As I watched Merrill Sanford during the Question and Answer session sponsored by the League of Women Voters last week, I was impressed by some of his heartfelt delivery. But I was also amazed at his expressing fondness for some aspects of Juneau life that his voting record simply has not supported. I guess it is politics to reach out to voters who have not paid attention to how steadfast and predictably Mr. Sanford has commented, questioned, and voted during his tenure in the Juneau Assembly.
I am looking for someone to conduct Assembly meetings with a proven track record of negotiation. Cheryl Jebe’s professional employment provides such a track record. I am looking for someone who does not have a predictably partisan background. Cheryl Jebe was the president of the Juneau League of Women Voters, then the president of the Alaska League of Women voters, and remains active in the organization. Why is this background valuable in the position of mayor? The League of Women Voters believes, “An honest and respectful sharing of ideas is vital to the functioning of American democracy.”
In the League, opinions are formed only after research, study and consensus. A fair and impartial view toward leadership in the Assembly gets my vote. I am voting for Cheryl Jebe for Mayor.
Patricia O’Brien
Juneau
Comments (3)
Add commentYou want it BOTH ways, right Pat?
Mr. Sanford says what he believes and means what he says. "Heartfelt" you say, followed by doubletalk conclusions.
Ah, the candidate you want isn’t "predictably partisan," you say. Others might say Ms. Jebe is cloaked in the sanctimony of the do-gooder League of Women Voters. Is ignorance partisan? She might as well have been a Girlscout leader for all the good it will do her as mayor.
Hasn't Juneau embarrassed itself enough with the most recent doctrinaire mayor, who launched a disastrous statewide campaign to create ever more Juneau bureaucracy? Isn’t it time for a mayor who just works for the good of the people who live and raise their families in Juneau?
I think the League of Women Voters are as likely to do research on issues AFTER they have reached a conclusion as they are to research issues before conclusion is reached. The League's great campaign against inhabiting areas of Juneau deemed to be avalanche zones comes quickly to mind.
What did that accomplish, Pat? Has the CBJ cashed out all the property owners on Behrends Avenue yet?
No akdonn,
It seemed pretty clear to me that Ms O'Brien feels Cheryl Jebe is a better person for the job.
Ignorance is not partisan, but partisans are ignorant.
Avalanche zone buy-out status
Akdon: I know it is difficult to keep track of all the work being done on the community's behalf, so here's the answer to your question. At the 8/12/2012 Assembly Meeting the 2012 All-Hazard Mitigation Plan was adopted by CBJ.
Since then, it was then forwarded to the State and FEMA and on September 11 staff was notified that it was approved there as well. This was the step that opens the door for us to look for and seek Federal and State funding sources to facilitate the buy-outs of homes designated as a priority in the Avalanche Zone. There is no time frame for buy-outs because it is a matter of watching for funding opportunities, applying for them and hoping to be awarded. As funds come available we will be able to move this forward.