By ARIADNE WILL
Sentinel Staff Writer
Candidates for the Assembly responded to questions in a Zoom forum sponsored by the Sitka Rotary Club Tuesday.
Many who participated said their history and relationship with the community qualified them for a seat on the Assembly.
Candidates for the two open seats on the Assembly in the Oct. 6 election are Rebecca Himschoot, Crystal Duncan, Marshall Albertson, Steve Lee, Leo Jimmy, Frederick Olsen and Amy Bethune.
“I’ve been in Sitka for a really long time, so I know a lot of people to go to to ask questions,” Himschoot said.
Duncan also stressed her connections to Sitka, saying she has left Sitka only to pursue higher education.
“I have a lifetime of experience,” Duncan said. “I love this community and I am a part of this community.”
Seven of the eight Assembly candidates took part in the forum. Rotary President Catherine Rogers said that candidate Diana Dapcevich, who did not attend, was feeling ill that day.
Albertson logged onto Zoom as other candidates were finishing their responses to Rotary’s first question, which had been sent out prior to the forum, asking them to reflect on Rotary’s values and motto, “Service above self.”
“Rotarians are encouraged to use the Four-Way Test when making decisions,” Rogers said. “The Four-Way Test asks people to consider (the following): is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
Candidates were also asked about their vision for Sitka’s future, whether they would swear during Assembly meetings, and why they believe they’re the right choice for the Assembly.
The question on Rotary values was the only question provided to the candidates beforehand, and the candidates were given three minutes to respond to each question.
Many candidates called for more communication between governmental bodies, and between the Assembly and the Sitka Tribe of Alaska.
“There are certain issues I want to try to work on, the top one being the treatment and communication of government to government,” Jimmy said.
Both Himschoot and Olsen endorsed heightened communication with the Tribe.
“The best decisions are made together,” Himschoot said.
Affordability was also at the top of many of the candidates’ agendas.
“With the budget we have, what can we do to make Sitka better?” asked Olsen, who said he wants to tackle affordable housing.
Albertson agreed with the problem, and said he sees a solution in offering more apprenticeships to Sitka’s youth.
“Two of my businesses ... do apprenticeship programs,” he said. “That way some of our high schoolers coming out of school can start earning money right away and get a journeyman ticket after a couple years.”
But candidates said they also are invested in communication with other Assembly members – and with the community.
“We have people criticizing each other; that needs to stop,” Lee said. “We need to listen, we need to communicate, and that will heal.”
Duncan, like Lee, hopes that communication with the community will come with a more approachable Assembly.
“The experts on the community of Sitka are the people of Sitka,” she said. “We have a lot to offer – we just need to figure a way to draw that out.”
