ABOUT

Long time business owner
Father of two
Champion Tennis Player
Founder / C.E.O. of Discovery Cove Recovery and Wellness Center
Former president of the Alaska Association of Marital and Family Therapists
Former board member of the Alaska Professional Licensing Board of Marital Family Therapists
The former secretary of the Alaska Collaborative of Telemedicine and Tele-therapy
Current Trustee of the Alaska Mental Health Trust
Adjunct Professor in the University of Alaska Anchorage
Alaskan Aviator
Alaskan Community Organizer
Former owner of a Special Need School – McCarty’s Resource Skill Center

POSITIONS & BELIEFS

Pro-PFD: YOUR ALASKAN CONSTITUTION BELIEVES THAT YOU CAN WISELY CHOOSE THE ALLOCATION OF YOUR RIGHTFUL DIVIDEND, AND SO DO I!!!

I fully support the Constitutional PFD – it was wrongfully taken by Former Gov Walker and I’m looking forward to support Governor Dunleavy so that everyone gets their fair share as it was originally intended.

Pro-Business:I SUPPORT BUSINESS AND SUCCESSFUL ALASKAN ENTERPRISE

Small business & Entrepreneurship is the hallmark of the pursuit of liberty & achieving the American Dream. Government should help pave a clear path of supporting small business owners, mostly by staying out of their way. I support our community’s business owners and will fight to protect them from any bad legislation that would try to unjustly regulate their practices.

The Coronavirus has greatly impacted businesses in Alaska. I have not just been standing by but very engaged with the employment of Alaskans by finding jobs, supporting local business, and investigating / investing in new manufacturing of products in Alaska. This pandemic has been a challenge and opportunity for Alaskans. Businesses and Government must re-evaluate how to operate and in doing so we will overcome…because we are Alaskans and that is what we do.

TAXES: I BELIEVE IN COMMUNITY SUPPORT NOT ENTITLEMENT OF YOUR BANK ACCOUNT!!!

The Coronavirus has created a huge financial ripple effect to the economy that was not at all expected. It has affirmed vulnerability of “pay it forward” budget planning and “living beyond realistic means.” The State budget was projected at $60 per barrel of oil, which currently it is around $40. Some members of the legislature want to see a Sales & Income Tax in Alaska.

We have so many resources in Alaska. Our focus should be to create more economic prosperity, not dig into the pockets of our fellow Alaskans. In addition, as a business owner I ask myself: what are Premise Priority expenses, System changes needed, and Leeching Programs. As a business owner, I can’t go to Alaskan Residence and demand that I should have some of their funds to keep my business functioning at my level of comfort, and neither should the State Government.

I DO NOT support Irresponsible Taxes and will fight against legislation that would unnecessarily Tax my fellow Alaskan. And, if a Tax is necessary it MUST be equitable that ALL Alaskans and those profiting off of Alaska contribute.

“I’m NOT OK with you losing money.”

Pro Life: SUPPORTING THE SANCTITY OF LIFE AT ALL POINTS OF DEVELOPMENT

There are those who disregard the existence and sanctity of a living, growing, human being due to inconvenience, regret, or peer pressure. There are those in Society today who seem to support the extinguishment of innocent babies. There are others who disregard the investment and support of our elders. We appear to be loosing our Traditional Values with a horrible regression of values. I Support legislation that will PROTECT the unborn and support our elders.

Healthcare: Healthcare is challenging for most Alaskans. Cost, availability of providers, expertise, and Best Practice are significant challenges for Alaskans. Being told that you may have a serious diagnosis but told it will take weeks or months to fully determine the problem and treatment is frustrating at the least and an unnecessary anxiety at the most. Dealing with antiquated medical procedures because “that is what we have to offer” is also frustrating at the least and misleading at the most.

I believe in “Thinking Outside of the Box” to remedy the healthcare challenge. Not only am I willing to Think Outside the Box and have realistic ideas to do so, but I have done so personally. Examples are:

2020 – Coronavirus stressors has resulted in an increase in anxiety, feeling lost, fear, and frustrations. As Executive Director of Discovery Cove Counseling, Ken and his staff have increased service availability through a heightened sanitized office environment and through already used telemedicine / tele-therapy for those concerned leaving their homes. Our community of Chugiak / Eagle River says thank you for not forgetting us in a time of need.

In 2014, Ken had a much needed hip replacement surgery, which was done in Anchorage at a total cost of $105,000. The process was frustrating with recovery using opiates, which he refused to take after 30 days. In 2018 he had another hip replacement in Costa Rica for over $23,000 (which included airfare, 4 week recovery stay on a beach, food, physical therapy and services to hotel, and Opioid Free for pain). Which would you choose? Ken believes good change can happen in order to benefit all Alaskans.

EDUCATION: THE PREMISE OF EDUCATION IS PREPARING A STUDENT FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN A TRADE OR PROFESSION

Like you, I am very passionate about education and the success of our youth. One of my Masters degrees is in education. I once owned a school that served special needs students, and developed a charter school with a Trade emphasis. I believe you know the “bent” of a child by the 3rd grade. Education should be facilitating that “bent” through practical application (hands on) learning and apprenticeship programs. A student should not have to wait until 18 to start an apprenticeship, rather should be nearing Journeyman status by 18 to 20-yrs-old. I also believe that college bound High School students should be challenged to do so by their Sophomore year (e.g. concurrent enrollment). I believe that we are currently misleading our students by projecting careers rather making careers available. I believe that our current educational system of ill prepared youth is a compounding factor in our challenged workforce, homeless and drug problems, as we have too many humans lacking purpose and opportunity in life. I believe in teachers and their passion for their students, whether public, charter, or private schools. We need to empower our teachers with hands-on (tactile) learning to inspire our youth in their God given “bent” to effectively contribute to our State.

PRO Military : Our military members have made incredible sacrifices for our State and Country. We must honor them by helping their families during difficult transitions such as Gold or Silver star families. We must never forget their sacrifice and continue supporting our troops who defend our country from tyranny. Our American traditions & values must be kept safe from those that would harm our communities.