Mat-Su College hosts annual Legislative Forum

Matanuska-Susitna College recently held its annual Legislative Forum. With 2012 being a pivotal election year, this year's event brought out a full house. Present at the forum were: Susan Parsons Herman, 2012 democratic candidate for District 5; Senator Charlie Huggins; Representative Mark Neuman; Pam Rahn, House District 10; Representative Wes Keller; Senator Fred Dyson, Jamey Duhamel, democratic candidate for State House District 6; Lynn Gattis, republican candidate for State House District 9; Representative Blake Merrifield; Click Bishop, republican candidate for District 3; Representative Shelley Huges; Representative Eric Feige; President of the Coalition of Student Leaders Shauna Thornton; and Rose Ebue, UAA student and student government volunteer. Mat-Su's Student Government President Denise Reeves moderated the forum. Issues addressed include the economy, road infrastructure and health issues such as abortion and suicide.

Mat-Su-College Director Talis Colberg said of the event, "The University of Alaska seeks opportunities to serve local communities as a 'public square.' Mat-Su College took a step forward in fulfilling that goal on Thursday when it hosted a legislative candidate forum. Several of the candidates indicated they had taken classes at this school. We are happy to not only host our leaders but proud to have played a role in their own education. We look forward to similar events in the future, eventually in a theater better suited to both the audience and the candidates."