Joy Beth Cottle A strong community begins with a strong educational system
by georgina arias ávila
Sol de Medianoche News interviewed Harmony Tomaszewski, of the Republican party, and Joy Beth Cottle, who is registered as nonpartisan. Both represent district 34 (Fox, Pleasant Valley. Eielson Air Force Base and Salcha areas) and are seeking a seat in the Alaska House of Representatives.
Tell us about yourself? I was born in Nome and raised in a farming community in Delta Junction before attending UAF thanks to a few scholarships which included one from British Petroleum in 1999. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Associate in Municipal Fire Science, and an Associate in Emergency Medical Services from the University of Alaska Fairbanks throughout my career. In 2003, I became the first female firefighter ever hired in the Fairbanks Fire Department. Promoting through Driver and Captain ranks to Battalion Chief, I left employment at the City of Fairbanks to pursue my passion educating young firefighters at the University’s Fire Department. I continue to teach student firefighters the tricks of the trade, to implement cost-saving measures, and to support other women and minorities entering the fire service. The department now employs a workforce of over 1/3 women. What motivated you to run for the Alaska House of Representatives representing District 34? I’ve seen too many of my friends, neighbors, and colleagues leaving Alaska. Whether due to more profitable employment opportunities, fear of more school closures affecting their families, the high (and still increasing) costs to power and heat our homes and businesses, or other reasons. I know our great state can do better, and I want to be a part of that change.
What are your legislative proposals regarding education? A strong community begins with a strong educational system. Our Alaska Constitution places the onus of public education on the state, and we cannot afford to continue under-funding our schools, our educators, and our student services. These children are Alaska’s future, and it’s time for us to invest in our future by keeping schools adequately funded to keep pace with inflation. We’ve had three separate schools in District 34 alone shut down.
What policies do you support regarding energy affordability? Many Alaskans in the Interior are spending an enormous percentage of their income on utility costs. With an end-goal of affordable clean energy and responsible budget allocation, I support projects and initiatives designed to reduce and stabilize energy costs in the Interior.
Why is public safety important and what are your goals in this area? The increased focus on recruitment and retention for jobs in the public safety sector has hit an all-time high. Watching many of the best Tier IV firefighters I trained throughout my career leave Alaska to work towards a pension-style retirement in another state has convinced me we need a change to be competitive. The real impacts to quality service delivery, costs of training recruits, and energy devoted by leadership towards constant recruitment could be massively reduced by encouraging retention with a defined benefit system. We are the only state without a defined benefit system for public safety, and the costs to our state and local government of our employee turnover reflect that.
What would you say to the Fairbanks Latino community to encourage them to participate in local elections? I am here to work hard for hard working Alaskans, not just to serve my District, but all of Alaska. The Latino community has helped build Fairbanks, through your businesses, your labor, your families, and the culture you bring to our town. I want that contribution reflected in who shows up to vote and who gets heard in Juneau.
