Another candidate is throwing his hat in the ring for this year’s open District 1 seat on the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly.
Paul Nowlin, 35, said Tuesday that he is running for the seat being vacated by Assembly Member David G. Stone because he wants to “give back” to Juneau.
“Juneau’s always been my home. I’ve moved down south a couple of times, but it’s more or less just concreted … that Juneau is my home,” said Nowlin, who works as an office manager at Petro Marine Services. “Juneau’s always been good to me.”
Running for Assembly this year would mark Nowlin’s first foray into city government and politics, he said.
“I’m honest, I’m hardworking,” Nowlin said. “I don’t have any agendas of my own, per se, other than to make sure that they (the CBJ) are spending efficiently and not wasting tax money.”
Nowlin provided an example of the approach he would bring to the Assembly in a written statement.
“There was recently public debate in our local news about the validity of the way a federal grant was used to purchase some Docks and Harbors equipment, but that aside, does the city need to spend millions on a boat lifting operation? No. There are private companies that provide that service already,” Nowlin wrote, referring to a dispute earlier this month between Assembly Member Ruth Danner and Juneau Docks and Harbors over the proposed use of a hydraulic boat lift at the Don D. Statter Harbor.
Nowlin continued, “If the public has options to remove their boats already, and these purchases will not result in net gains, our city has spent poorly.”
In contrast with Nowlin, Assembly hopeful Loren Jones said he thinks the Statter Harbor haul-out project is “a good idea.”
“The city does have to have a haul-out there in some way, and this looked like a pretty reasonable approach to the issue,” said Jones.
Jones lost a close race last year for the areawide Assembly seat now occupied by Assembly Member Carlton Smith. He has also declared his intention to run for Stone’s seat this year, setting up a contest between Jones and Nowlin.
Both men have filed letters of intent with the Alaska Public Offices Commission, and both said they intend to file with the city on Aug. 3, the soonest candidates can submit paperwork to the city clerk’s office.
“I appreciate having an opponent,” Jones said. “I’m not sure anyone should run unopposed.”
Nowlin said he is not acquainted with Jones personally, but said from what he does know about him, Jones “seems like a good guy.”
“I don’t know if I am a better candidate than Jones,” Nowlin said. “I just don’t think that I’d be a worse candidate.”
Jones said he thinks he will benefit from having more name recognition than Nowlin, thanks to last year’s campaign. He said he will go door to door, attend candidate forums and generally try to “get out there as much as I can” in order to connect with voters.
“I got some real experience doing that last year with the race,” said Jones of campaigning. “I came really close.”
Nowlin said he wants to remain accessible to his constituents if he wins.
“If I get elected, I plan on setting up a website so that people can communicate with me what their opinions are,” said Nowlin.
• Contact reporter Mark D. Miller at 523-2279 or at mark.d.miller@juneauempire.com.
Comments (34)
Add commentReally?
What private companies are standing by to provide haulout services in Auke Bay? Has he consulted with the Port to see why they purchased the lift?
Very curious to hear more about where he stands on the issues.
Latitude58
Sir, my intention is not to argue with you, but if you need haulout service in Auke Bay call Harri's Plumbing; or stop by their office in Auke Bay. They go by another name out there, and I apologize for not having that information for you, but after you go down the hill into the parking lot go to the right to the area where the boats are up and out of the water on stands, they provide the service right there. They are tucked back in there, so it is understandable that you may not have seen them before.
Also, I frequently see a truck running around town that pulls larger boats out of the water and from what I understand they will take it to and from any property you want, and back to the water.
Have a nice day.
Good luck Paul, we need
Good luck Paul, we need someone like you to keep a check on this city and their foolish spending. You will get my vote.
As far as haul-outs there is Willies and of course the business you spoke of. Both have been in this town for decades.
Welcome to the race Paul.
You will have to excuse lat58 for mistakenly believing that only the government is capable of removing a boat from the water.....
@Paul
Thanks for answering a comment directly in the posts. Nice to see a candidate with a direct, prompt, and polite answer. Best of luck to you!
Milspec, AH Ha, and Audio27
Thank you for the feedback. I am working on setting up a website so that people may email me questions, comments, and suggestions, which I could then answer on the website for all to read in case they have similar questions. It shouldn't be much longer, and perhaps the paper would post the web address so that we all may correspond after this forum is closed.
