Candidate Q&A: Houston City Council

Houston City Council

Sandy McDonald

Seat sought: Houston City Council Seat A

No response

Carla Hendrix

Seat sought: Houston City Council Seat C

Are you an incumbent: Yes

Age: 46

Residency in Houston: I have been an Alaska resident for 31 years and a property owner in Houston for 25 years. We finally built our permanent home in 2005 with the intent of retiring here.

Public service: I have contributed time, goods and financial support to numerous nonprofit organizations. My most rewarding experience was working with children and young adults who experience developmental disabilities and behavioral health issues by providing ceramic classes on a weekly basis for many years. I recently participated in the organization of Houston Founder’s Day and donated a Web site for the event. Memberships include Susitna Rotary, Golden Key International Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta, International Honor Society and the Houston Chamber of Commerce. I am currently the incumbent for Houston City Council Seat C.

Family information: I have been with my husband Charles for 20 years. Between the two of us we have four adult daughters and 15 grandchildren.

Why are you running for city council at this time: Having a vested interest in the community and having the opportunity to be a Houston City Council member, I believe that I have a lot to offer the community. Houston is rapidly growing and experiencing growing pains. I am confident that I would be an asset to the people of Houston in the oversight of this growth.

What experiences do you have that demonstrate your ability to be an effective council member: There are two primary attributes that make me an effective council member: 1. Education: Associate of Arts, University of Alaska Anchorage, Bachelor of Arts in History cum laude with honors, University of Alaska Anchorage and semester studies at Yale University. 2. Business experience: I have been self-employed for nearly 30 years.

If elected, what would be your top priorities: Efficient use of tax dollars to better our roads, public safety and facilities would be the top priority. One of my other top priorities is a multi-use community center with a library, computer lab, recreation room and a meeting room as a place for the community to come together. With our growing population comes a growing problem with our youth. Children must have something to do with their time and I would much rather see them in a place participating in positive activities rather than finding another outlet that could lead to criminal behavior or even worse, drugs.

How would you attract new industry and jobs to Houston: This is a tough question. Many people in Houston would like to see new industry while others would not. With the growth of the city, commerce will be necessary to sustain the services. There are incentives we could offer new businesses, but we must be selective in the types of business we try to attract.

What is the most urgent issue facing the city today and how would you address it: Funding! Houston does not seem to be getting its fair share from the Borough or the state. Increased lobbying efforts on the state and local level as well as seeking out new sources of funding via grants would be a start.

Identify and explain one principled stand you would be willing to take if elected, even if it might cost some popularity points with voters: As an elected official, my duty is to the people of Houston and I will consistently take a stand on what is in the best interest of the entire community. As we all know, we will not always agree on everything and I am sure this will at times lose popularity points.

Elsie M. O'Bryan

Seat sought: Houston City Council Seat C

Are you an incumbent: No

Age: 62

Residence in Houston: Houston, 28 years and the Mat-Su Valley 30 years.

Public service: Locally recruited VISTA volunteer 1978-1979 working on senior citizen

housing; city clerk/treasurer for Houston 1979-1988; Houston City Council 1990-1996 (including a year as deputy mayor)

1995-1996; co-founder Houston Chamber of Commerce; past president Mat-Su RC&D; Planning and Design Committee for Houston Jr./Sr High School; chair of Christmas Friendship Dinner Planning Committee.

Family information: Single

Why are you running for city council at this time: Several voters asked me to run as they were concerned that with the fact

that five seats are up for election and that there is no one else willing to run, including incumbents, who have the historical perspective and longer experience.

What experiences do you have that demonstrate your ability to be an effective council member: A combined total of 15 years serving the city as city clerk/treasurer, being a council member and deputy mayor during the time that the base was being set for public works, roads expansion, facilities (public safety building, Mid-Valley Senior Center, Houston Jr./Sr. High School and numerous roads). This included working with the Legislature for funding.

If elected, what would be your top priorities: Re-instituting two regular meetings per month to minimize special meetings and to minimize time delays for issues needing more than one meeting. Adherence to the open meetings act. Adherence to purchasing procedures, including bids. Inclusion of the council as a whole in policy-making decisions.

How would you attract new industry and jobs to Houston: Working with the Houston Chamber of Commerce to formulate a positive portrayal of Houston as a forward-thinking community that has zoning, police protection and services, in addition to having easy access to Anchorage and services in the Palmer and Wasilla areas while also having easy access to the recreational areas that are so important to many.

