Today (08-04-16), Gary Paxton and Ben Miyasato filed to run for Mayor, while Kevin Knox filed to run for Assembly. (Photos by KCAW)
As the filing period for the municipal election draws to a close, three more Sitkans have stepped forward. Today (08-04-16), Gary Paxton and Ben Miyasato filed to run for Mayor, while Kevin Knox filed to run for Assembly.
Gary Paxton was Sitka’s City Administrator from 1992 to 2001. While both offices are politically demanding, the mayor’s role is very different. The mayor manages the meetings, carries out ceremonial business, and has one vote at the Assembly table. But ultimately, the mayor has far less power than the administrator over city management.
If elected, Paxton said he would respect that difference. He said, “I will work with [City Administrator] Mark Gorman or whoever our administrator is in any way I can to help them do it, but I will not in any way try to impose my will or usurp the power or the responsibility or the flexibility of the administrator. I’m better than that.”
At 77-years-old, Paxton says he was motivated to come out of retirement when asked by others to run and at a time when Sitka faces immense financial challenges.
Over the phone with KCAW, Paxton reflected on how he’s been here before. “Listen, the first year I was city administrator the mill closed, and I helped with some wonderful members on the Assembly and a lot of good citizens to sort of be our steward through those difficult times,” he said. “These are really difficult times again, especially with the cutback in state funding so there are some really challenges. I think I think I bring some leadership and experience that can be helpful.”
Paxton says one of his strengths is working with state and federal government. In 2002, he joined the Department of Transportation as the Southeast Region Director before retiring in 2005.
Ben Miyasato also filed to run for Mayor today. Miyasato is serving his third term on the Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Tribal Council and concluding his first term on the Sitka Assembly this year.
Miyasato wants a newcomer to step into his seat. And he chose to run for Mayor at the behest of Sitkans who asked and out of a dedication to public service. “I’m a firm believer in that the more people who run, but better the public is served. I look forward to the challenges if elected,” he said.
Miyasato anticipates this year’s Assembly will delve even deeper into how Sitka balances revenues, services, and fees. City staff are projecting a $2.5 million budget deficit for next year. “We need to think long term on some of our issues that we are facing. Infrastructure is something we can set aside for the future. If we plan for these eventualities, I think that will better serve the public so that way we will not have too large of increases when it comes to paying for those services,” he said.
Along with Paxton and Miyasato, Assemblyman Matthew Hunter is also the running for the Mayor seat.
As for the two open Assembly seats, Kevin Knox submitted his name for the the first time. Knox is the Chair of the Port and Harbors Commission and says an early desire to advocate for the harbor system has evolved into a broader interest in city policy. He had planned to run for the Assembly one day, but between phone calls asking him to run and Sitka’s current budget crisis, he tells KCAW’s Emily Kwong that he decided to stop waiting.
KCAW: Why did this year feel like the right time?
Knox: I was compelled. I have been very interested in what’s going on. I’ve been attending several Assembly meetings and listening. Learning more and more.
Knox is particularly interested in how to make Sitka more equitable. “We need to make Sitka sustainable and livable for everybody. Not just certain segments of the population or certain industries or different things like that.”
The filing period for the municipal election is 5 p.m. tomorrow (08-05-16) and includes one seat on the school board as well. So far, Jennifer McNichol and Ed Gray have filed.
