French introduces himself to the Y-K Delta

Published on October 22nd, 2009

By MATT NEVALA

Democratic state Sen. Hollis French and the other candidates looking to earn their party's nomination for next year's gubernatorial election have zeroed in on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta many months before a single primary vote will be cast.

"The voters there are on my map, and I hope I'm on theirs a little stronger now," the Anchorage-based French said last week after a three-day trip to the region. "I will go back because it takes time to build relationships, more than one day or one time.

"You can't be a stranger."

French spoke to the Bethel Chamber of Commerce. He and other legislators gave the Association of Village Council Presidents meeting a sort of legislative update, and French also met with a group of Village Public Safety Officers.

The candidate made his presence known, as have his Democratic counterparts, Bob Poe and Ethan Berkowitz.

"All of them have been out," said Jerry Drake, president of the Bethel Chamber of Commerce. "It's much earlier than usual."

The primary election is Aug. 24, 2010.

French, a lawyer and former state assistant district attorney, said he was pleased to speak to a "full house" at the Oct. 14 Chamber meeting. He opened with some biographical information before discussing the three main themes of his campaign: energy, education and safe communities.

"Bethel and Western Alaska have this interesting relationship between the (proposed) gas pipeline and being in part of the state not touched by it," French said. "It's important in fiscal terms that the region get the most benefit because no jobs will come to Bethel from it and no gas to heat their homes."

French said he's visited the region on two other occasions while working as an assistant DA.

"It's fascinating to see how much closer people live to the land out there," French said. "We can all say we love the land or we love Alaska, but it's fascinating for someone who has not been there to understand what that Yukon salmon really means. It's food on your table, and if you're lucky enough to catch a few extra, maybe a little money in your pocket.

"It's not like catching salmon on the Kenai River. It's a whole lot different."

Friendly folks greeted French, who said he was pulled aside dozens of time to hear peoples' takes on subsistence, the Office of Children Services and predator control – among other subjects.

All in all, he felt he made a good impression. Drake, for the most part, agreed.

"It was the first time I met him, and the only thing I came away with was he wants to tax oil, tax gas and tax alcohol.

"I don't know if that's good or bad. But this is a heavily-democratic area, and it's going to be interesting. All the candidates would be wise to spend some time out here."