Local Candidates respond

Jay Burnham

Assembly

1. Tell us about yourself. Why are you running for this term?

I was born in Skagway in 1966. I grew up here and after I graduated from Skagway Public School, in the top 10 (there where 7 of us), I joined the military and spent four years in the army. After the military I worked at the Hardware store for a few months and then I drove my motorcycle down to Los Angeles and worked for the movie industry in Hollywood for a year, obviously behind the scenes.
Following that I returned home to Skagway, bartended in Moe’s for awhile, then went to work for White Pass in 1993. Aside from a year in Baghdad in 2005 with the Alaska National Guard, I haven’t lived anywhere else. My two boys went to Skagway public school kindergarten through 12th grade, as I did, and now the oldest boy, Benjamin, is away at college and my younger boy, Jeremy is working locally.
As far as why I choose to run for office again, it may sound cliché but, to help out and to make a difference. Skagway has started a new chapter with taking over the waterfront, and I hope I can help be a part of steering Skagway in a direction we can all be proud of. It seems the older I get the more important things like that are.
I will add this here, I will not be putting up any yard signs or flyers around town to save money for a pool, but if you have any questions for me please feel free to stop me in the street and ask.

2. Now that the MOS is in control of the port and uplands, what is your vision for uplands development? (community question)

I believe the first portion of the uplands to be focused on should be the ore peninsula. As of now the Municipality is working on grants to remove the existing ore terminal building. There is also a designated area for containerized ore shipment staging on the peninsula that would have to be factored in. As far as a vision, I believe we should work on the infrastructure and aesthetics of the area. I believe some more green area would be an improvement. We will of course need to improve access and tour bus routes and staging.

3. Garden City RV Park’s next few years seem to be uncertain. While the goal for utilizing the land for housing is in the future, assembly funding and budget action will determine the timeline. What should be done to maintain the park until its final days. The spaces still have non-working water and sewer hookups, even though the park is considered dry – confusing guests. The flooring in the office is badly torn and needs replacement. The laundromat continues to lose washers and dryers to mechanical problems, electrical outlets in the bathrooms are not working and the shower quarter mechanisms are broken. Should the MOS budget maintenance repairs for the park? How do you see the park’s need for repair as one of the two RV parks, and the only one of the two that can handle larger motorhomes for the next few years. Would you propose a budget for Garden City maintenance?

There should already be a maintenance budget for Garden City. The things that you have mentioned as far as flooring, loss of washers and dryers, electrical outlets, and shower problems sound like basic issues and should be addressed as ongoing maintenance. As far as proposing a budget to upgrade or invest hundreds of thousands of dollars on Garden City infrastructure, I would not be in favor of that. I would be in favor of helping an old existing RV park be renovated or a new one start up.

4. What ideas do you have for exploring options to make Broadway and State Streets safer? One resident mentioned that the number of cars parked on State Street makes it difficult to safely assess oncoming traffic. Broadway has been extra difficult this year to safely navigate. Juneau placed chains along the sidewalk to help give direction to foot traffic. What are your thoughts about these issues with traffic in downtown Skagway? What are some solutions you would consider? (community question)

I believe the municipality has made improvements in the last few years on Broadway. The crosswalks are an improvement I believe made Broadway safer. There are other ideas which may improve safety. Narrowing the roadway and increasing the width of the boardwalks. An extra foot or two of boardwalk would help and I don’t think it would dramatically impact the driving lanes or parking. The amount of visitors on Broadway is another factor. At a recent assembly meeting under discussion items was tourism capacity. It seemed everyone on the assembly was in favor of some sort of adjustment. That is certain to be another factor being looked at by the assembly in the near term.

Jonathon Hillis

Assembly

Tell us about yourself. Why are you running for this term?

I am running for assembly because I feel Skagway needs some of the next generation to step up and volunteer our time. Skagway is making decisions that are larger on scale than anything in its history in complexity and scope, these are decisions that will shape how our future looks. As a business owner and homeowner in Skagway I feel I have a responsibility to help lend my perspective and help make these decisions.

