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My name is Bill Wielechowski, and I'm running for the Alaska State
Senate, to represent Northeast Anchorage.

One of the most important rights we have is the right to vote. I don't
believe elections should be about catchy slogans, sound bites,
gimmicks or empty campaign promises. The people of Alaska want
and deserve better. That's why I've laid out my positions on a number
of important topics, so that you'll know where I stand on the issues.
And if you'd like to know more, don't hesitate to contact me.

I think elections should be about which candidate has a positive
vision, the experience, energy and leadership skills to achieve that
vision and who will work the hardest to get results for the community.

I hope you'll take a few minutes to read about my vision for Alaska,
my experience and the things I've already done to improve our
community. I believe Northeast Anchorage has an exciting future. I
hope we both share a positive vision for Alaska, and I hope I can
work hard enough to earn your vote.

- Bill Wielechowski

My Priorities...

Property Tax Relief...

When I talked to many of you during my campaign for the Anchorage
Assembly, I heard your concerns loud and clear -- rising property
taxes are hurting many of our families. Amazingly, just a few years
ago our legislature passed a bill that cut out funding from the State to
local governments -- causing all of our property taxes to increase.
That's why one of the first things I will do if elected is sponsor a bill
that will use a portion of the oil surplus revenues to provide property
tax relief. I'm honored that the Anchorage Board of Realtors has
endorsed my candidacy -- they understand how important property
tax relief is, and how important it is for us to encourage home
ownership.

Natural Gas Pipeline...

The proposed natural gas pipeline is the most important
development of our generation. It will generate hundreds of billions of
dollars in wealth. If done properly, this pipeline will provide jobs and
revenues for our grandchildren and their grandchildren. If done
properly, it will allow us to fund a world-class education system, grow
our Permanent Fund, create entire new industries in Alaska, power
our State for decades and pay for much of our State expenses. The
future of our State requires that we negotiate a contract that is in
Alaska's best interests. The oil companies are working hard to
negotiate a deal that is in their best interests. I will work hard to
negotiate a deal that is in Alaskans' best interests, as required by the
Alaska Constitution.

I'm proud that I've recently been endorsed by the men and women
who will be building this pipeline - the Teamsters, Operating
Engineers, Laborers, AFL-CIO and Carpenters. They know that I will
work hard to get us a good pipeline deal - one that provides for good-
paying Alaskan jobs.

Fiscal Responsibility...

As your State Senator, I’ll practice fiscal responsibility. I've got
degrees in Finance and Law, and know how to balance a budget. I'll
focus our limited resources on four main priorities: education, public
safety, improving our infrastructure and creating high-paying jobs
through economic development.

We've got a large surplus now, and I believe that instead of spending
it all now, we should save and invest a portion of that money for the
future.

Jobs and Economic Development...

We must diversify our economy. In order to attract and encourage
new businesses, and keep our old ones, we have to offer a
competitive business environment, improve our infrastructure,
maintain our high standards of quality of life and offer a top-flight
educational system, from kindergarten to university.

Oil and Gas...

Oil taxes provide most of the State's revenues. I support responsible
oil and gas development. Alaskans have shown that we can develop
our oil and gas in an environmentally sensitive way. We must
maintain a competitive environment in our oil fields, providing
incentives for exploration. At the same time, we must remember that
the oil and gas belongs to Alaskans, and we must obtain full and fair
value for it. I will make sure we meet our Constitutional mandate to
maximize our natural resources, and stand up to the oil industry when
their interests conflict with the best interests of Alaska.

Education...

I believe it all starts with education. A community that is well
educated is safer, wealthier, more tolerant and better able to attract
and create diverse businesses and good jobs. As a former member
of the Anchorage School District Budget Review Team, and as the
son of a lifelong public school teacher, I know the importance of a
strong, adequately funded education system. At the same time, we
must be sure we are getting the most efficient and effective school
system we can get, with no waste. Most of all, we need to get more
money into the classrooms. I'm honored that those who educate our
children, the teachers of the National Education Association, are
supporting me.

Public Safety...

One of the primary responsibilities of government is to provide for
public safety. In our part of town, many people don't feel safe in their
own homes. That is unacceptable. We must have zero-tolerance for
those destroying our neighborhood.

I am honored that all the major public safety organizations - the
Anchorage Firefighters Association, the Anchorage Police
Department Employee's Association and the Public Safety
Employee's Association - are all supporting me. They know that I'll
make public safety a top priority.

We need more Police Officers on the streets and we need to give
them the resources and support they need to keep our city safe. I
support after-school programs that keep kids off the streets and
provide a safe, controlled environment for them. As a Board member
of the Northeast Community Center, I've seen firsthand the benefits of
local programs like our Boys and Girls Club in Muldoon.

We also need to work with UAA's Criminal Justice program and the
Weed and Seed program to efficiently target our resources to the
higher crime areas. As President of the Northeast Community
Council, I was proud to support continued federal funding for our
successful Weed and Seed program, which has helped make our
neighborhood safer.

But when push comes to shove, this is not a problem that can be
solved solely by government. The community must step up and take
responsibility. Parents must take care of their kids and teach them
right from wrong. Neighbors must start watching out more for fellow
neighbors. This takes leadership from within the community.

Fire safety is a big concern. Several years ago I was the Northeast
Community Council's representative at the dedication of the new
Firehouse at Basher and Tudor. This will help keep our area safe,
and will serve to protect the hillside from wildfires. We need to
continue to fully support our Firefighters.

We also need to support our Community patrols. I have had the
opportunity to go out with the Northeast Community Patrol. These
people, along with the Nunaka, Russian Jack and Mountain View
Patrols are true professionals, volunteering tremendous amounts of
time and their own money to help keep us safe, and deserve our
support. I'm proud to have helped throughout the years to secure
continued funding for our patrols.

Protecting the Permanent Fund...

The Permanent Fund belongs to all Alaskans. Many Alaskans rely on
the Permanent Fund to buy food, clothes and shelter. Surprisingly,
even with record high oil prices, in recent years the legislature has
constantly sought to raid the fund to pay for more government
services. I will not support any use of the Permanent fund without a
vote of the people.

Protecting our Fishing and Hunting rights...

I grew up enjoying the outdoors and am an avid fisherman who
subsistence fishes every year. We must protect our fisheries and
ensure access to fishing and hunting grounds. I am a supporter of
our Consitutional right to bear arms and a proponent of gun safety
programs for Alaska's youth. My support of our Second Amendment
rights is shown by my recent NRA rating of "A".

Pro-Veterans...

I honor those who have fought for our freedoms. I knows our veterans
have given us the opportunities we are blessed to have. I also
understand that the best way to show this respect is to support
policies that our Veterans deserve.

Strengthening Diversity...

I believe our diversity in North East Anchorage is one of our greatest
assets. Several years ago, when a young woman in Muldoon was
shot with paint balls and taunted with ethnic slurs, we had to show that
this type of behavior would not be tolerated in our community. As
President of the Northeast Community Council, I worked with the
Municipality of Anchorage to co-sponsor a diversity gathering at the
Northeast Community Center.

Although it was -5 degrees below zero, about 75 people still turned
out to say, "Not in our Neighborhood." As your State Senator, I'll
work to make our diversity a source of strength, rather than a point of
division.

Paid for by Alaskans for Bill Wielechowski
1300 Farrow Circle, Anchorage, Alaska 99504
333-2806