City Council Seat D: Robert Beedle

Robert Beedle.

Editor’s note: Cordova’s regular election is set for March 6, in the Cordova Center. Voting hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Community Room A. Candidates are running for three-year terms on seat D and E on the Cordova City Council. The Cordova Times gave the same questions to all the candidates. These are their answers.

1. How long have you resided in Cordova?

a. I was born and raised in Cordova.

2. Why do you consider yourself to be the best candidate for the job?

a. I feel that the experience I have gained and my current understanding of the issues will be important in the coming years.

3. What organizations, boards, committees or other volunteer positions have you served, and which are you currently serving?

a. Organizations: Pioneer member, Cordova District Fisherman United member, Moose member – all current.
b. Boards: City Council, Harbor Commission (not current), Cordova District Fisherman United (not current), Cordova Telephone Company, Prince William Sound Aquaculture, Regional Citizens Advisory Council.
c. Volunteer: Cordova Volunteer Fire Department, Assistant Boy Scout Leader. (neither currently)

4. What would be your top priority as a city council member?

a. Listening to community input, develop year around economic opportunity and harbor enhancement.

5. What steps need to be taken to balance the City of Cordova’s annual budget, including taxes and programs funded?

a. We are taking steps. Many of our budget issues are variables in funding by State and Federal entities that the City has to make up. We need to look at the needs of City Hall and be open to other new ideas and not just raising taxes.

Advertisement

6. What are the three most important issues city council is currently addressing? Please prioritize them (1 being most important).

a. Taxes. Budget. Marijuana.

7. What can be done to create new business and encourage existing business to expand locally?

a. Work to encourage and create a year around economy instead of only seasonal, as an example: the Fisheries Development Committee. With the city and council supporting new opportunities, fisheries and local events, it will make it more economically viable to create new business and encourage expansion. Another idea is to work on affordable housing in Cordova.

8. What would you do to make Cordova safer?

a. Our Fire Department, Police Department, EMT’s, Hospitals, our Public Works Department, Schools and others do work hard to keep our community safe. We need to keep supporting and encouraging these entities already in place. Continue to support all programs designed for community safety.

Advertisement