Would you support giving the Chilkat River a Tier 3 Designation? Who should be the final designating authority: the legislature, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation or a Tier 3 board?

Steve Handy: Like so many other issues facing Alaskans, this is not a simple one that can be resolved by only the legislature, a state department, or a local board. Other states with similar predicaments have multiple steps: the scientific community, user groups, and finally legislature all having a voice. Politicians should not be making decisions like this one without scientific or practical user-group input. I will review the quantitative and qualitative data from subject matter experts and user groups then decide upon a course of action.

Sara Hannan: I support the designation process being done via a board that includes: expert agencies (Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Alaska Department of Natural Resources) and impacted community officials and other stakeholders.

Tom Morphet: I would support any measures – including Proposition #1 or a Tier 3 designation – necessary to protect Chilkat River water quality and salmon habitat. Because salmon habitat is a continuous provider of food and wealth for Alaskans, it should not be negotiable. But current state management allows gradual degradation of waterways by road projects, resource extraction and other development. As inevitable growth and development occur along our rivers, our fish and the water they swim in will need more protection if Alaska is to escape the disappearance of wild salmon runs that occurred in the Lower 48. I’d support an independent Tier 3 board comprised of scientists and citizens.

In early 2017, the Alaska State Troopers moved a trooper position from Haines to western Alaska due to budget cuts and an overall reduction in staffing. Would you support bringing a state trooper position back to Haines.

Handy: Yes.

Hannan: I support increased staffing of Alaska State Troopers and Village Public Safety Officers, and restoration of a Haines-based State Trooper.

Morphet: Absolutely. I would join forces with legislators representing other communities in Alaska that lost trooper service and form a coalition – including community members across the state – to ensure that troopers are returned to areas they traditionally served. State cuts to public safety, public health and public education amount to an unconscionable abandonment of basic public services that are the state’s foremost responsibility. The State of Alaska has $65 billion in savings and no general taxation to speak of. It can certainly afford to continue to provide state troopers to Alaska’s rural areas.

What communication techniques, or interpersonal skills would you use to build consensus, or debate with those who hold different views than you?

Handy: Consensus is not built; it is measured or tallied. When representatives try to “build” consensus then the discussion is driven by egos, not reasoning or democratic process. I tend to debate using Socratic Method, and I will do so based on the consensus of the reasonable majority of the district. I respect the opinions of others by default, but I can recognize ideologically based arguments and they carry less weight than sound reasoning.

Hannan: As a teacher I served with the Alaska National Education Association Board of Directors and the Juneau Education Association Executive Board. I learned to listen and to problem solve with many who may have held a different position than me. As a classroom teacher I learned to work with everyone – every view, every skill level, and every goal, with the understanding that we can move forward together. When I work with others I try to focus on how to solve a problem, not just what the problems are. I don’t spend as much time debating about what our positions may be on the subject.

Morphet: In public office, it’s important to like people on a certain level, especially people you don’t agree with. Rapport is the bond that allows people with differing views to work together and reach agreement. Starting at some common ground helps build a bridge. Humor and levity also help keep issues in perspective. Ultimately, reminding fellow leaders of our common responsibility to the public we serve is a way of keeping issues on track and moving toward resolution.

What is your first priority, should you be elected?

Handy: My first priority is to establish my office as that with the best coffee, then I will let all constituents know where and how to find their representative and why they should.

Hannan: I will work to see that we don’t spend down our savings and continue to cut services for the public.

Morphet: I’d push for a long-term fiscal plan based on heavier taxation of oil, a progressive payroll tax (to capture a share of revenue that leaves the state in the pockets of seasonal workers), a state severance tax on minerals, and possible increase in the state’s gasoline tax.