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Petersburg’s Samuelson to run in District 2 primaries Steven Samuelson has begun campaigning for the District 2 republican primaries against current representative Peggy Wilson. Samuelson, a fourth generation resident of Petersburg, was raised amongst the industries of commercial fishing and transportation. He hopes to bring to the seat the viewpoint of someone who has worked hands-on in the areas that are crucial to district two. In an interview with local media, Samuelson discussed his main platforms as well as his qualifications for running against incumbent Peggy Wilson. “I want to see the district move ahead. I feel like we’re sitting idle,” stated Samuelson. Samuelson noted his work experience with commercial fishing and tourism, and aviation education. “As far as education and the ferry system, I grew up with those things,” he said. “[Wilson’s] experiences are all in the house and politics.” He highlighted the main district 2 priorities as being education, health care, transportation, and resources. He discussed the need to see communities diversify to bring more economic stability to their structure, and sighted the development of cheap energy as being a key in bringing in businesses, and noted the addition of fiber optics opened up the door for potential telecommuters looking to raise their families in safe communities with good schools. One of Samuelson’s main concerns is the Alaskan Marine Highway system. “It’s not efficient, and instead of another plan I would rather see some action in there.” Samuelson specified he would like to see fare’s lowered to boost use of the ferries, and eventually bring back a winter schedule that accommodated communities’ needs. Samuelson touched on bringing back the health-care system to tier 3 as opposed to Wilson’s vote to move it to tier 4 where it currently sits. The different tiers adjust the amount of benefits employees receive, 3 receiving more benefits than 4. Samuelson also noted his desire to “take a leadership role” in getting the communities of district 2 to work together in developing their natural resources. Samuelson ran last year and lost, which he credited to his being an “unknown” in the last campaign. “Nobody new me politically, they new me as a fisherman,” said Samuelson. He expressed that seeks to unify the district. Samuelson is a member of Petersburg Rotary Club, Petersburg Moose Lodge 1092, Petersburg Elks Lodge 1615, Southeast Conference Transportation and Energy Committees, Petersburg Planning and Zoning Commission, and a United Way Board of Directors member. He currently works at Hammer and Wikan Hardware, and participates on the Board of Directors for the company. He is also a Fundraising coordinator for the nonprofit, Petersburg Mental Health.
INTERVIEW: Steven Samuelson, seeking Republican nomination in 2nd District state House race Letter to the Editor, April 2, 2009 As the downturn of our economy continues, residents of Alaska worry about their future in health care and retirement. House Bill 30, Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) and Teachers Employee Retirement System (TERS), was heard in the House of Labor and Commerce recently. Pers-Ters are the retirement programs for public employees set up by tiers in our State. With a lot of controversy, in 2006, Legislators chose to move out of tier three, a defined benefit program, and produce tier four, a defined contribution program or 401K. Many of us feel the defined contribution program, tier four, does not work effectively in our State. Therefore, returning to a defined benefit program would best secure Alaskan’s future. Under the current tier, employees of the State have no health care after they retire. Furthermore, there has been as much as a 66% financial loss to employees in the defined contribution program due to the economic crisis. This financial loss was substantially more than those employees in a defined benefit program. Financial loss for many families throughout the Country is unfortunately common these days. However, State employees that are established in a defined benefit program continue spending, which stimulates the State economy. Individuals in a 401K program are more reluctant to spend. Recruitment and retention of State employees has become increasingly hard due to the defined contribution program. In order to compete with our sister States, Alaska must move back to a tier three program. The State of Alaska typically pays $100,000 to $150,000 for employee training for each employee. An expense paid too often because we cannot keep State employees in their jobs. State employees who remain in our communities through retirement are an asset to the State. Alaska retained roughly $1.4 million in our communities due to local retirees. Public officials have local knowledge to pass on to new recruits and teachers are likely to teach the culture of a community as well as the books. Repealing the defined contribution program and reinstating the defined benefit program is the responsible approach to a continuing problem. A reasonable State retirement program, will allow us to recruit high quality teachers