Last week, the municipality saw mayoral vetoes, more candidates file to run for Assembly, a fun Twitter meet-up and an informative Twitter rampage from an Anchorage Assembly candidate.
Mayor Dave Bronson Vetoes Funding for Capacity Increase at Brother Francis Shelter
Last week Mayor Dave Bronson vetoed funding to increase shelter capacity at the Brother Francis Shelter (BFS) from 72 to 120 guests. Mayor Bronson was brief and inconsistent in his explanations for this veto. In a press release, he stated that he was vetoing the funds because BFS would not be able to comply with terms of this amendment, with no additional explanation.
Bronson then stated in a video posted to Facebook that he would seek a Health Department grant to fund BFS in lieu of the budget line. He did not specify the amount of the grant. In response, the CEO of Catholic Social Services, Robin Dempsey, sent a letter to Assembly members requesting they override the veto.
“We appreciate the commitment from the Mayor to fund BFS at this capacity,” Dempsey said in the letter. “It is important, however, that this funding be annualized in the city budget and a veto override is the first step. Homelessness is a public health crisis, and to find real solutions we must have stability in funding. It is critical this funding is annualized. A veto override is necessary to continue this work and provide needed shelter space this winter and into the future.”
The Assembly plans to address the vetoes Tuesday.
After stopping expansion of BFS capacity, Bronson on Monday sent the Assembly an a resolution to be introduced Tuesday, requesting to increase the capacity at the Sullivan arena shelter to 360 individuals. The body will also take that up Tuesday.
The Municipal-owned Golden Lion Hotel, which could house 120 or more individuals, is not mentioned in the resolution, and remains empty.
New Candidate Files for Assembly in South Anchorage
Last week, Zachary Johnson filed to run for the South Anchorage Assembly seat. Assembly Chair Suzanne LaFrance has not filed for reelection. He joins Rachel Reis in running for the South Anchorage seat.
Reis, who filed in May, is a member of the Facebook group Save Anchorage, and has endorsements from Bronson and Assembly member Jamie Allard.
Johnson was born in South Anchorage. He served in the Marine Corps and worked for the Alaska State Troopers for eight years, stationed in both Fairbanks and Anchorage. He volunteered as the president of Girdwood Fire and Rescue, worked as a firefighter/EMT and sits on the board of Hillside Community Council. In a phone call with the Current, Johnson said his position on the community council gives him insight into the needs of the district, and is seeking office to be of further service to his community.
Last week, the Current talked about the candidates that have filed letters of intent so far to run for the other districts. You can find that here.
A Fun Tweet Up with Many Community Organizers in Attendance
On Friday, there was a fun #AlaskaTwitter get together attended by some of the most active community organizers, advocates and volunteers in our city. Those in attendance volunteer their time at food banks, sit on boards and commissions, advocate with Bike Anchorage, work at local schools, volunteer with their community councils and participate in roller derby.
There were local journalists, musical theater performers, small business owners, Indigenous philosophers and storytellers, engineers, climate justice professionals, project managers, local artists, and people who are fairly new to Anchorage. It was a great, family-friendly gathering of individuals who are building a stronger, more vibrant community.
Twitter Rampages and Policy Ideas From an Assembly Candidate
Speaking of Twitter, Anchorage Assembly candidate Dave Eibeck took to the platform over the past week to espouse his policy ideas, which include shutting down more schools, pushing more parents to leave the workforce. Eibeck’s twitter profile is in general a clearinghouse for conspiracy theories.
He also went on rampages about transgender indoctrination, human sacrifice, and confusion being related to estrogen.
Eibeck doesn’t seem to know much about the female body, but he was self-aware enough to write, “It is eternally impossible for my campaign to fail. My candidacy is one of ideals.”
Eibeck recently lost his bid for Alaska House, coming in third place with 11% of the vote. Eibeck has not yet filed a letter of intent for the South Anchorage Assembly race, although he has stated he is running. If he does indeed file, it is sure to stay lively.
Coming Up
The upcoming week will be a busy one with the Anchorage School Board meeting tonight and the Assembly meeting Tuesday.
The Anchorage School board will continue to discuss ways to meet the budget shortfall that has been imposed on the state by the Legislature and Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
The Assembly will be discussing the controversial Holten Hills housing project in Girdwood. Proponents of the project praise the increased housing this project will bring while opponents argue the project will consist of high-end units and will fail to address the affordable housing shortage.
There’s also an Assembly Public Safety Committee meeting Wednesday. The agenda is not set yet, but will likely include an update on the Municipality’s progress on body cameras.
If you have any comments or tips please contact me at yarrow@thealaskacurrent.com.
