Mayoral candidates Saralyn Tabachnick, left, Norton Gregory, center, and Beth Weldon answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mayoral candidates Saralyn Tabachnick, left, Norton Gregory, center, and Beth Weldon answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: I support Beth Weldon for mayor

It is with pleasure that I throw my full political support behind Beth Weldon as candidate for mayor.

I am a lifelong Alaskan, 36-year Juneau citizen, having retired as the surgical services director at Bartlett Regional Hospital.

I have been professionally and personally acquainted with Beth for over 20 years. Her leadership skills, work ethic, courage and personal integrity inspire me. I have first-hand experience with her quest to do the job thoroughly and efficiently, whether it involves life saving measures or business matters.

She has a working knowledge of the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly that will be critical in moving forward in light of recent turnover. She has a proven track record of being budgetary conscious, and has spent long hours researching issues and facilitating working solutions within the Assembly group. Her recent institutional knowledge allows her to hit the ground running. Weldon is committed to creating and sustaining a city budget, protecting small businesses and encouraging new ventures. She has found and will continue to find working solutions for homelessness and addiction as well as quality education for Juneau’s children.

Weldon has also had the privilege of protecting our public safety, having worked for Capital City Fire/Rescue for 20 years. Her family and community values are a testament to her good character. Weldon subscribes to the adage of service before self as a current Rotary member. I am amazed at her energy levels, despite her endless involvement in civic groups and volunteerism within the community. A candidate with a bigger picture mentality will serve Juneau well.

I have spent many a recreational hour with Weldon, including hiking the Chilkoot Trail and running the Taku River. Even then, she is on task, trying to improve things. She is clear and concise on where she stands on issues, yet willing to hear both sides of a conversation. These are the traits of a natural leader. Weldon values doing what is right, not what will make her most popular.

You deserve a voice in who will be running our beautiful capital city. I’ll be voting my values in the upcoming municipal election. Please get out and vote and join me in supporting Weldon for Juneau’s next mayor.

Carlene Conway,

Juneau


My Turns and Letters to the Editor represent the view of the author, not the view of the Juneau Empire.