Jaime Ackley is one of seven candidates running for three open seats on the Assembly. The municipal election is Tuesday, October 3rd. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
Hello my name is Jaime Ackley. I am a candidate for the City and Borough of Sitka Assembly.
The most important thing to me is family and like a lot of other families, we are in a very difficult position. I love Sitka, my family loves Sitka, and in the short time that we’ve been here, this amazing community has embraced us.
I am involved in some fantastic organizations with even more amazing people, such as the Sitka Veterans Association, Sitka Youth Football and the Elk’s Lodge. This has made me feel like I have finally found a home for my family, which I am going to fight tooth and nail to keep.
I understand that living in a place like this is going to have kinks and we have to find solutions for these things that may not fit perfectly in a box. We need to keep coming up with new ideas and solutions to overcome issues that arise with living in a place like Sitka, but we need to keep our people in mind when doing so.
I feel that my experience and training I received from the Army has taught me some about overcoming issues and working together with many different people to complete a common goal.
I did not grow up here and am having to learn how to manage and balance a household on one income in Sitka is truly a struggle. There has to be a better way then what we are doing now.
The people are who, make Sitka what it is and we cannot continue to run our town as if we are Juneau or Anchorage. Exploring alternative ways in keeping our people here is what is needed. We need to take the stand that keeping the people first is everything.
The municipal election is Tuesday, October 3rd. Both precincts will vote at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee and advanced voting is available weekdays from 9am to 5pm at City Hall (3rd floor) through October 2nd. Absentee voting by mail is available through September 26.
