Three Valley residents head to Fairbanks

MAT-SU -- Three Valley residents will be in Fairbanks today to take part in the three-day Conference of Alaskans tasked by Gov. Frank Murkowski with reaching consensus about the role of the permanent fund in Alaska's future.

Big Lake resident and former woodworker Mark Neuman, at-home mom and education supporter Anne Kilkenny and chief Matanuska Telephone Association financial officer and former Mat-Su Borough finance director Desi Mayo were nominated to take part in the process by a seven-member group Murkowski appointed. According to information from the governor's office, the 55 conference attendees were chosen from more than 1,000 Alaskans who applied to take part.

The Valley delegates come from varying backgrounds -- Kilkenny has been active in PTA or parent-teacher association issues for eight years. Although she said she's not representing her current PTA, Teeland Middle School, at the conference, she said future funding for education is one of her primary concerns. Mayo said he had offered number-crunching assistance shortly after the conference was announced, and was encouraged to apply by conference convenors. He hopes to provide research and analysis input, in addition to presenting input he has gathered from people around the Valley last week. Neuman said he hopes to share the views of people he has talked with also, and, as a small-business owner, father of teens and children enrolled in a homeschooling program, builder of two Alaska residences -- one destroyed in the Millers' Reach fire -- sees himself as a good representation of "Joe Alaskan."

"I'm a typical Alaskan -- I've worked in many fields," Neuman said. "I think I can represent a wide range of people."

All three delegates said they were looking forward to the discussion and, although they are hoping to hear what others have to say, have a few ideas of their own to contribute.

"I have some ideas I'd like to present for discussion, but I'd be disappointed if I didn't hear other people's ideas," Kilkenny said. "This conference is not called to fix the fiscal gap -- but it's certainly called because of it. As I talk to people, I'm becoming aware that all taxes are unfair, each in its peculiar way; no one suggestion is going to solve everything -- I just don't think it's possible to kill all those birds with one stone, but I'd sure like to hear if others think we can."

Mayo said he's pleased about the range of views represented by the conference delegates, and looks forward to the ensuing discussion.

"I like what they've done -- they haven't pulled an academic [group] or bunch of economists. I think they've pulled a lot of people," Mayo said. "I love a spirited debate -- people on volunteer boards are there because of their love for their community. I think it will be a very, very interesting experience."

Neuman said he believes he's about as well-informed as most Alaska citizens can be, and hopes to bring a balanced view to the table.

"I listen to people with an open mind. I know what my personal opinions are -- I've got lots of opinions; my opinion changes all the time," Neuman said. "Everybody's opinion should matter. This should be a non-political issue -- I want to do what's right, to keep the state government running."

All three had different reasons for applying, and came from slightly different political backgrounds. Neuman said he had voted for Murkowski, but has come to doubt that initial support.

"I voted for Governor Murkowski because I thought he would protect the permanent fund and seniors, with their longevity bonus," Neuman said. "He said he had a plan to protect all that, and I believed him."

Neuman said he believes the permanent fund is valuable to Alaska citizens and he hopes to help preserve its role in Alaska's society.

Mayo said he believes he's been given a unique opportunity to have a hand in Alaska's future.

"I feel we've been presented with an opportunity where we may be able to help set the future for our state," Mayo said. "If I can be a part of that, I'd love to. I'll give them as much as I can, 24 hours a day for three days."

Mayo said he voted for Murkowski, but he's never played into the political scene. He said he takes more to the middle of the political road, and got along well with people in the Tony Knowles administration as well as the current Murkowski administration. He's the chairman of the Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Authority, a position he obtained under Knowles' administration, but was recently reaffirmed by Murkowski.

Kilkenny said she didn't vote for Murkowski, and has been surprised to see the administration heading in a similar direction to what Fran Ulmer described during her bid for the governor's seat in 2002. She said she applied for the committee because of a growing concern for the state's budget situation.

"I listened to the governor's state of the state address, and I'm really concerned about the state budget," Kilkenny said. "The state is responsible for funding education and education is so drastically underfunded. What impacts the state impacts education funding and that impacts my life -- and indirectly, it impacts all of us."

And a lot of Valley residents are aware of the impact the state's situation may have on their lives, apparently. Neuman, Mayo and Kilkenny all said their phone lines have been busy, and they've been pulled aside in stores by people looking to share their views on what the role of the permanent fund should be. All three said they've been compiling the information, and hope to present it during the three-day conference which will start Tuesday at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. If all delegates are doing the same thing, the governor's hope for consensus and broad representation may be met.

"It'll be intense and focused, but I'm expecting good things," Mayo said.