As a member of the Energy Sustainability Commission (ESC) and one interested in the late September political hype, I note some questionable actions on the part of assembly candidate Steve Vick. Vick has been the assembly’s liaison with the ESC for two years and is quoted in the campaign as being a supporter of energy independence. Yet he conveniently bypassed opportunities to explore alternative heating for the Mosquito Lake School boiler fiasco. The Mosquito Lake situation raises some concerns, considering who received this substantial contract and who is running for office!
The school board, with considerable public input, delayed the award of a contract to Dawson Construction for installation of two oil-fired boilers at the Mosquito Lake School at a cost of over $180,000, asking the ESC provide input into energy alternatives. But the assembly overruled the school board and decided to allow Dawson to install the oil boilers.
It is of interest that the Dawson Construction representative in Haines, Les Hostetler, was quoted in Steve Vick’s campaign ad in the CVN titled “Building Community Matters,” “Steve Vick listens to others and works hard to make Haines a great place to work and live.” Vick voted to override the school board and award the contract to Dawson. Who was Vick listening to?
The assembly missed a real opportunity to consider alternative, renewable energy for the small school at Mosquito Lake and Steve Vick, an ex-officio member of the energy commission, voted against his own campaign rhetoric.
Leonard Dubber