We protest the apparent guilt by association implied in Mr. Kenney’s remarks in the October 16 issue of the Turnagain Times. Mr. Kenney implies that Mr. Hawker is connected to the felonious behavior of some of the convicted Alaskan legislators.
Rather, Mr. Hawker, who is both Mr. Kenney’s opponent and the current incumbent, is an honest and ethical legislator who has established a credible record of reaching across the aisle to work effectively with his Democratic colleagues. He himself is one of the few representatives with a background in finance and his success as a CPA stands him in good stead with his colleagues and with the voting public. Alaskans have benefited significantly from his awareness of fiscal issues, both large and small. He is one of the few legislators who have worked on a logical, balanced plan to develop a sustainable state budget.
Regardless of how one feels things should be done in the state, it is not appropriate to challenge an opponent’s integrity by innuendo. Representative Mike Hawker has worked successfully to support our district, and personal criticisms are way off base with respect to his ethical handling of state business.
Respectfully,
David S. Alexander
Chris Von Imhof
Larry Daniels
Jim Barnett
Please accept this letter to the editor as representative of the opinion of the board of directors of Girdwood 2020. We are writing to express our dismay at the statements by Mr. Kenny printed in your last issue. In the past, political statements printed in the Turnagain Times have been kept to a higher standard where issues and policy were discussed for the betterment of our community.
Since such egregious statements were printed about Rep. Mike Hawker, we urge you to publish statements that correct this slander and focus on his longstanding and excellent service to the Girdwood and Turnagain Arm communities.
Rep. Hawker brings a high professional level of expertise to the Alaska State Legislature. His years as a professional accountant and business consultant give him the knowledge and experience to assist with state financial and budgetary discussions. His work and input are highly regarded in Juneau.
For all Turnagain Arm communities Rep Hawker has done the following:
Obtained Seward Highway maintenance
Obtained Seward Highway safety enforcement improvements
Written legislation restoring longevity payments to low income seniors
Written an oil tax plan that led to a fair increase in taxes
Opposed taxing oil producers so much they would leave Alaska
Chaired the Education Funding Task Force to fix the school funding
formula
Secured funding for extending Whittier Tunnel hours
Secured funding to relocate the power line to Hope for improved
winter reliability
Worked with the state budget process
Sponsored legislation requiring the State to have a long range fiscal plan
In addition, Rep. Hawker has provided the following for Girdwood:
Making possible ski area expansion to Winner Creek by closing mining
claims in the area
Provided ongoing funding to the Girdwood Volunteer Fire Department
for rescue equipment
Provided funding to the fire department for a new water tank truck
Funded half the cost of the new Girdwood Library and
Community Center
Provided funding for the new Girdwood Playground
Let this hardworking legislator’s record speak for itself.
Diana Stone Livingston, CoChair, Girdwood 2020