Alaskan saddened by Stevens verdict

Like many Alaskans, I'm saddened by the guilty verdict for Sen. Ted Stevens.

As a longtime Alaskan who used to work on behalf of the commercial fishing industry, I know that Stevens has served us well over the decades. He deserved to end his career on a high note.

Unfortunately, this is not going to happen. Even if he wins on appeal, we've now learned about new ethical violations that will plague him if he returns to the Senate. The time for Stevens to move on is now - Nov. 4.

Fortunately, we have a strong candidate in Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, someone worth electing in his own right and not just because he is the non-convicted candidate left standing. He is a born and bred Alaskan seasoned to lead us forward in the new energy economy.

Clearly, it is time for a new generation of leaders that are more in tune with today's ethical, economic and energy realities. I know from my experience in working with Begich on statewide energy issues that he is a skilled, consensus problem solver.

He has an uncanny ability to zero in on the heart of a problem, to lay out a path for bringing others along and to advance creative solutions. And I say this knowing that I do not necessarily agree with him on all the issues.

Don't get fooled by the media hype that he will become a pawn of the Democratic leadership. He is indeed an independent Alaskan who will reach across the aisle to solve problems.

Begich will restore integrity to the office and work well with Sen. Lisa Murkowski. This I know to the same degree that I'm saddened by the guilty verdict for Stevens.

Kate Troll

Douglas