The Anchorage Daily News asked candidates for Anchorage mayor to answer a series of issue questions. Read all of them here.
MIKE ROBBINS | Occuption: Businessman | Age: 59 | www.robbinsformayor.com
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1. Why are you running for mayor?
I am running for mayor to make Anchorage a safer, cleaner and more prosperous city. I want to see a lower crime rate; slow down, stop and reverse the growth of our homeless population; create a business friendly environment for entrepreneurs; work to streamline city government processes; and finally, move the city away from dependency on Juneau’s generosity and oil and gas for our future. Anchorage has always been a city that respected personal freedom, protected our right to worship as we pleased and raise our families without intervention from the heavy hand of government. I want to return us to that place. The city is out of balance and I want to work to restore that balance. And finally, I want to give back all I can to this city that has given so much to me and my family.
2. What in your background or experience sets you apart from the other candidates and makes you suited to be an effective mayor of Anchorage?
I started my first business when I was 17; I have started and run multiple types and sizes of companies. I have a solid background in working with people from all walks of life, political backgrounds and interests. I have the ability to learn quickly, to assess, to solve problems and to find solutions where none are readily visible. I have demonstrated leadership abilities and understand how to motivate individuals and teams. I have been in Alaska since 1975, I grew up here and I know the city. I am not a politician; I had no desire to be one. My only motive in running for office is to repair and replace the brokenness that has affected our city.
3. What’s the biggest challenge facing city government and how would you address it?
The biggest challenge facing our government is lack of visionary leadership. I will use the skills and talents that I have acquired over the last 35 years change that.
4. Describe how your administration would approach the coronavirus pandemic.
I will enlist the aid of proper science in making all decisions around the pandemic. A Robbins administration will be ready to take care of those who get sick and protect those that are most vulnerable. We will keep our city open and not mandate masks unless we are faced with the most grave of circumstances. We will most likely be sworn in at the point where we have reached the 60% vaccination rate and a 30% antibody penetration which will mean the way in which we manage this will become much like the flu or other seasonal afflictions. We will look for ways to help small businesses and others affected by the pandemic using CARES Act funding and other resources available.
5. What’s your assessment of how Anchorage’s city government has responded to the pandemic over the past year? What, if anything, would you have done differently? Be specific.
The city has over-responded to the crisis. In March last year we knew very little about this virus, but by May, we knew much more. Even with the additional information, the mayor and the Assembly continued the use of lockdowns and mask mandates. A Robbins administration would have paid closer attention to the developing science. We would have approached the management of the pandemic from a glass-half-full perspective. We would have balanced the needs of all of our citizens against the science.
6. What role should city government play in repairing economic damage to individuals, businesses and community organizations from the pandemic?
The government must play a role since it instituted the policies that have devastated our hospitality industry and our small businesses. First, we need to properly manage our CARES funds. Second, we need to push the assistance down to the lowest level in the economy. We need to provide rent and mortgage assistance. The city needs to evaluate the use of ML&P proceeds and even the possibility of accessing the MOA trust fund to carefully pull the city out of the hole that we are in to help small business and landlords. But most importantly, we need to get the city back open and functioning to end any further damage from being done.
7. Downtown Anchorage has been hit especially hard by impacts from the pandemic, with tourism, gatherings and events greatly reduced and many businesses and organizations struggling as a result. Another difficult summer with greatly reduced tourism appears likely. What’s your vision for downtown, and what specifically are your short-term and long-term plans for repairing damage from the past year?
The reality is that downtown needs to be dealt with in the same way we deal with all of our businesses in the city. First we need to get open. We need to invite tourists back. Short-term, the solution will be absorbed in the help we provide to the whole community. Long-term, we need to think bigger when it comes to downtown. We need to get the port restored and revitalized, we need to build and develop a waterfront area so that we have a strong reason for tourists and locals to spend time down town.
8. Would you make changes to the Anchorage Police Department and policing policies? Why? Please describe in detail.
At this time, I have no plans to make broad changes to the way our police department operates. Once elected, we will work with the new chief and assess department procedures and outcomes to determine if any changes are needed or warranted.
9. Is the Anchorage Police Department adequately staffed?
Questions about staffing can only be answered after the new chief has had an opportunity to assess the department and compare where the departments goals are in relationship to the latest PERF study.
10. Do you support the bond issue on this spring’s municipal ballot that would fund public-safety technology upgrades, including body-worn and in-vehicle cameras for police officers? Explain.
Yes I support the bond issue.
11. Describe, with specifics, how you would expand and diversify Anchorage’s economy.
We will expand the economy by finding ways to attract new industry, by taking on and promoting infrastructure projects, using federal dollars to pay for them. We will expand the economy by helping our school district to graduate better-educated kids who will be needed by the industries and companies that will be attracted to our city. We will expand the economy by cleaning up crime and our homeless problem so that new businesses want to open here. Finally we will expand our economy by having a vision that will allow us to look past the problems of the day and into the opportunities of tomorrow.
12. What’s your vision for Anchorage’s economy in the future?
I see a diverse economy that has broken its dependence on Juneau and the energy sector. I see Anchorage as the medical destination for our state and the corporate headquarters for every major company in Alaska. I see an economy that is vibrant and growing.
13. Is taxation in Anchorage too high/about right/too low? Explain.
Taxation is just about right. Having said that, we need to be ever-diligent about how government is spending the money entrusted to it by the taxpayers.
14. Do you have ideas for alternative sources of city revenue? Explain.
Yes. The sale of AWWU.
15. Are there city programs or services you would cut? Explain.
Every program and or service we provide should be constantly evaluated. I am for cutting any service or program that does not provide the proper return on investment. Nothing specific at this time.
16. Are there city programs or services you would expand? Explain.
Every program and/or service we provide should be constantly evaluated. I am for cutting any service or program that does not provide the proper return on investment. I am for expanding any city program or service that is delivering and has the potential for delivering more results for our taxpayers. Nothing specific at this time.
17. What’s your view of current Anchorage land-use plans? Would you push for changes?
I believe the land-use plan needs to be updated and evaluated.
18. Homelessness remains a persistent, significant problem in Anchorage. What specifically would you do differently from previous administrations?
Solve the problem. Work with the service providers, nonprofits and faith-based organizations to devise a model for slowing down, stopping and reversing the growth of the homeless population in Anchorage.
19. Name a program dealing with homelessness in Anchorage that you believe is working.
The Salvation Army McKinnell House.
20. Please discuss your commitment to transparency and openness in Anchorage municipal government. Do you have suggestions for improving either?
As mayor, I am committed to transparency in our municipal government.
21. What’s your assessment of Anchorage’s transportation infrastructure? Do you have a plan to improve it? How?
We need more transportation infrastructure. We need projects that will expand development, eliminate congestion and take the burden off of the current system.
22. Are there specific transportation projects you would initiate in the municipality if elected? Explain.
Yes. We will re-initiate the construction of the Knik Arm Bridge. We will support the construction of the Anchorage bypass that will connect the Glenn and New Seward Highways. We will put through the Elmore road extension.
23. The past year has been marked by increasing civic discord in Anchorage. What would you do to reduce frustration, distrust and anger that increasingly has characterized civic conversation?
I would lead by listening. I would work to restore the faith of the electorate in their elected officials.
24. What other important issue would you like to discuss?
No response provided.