and public employees. Furthermore, the repeal will restore incentives to keep employees in Alaska through retirement. The State of Alaska continually votes against gaming. We should not make State employees gamble their retirement in a defined contribution plan. Steven Samuelson District Letter, March 19, 2009 Energy development is ongoing. SB 132, the Southeast Energy Fund, passed from the Senate Energy committee to the Resources committee. Other business heard in committee last Thursday was potential energy projects with presentations on a nuclear battery plant, clean coal extract and a tidal bridge that can produce 100,000 to 200,000 mega watts of power. Alaska can be a national leader as an energy source and Southeast plays a vital role in the multi-faceted process. By working together as communities, our energy projects in Southeast have a chance for funding in this competitive market. The Alaska Marine Highway System budget was discussed in the Senate Transportation and Public Facilities Committee. Topics included operations, maintenance, marine capital projects and the Alaska class ferries. The Alaska class ferries, in time, will replace our aging fleet. The current concept is three modified Malaspina day boats. Reliability is of utmost importance as well as the ships’ ability to handle any vehicle on the highway. The vessels will not be ocean-going and there will be no staterooms. There have been good meetings in Ketchikan and Juneau with more testimony scheduled in Anchorage and Sitka. Also discussed were the advancements of the Marine Highway. Alaskan ridership has increased significantly, a trend that may attribute to the 30% winter rate reduction and the driver goes free programs. The consistent schedule also plays a large role to the success of the Marine system. My thought is that many of these advancements are due to participation in public testimony. It is evident coastal residents are being heard. Criticism because of the untimely release of the schedule was rectified with an earlier release. Sitka played a large role in the increased service to their community. Sitka’s success was undoubtedly their consistent work with legislators, ferry system and a community campaign to promote ridership. All coastal communities have played an important role and progress is being made to strengthen our ferry system. I remain optimistic that the coastal communities will continue to share opinions, as the discussions of the Alaska class ferries begin. Also, I am hopeful the Marine Highway Management will focus their advertising throughout the State and continue listening. With the economic stresses, I believe that people will travel more within the State than abroad. Therefore, all Alaskan’s should be exposed to what the coastal communities know as our lifeline. Steven Samuelson District 7 Letter March 7, 2009 Recently there has been a lot of talk about energy projects around the State. The Governors top priority is an in-State natural gas bullet line to the Railbelt. Wind generation near Kotzebue and Nome plus hydro projects throughout the State are being discussed by legislators as well. On Tuesday, the 10th of March, I and other members of Southeast conference attended the energy committee meeting in the House. We heard an interesting presentation by Robert Venables of S.E. Conference. It is apparent that many people are working on power development here in Southeast Alaska and have been for many years. Today we continue our search throughout all of Alaska to find and develop renewable sustainable resources. It is unlikely that Southeast Alaska will benefit from natural gas as a low cost energy source, which is why so many of us believe that we must develop sustainable hydro generation. Hydro power is not a new business here in Southeast. Many communities have worked together for years in order to enjoy low cost energy for our homes and businesses and the search continues for many communities today. Senator Stedman’s bill (SB-132) is an excellent approach for our future in Southeast and includes more Alaskans in the Governor’s plan to develop energy in our State. Senator Stedman’s vision to apply money in the Southeast Energy fund and perhaps the in-state gas line is a welcome approach. It is important that we as Alaskans benefit first from our resources before we start moving toward an outside sale to Canada and beyond. This bill is a positive approach in making that happen. Hydro development in Southeast Alaska is more than clean renewable energy. It is jobs, stability and a way to diversify so many communities that are dependant on only one resource. Moving forward today to protect our future in Southeast is the responsible approach to our future. Your voice needs to be heard. Senator Stedman’s SB-132 will be discussed this Friday March 13, 2009 at 11:00am in the Senate energy committee. You can call in and testify from the L.I.O. office. Testimony can also be emailed or mailed to members of the committee. My hope is that the communities of Southeast can come together and work toward a sustainable Southeast Intertie system. Steven Samuelson |
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