one of the crown jewels in Anchorage's increased tourism plan. Not in a junky-commercial way, but in the way we value our surroundings and in what visitors expect to see in Alaska. Hiking, gold panning, skiing, and fine meals, are all what we would want if we were the visitors. Let's work in building the infrastructure necessary to support that, and then...let them come.
	Billy Powers - The past 30 years Anchorage has not had leadership with much vision. Lots of money was spent on expensive projects that didn't do much to bring interest to our area. Sullivan Arena (not big enough for anything but a small local game or third rate concert), Eagan Center (small not hardly used), Museum (half brick half smoke and mirrors, ugly, not used much), Performing Arts Center (outrageously expensive), De'naina Center (to small because of to small foot print design constraints), Loussac Library (expensive poor design), Spenard Rec Center, Fairview Rec Center, Dempsey Anderson Ice Rink, Ben Boeke Ice Rink, Harry McDonald Ice Rink,etc. Most of these properties have inadequate or no parking, The money spent on Loussac should have been spent to enhance and make comprehensive one library at and in conjunction with the universities. All other libraries, rec centers, ice rinks, skateboard parks, soccer fields, etc should be at the school properties and open to the public. For the money spent on all these inadequate properties we could have had a real facility complex with parking on par with Madison Square Garden only better. With our great International Airport and northern crossroads location we could be attracting World Class events creating interest and traffic in our state (Olympics,Concerts,Festivals,Sporting events,Conventions,etc.) Girdwood is a World Class Resort with endless potential that greatly enhances the MOA.

8.	To All: Once elected, what are your top three priorities?
	*Phil Isley - Budget, transportation, public safety.*
	Walt Monegan - Stabilize the budget, prepare our economy for both the immediate and long term challenges, and seek and support the solutions for our long term energy needs. In other words: cut and consolidate municipal government; streamline our permitting and site inspection processes, as well also promoting our visitor industry; and, work for cheaper and renewable energy sources that surround us.
	Billy Powers - Tax relief and reform, Education improvement and reform, Transparency and reduction of city government and the outrageous way of spending money in this economic environment.

9.	To All: Do you support a Municipal Sales Tax?
	*Phil Isley - No.*
	*Walt Monegan - Yes. See Question #3.*
	*Billy Powers - YES to replace property tax. But not both. I like the concept of people actually owning property.*

10.	To All: Will you complete the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail?
	Phil Isley - Money is tight. Everybody wants money for their projects. If the trail is that important, the people that want to expand it can raise the funds to complete the trail. I fail to see how it could top education and education always wants more money.
	Walt Monegan - Certainly not in my first term, unless we are given unexpected funding that would allow it. I do feel that the extension will happen, and I would support it at a financially appropriate time, because such a trail that someday spans the length of the Municipality in itself would be unique and a credit to our community spirit. It would be unwise to spend significant sums of money to complete the Coastal Trail in a time of budget deficits and when questions remain about our ability to effectively ensure people’s safety on the existing trail systems.
	*Billy Powers - Not a priority right now.*

11.	To All: Are you aware of plans to develop an extensive network of multi-use trails on HLB land in the upper Girdwood Valley? Do you support those plans?
	*Phil Isley - I was not aware of the plans. If the people want trails let them build trails. I don't think we should spend funds on trails at this time.*
	*Walt Monegan - I first heard of that during our meeting, but would seek more community input to see if such plans are in the best interest of the Girdwood community.*
	*Billy Powers - No, not at this time.*

12.	To All: Would you be an advocate for DOT funds being used to upgrade the Seward Hwy between Girdwood and Anchorage to a divided 4-lane highway?
	*Phil Isley - If Dominic's power plant/bridge was built, I don't think you would it would be necessary. Otherwise, I would support it if Girdwood supported the project.*
	Walt Monegan - The dangers of this scenic highway are well known, and alternate plans which include a larger highway within the mountain ranges are still in play. I am in favor of making the transit from Girdwood to Anchorage safer for all motorists, and if it becomes the divided 4-lane highway, yes.
	*Billy Powers - YES*

13.	To All: Do you share Carol Comeau’s disappointment in Governor Palin’s reluctance to accept Federal stimulus money for education?
	Phil Isley - No. Ms Comeau has enough friends to circumvent the decision. Governor Palin left the door open. All the educators want the money and Ms Comeau can fight the university for her share.
	Walt Monegan - I do share her disappointment. In fact, I met and spoke to Carol Comeau about it last week. These funds would allow much needed equipment and training for our most vulnerable children; as well as being able to operate closer to the actual costs of such services that have been historically underfunded for years. ASD bears the mandate to additionally educate some 9000 special needs children, of which some 900 are intensive special needs kids. Costs for transportation and even individual care for these children have not been in synch with funding levels for years. This would give an opportunity to at least catch up upon equipment and training necessary to continue such services.
	*Billy Powers - No, It is not our money. Spending it sends the wrong message to the world.*

