 Candidate for Ketchikan Borough Assembly 3-year term seat - three seats open Published:
Candidate For: Borough Assembly Address: P.O. Box 1719 Ward Cove, AK 99928 E-Mail Address: dlandis@kpunet.net Phone: 247-1719
About -Background: I was born August 20, 1964, in Salem, Oregon. I am the third of four children of Robert (Bob) and Janet Landis. Our family moved to Ketchikan from Oregon when Dad started a teaching job at Kayhi; Mom both raised us kids and worked, first for the State Probation and Parole Division, and then as a teacher - and eventually principal - at Revilla High School. Both of my parents retired from this District about 10 years ago, and they live "2 doors down" in our neighborhood north of town. My folks' careers were dedicated to serving the youth of Ketchikan, and I'm very proud and grateful to say that I am their son. As for my siblings, my older brother Rod is an Assistant Professor of English at the UAS-Ketchikan Campus; my older sister Marjie lives with her family in Palmer, Alaska, and my younger sister Jodi is employed as a dental assistant at Dr. Albertson's practice here in Ketchikan. After graduating from Kayhi in 1982, I attended the Ketchikan Community College (as it was then known!) and then on to LeTourneau College in Longview, Texas briefly before settling down to complete a Bachelor of Science degree at Oregon State University. I also started a Master's program at OSU, but took time off to support my other half as she completed her degree at OSU. I worked my way through school at Waterfall Resort, first as a fishing guide and finally as the head guide for Waterfall's fleet of 25 boats. During high school summers, I also worked commercial fishing with a variety of gear types - I've always had a knack for coaxing fish to their untimely doom! My high-school sweetheart (and best friend) Danelle and I married after seven years of fishing and schooling. We thought we might settle down in Corvallis, where we had been attending school. That thought lasted long enough for me to become proficient at a new trade: construction contracting! We also decided that we wanted to have a large family. Ultimately, our hearts brought us back to the only place we had ever called "home," - Ketchikan! I worked in Ketchikan's construction industry until joining the staff of Ketchikan Indian Community as the Housing Coordinator in 1998. During this time I also acted as the owner's representative and project manager for the construction of KIC's Tribal Health Clinic and Administration Building on Tongass Avenue. In 1999, I accepted the job of KIC Programs Manager, and in October of 2001 became the Interim General Manager of KIC. When it comes to hobbies and/or other interests, I spend virtually all my free time with my family, doing regular 'Ketchikan Stuff,' like taking the skiff to Gravina, hiking with the dogs and having breakfast out on Saturday mornings.
List any experience that qualifies you for this elected position: I have the executive administrative experience that will allow me to understand the positions of, and work effectively with, the Borough staff that I will give direction to. I have a thorough knowledge of this Borough's government, drawn from my professional experiences interacting with the Borough Directors and Administrators, as well as from my years as a Borough Planning Commissioner (I am in my second three-year term). I also sit on another deliberative board, the Advisory Council of UAS - Ketchikan Campus. The process, and comfort level, I feel of maneuvering within board/council/assembly type meetings will be invaluable experience for me in this position.
State at least 3 reasons why you are seeking a seat on this elected body: I love this community and want it to not only survive, but also thrive! I have lived in this Borough for almost my entire life, and know the people who live here. I know the mindsets and the references, the history and the culture. I believe I know WHY people live here, and why they want to stay and raise their families here. I am prepared to serve effectively from the first day of office. I will have virtually no "learning curve" due to my experience on both sides of decision-making tables.
Why should the voters elect or re-elect you? I offer a fresh perspective for the body, and intend to help fashion a new, better, and more peaceful way of municipal governance. I believe that Borough citizens have come to the conclusion that the Assembly doesn't have their best interests at heart, and have become deeply suspicious of some of the individual and conflicting motives of Assembly members. I, however, have no agenda other than to see this community thrive so that I can raise my family here, have my children obtain a good education, and give them the same opportunity that I have had to live in a healthy viable community. I think that the voters are ready for that!