What is the most urgent issue facing the city today and how would you address it: Immediately establishing the credibility of the city council, particularly since it is possible that up to five will have either no experience on the council or less than one year experience. I believe that holding a series of work sessions with staff and other appropriate parties (such as the liaison with the state agency that oversees local governments) within the first six weeks in order to familiarize the council with projects and procedures. Throughout that process, awareness of ways to improve would be very important; then later implementing a process to outline and implement that improvement.

Identify and explain one principled stand you would be willing to take if elected, even if it might cost some popularity points with voters: I know it gets frustrating to wait through the public processes when one has issues that are important to them; however, I have learned that shortcutting that process is not a good idea, even though it may be easier at the time. Therefore, I would insist that the proper hearings, notifications, etc. be maintained prior to final actions.

Ruth Blanchard

Seat sought: Houston City Council Seat E

Are you an incumbent: Yes

Age: 66

Residency in Houston: I have lived in Houston, Alaska for 24 years.

Public service: I have served on several committees, such as Clean-up Day and Founders Day, and am past president of the Houston Lions. I am a Rotarian and have been to several conferences through Alaska Municipal League and represented Houston at the RC&D meetings. I have worked in Houston for 24 years.

Family information: I have 10 children, five of my own and five step-children. I have been single since I have been in Alaska.

Why are you running for city council at this time: Great things are happening in Houston and I am very proud to be a part of it. I have been on the council for nine years and I think this is just the beginning of good and prosperous things to come.

What experiences do you have that demonstrate your ability to be an effective council member: I think the children of Houston need a safe place to gather and have fun. Our city has nothing for the kids to do except gather in the streets.

If elected, what would be your top priorities: Listening to the people, the roads are the most important issue we face today. We have made progress on some of the roads, but there are so many more that need attention too.

How would you attract new industry and jobs to Houston: We have taken a step towards getting new businesses in Houston by turning some of our roadfront property into commercial. I know several inquiries have been made.

What is the most urgent issue facing the city today and how would you address it: We need to find a way to upgrade a lot of the roads.

Identify and explain one principled stand you would be willing to take if elected, even if it might cost some popularity points with voters: My stand would be not to build a new city hall right now. I think we have other options and should study it more.

Archie “Lee” Himes

Seat sought: Houston City Council Seat E

Are you an incumbent: No

Age: 63

Residence in Houston: Houston 3.5 years, Valley resident over 20 years.

Public service: Meadow Lakes School Site Committee, Moose Lodge member and vice president, Fire Service Board Meadow Lakes Fire Department, public safety liaison in Houston, seven years on Meadow Lakes Community Council, president of Houston fire department auxiliary.

Family information: Widower with three sons, Levi, Shawn and Jonah.

Why are you running for city council at this time: Houston is growing fast and needs to implement a new plan for the city. I want the city to use more technology and local resources to keep the public advised as to what is going on within city government. While out campaigning, I’ve learned road improvements are important to the public. The city appreciates the strong police force and the growth in the fire department. I want to promote recruiting new responders to help our existing members in protecting the lives and homes of those in our community. I also want to create a better plan for road maintenance and create a council that is open to listening to the concerns of the public. There are a lot of new candidates running and it is a change of times.

What experiences do you have that demonstrate your ability to be an effective council member: I feel my experience within the Meadow Lakes Community Council will allow me to help Houston become more community-oriented.

If elected, what would be your top priorities: Road maintenance, promotion of tourism, maintain/upgrade fire department and first responders so residents have lower insurance rates.

How would you attract new industry and jobs to Houston: The city needs to consider a proposal to reduce property taxes and promote tourism by highlighting the city’s potential for outdoor activities (camping, 4x4 trails, hiking and snowmachine trails).

What is the most urgent issue facing the city today and how would you address it: Getting money to repair the damage to the roads by last year’s flood.

Identify and explain one principled stand you would be willing to take if elected, even if it might cost some popularity points with voters: With our increasing population we need more affordable housing to support that growth, including housing geared toward our elderly residents.

Rosemary Burnett

Seat sought: Houston City Council Seat F

Are you an incumbent: Yes

Residence in Houston: No answer.

Public service: I am a member of the Lions Club, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Houston Founder’s Day Committee and the Mat-Su Resource Conservation and Development group. I also donate my time and resources to the children of Houston and the surrounding communities by hosting annual Christmas and Easter parties.

