Meet the Candidates - The Wrangell City and Borough Assembly

Patty Gilbert, write-in candidate, running for two three-year seats

Occupation and experience:

High school math teacher, current president of Wrangell Medical Center Foundation. Formerly two-term member of Wrangell City Council.

Why do you wish to serve on the Assembly?

"As Alaska's budget deficit grows, revenue-sharing funds decline and our legislators consider state sales and/or income taxes Wrangell, like other cities, will be faced with difficult fiscal decisions and I want to participate in a process that will hopefully mitigate the loss of revenue and services to our community. In the past, our Assembly and Borough administration have successfully sought grants and funds for necessary capital improvements and replacements. I support those efforts and want to continue the street paving and upgrades rotation; improve the drainage problems throughout the city; renovate the Shoemaker Bay Harbor floats, potable water and fire suppression systems; repair the sewer pump station and replace decaying water mains; and continue the upgrades to our power distribution system. I'm in favor of retaining the one million dollar threshold for contracts, sales or leases of borough property and providing for a public vote to approve any transaction above that dollar amount. I also favor the sale of the belt freezer facility to Trident Seafoods."

In the coming three years, which issue do you believe should be a main priority for the Assembly?

"Development of the Wrangell Institute property; the construction of a new hospital; acquiring the six-mile mill site for an additional deep water port, boat haul-out and marine/barge services yard; the necessary renovations and improvements to our water treatment plant; and dealing with a reduction in revenues are some of the issues and opportunities facing Wrangell."

Julie Decker, incumbent, running for two three-year seats

Occupation and experience:

Currently executive director of Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, chair of Wrangell Economic Development Committee, on board for United Fishermen of Alaska, Salmon & Technical Committees, and Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. In the past, was on Southeast Conference board and chaired its Ocean Cluster.

Why is it you wish to continue serving on the Borough Assembly?

"I would like to see

a few development projects continue to progress. A few of these include development of the 6-mile mill site into a multi-use marine industrial site, development of the former Wrangell

Institute property, and increased water treatment capacity."

In the coming three years, which issue do you believe should be a main priority for the Assembly?

"Increasing treated water capacity – although this is not a sexy topic, it is a critical one for living and operating our businesses in Wrangell. When we don't have enough, everything shuts down. It will also limit any kind of future development."