2. Now that the MOS is in control of the port and uplands, what is your vision for uplands development? (community question)

I do not have a grand vision of the uplands development, however, I do think there is a lot of potential there to be a second shopping district outside the Historic District. A common area with shopping opportunities, some entertainment (busking) and a small green space to sit down is what I would like to see.

I ran both of the RV Parks for 2024, many of these questions are topics I have discussed many times with city crews. While I put together a wish list for Garden City RV Park that included the suggestions to cut off the water spigots and sewer dumps underground, pull tree stumps, and replace broken machines in the laundromat the truth is that our city maintenance team has a lot on their plates and the future of Garden City seems to be pointing towards it being closed. I would prioritize Pullen Creek RV Park on the maintenance crews schedule and in budgeting as well as ironing out a plan to get a new park started outside of town. I have a very hard time committing tax dollars to something that has not had a plan in 10+ years and still does not have any plan for the future.

I understand the concern many have for the traffic levels on our streets. I know for myself I would hate to see anything as visually impacting as chains on our beautiful boardwalks. I know our police department is over tasked in the summer and rules that would make Broadway much safer that are in place are simply not always enforced due to lack of time and manpower. Things like parking past the yellow curbs and blocking sight lines, driving erratically, bikes riding against traffic and of course tourists oblivious to traffic. I would love to see more Skagway Ambassador type roles on Broadway encouraging tourists to stay on the boardwalk and keep lines out of the roads. I would like to see our police department with enough manpower to patrol Broadway more and issue citations for bad behaviour. In summary I do not believe we need chains or a major change in the way we do business, I think enforcing the rules we have and working to guide tourists with personal direction will be far more effective than any other alternatives.

William Lockette, II

Assembly

1. Tell us about yourself. Why are you running for this term?

My name is William Franklin Lockette II. I’ve lived in Skagway since 2012 and have been actively involved in city politics since 2019. Not the decision making, until I was put on the Historic District and the Clinic Board late last year, but in keeping track of what has been happening. When I began, I wanted to take a stand against the weaponization of regulation against our city employees that was happening. Now, I’m focused on trying to find more solutions for the nagging problems that plague our day-to-day life. Housing and Utilities, mostly. We have to be able to maintain and improve the infrastructure of our current setup. We need to be able to accommodate RVs, Cruise Ships, thousands of oddly oblivious strangers and still be able to make this a place worth living and operating in for our year-round citizens. Skagway continues to hemorrhage families and businesses. If we’re not careful, putting all our eggs in the tourism basket is going to cost us the whole game.

2. Now that the MOS is in control of the port and uplands, what is your vision for uplands development? (community question)

As much as I would love to see a walking trail and small pagoda showcasing a historical museum of the Kushtaka, I think the uplands need a more practical plan. The 2030 plan, for as much community input as it had over its development, suggests a number of ways to use the uplands to maximize their greatness. I think, while they are colorful plans, we should decide as a community exactly how much development we want to see. The complications that come with developing constantly shifting terrain and a vital inlet to our bay shouldn’t be rushed through haphazardly while we still have other areas to be concerned with, like extending utilities across the bridge, so that our town can continue to grow in a lasting manner. Whatever we decide to do should preserve the natural appeal of the area, from the little stick alcove out by the airport to Smuggler’s Cove.

I’m fortunate enough to remember when we would have the massive caravans of RVs coming through Skagway, on their way North or South. They usually occupied the interior slots, and those who would come and hang out all summer had the border spaces. Folks would set up tents and camp out, have fires, barbeques, essentially enjoying all that makes being free of a stationary home great. Those audiences wound up being put up on a shelf and forgotten, it seems to me. Working at the grocery store I got to know some of their buying habits. They spent an insane amount of money in our town, not even on jewelry, while they’re here yet they have been placed on the back burner while we go all in on our waterfront. We’ve decided to do a land lottery for the slots at Garden City. We either need to make it an RV park, or get those lots to people to put in housing, and since it seems we’ve gone with the latter of the two options, we should probably start thinking about putting some money in to Pullen Park to either upgrade that, or start looking at a spot elsewhere we can put our RV traffic.