Family information: I was married to my late husband Richard Carl Burnett for 36 years. I have three children: Richard R. Johnson, owner of Alaska Quality Builders; Lawrence A. Hillman, construction worker and assistant manager of the Houston Lodge; and Sebrina A. Smith, mother and housewife married to a state engineer and project manager. I also have seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Why are you running for city council at this time: I am asking for your vote for re-election to Seat F. I was appointed to the council in 2001. During my six years on the council I have served as deputy mayor, have been a member of RCD and have served on the Founders Day Committee, and many others.

What experiences do you have that demonstrate your ability to be an effective council member: I have my high school diploma, completed one year in business management and completed training at Howard Johnson University for hotel restaurant management. My education comes mostly from experience. I have owned and operated a number of companies. My experience has been in construction, towing and trucking. My area of expertise, however, has been in the food and beverage business, as I have been involved with this industry for 39 years. I am a businesswoman.

If elected, what would be your top priorities: With your support, my future goals are to upgrade roads, increase economic development and the usage of our parks. I would also like to see more involvement with our town’s seniors. I have loved the challenge of working for the people of Houston and I will continue working hard for all.

How would you attract new industry and jobs to Houston: No answer.

What is the most urgent issue facing the city today and how would you address it: Same as answer below.

Identify and explain one principled stand you would be willing to take if elected, even if it might cost some popularity points with voters: I voted for the new city hall, which I now regret. I feel that most of this money should have been used on roads. Our funding has been cut so drastically by the state that we are unable to do the proper maintenance on our roads. Our money has been placed into the city hall building fund. If I am re-elected, I will fight to have that money put back where it belongs.

Don Moody

No photo available

eat sought: Houston City Council Seat F

Are you an incumbent: No

Age: 51

Residence in Houston: Moved to Houston in 1988.

Public service: None previously.

Family information: Married 31 years with two grown children and three grandchildren.

Why are you running for city council at this time: It just feels right offering my energy to assist our Houston City Council into our future.

What experiences do you have that demonstrate your ability to be an effective council member: I have been a husband, father and homebuilder/provider for 31 years. I have been a manager/lead for many different mechanical services companies and a film crew guide during many Iditarod Sled Dog Race events. My ability to listen as well as reason have allowed me to excel in the work place.

If elected, what would be your top priorities: Ethics, roads and schools.

How would you attract new industry and jobs to Houston: Provide incentives which cost little yet allow positive connections for business. An example might be a new business sunrise clause for larger roadside signage lasting for the first year or two of a business opening.

What is the most urgent issue facing the city today and how would you address it: Ethics.

Identify and explain one principled stand you would be willing to take if elected, even if it might cost some popularity points with voters: Conflict of interest guidelines should be set for all council positions.

Dale Adams

Seat sought: Houston City Council Seat G

No response

Roger O. Purcell

Seat sought: Houston City Council Seat G

Are you an incumbent: No

Residence in Houston: I have lived in Alaska for over 43 years and spent my childhood in the Enchanted Forest, playing and fishing the Little Su and lakes. Four years ago my wife and I decided we wanted to raise our son, who is now 6, in the Mat-Su Valley were we both grew up and had great childhoods. So we chose to move back to the Valley from Anchorage and we chose Houston as where we wanted to live and raise our family.

Public Service Experience: President Houston Chamber of Commerce, vice president Mat-Su Rural Community Development, Rotary, NRA life member, Houston Lions, American Legion Post 28, 2006 Businessman of the Year, NRCC past committees, Bear Valley Community Council member at-large, Boy Scouts of America scoutmaster and committee chair 1986-1995, Commendation of Valor and letter of commendation Hoonah Department of Public Safety 1988, coastal management, planning and zoning for Hoonah 1987-1989, EMS volunteer EMT III 1982-1994.

Family information: Married to wife, Bianca, and have a son, Micah, and daughter, Holly.

Why are you running for city council at this time: As a husband, father, grandfather and employer it has been both my wife’s and my desire that Houston is the community we wanted to live and raise our family. As a member of Houston I believed in working to improve the quality of life, not just for my family, but for the community itself. As a council member I will work to improve conditions both for our residents and volunteers. I will have an open-door policy for addressing residents’ concerns. I believe the residents deserve the ability to have their concerns heard and addressed. Changes need to be made so that Houston can be the greatest community in the Valley.

What experiences do you have that demonstrates your ability to be an effective council member: Living in Alaska for over 43 years I have observed many changes to our