Municipal Elections 2021

In Anchorage, election ballots will begin arriving by mail in mid-March. The Regular
Municipal Elections will be held in April and are home voting elections. Traditional polling
places will not be open and are not an option to vote on Election Day, April 6.
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This year, we will elect a new mayor and four candidates for the School Board.
Of the 15 candidates running for Mayor we sent our questionnaire to,
Sol de Medianoche received only the following responses.

BILL FALSEY

1. Many of the candidates have used the word “vibrant” to describe their vision for Anchorage, please describe what this means along with your vision for the city?

My vision of a vibrant Anchorage is one in which we have played to our strengths and truly become a world-class City of the North.  Where we have become the #1 place to “live, work and play”; where we enjoy a thriving, innovative, and entrepreneurial local economy, great food and arts-&-culture scenes, and a bustling downtown; where our children receive great educations and choose Anchorage as the place to raise their own families; where we age with dignity; and where we celebrate our diversity and attract talent from around the world.

The post-COVID, Zoom-enabled world should play to our advantage—we are a community where workers and families want to be. Doubling down on our status as a headquarters city, a logistics center, and hub for tourism—all while having the best out-of-town of any town in America—our best days should still be ahead of us.
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2. There’s been a lot of discussion around the vitality of Anchorage’s downtown. What is the importance of keeping Anchorage’s downtown healthy/successful, and how would you accomplish this?

A vibrant, clean, and safe downtown is critical to Anchorage’s success. It’s where all parts of the city gather and where visitors to Anchorage spend most of their time; it’s critical to how we market ourselves, and essential for community pride.  Investments and partnerships that ensure downtown continues to thrive, and that make downtown more walkable and active will serve all of us well. Anchorage will need to ensure that the local conditions needed for a robust return of tourism and a thriving restaurant and cultural scene are met. That will include everything from encouraging new construction; to using the mayor’s bully pulpit to encourage residents to patronize recovering businesses; to working with the Anchorage Downtown Partnership and other organizations to engage in strong placemaking, space-activation, and other revitalization efforts. It can also include street-configuration changes to permit support more open-air dining and pedestrian promenades.

3. How do you plan to involve/engage residents in the decision-making processes of the city?

The Mayor has the opportunity and the responsibility to welcome the community into conversations about the city’s pressing issues.  That means communicating openly and honestly, using all the modern communication channels, improving language-access for non-English speakers, and engaging in proactive outreach. It also means making more effective use of the municipality’s boards and commissions—ensuring that appointments reflect the community the municipality serves, and that the boards and commissions have a meaningful opportunity to influence policy—and making the effort to hear from community councils, civic organizations, and other community groups.

4. A tax levy to help Anchorage Police Department purchase body cameras will be on the April ballot. Do you support this levy, and do you have other ideas for how the police department can work on transparency and community relations?
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Yes—I drafted the proposition. In-car and body-worn cameras increase trust, accountability, and officer safety; and the department has a critical need to update its dispatch and records-management systems. APD’s in-car cameras were funded by one-time state grants received nearly a decade ago; they are nearing the end of their useful life. The dispatch system, which 911 operators use to assign officers to incidents, is at risk of critical failure and must be replaced; a new records-management system will help prosecutors efficiently process cases and improve the department’s public reporting of crime data. The proposition going to voters is nearly identical in form to Prop. 9, which voters approved to refresh the Fire Department’s medical equipment in 2020. I strongly support the measure.   

The Department of Justice is currently completing an assessment of APD, and I would use the results of that work to inform future discussions with the police chief about policy changes.
Beyond the proposition and future policy changes, it will also be important to continue supporting the revitalization of the Anchorage Police/Community Relations Task Force, which has—and can—serve to increase transparency and improve community relations.

5. Come springtime, the country will still be dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. What are your first pandemic-related priorities, should you take office this spring?

COVID is the story of two disasters: (1) a public health disaster, and (2) an economic disaster.
In my time at the municipality, I was tasked with dealing with the first. As Incident Commander, my job was to make sure our local healthcare providers and first responders had adequate PPE; that we had adequate quarantine facilities; and that the public had broad access to free COVID testing.

By the time the new Mayor takes office on July 1, much of that work, hopefully, will be winding down, as case counts continue to fall, and life gets closer to “normal.” But I will continue to prioritize public health. Mass vaccination efforts will still be underway, and I will strongly support those efforts.
The second disaster—economic toll of COVID—will still be very much with us in July. As Mayor, economic recovery will be my top priority.

Federal support will be key to the recovery and will likely involve a significant municipal workload. As Mayor, I will stand ready to efficiently and transparently distribute whatever funds the city next receives from the federal government, on the terms required by the federal legislation.
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Beyond merely disbursing federal aid, the city should: (1) support a robust infrastructure program to jump start economic activity; (2) spur new private sector development by assisting with necessary utility work, and incentivizing projects with positive externalities; (3) process construction permits quickly and predictably; and (4) make quality-of-life investments to re-establish and grow our tourism sector and make Anchorage a more attractive place from which to “work from anywhere.” 