Signs aren’t working. Handing out tickets for bad parking isn’t working. Telling people 4 times before they get to 2nd and Broadway that they shouldn’t walk in the street isn’t working. The ineffective little color dots and shapes we use to guide people, aren’t working. It’s come to a point now where we need to have a serious talk about limiting traffic on Broadway. A lot. Tour busses slow down without warning and sit for an unknown amount of time, sometimes continuing on their path without any consideration of the line of traffic behind them. Angry citizens get frustrated and mash the gas to jump out into the street only to have to slam on their brakes to avoid killing a family. Tourists will pick up their children in their arms and step out in front of anyone without a glance. We need to start looking at one way, or -very- limited operation of vehicles along Broadway during the busy summer months. I, as much as anyone, understand the need to be able to access Broadway’s businesses with a vehicle for day-to-day needs, but if we don’t separate people and traffic, we’re going to see fatalities. I’d rather walk an extra block to the Hardware from Spring street than see some happy-go-lucky tourists have their life ended in our town.

Deb Potter

Assembly

1. Tell us about yourself. Why are you running for this term?

I am a 23-year resident of Skagway. Like so many others, I started as a seasonal employee but quickly became attached to this very special place. I am lucky enough to come from two very engaged parents who highly valued volunteerism. My father was the Teamster union rep for the Orange County Transit Authority bus mechanics and one of my favorite childhood memories is going to the picket line with him as they fought for fair wages, (I’m not sure if mom was aware of this.) Mom was always highly involved with the PTA, and continues, (at the age of 81), to work with groups that raise money to provide music programs in schools. I co-owned a small business in Skagway, (Sugar Mamas), for 8 years on top of bartending full-time seasonally. I was on the KHNS board of directors for over a decade, and have a vested, personal interest in the well-being of Skagway’s children, including the important issue of childcare for our hard-working parents. I’m proud to say that as an active member of this community, I have made an incredibly wide and diverse range of acquaintances and friends. In January of 2020, I was fortunate enough to become a homeowner here, but as a 19-year renter, former business owner, and dog mom, I’m FULLY aware of the challenges and feelings of vulnerability that comes with the housing situation in Skagway.

I was elected to my first term 3 years ago. I know the immense amount of work that is required to do this job properly. I’m proud of my accomplishments this first term including: a paid seasonal senior activities director position that I hope to transition to a year-round position beginning next year, Ordinance 23-23 which ensures that all future bulk ore shipments from the Port of Skagway will be done in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, and seeing the completion of the new citizen approved Ore dock. Skagway has given me so much, and it’s my honor to be able to give back. And that’s why I’m running for reelection.

2. Now that the MOS is in control of the port and uplands, what is your vision for uplands development?

The 2021 Port Master Plan which was developed with a great amount of community input, lays out the existing plan for the uplands. I encourage everyone to look at it. (It can be easily found by googling “Skagway Port Master Plan”). However, the reality is, we live in a very different environment than we did when this plan was developed. Skagway was still effectively closed to tourism when the plan was finalized. Not only have we fully emerged from an economic shutdown, but we have done so with full force. I’m not sure if anyone could have predicted the exponential growth in tourism Skagway, (and all of Southeast Alaska), would experience post pandemic. On one hand, it’s a good problem to have, and on the other hand, we need to make sure we are managing it to ensure a quality experience for both visitors and residents alike. The immediate “in your face issue” we’re facing is congestion on Broadway. There are too many people for the limited amount of space. A question that came up at the recent September 5th Assembly meeting was, are there other areas that we want to open up to tourists to relieve Broadway of some of the traffic such as the Ore peninsula? City Manager Brad Ryan suggested the Port Master Plan might need to be revisited and I agree. I still support some of the concepts in the current Port Master Plan like a continuous sea walk and bathrooms at Ore dock, but I believe we need to revisit the plan all together. When the old ore terminal is finally removed, do we want to utilize that space to build housing, or maybe we want to create an additional business area, or some other concept brought forward by the community? Whatever the final uplands design is, it needs to be developed with community input. (But I’m serious about the bathrooms. We really need Ore dock bathrooms.)

First, I believe it’s important to acknowledge that this property is the former site of the now officially federally recognized Pius X Mission School for Native Children. This school is responsible for very real generational trauma and for that, I am sorry.

