PEBBLE POINTS

WASILLA — It was almost a non-stop cavalcade of big, controversial state issues at Thursday’s lieutenant governor forum at the Alaska Club.

Six of the eight people seeking the spot as the state’s second-in-command attended the forum — Democrats Lynette Moreno-Hinz and Diane Benson, and Republicans Jay Ramras, Eddie Burke, Bob Lupo and Mead Treadwell. The no-shows were Libertarian Jeffrey Brown and Democrat J.J. “Jack” Powers.

First on the list of controversial topics: Pebble Mine. Should the lieutenant governor use his or her power to oversee the state’s regulatory code to tweak those codes and affect the permitting process for the mine proposed near Bristol Bay?

“I would be reluctant to say the lieutenant governor should in any way create regulations,” Benson said. The mine needs to be given a very close inspection to determine if it is a threat to the fishing industry like its opponents claim, she said.

Burke used the opportunity to express an opinion on whether or not the mine should move forward. He said he feels it should, to promote jobs and development in the state. The lieutenant governor should do whatever he can to make that happen.

“I want to switch places with Eddie Burke because he’s stealing a lot of my thunder,” Lupo said when it was his turn to answer.

Lupo added the mine has to be examined the same way a doctor looks at medication he’s considering prescribing — do the benefits outweigh the risks?

Moreno-Hinz expressed staunch opposition to the mine, saying she arrived in the building wearing an anti-Pebble hat. She feels it would be a detriment to the local native communities.

Ramras split the difference between Burke and Benson, saying yes, the mine should be developed and no, the lieutenant governor shouldn’t monkey around with regulations.

“It’s an excellent issue to be de-politicized and to let the process work,” he said.

Treadwell said Pebble should go forward and the science should be allowed to show why. He said he was involved in the permitting for two other large mining projects, the Fort Knox Mine and the Kensington Gold Mine. The lieutenant governor, he said, should play an active role, but it should be one of persuasion.

“He should be in there talking to the governor,” Treadwell said.

Next on the list was wolf hunting to promote moose and caribou populations. But first there was a bit of good-natured back-and-forth between Burke and Treadwell.

“Was that a yes?” Burke asked Treadwell regarding his answer to the mining question.

“Yes it was,” Treadwell said, noting he’d outlined a number of things he has already done to help mining in the state, then asked Burke, “what’ve you done?”

Burke said he’d worked as a legislative staffer dealing with resource issues.

So, on to wolf hunting to boost caribou herds:

Burke said it is necessary to protect Alaskans’ right to hunt and said he’s a gun rights advocate who came to the forum armed to express his Second Amendment rights.

Lupo took a more nuanced view, saying if killing wolves is necessary then that’s what the state should do.

Moreno-Hinz directed the question back to what she would do for hunters — she would make sure anyone who won a permit in a lottery had to sit out a year before entering that lottery again, noting she hasn’t been able to win such a permit in 28 years.

Ramras stood on his pro-predator-control record, saying he’s supported it in the Legislature and would support it if promoted to lieutenant governor.

Treadwell said predator control is absolutely necessary and painted it as yet another battle between Alaska and the federal government that illustrates “how much of a fight we’re in to keep those rights we earned when we got that 49th star on the flag.”

Benson said the issue is one in which the state needs to get more local input. Who knows better how the herds are looking than the people who live in the area? And what sense does it make for the state to tell those locals they can’t shoot a moose for their potlatch?

Last on the list of controversial topics: The oft-debated oil tax structure known as Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share, or ACES. The tax structure is a legacy of Sarah Palin and it didn’t have much support at the table. Three of the six candidates opposed it outright.

The question was posed as a yes or no. Only Burke said he supported it. Lupo answered both yes and no and Moreno-Hinz said she didn’t have an opinion.

The forum was the third in a series of political events planned to run through August sponsored by the Greater Wasilla and Palmer chambers of commerce. The lineup of events had a late-breaking addition Thursday when organizer Diana Straub announced a third gubernatorial event. On Aug. 19, just days before the primary election in the race, Republicans Ralph Samuels, Bill Walker and Sean Parnell will debate one another. Details such as where and at what time will be announced soon.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.