Why did we get a
self propelled, hydraulic boat lift, and why is is sitting in that empty parking lot by the ferry terminal?
I'm liking what I'm hearing, Paul.
Good luck to you and you have my vote as well.
Now if Lat58 could stay off the blogs for a while.....
Wow...
A ringing endorsement from Milspec and AH HA, I suppose Calypso and NewLife will be next. Talk about your lead balloons.
Kudos to you Paul, regardless of your policital stripes, for putting yourself out there and throwing your hat in the ring. I'd stay out of the Empire forums, though. Nothing much to be gained by delving into this quagmire of anonymity.
HanSolo is wise...
...both in his choice to volunteer to go to Endor to take down the DeathStar shield in Return of the Jedi, and in his advice to be cautious if this comment section, Mr. Nowlin.
I'd also recommend against posting here. We are not ourselves who hide behind cute blogger names..myself included.
I look forward to learning more about your views via your website or other areas.
Thanks for running!
Harri's
My confusion (as per previous posts about the Danner/Uchytil face-off) has been addressed. I still wonder how much this new rig benefits Harri's. Rented or just good ole boy access? Paul's hat in the ring is refreshing. What does Loren have to say about the issue? I voted for him last time. Paul's participation in this forum is a HUGE PLUS! Loren?
Finally!
A candidate without an agenda. I believe Paul is true to his word. I don't know him but he already has my vote! I've lived in Juneau all my life as well and if I weren't so busy with my family and life I'd run for an assembly seat, maybe one of these days!
Good Luck to you Paul!
@Paul - hurry with the
@Paul - hurry with the website so we can donate to your campaign and perhaps volunteer to walk the district with flyers or make phone calls, etc.
Contrary to fisherwoman's comments above, I would suggest you keep browsing the Empire's comment section. It's full of interesting insights into all sorts of topics.
I believe that those who post are paying more attention than the average voter and you may gather some good ideas for your campaign platform.
Good luck - ramp up your campaign and come on strong because you've got our attention with your comment on the boat lift!
I want someone that will
I want someone that will speakup and out for the public and not be swayed by the Chamber of Commerce or the Board at Docks and Harbors.
I voted for Loren Jones last
I voted for Loren Jones last time and will probably again this time.
to all & Calypso
I am not too worried about people hiding behind their monikers. They could do the same with a website. You are all so kind, I wasn't entirely sure that simply being honest and wanting what was best for us and our City would be enough to get votes.
@Calypso and all-
I would love to hear your ideas, that is exactly what I want people to do, just tell me what is on your mind, what is important to you and your family, or your business. On that note, I am not sure why I was hung up on the website not being up yet, I had already set up an email. I will simply answer via email for now, and post the answers to the website later (hopefully, this week) for all to see.
vote4paulnowlin@yahoo.com
I will continue to check this forum as well.
Paul,you got our votes.
(2 0f them .)
Thanks for running !
Atta boy, Paul!
I ASSUME one thing about the "peanut gallery". And that is that they VOTE. It would be hypocritical of any of them that don't. We need transparency in matters that WE PAY FOR. I want to hear what else you think about the plethora of issues our city has to sort out. Stay in touch.
Loren?
Health
If the photo is recent Paul could benfit from a personal trainer and dietician.I'd be cautious about voting for a candidate that may be a few lbs away from major heaelth issues.
His obesity is a major factor that will keep Chris Christie from being Romney's running mate.
Harsh there. I could see
Harsh there. I could see that being a problem with BO. God forbid something happen to him while in office. That means Biden would be next in line. How scary is that? Leave the man alone, maybe he enjoys life to the fullest.
aynrand?
Huh? Is his knitted beanie to ratty for your political taste? Bet he can kick your vegan pilates azz.
@aynrand - is that you,
@aynrand - is that you, p?
"benfit", ""dietician", heaelth" - all in a three sentence post!!!!!
To All
I really wanted to keep this about your wants and the City, but about my appearance:
My ratty hat = The photographer from the Empire gave me about 10 minutes to prepare for that picture (not his fault, deadlines are deadlines, and he is just doing his job). While I am the office manager here, if a customer is going to have to wait, I jump in and fuel them, drive the forklift, or whatever is needed; no place for a nice clean white hat, I assure you.
