When I started this campaign on Aug. 15, I made three promises to myself: 1) I will be myself and not try to be someone else to get more votes, 2) I will not dodge any questions, and 3) I will have fun. I am proud to say that I have accomplished these goals, and that running for public office is perhaps one of the best things I have ever done.
In accordance with promises one and two, I have to respond to the letters regarding the senior sales tax issue. Why do we want to take two steps back when it took so much work to move one step forward? The fact is once the campaign promises end and the Assembly must deal with the realities of governing, they will realize there is no choice but to maintain the changes they made to the sales tax system, including the senior exemption. If we attempt to go backwards, we will exacerbate the fiscal challenges that we are currently facing, and in the end make life more difficult for everyone, including our seniors.
I do not have the luxury of being a single issue candidate. So I am asking voters, especially our senior voters, not to be a single issue voter — there is simply way too much at stake. I have had many discussions with seniors and non-seniors on this issue, and people get it. Most don’t like it, but they get it. The single mom raising two boys and holding down two jobs wants life to be fair. The 70-year-old couple wants their son and wife to stay in Juneau, but they can’t afford it. They get it also. I have said it from the start that this is a community issue and not a senior issue, so let’s keep our eye on the ball.
What characteristics do you want in your elected officials? I would think you want integrity, honesty, and most of all someone you can respect — even when you may disagree with them. These are serious times and we need serious people. I am not going to ask for your vote. Instead, I will ask you to give some serious thought to all the issues that matter most to you, and then determine which candidates reflect those issues the most. That is who you vote for.
Arnold Liebelt,
Candidate for City Assembly