KVAK QUESTIONS VALDEZ MUNICIPAL ELECTION CANDIDATES

I see the top three issues as follows:

CHRIS MOULTON

1. Money from TAPS settlement: Too much money at once can be a problem, as we prepare a plan forward Council needs to be cognizant of how we are spending money. 
2. Commercial Cannabis: Although I am a proponent of commercially available cannabis, I do have worries about its implementation and development.
3.Economic Diversification/Cost of Living
READ MORE

DARREN REESE

1. Rebuilding Infrastructure. I feel we need to start rebuilding the infrastructure in Valdez.  
2. Low Cost Housing. I feel now is a great time to eliminate this problem.  
3. Managing Finances. I feel that now is the time to complete little projects that will provide jobs and increase the overall economy of Valdez.  READ MORE

JIM SHIRRELL

We, working together have an incredible opportunity in the next 5 years to re-vitalizing our community.
To achieve this
Diversify the economy by investing in infrasture that will drive private investment and support local business profitability and growth. 
Provide quality education for our children. The increase in programs using partnerships with industry, Prince William Sound College and Public School system to provide training and access to entry level employment positions to industry.
 Provide quality affordable healthcare. This means enhancing services and choices. 
READ MORE

NATE SMITH

Nate foresee’s challenges for both the City of Valdez and the Community.
The three main challenges facing the City of Valdez are:
1. Continued Economic Enhancement looking towards sustainability.
2. Fiscal Discipline, ensuring that approval of expenditures are appropriate, measurable and practical.
3. Uniform Enforcement of Municipal Codes without prejudice.
READ MORE

CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR
RUTH E. KNIGHT

VALDEZ CITY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CANDIDATES
Each candidate was asked the following:
What are three main challenges for Valdez City Schools in the next five years? As a potential school board member, how do you plan to address these challenges?
SEE FULL CANDIDATE RESPONSES HERE

MELISSA COCKERHAM

The three main challenges for the Valdez City School District over the next five years will be maintaining an adequate base student allocation (BSA), maintaining current levels of funding to the teacher retirement system (TRS), and continuing maintenance and technology updates. School funding for education continues to be a challenge at the state level as they try to shift more of the burden to the local level.  READ MORE

JOE PRAX
The three main challenges for the Valdez City Schools in the next five years will be funding, administration and direction. We will be lucky if the state funding stays stable in the next five years and the city income will most likely slowly decrease as well. The increase in the number of students has allowed us to add programs and teachers. We will have to be careful that we are able to keep the best learning opportunities for the students. Valdez has seen a wide variety of superintendents in past years.  
READ MORE

ERICA SHIRK

The biggest challenge for Valdez City Schools lies in the cohesiveness of the curriculum. As of now, the schools seem to operate as islands with no stepwise gradient providing a well rounded education. We need a coherent curriculum, that not only complies with state and federal requirements, but also challenges students to become their very best through dynamic instructional practices and a building of topics through all the grades.  READ MORE

ALAN SORUM
Candidate did not Return Survey

SUMMARY OF BALLOT PROPOSITIONS AND SAMPLE BALLOT AVAILABLE HERE

REMEMBER TO VOTE MAY 3RD

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TONIGHT