Earth day and Municipal Electrion Runoff

Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

April 23, 2024

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Happy Earth Day! Yesterday was great day to celebrate the place we live. In West Anchorage, we are blessed to reside on Dena'ina land. In honor of Earth Day and in the days ahead, there are many volunteer opportunities around town.

There are two important elections as we move into May: First, the Anchorage Mayoral Runoff election will determine the next mayor of Anchorage. The last day to vote in the runoff is May 14th. Second, Chugach Electric is holding board elections open to all member-owners through May 17th.

And finally, Senate Concurrent Resolution 13 unanimously passed the Senate last week.

Anchorage Mayoral Runoff Election

The Municipal Clerk has counted over 72,000 ballots from the April 2 Anchorage municipal election. The turnout is just over 30% of registered voters.

In the mayor's race, the leading candidates are Suzanne LaFrance, with 36.2% of the vote, and Mayor Dave Bronson with 35.6%. According to city code, a candidate for mayor must win at least 45% of the votes to win outright. Because none of the candidates in the race reached that margin, the two leading candidates now go to a runoff election. That election will also be held by mail. The Municipal Clerk will send out ballots on April 30th, and the final day to vote in the runoff is Tuesday, May 14.

If you voted by mail in the Anchorage Municipal General Election, you should receive your runoff ballot to the same address. If you will be travelling during the election, you can apply to have your ballot mailed to a temporary address, or vote by email. All three Anchorage vote centers will also be open for in-person voting starting May 7th: City Hall, Loussac Library, and Eagle River Town Center.

For questions about the Anchorage runoff election, please visit the Anchorage Municipal Elections page.

Chugach Electric Board Elections

Chugach Electric is the state's largest electric utility, representing around 91,000 members in the Anchorage area. Each year, members vote to elect candidates to the Board of Directors, who make key management decisions for the utility. With the impending Cook Inlet natural gas shortage, it is very important to elect good leaders to our public utilities.

If you pay an electric bill to Chugach, you are a member-owner and you can vote. All members should have received an electronic ballot in their inbox. There are four candidates running for two seats on the Board of Directors, and you can learn more about each candidate on the Chugach website. The last day to vote is Friday, May 17th.

The Chugach Electric board elections are open now through May 17.

The Way Forward: Report of the Commission on Native Children

In 2016, Congress created the independent Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children to make recommendations to better help Native children and youth across the country. The Commission conducted a comprehensive study of programs, grants, and supports available to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians from birth through age 24. They researched issues such as child welfare; juvenile justice; early childhood education; post-secondary education; and physical, mental, and behavioral health. In February 2024, the Commission published The Way Forward with their findings and recommendations.

This Friday, April 26th, the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Education Committee will be holding a joint meeting about the The Way Forward. The Commission Chair, Gloria O'Neil, will share the report and the Committee members will learn more about the recommendations found in the report to help improve outcomes for Native children and youth.

To read the full report and to learn more about the Commission, please visit the Commission on Native Children's website here.

When: Friday, April 26th at 1:30 PM

Where: In person at the State Capitol Building, Room 205 or livestreamed on Akleg or KTOO Gavel to Gavel.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 13 Passes the Senate

On Friday, Senate Concurrent Resolution 13 unanimously passed the Senate. As we discussed in a previous newsletter, this resolution confirms the veto process that the Legislature must take when the Governor vetoes legislation or budget items.

This year, we have seen more executive orders from a governor than ever before, and the Legislature has convened to consider two governor's vetoes. The Legislature has the power to act as a check on the executive branch. In all matters, it is important that we follow the Constitution and maintain consistent rules and protocols. Next, this resolution heads to the House for consideration.

Please watch my presentation about SCR 13 on the Senate Floor.

Happy Earth Day!

Monday, April 22nd was Earth Day. We are blessed to live in a place that is abundant with opportunities for fishing, hunting, berry-picking, hiking, camping, boating, skiing, and so much more. It is critical that we act as stewards of Alaska's lands to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy the same benefits.

Furthermore, it is important to recognize the role that Indigenous people play in stewardship. Anchorage sits on the ancestral homelands of the Dena'ina people, and it is thanks to thousands of years of Native stewardship that we enjoy the beauty and bounty of this place. In our efforts to conserve our shared resources, we must always be mindful of the original stewards and the knowledge they have.

There are a number of ways you can celebrate Earth Day. Read on for some upcoming events to celebrate and maintain our beautiful home:

Anchorage Citywide Cleanup

When: May 4th, 10 am - 1:30 pm

Where: Westchester Lagoon

It’s springtime in Alaska and that means it’s time for the Anchorage Chamber Citywide Cleanup presented by Matson. Come out to Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park at Westchester Lagoon on Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. to register your crew, pick up bags, drop off trash, and learn how you can win $5,000 in prizes by cleaning up Anchorage.

So mark your calendars and we’ll see you at the Citywide Cleanup Kickoff. For more information, visit the event page.

Spenardagain Neighborhood Cleanup

When: May 11, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Where: RMG Real Estate, 1900 West Benson Boulevard Anchorage, AK 99517

Welcome to the Spenardagain Neighborhood Clean Up! Join RMG Real Estate for a day of community service and fun. Let's work together to keep our neighborhood clean and beautiful. There will be dumpsters for trash drop off, recycling bins, and more!

Whether you're a long-time resident or new to the area, everyone is welcome to participate. Bring your friends, family, or even your furry companions to help out. Let's show our neighborhood some love! Together, we can make a positive impact and create a cleaner environment for all. For more information, visit the event page.