My weight = When I was 29, a drunk driver pulled out in front of my motorcycle and I side swiped him at 55 mph with my cousin on the back; leaving me with eternal back pain, a missing ACL in my knee, and a fake hip (TSA loves me). But I cannot blame that alone, perhaps aynrand will come to a "meet and greet" barbeque and have a salad with me, so that we may have a chance to talk about more important issues.
I do not take pain killers, because I like my mind to be clear; and I do rehabilitation at the downtown pool as much as I can. On that note, check out the CBJ Parks and Recs programs available at the pool, it can be for simple exercise or for rehabilitation; all at your own pace, so if you cannot exercise on land for whatever reason look into a pool class, at either pool. The instructors are great, and friendly to boot.
Hhmm.........appreciate another candidate, but
I for one will want to learn more about Mr. Nowlin and ALL of his positions in the months ahead, and weigh them carefully prior to voting.
I would hazard a guess that perhaps, Mr. Nowlin's positive first step notwithstanding, deciding to vote for someone you don't know personally based on one issue and a couple of quotes in one newspaper article - basically a "postcard" version of the person - is part of what causes so much trouble in this city/state/country.
Mr. Nowlin, I look forward to learning more about you and your position on the issues facing our city.
Just sayin'.
@swimmergirl
Well said, and I agree, you should get to know me first. We all have plenty of time before elections to get together in person and chat about anything. I am a working man, but if anyone wants to meet after work hours or on the weekend, I will be there to hear what you have to say and answer any questions I can for you. I want to meet anyone interested, because I truly want to know what you are thinking. That is the truth, or otherwise in 3 years you would never vote for me again, right? My ruse would be uncovered.
Personally, I want to meet up with Loren Jones and get to know him as well. We may disagree about topics like the boat haulout project, but I read about his campaign last year, and he seems to have some good points. For example, the dump was one of his most important issues last election. I must admit that it concerns me as well, and honestly I have pondered it for about a year myself, and have yet to come up with a viable answer. Since that was his passion project last year, he may have the solution now.
Mr Nowlin
I don't know you, have never met you and this is the first time I have seen your name mentioned in the Empire.
For me, you are a refreshing personality who openly and apparently in all honesty is willing to explain yourself, your life and your views.
As other commentators know, there are those who hide behind pseudonyms to make comments.... that is fine with me if they don't want others to know who they really are. But for me, when a person like you stands up, speaks openly and says that you may contact me if you like - I greatly admire your stance.
There are many others who make comments to articles and identify exactly who they are. Whether I agree with them or not is secondary to the fact that they speak openly for themselves.
I hope, that if you are elected to the Assembly that you continue be yourself - from what I can tell so far, that is open and honest.
Thanks for running. You give Juneau voters a choice.
Wally Olson, Auke Bay, Alaska - my name and telephone number are in the directory.
Paul
No need to address every comment here. However, an honest working man running for office is refreshing. Good Luck!
Nice Hat
I have one just like it. But mine has a US flag pin on it.
email
I wrote above, but here is my email again:
vote4paulnowlin@yahoo.com
Paul
Thanks for the response. I agree with most of the others that it's a positive move on your part.
On my question on your statement regarding the boat lift, I think you failed to answer it. I had asked if you had checked in with the Port regarding why it was purchased in the first place.
Based on your response, I am left to conclude that you have not. And yet you made a public statement that the lift was not needed. If you're going to aspire to the Assembly, my expectation is that you would make sure you had ALL of the facts before you made public statements. See where I'm going with this?
I don't know why they have the lift either. But I'll bet Mr. Uchytil knows, and can share that information with you.
Regarding the private company, Juneau Marine Services I believe, you understand that they're operating on City property using City resources, right? I'm not sure of the specific contractual arrangement, but I think it's some sort of public-private venture. Perhaps they'll be using the lift as part of their service.
What I would hope that you'd endeavor to do is be more positive in your outlook. What is your vision for our harbors? Juneau is decidedly unfriendly to our marine fleet - it has very high moorage rates, the docks are in terrible condition, we have vary few services for boats much larger than 50 feet. Communities like Sitka, Wrangell, and Kodiak have acquired large travel lifts (city-owned) and set aside property for boat laydown areas. Why aren't we doing the same? These public investments are similar to other infrastructure we build like roads, bridges, and sewers... and we don't expect those to be provided by the private sector, because they won't. So how would you help our marine fleet?
You're angling for a challenging job. It won't be easy. Best of luck if you succeed.