FORREST DUNBAR
1. Many of the candidates have used the word “vibrant” to describe their vision for Anchorage, please describe what this means along with your vision for the city?

A vibrant Anchorage is a livable, walkable, bikeable city with a high quality of life, which invests in affordable housing, infrastructure, and an economic framework that allows our small businesses to thrive. It is a city that honors our deep Indigenous history and embraces the many cultures that make our community unique. We can be a city that attracts and retains a trained and talented workforce with world-class outdoor recreation opportunities and healthy neighborhoods where our cultural diversity is on full display, where childcare is accessible and high-quality, and where the public feels safe in their homes and in our greenspaces. Anchorage can be a city where students get a top-tier education, starting with pre-K. We can be a city that exports value-added products, while importing visitors from across the world who will add hundreds of millions of dollars by staying longer. And by engaging every part of our community, we can ensure that benefits of growth are shared equitably across the municipality, without leaving any neighborhood behind.

2. There’s been a lot of discussion around the vitality of Anchorage’s downtown. What is the importance of keeping Anchorage’s downtown healthy/successful, and how would you accomplish this?
My administration will invest in projects to make downtown a safer, cleaner, more walkable neighborhood. One crucial component is having “eyes on the street” and folks actually living downtown. That means regulatory changes, incentives, and the cooperation of the Municipality’s property holding entities, including the Anchorage Community Development Authority, to build housing.

Another common feature of thriving downtowns is a more pedestrian- and bike-friendly physical environment. If we can achieve buy-in from the adjoining businesses, my Administration will seek to transform 4th Avenue and E Street into pedestrian promenades. These have been successful in other cities in increasing spending from foot traffic, and increasing opportunities for markets, outdoor seating, and live music. We can also showcase existing trails, murals, and shops with a better wayfinding system—one that incorporates Indigenous places and language—and work to improve the brand of both downtown and Anchorage for visitors.

All of these plans will require cooperation with the Downtown merchants themselves and will be designed to pencil out in dollars-and-cents. Together, we can develop a new color palette for Downtown, as was done with the Mountain View façade revitalization project, with the Municipality covering a percentage of design and providing technical assistance. Anchorage’s downtown is famously beige, but efforts are already underway to change this impression and give it a renewed sense of history and vibrancy.
3. How do you plan to involve/engage residents in the decision-making processes of the city?

I’m committed to making engagement in local government easier. In my time in public service, community input has helped me develop new ideas, changed my mind, and allowed me to think about problems from different perspectives. This is thanks to the residents who take the time to attend community councils, write emails, call in, or step up to the microphone to share their thoughts. I have seen the tangible benefit that open communication with the public provides.

A simple start is to make the municipal website easier to navigate. While the new COVID-related portions of the site have proved powerful, some of the legacy sections are confusing, opaque, or simply free of useful information. Constituents also need a better calendar of community meetings in order to fully participate Although the coronavirus has limited so much, I plan to continue online events and flexible testimony components to increase accessibility for all who wish to participate in meetings.
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My Administration will hold more town halls on the municipal budget, listening sessions on important topics, and Q&A sessions so that the public knows where we stand. We will utilize technology to increase information accessibility and communication, and improve reporting tools for things like potholes, abandoned cars, and flagging ADA accessibility issues.

4. A tax levy to help Anchorage Police Department purchase body cameras will be on the April ballot. Do you support this levy, and do you have other ideas for how the police department can work on transparency and community relations?

Yes, I support Ballot Measure 4, the special tax levy for APD technology upgrades. These upgrades are necessary for effective data collection, storage, and report processing, and I was a co-sponsor of the version of the ordinance that put this levy on the ballot. The Assembly put a similar measure on the ballot last year for the leasing of medical technology to the Anchorage Fire Department, which has worked well. Both APD and the community have expressed strong support for body cameras; this proposition is a sustainable way to fund them. I have spoken with community members and police officers extensively on this issue and will advocate for strong policies to ensure this technology is used in an effective, equitable manner.

This past summer I also co-sponsored a transparency ordinance, AO 2020-75, with Assembly member Zaletel, which was an important step towards having more community access to and better conversations about our police policies. In addition, I look forward to the results of the ongoing DOJ process that has brought in members of the community to discuss trust between the police department and the community, and the possibility of evidence-based reforms. It is crucial that the Department and the community continue the conversations that have traditionally been held at the Community Police Relations Task Force, as well as look for new ways to build bridges and address problems in a more holistic, community-based way.

5. Come springtime, the country will still be dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. What are your first pandemic-related priorities, should you take office this spring?

​Getting through the public health crisis and getting our economy back to work will be my administration’s top priority. We can’t beat COVID by pretending it doesn’t exist, and we can’t beat it with anti-mask rhetoric or crowded indoor fundraisers. We need speedy distribution of the vaccine, and thoughtful re-opening policies, particularly around our schools.
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My administration will use a fact-based approach to addressing the pandemic and will listen to public health experts on necessary measures. We will disperse new federal COVID relief funding quickly and equitably; we must build stronger community coalitions and use existing channels to get information out to small business owners about grants, to those eligible for the vaccine on appointment availability, and to residents about important health precautions they can take to slow the spread and ensure our community recovers as quickly as possible. I will also continue fighting for two of my biggest priorities last year: rental and mortgage relief funds and subsidies for childcare facilities. We need folks to be secure in their homes and for parents to have access to high quality, affordable childcare if we are going to get our economy back on track. 