14.	To All: To the extent the Mayor can influence the School District budget, do you support a K thru 12 school in Girdwood?
	*Phil Isley - Do you want K-12 in Girdwood? I think it would be great. But I would support your decision.*
	Walt Monegan - I believe we see other Alaskan communities with such schools. I would work to explore with ASD whether such a school that would see offset transportation costs and what issues it may encounter.
	*Billy Powers - YES, It is not right that kids travel the road every, not to mention unsafe.*

15.	To All: Do you have a vision for the future of Girdwood? If so, what is it?
	*Phil Isley - I would support your vision of Girdwood.*
	*Walt Monegan - A unique semi-rural small town community blended within its natural environment that offers residents and visitors a taste of the Alaskan experience.*
	*Billy Powers - A community that governs it's self with support of MOA when desired.*

16.	To All: Should Municipal Utilities be put back under the tax cap?
	*Phil Isley - The power company should be integrated into Chugach Electric. I would have to review the rest of them.*
	*Walt Monegan - Yes, I signed the petition.*
	*Billy Powers - YES, but more tax reform is necessary.*

17.	To All: How can those of you who have not bothered to answer the Alaska Daily News forum questions, expect us to take your candidacy seriously?
	*Phil Isley - I answered the Anchorage Daily News questions and have attended most of the forums.*
	*Walt Monegan - I answered the questions.*


18.	To All: Currently the MOA budget funds are being drastically reduced, while demands for increases in the Anchorage School Districts budgets have been requested. What are each of you prepared to do in order to stop or reverse the bloated ASD’s budget, and constant whining for more funds?
	Phil Isley - I am recommending no votes on the school bonds. I would also like an audit and perhaps an investigation of how previous school bonds were spent. Next, I would like to make ASD salaries open to the public. I would demand change and perhaps veto the budget.
	Walt Monegan - Again, a question from the heart that wants to hear only one answer. Education is a little tougher in that about 60% of the ASD budget is from Feds or State of Alaska (SOA), the rest is currently property tax. Realistically in these darkening economic times, asking the SOA to fund all of public education could only come at a cost of something else, and what state services could you see best be reduced? What would happen is ASD and all other districts would see a massive reduction of budget, as well as some current state services. Even if not asked to pick up 100% of the education costs, as long as the SOA has a resource extraction tax based budget, with less oil we will see declining revenues and services. That is why the Governor is pushing the gas line so hard; another symbolic carrot into the pot. The answer is not to shift the burden of costs, but to utilize a program in which we see better return upon our investment. If we ask ASD to create two equal tracks of education where academics and vocational training are meaningful and available, we would see our kids develop more interest [less drop outs], more self-esteem [less crime], and more individual success which will manifest into a better economy for all of us.
	*Billy Powers - Refer to question 5. Also city spending is full of places to cut. Department heads are way over paid. Many city services can be privatized.*

19.	To All: Do you support the Tax Cap Initiative? Do you agree with the Budget Advisory Commission that is should be re-written?
	*Phil Isley - I support the tax cap and I am not sure of the Budget Advisory Commission.*
	Walt Monegan - I signed the initiative, and believe the authors of that intended it to restore the tax cap to its pre-2003 interpretation, as I do.
	*Billy Powers - Yes to both.*

20.	To All: Do you think the Governor should have accepted the economic stimulus money for Alaska?
	*Phil Isley - No*
	Walt Monegan - Yes, this is bridge money to assist all of us over these troubled economic times. Its uses include buying needed equipment and training to better help our special needs students, public safety support, and so much more. Those speaking against accepting the money because it is from loans by foreign countries, do not understand as those foreign governments do, that we are all in one global economy, and should the US fall, so will the rest of the world.
	*Billy Powers - No. We are smart industrious people we don't need to spend our grand children's money.*

21.	To All: Can any of the candidates name any MOA program, department or service that they have ended or stopped once it was in place?
	*Phil Isley - No.*
	Walt Monegan - As APDs Chief of Police, I reversed the generalization of detectives duties, and returned it to the specialized units necessary for the higher solvency rates of crime investigated. I modified many other areas, such as: established a set time period for recruit application processing, dispatcher training, and internal investigation complaint completion; moved to more economic and practical police vehicles; consolidated our 5 different 911 data bases into one; expanded our K-9 unit; moved computers into our police vehicles; created a citizens academy to de-mystify police operations; and brought the police union leadership into operations meetings to better educate them on how and why we change operations, to name a few.
	*Billy Powers - NO*

22.	To All: Assessments are going up while housing prices are going down. Appealing assessments is time consuming, expensive and difficult. Do you have any plans to make assessments more current to actual housing prices?
	Phil Isley - I am appealing my assessment. I would reverse Mayor Mark's decision and bring back a real Board of Equalization. I would think by the second year, we could start lowering assessments.
	*Walt Monegan - Return the assessment process to a board that restores trust and fairness to the process. As for the question of who is appointed to that board, I am open to input.*
	Billy Powers - Yes. I will propose that the city will either reduce a property assessment to a value acceptable to the owner or buy the property from the owner at the price they assess it at.

