City Council Seat E: Gary Graham

Gary Graham

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?

40 years

 

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

Business owner

Age & life experience

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Longevity of residence

Familiarity with most of the issues affecting Cordova and its citizens

 

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

Cordova City Council   1996-2003; Cordova Harbor Commission 1994/95; CCMC Board 1996-2002; organized and supervised setup, ceremony, and display of Viet Nam Moving Wall visit; committee chair FNRA Chapter in Cordova since its 2009 beginning; brought many thousands of dollars to Cordova Trap & Gun Club for range repairs and safety programs.

 

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

To faithfully execute the duties of a city councilman and to listen to the concerns of ALL citizens of Cordova.

 

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

To balance the budget by holding spending in check while maximizing revenues from taxes that we have in place while trying to increase revenues from non-residents and visitors and minimizing the property tax that penalizes the property owners of Cordova.

 

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

Budget revenues

Infrastructure maintenance. (harbor in dire need of repairs).

School and hospital funding.

 

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

This is a question the answer to which is impossible to answer given the 500-word space limit imposed on this forum. I do, however have suggestions that involve making this a more business friendly environment toward legal businesses.

 

  1. What would you do to make Cordova safer?

Cordova is already among the safest cities in Alaska and indeed the country for crime. As evidenced by the recent tsunami warning response it is also a town that is prepared for just about any natural disaster. As shortcomings are detected we address them.

 

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