SitNews - Stories in the News - Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan Regular Election Oct. 04, 2022
Early & In-Person Absentee Voting Begins 09/19/22

Ketchikan Borough Assembly
3 Year Term (2 Seats Open)

Michael Iann Martin

 

 

Received: September 26, 2022
Published: September 26, 2022


My name is Michael Iann Martin and I am a 21 year resident of Ketchikan. I grew up in rural Alaska and married a lifelong Ketchikan resident with whom I have two children who are currently students at Ketchikan High School.

jpg Michael Iann Martin Candidate for Ketchikan Borough Assembly October 04, 2022

1. I am running for office because I love our community. Ketchikan is where I chose to raise my family and want it to be a place my children want to return to. I am a firm believer in the idea that healthy communities grow healthy children. I want Ketchikan to continue to be that place. I believe it’s important for an assembly member to be an accurate representation of the population and to the best of their abilities refrain from placing personal beliefs or interests above the voice of those we represent. I see great potential for Ketchikan to continue to grow and want to be a part of that process.

2. I received my BA in Social Science from the University of Alaska Southeast right here in Ketchikan while working full time. I started my career working in the local schools before transitioning to residential treatment where I have worked for the last 16 years helping youth to become successful in reaching their goals. For approximately 12 years my wife and I have also been Therapeutic Foster Parents, opening our home to at risk youth providing a safe place for them to grow, learn, and work towards success. I have spent years working with other agencies within our community to foster healthy relationships for the betterment of those we serve and believe I can continue to do so as a member of the assembly.

3. Over the years I have spent a considerable amount of time engaged in different aspects of the community. This includes time serving on the Ketchikan Youth Court Board of Directors, a member of the Ketchikan Charter School’s Academic Policy Committee, numerous years of fund raising and supporting various athletic teams and activities, and I am currently an appointed member of the Borough’s Planning Commission.

4. First and foremost, I believe our housing crisis needs to be addressed. If we are going to continue to grow as a community, we need places for our residents to live. The process of purchasing land, developing it, and building is cost prohibitive to the majority of our population. So, we need to find ways to identify usable land and work with other entities through partnerships to help develop affordable housing. With my time on the Planning Commission, I have worked to open up new areas for development as well as helped those looking to expand on current properties in ways that promote more housing options in our area. A large part of being a member of the Borough Assembly is understating what your role is in these partnerships and utilizing our assets in the best way possible.

The second area where I see a challenge is with our education system. Our youth in the education system are coming back after two hard years of trying to keep up with educational expectations while combatting a pandemic. Many of our students will have walked back into the classroom without missing a beat this year. However, there will be a portion that do not have the same experience. Meeting with the KGBSD Superintendent last week, we were able to have a great conversation about how to identify these youth and what is needed to provide support for them. While funding is always the easy answer, its how that funding is used to bring support that will be the determining factor in our youth’s success. Though the Borough Assembly has no direct connection with how these systems are put in place. The understanding of these concepts is important when making financial decisions.

Lastly, Ketchikan has for some time been a Cruise Ship town that shutters a lot of its doors when the last ship leaves. A community is largely defined by your businesses. I want to work to support the growth of local businesses so that we can be a place that thrives regardless of the time of year. By offering ways for new businesses to get started and providing support for businesses that survived the last several years, I believe we can continue to grow our community in a positive manner attracting more financial stability for all. As I’ve stated previously, local business creates local money.

 






For over two decades, SitNews has provided a front page section at no cost for all candidates for the local Ketchikan Assembly, School Board, City Council, and Mayors to provide information about themselves and their campaign for the voters to consider.

All candidates are encouraged to participate. SitNews will begin accepting candidates' statements on  September 05, 2022 for publication.  Note: Early or Absentee-In-Person Voting will begin on September 19, 2022. In person voting at the polls will be Oct. 04, 2022.

In your statement please tell the voters:

1. Why you are running for office.

2. Experience and education.

3. Community involvement

4. Identify at least two significant issues and challenges facing our community and your ideas on addressing these issues. (Please do not just say you will be open to public input. Be specific about the issues and challenges and your specific ideas to bring to the table.)

5. Email a digital photograph. 

6. Email your information in text format or as a doc file and photo to editor@sitnews.us

Additional comments are allowed. (Posted Online: August 27, 2022 - Invitations to Participate were emailed to all candidates on August 27, 2022.) Editor SitNews

Printed ballots for inspection for the October 4, 2022 election will be available September 14, 2022. 

Last Day to register to vote in the local election is Sept. 04, 2022

KGB Election Information Click Here
City of Ketchikan Election Info Click Here