We need to support and encourage independent travelers to come to Skagway. They stay here for multiple days and spend a significant amount in local restaurants and retail shops, and on tours. Independent and rv travelers don’t need extravagant campsites, but they do need access to laundromat services, (as do local residents), and a functioning bathroom. Realistically, development on the former site of the Pious X Mission School is 3 years away. In the meantime, I support investing in some shorter-term rv park infrastructure and maintenance including laundromat machine upgrades, (which given the recent news of losing our singular year-round laundromat, is going to be essential), as well as upgrades to the bathrooms. Since they will eventually be removed anyway, I think we should also look at the costs of removing the non-functioning electrical and water hookups which causes understandable confusion to guests. If we’re going to provide a service, such as an rv park, we should be providing a quality experience.

One issue we can all agree on is Broadway is too congested most days during the summer. There has been talk for years about changing Broadway to either one way traffic or closing it to vehicles altogether. Both options have their pros and cons, and community members have expressed their opinions each time this topic comes up. As with most ideas, it will be a challenge to find a solution that pleases everyone. However, the current situation is not working, so we need to consider trying something different. A study conducted before the pandemic recommended against making Broadway a one-way street. I believe it’s time to revisit this recommendation. While studies can seem cumbersome, they are valuable tools for making rational and informed decisions. I will be holding a Public Safety Committee meeting to discuss traffic on Broadway and potential solutions.

State Street presents a different issue. I agree that it can be difficult to navigate. Personally, I either avoid it or drive at 15 miles per hour. But because it is owned by the State, Skagway has limited ability to make any changes.

Cory Thole

School Board

1. Tell us about yourself. Why are you running for this term?

I started coming to Skagway seasonally in 1998 working in restaurants and for Packer Expeditions. In 2001, after finishing an undergraduate degree in field ecology and environmental science I decided to spend my first winter and have been here ever since. In 2009 I became the Junior High and High School Science teacher and truly enjoyed working with Skagway’s Youth, however, when Mary and I started having our own children both of us being highly dedicated teachers was challenging and In 2011 began working for the National Park Service.

I am running for this term because it is an honor to serve the community and school for which I care very much about. I believe the quality of education the students receive in Skagway contributes substantially to the quality of life we all enjoy here and I would like to support that in any way I can.

2. Skagway School continues to excel academically in Alaska rankings and reports. What does Skagway School do right? What advice would you offer other schools and districts in the state that might give them insight into the successes of our school.

There are a handful of reasons the Skagway School excels in both academics and culture and it would be very difficult to offer just one piece of advice to another school district and they may not be as fortunate to have multiple key factors all culminating and creating an environment we find ourselves in, multiple of which could be out of their. Skagway School’s success can be attributed to it’s, motivated students, highly dedicated teachers and staff, and an incredibly supportive community members and municipality that has the ability to fund school programs over the budget cap with programs that extend past the student base. Such as the lunch program, sports and academic extracurricular programs.

If I were to offer other school districts and their communities one piece of advice it would be to continue lobbying the State Government to increase the Base Student Allocation to appropriate levels to offset the ever increasing cost of maintaining and operating facilities and prevent them being put into a situation where they need to consider a reduction in force or cutting programs and provide the ability to establish a progressive education experience that addresses student needs and includes activities and programs that reach a wide array of interests as we are able to do in Skagway.

3. Transportation opportunities for school teams and student activities within Southeast Alaska has changed over the decade due to ferry scheduling, costs and weather events. How has this impacted the student experience? Is it still a problem?

For those of us who have been in Skagway through multiple winters we can all remember how challenging it was to travel when the ferry scheduled ferry sailings were even less than they have been the past couple of winters. Especially when there are weather cancellations. Luckily through creative problem solving and creating a partnership with Allen Marine to provide transportation and overcome some of those challenges at times. Which has benefited not only the school but residents who found themselves stranded or stuck during their travels.

That said, travel costs continue to rise and scheduling trips so students miss as little classroom time as possible is still a challenge so highlighting these points to the State DOT and the importance of regular, multi week sailings throughout all seasons at any opportunity we have to do so is very important.

Jay Burnham

Assembly

Jonathon Hillis

Assembly

William Lockette, II

Assembly

Deb Potter

Assembly

Cory Thole

School Board

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