By all accounts, both Juneau’s mayoral candidates are admirable people. But media reports reveal striking differences between their positions in some areas, which can give us a sense of their priorities.
Ken Koelsch opposes raising the minimum wage, and affirms instead that the market should control wages. Karen Crane is in favor of the state raising the minimum wage.
Ken is in favor of extending the road 50 miles to the Katzehin River, where there would be a ferry link to Haines. Karen is in favor of maintaining and improving the ferry system, and notes that the road is out of the city’s hands.
Ken would like to roll back the changes made to Juneau’s senior sales tax exemption. Karen believes that with the city’s dire budget prospects and the number of seniors in Juneau to increase to nearly 20 percent in the next five years, it was necessary to limit the senior sales tax exemption to essentials (such as food, electricity, heating fuel, water, sewer, and garbage), with a provision that lower income seniors will get a tax rebate each September.
Please take these differences into account when you vote. I’m voting for Karen.
Larri Spengler
Juneau