JORGE MARTÍNEZ

1. Many of the candidates have used the word “vibrant” to describe their vision for Anchorage, please describe what this means along with your vision for the city?
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My vision of a vibrant Anchorage works to bring together the energy of our cultural diversity built on the foundation of the indigenous roots of this land with a growing economy with good-paying jobs and business opportunities for everyone. Where our neighborhoods and families flourish with safe, clean, and connected streets and where our children are healthy and successful.

2. There’s been a lot of discussion around the vitality of Anchorage’s downtown. What is the importance of keeping Anchorage’s downtown healthy/successful, and how would you accomplish this?
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Downtown is the heartbeat of Anchorage and it is important to activate downtown with culture, color, creativity, and commerce. Here are a few strategies that will activate downtown and help Anchorage visitors to stay longer and explore further while building the mixed-use and affordable housing we need.

• If we love Anchorage, they’ll love it too. Invite new opportunities for civic engagement.
• Expanding Alaskan Native place naming and foster culturally relevant placemaking and strengthening the arts and culture sectors to enhance the visitor experience while creating jobs for local artists.
• Make sure it is safe, clean, colorful, and cultural. Clean up vagrancy issues.
• Enhance public transportation and refocus on pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle safety.
• Expand public art mapping programs to leverage municipal art assets in new ways.
• Increase diversity of vendors while eliminating vacant storefronts.
• Expand the downtown design district and create a master development strategy for the East Downtown Corridor from C to Gambell.

3. How do you plan to involve/engage residents in the decision-making processes of the city?

Yes. My administration will be transparent and inclusive operating with the values of increased access, equity, and diversity. I will strengthen boards and commissions and support the community councils. I am a strong advocate for civic engagement and youth participation.

4. A tax levy to help Anchorage Police Department purchase body cameras will be on the April ballot. Do you support this levy, and do you have other ideas for how the police department can work on transparency and community relations?

I support bodycams for police. I have worked closely with APD and community members for over 5 years on strengthening community/police relations. I am a founding member of the advisory board of Anchorage Cops for Community and will continue to build both quiet and public bridges to improve public safety and trust in law enforcement. I do not support the special levy for body cams because the MOA should have worked to put this into the budget and not politicize APD or this important advancement.

5. Come springtime, the country will still be dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. What are your first pandemic-related priorities, should you take office this spring?
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​• Address the equity gaps by prioritizing the most vulnerable to receive technical assistance, aid, and access to voluntary vaccine distribution.
• Direct federal relief effectively and transparently.
• Help stabilize businesses and safely get the economy moving forward again.
• Prepare for the impending school year.
• Clear out the emergency shelter to put people back in homes.
• Rebuild the public trust by bringing people together again!

JACOB VERSTEEG

1. Many of the candidates have used the word “vibrant” to describe their vision for Anchorage, please describe what this means along with your vision for the city?
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Considering the condition of the State of Alaska, the withholding of portions of residents’ permanent fund dividends and the impact of the pandemic on local businesses this last year, “vibrant” is not the term that comes to mind. “Perseverance” seems more appropriate.

However, It is still the “Last Frontier “. Despite these difficult times the people of Anchorage can still recover and make it the “vibrant” city it once was.

One element that will always make Anchorage “vibrant” is the character of the people. Alaskans were built for difficult times and we have prospered over time.  At this hour, vibrance has been reduced to perseverance but the heart and soul of the Alaskan spirit will ultimately prevail despite any circumstances.

2. There’s been a lot of discussion around the vitality of Anchorage’s downtown. What is the importance of keeping Anchorage’s downtown healthy/successful, and how would you accomplish this?

Solve the homeless problem.

3. How do you plan to involve/engage residents in the decision-making processes of the city?

Incorporate a MOA webpage where ideas from Anchorage residents can form and dialogue and civil debate can exist. Through petitions, community support and majority interest, ideas that gain traction will be prioritized and eventually be brought to a vote as necessary on the website. The registered voters of Anchorage will, on occasion, be given the opportunity to elect in favor or oppose these propositions and this is how decisions will be made. Ultimately, integrating modern technology with outdated political process.

4. A tax levy to help Anchorage Police Department purchase body cameras will be on the April ballot. Do you support this levy, and do you have other ideas for how the police department can work on transparency and community relations?

​Yes.
No

5. Come springtime, the country will still be dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. What are your first pandemic-related priorities, should you take office this spring?
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Open business with guidelines that put temporary restrictions on impacted businesses. Once negative testing is completed, secondary guidelines will be implemented to reduce exposure with the potential to eventually revert to initial guidelines over time. ​