Thanks to voters, our voices will continue to be heard

A Spectrum, by Larry Wood

I wish to thank all those in HD16 who voted in the Nov. 5 election, and especially those who supported Alaska First and voted A.I.P. Their trust and confidence will not be wasted. The desire to build Alaska's economy to benefit Alaskans first and to provide for future generations of Alaskans will not end. Our voices will continue to be heard.

We knocked on just under 4,000 doors districtwide from Settler's Bay Drive east to Outer Springer Loop to Lazy Mountain, south along the Old Glenn to Knik Road, and southwest to Peters Creek-Chugiak and all points in between. We were greeted by many folks who expressed kindness and consideration for our efforts. And, we met many who said that my campaign was the first to ever knock on their door. One gentleman out on Hayflat Road said that it had been 20 years since any campaigner had knocked on his door.

We distributed a six-page flyer with a business card attachment. We followed the door-to-door campaign with a four-page flyer mailout to 5,623 addresses. We produced all 9,600-plus of these flyers on my color laser printer, using my youngest son Sidney's art. We folded, sorted and prepared everything ourselves. I purchased a mailing permit for the mailout. All of our campaign signs were produced and fabricated by ourselves, also using Sidney's art. Consequently, we expended almost $7,000 of our own money in this effort. My campaign received $250 in unsolicited contributions, which will be returned to those who contributed.

The A.I.P. campaign for House District 16 could not have been accomplished without the help of my family. It was their tireless efforts that made the above possible. I especially wish to thank my wife Lydia, my daughter-in-law Jeannen, my father Woody, my father-in-law Sid Lindeke, our friend Linda Langley, my daughter Margaret Rye and her husband Finn, our family friend Charlotte Sallison, and my brother Mike and his family: Amelia, Erin and Mandy and Mandy's friend Autumn Sommers. I should also mention that the youngest in the family also participated, unwillingly at times, but they endured: Megan 4, Caitie 4, Tina 2, Sean 2, and baby Roslyn. It was not money that made my campaign happen, it was total commitment on the part of all who helped from the youngest to oldest.

This was a great effort with little in the way of monetary resources other than family help when compared to the $23,000-plus that my competitor had to spend. My competition spoke of family in his radio ads. Well, mine actually supported me. And, in doing this campaign, we all had a great deal of fun.

I admit that I had to quit a good job to commit to the campaign full-time, but I fully understood the risk and my wife supported me in the decision. I have no regrets. We are very proud of what we accomplished. We offered a choice. Rejected, yes, but, we made the effort.

Given that some Valley campaigns expended more than $50,000, I am now very concerned that our state house races may now be out of reach for all but the well connected, or nuts like me with a great deal of family support. I wish Mr. Stolz the best in his new position. I am certain that he will do an excellent job for House District 16.

Larry Wood, a Palmer resident, ran as an Alaskan Independence Party Candidate for House District 16 in the Nov. 4 elections.