List local, regional and/or statewide issues that you believe are a high priority and state your position on each. The single most important issue within our local governments today is the declining economy. There are many conflicting opinions on how to address our economic woes, but I believe that the single greatest opportunity to give our economy a short-term boost and have a long-term benefit is to construct a bridge to Gravina Island. The economic activity from this project will help prop up our fragile business community for the next few years, and give us more "lead time" to address long-term business creation and development of Borough property (which will increase the tax base and keep families invested in the community). Support of local enterprise in a proper governmental fashion (not hand-outs - rather, "setting the stage " for business to flourish) is going to be an important economic issue as well: Matching dollars for the EDA Shipyard grant, transfer of operation and ownership of the veneer mill to a private company, and the redevelopment of Borough properties at Ward Cove are all essential components of creating a healthy environment for business in Ketchikan. I have included more detailed information on the "Economic Recovery" page on my campaign website landisforassembly.org. Please visit! Regional issues and positions that are priorities include the Capitol move from Southeast (The Capitol should stay in Juneau); The electrical intertie (This is going to be an important way to lower electrical costs - I support it); the Alaska Marine Highway System (It is vital yet underfunded, ships should have 100% of all maintenance done in Ketchikan); The timber industry (Value-added industries need to be developed so that we can harvest and process this resource within Southeast); Tourism (I would support a regional cruise ship passenger fee initiative, but a stepwise approach to new regulation); and Fisheries (Fish waste needs to be processed and utilized rather than become an environmental hazard, wild Alaska Salmon should be marketed more aggressively). The single largest State issue is the "Fiscal Gap" and ways to address it. I feel that this issue is simple reduce the state budget to past levels so we can keep the present reserve funds, and keep the legislator's hands out of the Permanent Fund!
How do you determine your position on an issue? I listen. I consider. I listen again, and process what I have heard. I weigh the issue against simple logic and factor in human nature and individual or small-group interests versus community good. I listen again and again, over a wide spectrum of the population. I discuss my emerging opinion with people whose judgment I trust and who have a long track record of good judgment in that particular area (if possible). At the table, I am prepared to champion my views, but listen to and consider well-reasoned arguments from opposing quarters. Then I decide.
What would compel you to change your position? If compelling evidence were presented to me, I would have no problem with changing my position - but if a small but vocal minority doesn't particularly like a certain position or decision of mine, and I know mine is the right position, I am a "stick to your guns" type. I have to make hard decisions like this constantly in my line of work. I'm used to it!
If a dozen people speak at a public meeting on a controversial agenda item with the majority of the speakers opposed and the minority for, how would this impact your ability to form a decision on what is best for the community? The specific circumstances would determine a more exact response, but in broad strokes, I would try and determine if there was actually a representative cross-section of the community that were speaking out, or if it was a special-interest situation. I don't believe that hasty decisions are the best decisions, so gathering complete information is important, even if it means postponing an agenda item to give the "other side" a chance to weigh in on the issue. As discussed in the previous two questions, the arrival at any decision or position is a process which has many steps, and if I am not comfortable that a decision can be properly made, I won't make a decision "just because" it was time to do so. That having been said, a dozen people speaking on an issue means that the issue is a "hot one" and the Assembly would be wise to pay close attention to what is being said. I know that it takes a lot of guts to get up at the podium and have those people in positions of authority staring at you. Public speaking is the #1 fear of people, so I will certainly take it seriously when someone overcomes that fear and speaks their mind. Where would you most likely obtain more information on agenda items? Staff recommendations; Newspaper articles; Letters to the editor; The internet; and Other: Any other area or source that didn't violate the Open Meetings Act, have a perception of (or an actual) a conflict of interest, or violate other laws pertaining to Assembly member conduct.
Who would you most likely talk to prior to making a decision that affects the entire community? Family; People at work; Civic Organizations; Private friends; Government Staff; People in the community; and Other: I would garner a broad cross-section of the community - the largest that could be had within the given amount of time. If there wasn't time to talk to a wide enough group, I would seek to have more time available, if the issue allowed for it.
How would you deal with people whose views oppose your beliefs who want to talk to you about an agenda item or issue? I am by nature a very diplomatic person, and find that talking to people who have different views fascinating (really!) I don't think that a world where everyone agreed on everything would be very interesting, do you?
In a public meeting discussion, what would you likely do? Tell others my position; Listen to positions of others; Try to reach a compromise (if the situation allowed it, and it was the right decision); and Other: I feel there is often not enough discussion around the table in deliberative bodies. It constantly amazes me that someone will vote "NO" on a question, and no one has heard a peep from that member as to why they were going to vote that way! I'm not by any stretch of the imagination a loudmouth, but I do hold myself to a high standard of vocalizing my opinion so that the body knows how I view a particular issue.
How do others view you? Unbiased; Reasonable; Diplomatic; and Other: The people who know me best describe me as a good listener, kind, thoughtful, respectful and fair. I will never turn a deaf ear when someone shows me that I am wrong on an issue - this practice has always enabled me to improve whatever I am doing the next time around.
Comments - Statement: I will empower the citizens of this community by encouraging them to take their rightful place in the order of government - at the top! You, the citizens of this community, are truly the decision-makers not the individuals sitting at that table. You deserve to be treated respectfully and have your concerns heard by any individual Assembly member or by the body. Please join me in re-fashioning this Borough Government into one that is truly governed 'by the people for the people', and not by those whose egos, opinions and insecurities cause them to uphold that which is wrong. I have great respect for the public process and for the will of the voters. If I should be so fortunate as to be chosen to serve by these voters, I promise and pledge to act in the best interests of the entire community, and to uphold the public trust that has
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