23.	To Mr. Claman: Since the firemen have waived their raise can we keep fire stations open? It is a matter of public safety.
	*Phil Isley - I think we can keep the fire stations open. I think the closing of the fire stations were a political thing between the acting mayor and the fire department leadership.*

24.	To Mr. Honeman: Bears, bears, bears – Girdwood has too many bears! How will you deal with this dangerous problem as Mayor?

25.	To Ms. Selkregg: Do you support establishment of an Anchorage High School in Girdwood. Why or Why Not?

26.	To Mr. Monagan: Would “Troopergate” have an impact on the working relationship between Mayor Walt Monagan and Governor Sarah Palin?
	Walt Monegan - No, though I certainly explored that before running. I did not want to bring harm to the community I love. The short answer is that the Governor is professional and will work with me or anyone who is elected mayor because Anchorage represents 42% of Alaska’s citizens. And from a personal note, I believe that she has the ability to see me as she had before, a long time public servant willing to help for the greater good.


We are also including the questions that were asked, so that if you feel a need to elaborate you may do so at this time.
1.	Sarah Palin recently refused a fairly large portion of stimulus money from the federal government. If you were Mayor of Anchorage would you have supported this decision? Why or why not?
	*Phil Isley - Yes, the stimulus is a credit card. Our country is in trouble because they are living on extended credit like credit cards.*
	*Walt Monegan - No, see my answer to Q.20.*

2.	Can the Muni provide flexibility in the administration of Chapter 9 so that we can keep Girdwood looking like Girdwood – no paving, no street lights?
	*Phil Isley - I think the Girdwood Community Counsel should rewrite Chapter 9.*
	Walt Monegan - I stated paving keeps roads keeps them from being dusty, and in better repair; but street lights could be flexible in areas other than pedestrian safety concerns. Accepting community input is critical in building a place people want to live and to visit.

3.	What do you see as the #1 issue for families? How will you help solve this issue? Give me specifics not generalities or you won’t get my vote!
	*Phil Isley - Family involvement. There needs to be more community involvement.*
	*Walt Monegan - I recall this being a mixed response of safety, education, and jobs. All are necessary for hope, which really is the key for success and happiness for any family.*

4.	Given the likelihood of a run-off election, who in your opinion, should be the two candidates in the run-off?
	*Phil Isley - Hopefully, Phil Isley and Dan Sullivan.*
	*Walt Monegan - Dan Sullivan and Walt Monegan, have been 1 & 2, in the last three polls I am aware of.*

5.	If elected will you continue with quarterly meetings with the GBOS as did Mayor Begich to discuss Girdwood issues?
	*Phil Isley - Yes.*
	*Walt Monegan - Yes, all relationships depend on the strength of communications. And I want a strong relationship with the Girdwood community.*

6.	Are you in favor of and would you pursue implementation of a recycling collection site in Girdwood?
	*Phil Isley - Yes*
	*Walt Monegan - In time, yes. This will require cheap energy and money, both are in short supply at the moment.*

7.	The current IM program, or as I would like to call it “a tax on the Stupid” program is a proven, and totally useless, ineffectual bureaucratic program that refuses to go away. What would each of you do to eliminate this mindless cost to taxpayers?
	*Phil Isley - I would like to do away with the program. It doesn't address any vehicles from the valley. Most of the newer cars meet the required standards and the older cars are exempt.*
	Walt Monegan - Yes, automotive technology has changed cars to computers on wheels, and there is little home mechanics can do to alter emissions. We need another means to pay for the monitoring of air quality.

8.	Do you support the development of a baseball park, soccer field, and local trails? If so, how much money would you devote to theses improvements?
	*Phil Isley - I think these things should be built by the community. It ties the community and families together.*
	*Walt Monegan - I do support them, but any such project must be a combination of Muni, corporate sponsors, and citizens to succeed.*

9.	Do you support the recent cuts in the Anchorage School district budget? Why or why not?
	Phil Isley - I think they could be deeper. More money doesn't make smarter children. The ASD needs rethink its methods. We keep giving more money without getting better education or more graduates.
	*Walt Monegan - Yes, less than ½ of one percent was cut, and efficiencies of $3.8M in a $760+M budget can be found.*

10.	Do you support the expansion and development of the Alyeska Ski Resort? If yes, what roll should the municipality play in making sure this development happens?
	*Phil Isley - Yes, support the communities decisions.*
	*Walt Monegan - MOA has a lot of Heritage Land Bank property to offer, and to streamline the permit and inspection process will change obstruction to construction.*

11.	It’s a widely known fact that drugs are a big problem in Girdwood. The Alaska State Troopers don’t seem to be doing much to solve this problem. Would you support Anchorage Police Department service in Girdwood?
	*Phil Isley - The community is the first line against drugs. Your involvement can cure the problem. I am not sure an Anchorage Police Department in Girdwood would help.*
	Walt Monegan - Not without all residents knowing that there will be a significant rise in property tax to fund 24 officers, a towing contract, and a repeater tower. I would offer instead that APD is a part of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement unit that includes AST. “Metro” can be directed to work drug complaints from time to time, as well encouraging as residents to take a more active part in illuminating such activity to authorities.