I have lived in Juneau for 30 years and this is my home. I find myself very concerned about this special election for mayor. Something is off with this whole situation, and I am voicing my concern. The budget has been a growing issue for some time. I hear how important it is to tighten our belts and we are told that we must be willing to sacrifice. It seems very strange that the Assembly voted to spend $35,000 on a needless special election. In October, we will be having our regular election, which at that time we could elect new a mayor. I have tried to figure out what the rush is and the answer I have come up with sickens me. I’d like to believe that our elected members of the Assembly have nothing but honorable reasons for holding office. But now, I find myself questioning this naïve belief. Is this special election for political reasons and personal gain? It certainly looks that way. And worse, for an expense that we can ill afford.
We are now stuck with this special election; but, I can assure you that the Juneau still has a voice and I intend to use mine on March 15 and will be voting for Ken Koelsch. I encourage everyone to get out and vote. If we let this pass by unnoticed, some of the Assembly board members will most certainly continue with their rogue behavior and total disregard for the office they hold.
This situation cannot be ignored and we must unite as a community to make sure this is stopped. Remember these names — Karen Crane, Jesse Kiehl, Kate Troll, Loren Jones and Maria Gladziszewski. These members are the members who voted for this special election. Eight days after the Assembly voted to have this special election, Karen Crane received her first mayoral campaign donation and filed her Letter of Intent for mayor the next day. I think it is clear who has political gain in mind, not the good of Juneau.
I am very disappointed in these elected Assembly members, I still believe and am hopeful in the honest and integrity of most of our elected political neighbors. I believe Ken Koelsch will not let our community down.
Linda Williams
Juneau