The Municipality of Anchorage will hold an election on April 3. One position up for election is that of Mayor. To those who want to govern it, our city presents interesting challenges, among them security, inclusion, and economic development.
With this in mind, Sol de Medianoche sent three of Anchorage’s mayoral candidates three questions regarding the city’s concerns. Here we are presenting in alphabetical order the answers of Ethan Berkowitz (Democrat), Nelson Godoy (Independent), and Rebecca Logan (Republican). Dustin Darden, Timothy R. Hult, Jacob Kern, Paul Kendall, Matthew Mendonsa, and Ron Stafford have also registered their candidacies. Due to time and space considerations, Sol de Medianoche does not present more information about these candidates. Ethan Berkowitz (Democrat) 1. Why are you running for reelection? Anchorage is a great place to live, and we have unique opportunities to show the rest of the state and the rest of the country the way things can be and should be, both in terms of how we manage our city, and how our community comes together. For example, during my first term, we rebuilt the police department, and increased the Municipality’s financial stability, giving us a strong foundation to move us forward over the next three years. We have launched our Welcoming Anchorage initiative and made inclusivity a key value. We will continue our commitment to demonstrate that no matter where you come from, or how long you have lived here, Anchorage is your home, and that your voice and your concerns matter 2. Safety is one of the concerns of Anchorage’s residents. How will you respond to the insecurity situation that the city is facing? Do you plan to make changes in the police? As a father and a husband, and as a former prosecutor and currently as Mayor, I have personal and professional understanding of the public safety challenges confronting Anchorage. Public safety is more than a law enforcement issue. Our city has paid the price as the State has scaled back its law enforcement, its drug and alcohol treatment, and its mental health support, particularly given the ongoing opioid epidemic. Since taking office in 2015, we have increased the police department from approximately 350 to 430 officers (50 of whom are in training)—allowing for community policing and foot patrols in Mountain View, Fairview, Spenard, and Downtown, as well as other specialty units that allow for a more proactive strategy to prevent crime, rather than simply respond to it. These efforts to strengthen the police department will continue. We have also launched plans to expand the number of detox and treatment facilities in the Municipality, and created partnerships with state and federal agencies to combat labor and sex trafficking. We are continuing to work with community organizations to make sure that people’s concerns are addressed, and all residents know they can contact law enforcement if they have been a victim or a witness to a crime. 3. Do you support Proposition 1? No. It is wrong to single out any group of people for discriminatory treatment, and Prop. 1 does that, preying on stereotypes and unfounded fears. It is being advanced by a special interest group that imports efforts attempted in Lower 48 cities and states—the result is always to create an economic backlash that harms local businesses, jobs and families and is contrary to our community’s values. It is a phantom issue designed to wedge our community apart—APD has not had any reports of problems stemming from our current policy, so this is just a distraction from the issues that matter. Nelson Godoy (Independent) 1. Why are you running for Mayor? I am running for Mayor as Independent candidate to make the municipality of Anchorage a model of safe and prosperous city, working together to empower the community, where all local government departments utilize the resources available to address residents’ questions and concerns. 2. Safety is one of the concerns of Anchorage’s residents. How will you respond to the insecurity situation that the city is facing? Do you plan to make changes in the police? As a Mayor, my priority will be the safety of the citizens, committing to work with the Police Department and get the necessary resources, such as technology and training, to fight crime to have a safe city, and continue working with the department without changes in its administration. 3. Do you support Proposition 1? It is important that there is no discrimination. We have to rely on the respect and values of each person, because we live in a diverse society. We should work together for a community based on the ideologies of each person, and keep out of Anchorage any form of discrimination. Rebeca Logan (Republican) 1. Why are you running for Mayor? I am running for Mayor because of my great concern over public safety. Public safety is the number one role of government and should be the top priority for the Mayor. I am also concerned about Anchorage’s small businesses. We are in a recession and the current Mayor is proposing several new taxes. I do not believe now is the time to impose new taxes when businesses are already struggling. 2. Safety is one of the concerns of Anchorage’s residents. How will you respond to the insecurity situation that the city is facing? Do you plan to make changes in the police? Anchorage is currently allowing many crimes to go unpunished (petty theft, shoplifting, vandalism) and that has to change. In addition, we have allowed the state to pass a law that takes away local control, preventing the city from establishing tougher penalties for some crimes. I plan to actively advocate to change that law and to begin punishing those criminals who are guilty of theft, vandalism, et cetera. Without knowing the details of how the current police force is structured and how they are dispatched I am not able to say whether or not I would make changes to the police. 3. Do you support Proposition 1? No answer. |
Ethan Berkowitz
Nelson Godoy
Rebeca Logan
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