Statements and bios from the Assembly candidates follow.
Aaron Bean
Aaron Bean
Assembly Candidate
Aaron Bean, 40, born and raised in Sitka, has extensive experience in a wide range of leadership roles on his path to running for the Assembly. Throughout Aaron’s life he worked as a commercial fisherman, charter fisherman, police officer, tribal court caseworker, natural resource specialist and is a small business owner. Aaron considers himself a husband first, to his wife Mellissa, and father to their three boys, Adam (sixteen), Ashton (11) and Mason (3) before anything else.
Aaron’s hobbies include sport fishing, hiking, hunting and playing guitar.
Advocacy Statement: My name is Aaron Bean. I was born and raised in Sitka and I’m asking for your vote in October. As a candidate for Sitka’s Assembly I’m committed to Sitka’s wellbeing and I look forward to making decisions that are in the best interest of everyone who would like to continue to live here. I’m grounded with the work ethic of a commercial fisherman, with integrity and difficult decision-making
skills of a police officer and the self-determination of a small business owner. I will take my character traits and apply them to my work for Sitka. These past few years on Assembly, I’ve gained a tremendous amount of knowledge concerning Sitka’s annul budget process and policy-making. I understand the hardships and tough decisions Sitka is facing, and I’d like to contribute to the solutions. When elected, I will continue to represent the people’s interests.
Thor Christianson
Thor Christianson
Assembly Candidate
My name is Thor Christianson and I am running for Assembly. I was born and raised here in Sitka, and am proud to be raising my two daughters here. I have served three terms on the Assembly in the past, from 1998 to 2004, and from 2010 to 2013.
Our community faces a number of challenges right now, and it is important that our Assembly addresses them in a calm, well-thought-out manner.
Of all the issues concerning Sitka right now, the state budget is the largest. The state is failing to honor its commitment to fund 70% of the school bonds, funding only 35% now. This is on top of the threats to school funding and other cuts to state agencies and services. This could be devastating to Sitka’s economy. I don’t believe the situation at the state level will last forever, but in the meantime Sitka is going to have to make some changes.
We will have to have our priorities set, so that when hard choices have to be made, we can look at our priority list to help with our decisions. We will have to consider both limiting services, and generating revenue. I see the city’s main responsibilities to be education and public safety. I realize that others on the Assembly may have different priorities, and that is where the work of respectful, transparent collaboration comes in.
I believe that if the Assembly works in partnership with interested members of the public we can weather any storm. I believe that it very important for the Assembly to treat the city staff with respect. Our city employees work hard, and are Sitkans themselves. We need to make the city of Sitka the kind of place people will WANT to work. If I am elected I will endeavor to make the city of Sitka a place people are proud to say they work.
Sitka has one of the most diverse economies in S.E. Alaska. The Assembly should do everything its power to support a strong city economy. As part of your Assembly I will look for ways to help all businesses in Sitka from nonprofits to health care to tourism companies. That may mean removing bureaucratic barriers, or it may mean actively helping a company. Local companies should know that when they go to the city they will hear “How can we help?” As in other S.E. Alaskan towns, Sitkans are concerned with challenges in health care, transportation, addiction and housing. I don’t claim to have quick fixes or easy answers, but I believe my experiences can help as the Assembly navigates these troubles. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work to help Sitka remain an incredible place to live. Thank you for considering me to serve as one of your Assembly members.
Kevin Knox
Kevin Knox
Assembly Candidate
I’m Kevin Knox and running for re-election to the Sitka Assembly. My three years on the Assembly have been rewarding, intellectually stimulating, challenging, and for our future I felt compelled to ask for another term to serve Sitka. Raising our son and daughter here, my family and I are invested in the future of Sitka and seeing it thrive. I ask for the privilege to contribute to our community by serving on the Assembly for another three years.
Where some people see catastrophe and hard times, we need to seek out opportunity. Sitka is a remarkable place. My family moved here in 1973, when my father accepted a position with Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital. I attended Sitka Public Schools, the same schools that my mother Kara taught in for more than 20 years. I graduated from Sitka High in 1989, and from Western Washington University in 1994. I lived in Seattle for many years, working in diverse settings, including youth services for homeless teens, the American Cancer Society, and as a commercial airline pilot.
Since returning home in 2010 I have served on non-profit boards, City of Sitka commissions and now on the Assembly. My life here has been enriched by everything that makes Sitka what it is, from the outdoors and subsistence lifestyle to rich arts and cultural offerings. I have immersed myself with my family in that diversity of life.
It is a privilege to raise a family in a town that values social service programs, arts and culture, a quality school system, and a growing spectrum of health care services. To preserve and sustain these unique privileges during changing economic times, and a dramatically shifting state political landscape has compelled me to run for a second term. My priorities for both short- and long-term will include: Providing Sitka’s new municipal administrator a vision and clear direction to assure quality public services. Continue to prioritize a forward-thinking fiscal model that includes an appropriate resource allocation to our children’s education and citizens in need, with an eye towards economic and social equality. And to examine ways to diversify economic development as well as addressing housing and critical infrastructure needs.
My experience over the past three years of listening to the community exchange on the issues Sitka has tackled has enriched my experience here. I believe that the challenges the Assembly has faced and my process and tenor at the table are what Sitka needs more of. We must strive to engage in a calm discourse with our community and at the table with each other. I wish to be a part of that dialogue, process and tenor through challenges and successes. I am running again for Assembly because I am invested in helping Sitka continue to be a good place for my family and for yours.
