ALASKANS UNITE TO STOP SHUTDOWN OF MINING
A new statewide coalition of Alaskans concerned about the negative effects on Alaska of two proposed ballot initiatives was announced last month.
Alaskans Against the Mining Shutdown will direct a statewide campaign to defeat two statewide ballot initiatives which could have the effect of shutting down existing mines and prohibiting future mines in Alaska. The campaign notified the Alaska Public Offices Commission of its intention to register as a ballot measure group should these measures be certified for the ballot by Lt. Governor Sean Parnell.
"The end result of the ballot initiatives would be a shutdown in jobs, a shutdown of a rapidly growing sector of Alaska's economy and, for many communities, a shutdown of hope. These initiatives would have a devastating effect on Alaska’s mining families, and be a serious economic blow to rural communities and the economy statewide," said Marie Greene of Kotzebue, a founding member of the campaign committee and president of NANA Regional Corporation.
Other founding members of the campaign committee include RDC President John Shively of Anchorage, Kristan Cole of Wasilla, Bill Corbus of Juneau, Hugh Fate of Fairbanks, Robert Favretto of Kenai, Cheryl Frasca of Anchorage, Ernie Hall of Anchorage, Marc Langland of Anchorage, Matthew Nicolai of Anchorage, Vicki Otte of Anchorage, Mark Pfeffer of Anchorage, Ramona Reeves of Fairbanks, John Sandor of Juneau, Helvi Sandvik of Anchorage, William Sheffield of Anchorage, Rick Solie of Fairbanks, Arliss Sturgulewski of Anchorage, Dan Sullivan of Anchorage, Jim Taro of Ketchikan, Tim Towarak of Nome, Mead Treadwell of Anchorage, Jim Whitaker of Fairbanks, Bill Williams of Ketchikan, and Mayor John Williams of Kenai Peninsula Borough.
Willis Lyford, an Anchorage marketing and public affairs executive, will serve as the campaign's director headquartered in Anchorage, and Timothy Sullivan, Jr. of Anchorage, a longtime Alaska government affairs consultant, will serve as campaign field director.
Editor’s Note: To learn more, please visit www.againsttheshutdown.com
