August 19th will soon be here and Alaskans will be voting on Ballot Measure One to decide if Oil Tax Reform will be repealed or remain in place. In my opinion, and from all the predictions that I have seen, the oil flowing through the pipeline will continue to decline with SB 21 in place, so I am voting to Repeal. “YES” This affects every Alaskan now and in the future. People need to listen to the arguments on both sides and vote for what they think will be the best solution for themselves and all Alaskans.

In Alaska, we often have “outside” companies doing work in local areas. It is “good practice” and “good business” for the companies to hire as many locals as they can and spend money at local businesses. It makes the local people respect them and feel good about them being in the community. I know that some companies do this, but I have worked for companies that don’t believe they owe anything to the local economy. I would like to see all companies working on the Kenai Peninsula contributing to our economy.

Funding for public education has not changed in four years, but costs have increased. The best investment we can make for our future is providing a high quality education for our children to ensure they will have good jobs here at home when they become adults.

I have never held or run for a political office before. Over the years, I haven’t kept up on decisions that were being made in the government. I just thought, if it doesn’t affect me right now, don’t worry about it. Well, that was a mistake on my part. Now I am learning that just like being in school, when you get behind it is hard to catch up.

I encourage everyone to stay as informed as they can on political issues and be a voice in your community. GET OUT AND VOTE