Steve Lee
Steve Lee
Assembly Candidate
My name is Steve Lee and I am running for City Assembly. I am running because I believe that we as a community must restore transparency and accessibility to the Assembly. Our community is at a crossroads. Our economy is stagnating, and we are seeing an increase in young and working class families leaving at a devastating rate.
We need to act swiftly if we want Sitka to thrive. We need to change the narrative. We must become a city that allows new and small businesses to be successful. This starts with our City’s leadership, and if elected I plan to lead the charge through a collaborative effort with our residents.
It’s no secret that Sitka has seen a rise in drug abuse, as well as a recurring need in the area of homelessness. I believe that being a representative of Sitka includes addressing these issues with compassion. I believe it is our duty to work with existing organizations to find ways to expand local treatment options for those seeking help, as well as support local efforts for a men’s shelter.
To see Sitka thrive, I believe that we must all come together as a community. Collaboration is more important than ever, and we must ensure that all Sitkans have a voice at the table. I want to repair the disconnect between the leadership and the community, and ensure that the Assembly is accountable and transparent.
I am 43 years old and have lived in Alaska for seven years. I lived in Juneau for two years before moving to Sitka. I cannot think of a more beautiful place to have called home for the last five years. I was born in Killeen, Texas, and before living in Alaska, spent time in California, Hawaii, and South Korea, where I spent seven years living as a Buddhist monk.
I love sports, and I am extremely passionate about people. I enjoy any opportunity to lend a hand and take great pride in serving people. I spent multiple years working at Kenny’s Wok and Teriyaki before transitioning to my current job as a patient housing clerk for SEARHC. I love Sitka and all of the opportunities that I have to be present and active within the community.
My name is Steve Lee. Let’s do this together.
Benjamin Miyasato
Benjamin Miyasato
Assembly Candidate
My name is Benjamin Miyasato and I am a candidate for City and Borough of Sitka’s Assembly. I have served previously on the Assembly from October 2013 until October 2016 and once again from October 2017 until October 2018. Also, I have served on the Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Tribal Council from November 2011 until January 2017. I have years of elected office experience and will be able to be a contributing member to our Assembly immediately.
I was born and raised here in Sitka and am a product of the Sitka School District. Our schools and education system are very important to me as I have a nephew who has just started kindergarten here in town. We need to keep our education system funded and not let the state shrink its education budget. Before I ever entertained the idea of serving in elected office I worked in the banking industry for 20 years and served in the Alaska Army National Guard for 20 years. I deployed twice and earned the Combat Infantry Badge on my first deployment to Iraq back in 2005.
Serving in elected office has been an eye-opening and rewarding experience. I have seen good years in office and some not-so-good years while serving. Part of those not-so-good years have been due to having to work with evershrinking budgets from federal and state money that the city used to be able to rely on receiving every year. We need to work together to find solutions to the many issues that Sitka is experiencing at this time. I will listen to each and all of your concerns and do so respectfully. We need not agree at all times, but we need to respect those who have views, beliefs that are different from each other. I have done so in the past, and I will do so again if you elect me once again on this October 1. Thank you
Candidates for School Board follow.
Cass Pook
Cass Pook
School Board Candidate
Cass Pook, who is both Tlingit and Greek, was born and raised in Sitka, Alaska, in 1962. Cass attended the Sitka School District from kindergarten through graduation with the class of 1980.
She is Eagle/Killerwhale from the Keet-hit house in Angoon. Cass served on the Sitka School Board from 2000- 2018 and also served on the Alaska Association of School Boards for four years. Cass was born in Sitka at Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital, now known as Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center to Pete and Bertha Karras of Sitka. Her grandparents were the late Mark and Annie Jacobs of Sitka. Cass has five brothers and sisters; Georgina Dapcevich, Pamela Eby, Mike Karras, Peter Karras and Ernie Karras. Cass and her husband Stewart Pook have five children; Cassie Branthoover, Chloe Turner, Cayla Pook, Seth Pook and Cedar Pook. Cass focuses on working in antique beaded jewelry. Due to her success as an artist and not college bound following high school, she understands the importance of vocational and trade options for students and keeping them engaged in school through vocational classes and after school activities to enhance their education. Presently, Cass is in enrolled at UAF pursuing her BSW degree which will be completed in the fall of 2021.
Advocacy statement: My intent to run for a seat on the Sitka School Board is years of experience and knowledge of what we are faced with in education. I feel privileged to be an advocate for our children in Sitka and hope to advocate on the AASB board again on a state level where I meet face-to-face with legislators. My focus is school climate, welcome environment, and student achievement outside the box of core classes such as vocation and extracurricular activities to build assets of wellness and success in our children. It is my goal to maintain programs outside the core classes to keep students engaged in learning and attending schools. I believe that I have a wealth of knowledge and support from community members with the years that I have invested on the School Board. I take my position seriously, especially for the students that are in the gap and are in need of successful endings and pride in education. If re-elected I plan to run for another three-year term with the AASB (Alaska Association of School Boards) Board of Directors. I thank you for your support in this next election and thank you for support in my past years of service.
Paul Rioux
Paul Rioux
School Board Candidate
I’ve entered the race for Sitka School Board because I believe it’s our greatest job as a community to educate our youngest citizens.
As a father of a SHS graduate and three more children still school-age ... there is no question that the success of the schools is important to me.
It is my belief that more difficult financial times are upon us, and that we must work to develop more new collaborations, and innovate strategies to make the funds we do have go as far as possible.
Sitka is blessed with wonderful families and smart, committed staff; and I’d like to work with and advocate for them.
My involvement as an adult volunteer serving youth is a reflection of my commitment to those principles, and I feel it’s time for me to put my voice to work supporting the School District.
My name is Paul Rioux, and I’d appreciate your vote on Tuesday.
