Oct. 23, 2014: Public debate on Alaska Ballot Measure 2
by Jamie Gonzales |
The UAA Seawolf Debate Program, in partnership with Alaska Dispatch News, will hold a public debate on Alaska Ballot Measure 2: "Alaskans should vote to legalize
the production, sale and use of marijuana." You're invited to get in on the verbal
fireworks at Bear Tooth Theatrepub (1230 W. 27th Ave, Anchorage) on Thursday, Oct.
23, from 5:30-7 p.m.
A nationwide reconsideration of America's drug policy is underway and November's Ballot Measure 2 puts that consideration before Alaskans. Should we continue
to treat marijuana as a criminal problem or do other models offer appealing alternatives?
Colorado and Washington were the first states to legalize the recreational production,
sale and use of marijuana, but long before they did so Alaska wrestled with the question
of how to balance the potentially negative effects of a popular intoxicant with the
personal liberties so important to what it means to be an Alaskan. Join us for a public
debate that will attempt to shed some light on this complex controversy.
The Pro Side:
Taylor Bickford is a lifelong Alaskan. He was born in Juneau, and currently lives in Anchorage with
his wife and daughter, Eden. He is the Director of Alaska Operations for Strategies
360, a national communications firm, and serves as a spokesperson for the Campaign
to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. He is a graduate of West High School in Anchorage,
and received his degree in political science and philosophy from West Virginia University.
Bruce Schulte is a small-business owner and commercial pilot. Trained in architecture, he left
that field and relocated to Alaska in 1996 to fly in the Last Frontier. As a life-long
Republican, Bruce believes that individuals should have the right to conduct their
lives free of government interference, as long as they do not adversely affect their
fellow Alaskans.
The Con Side:
A resident of Alaska for over 35 years, Deborah Williams has served as the executive director of the Alaska Lung Association, the Alaska Consumer
Advocacy Project and the Alaska Democratic Party. Deborah has been a member of the
Municipal Health Commission, served as the director of the Anchorage Youth Development
Coalition, tutored math at Central Middle School and participated on the leadership
team of the 90% by 2020 Education Partnership. She has received many awards including
the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award and the Anchorage Club Rotarian of the Year award.
Deborah's college degree was in biology and economics and she practiced law in Alaska
for many years, while authoring many articles, including a law review article on Alaska
initiative law.
Kristina Woolston was raised in the southwest village of Naknek where she grew up commercial fishing
with her family. Kristina graduated from Dartmouth College and has enjoyed a career
in advocacy and economic development, with a focus on opportunities in rural Alaska
communities. She is the vice president of government relations for Chenega Corporation,
an Alaska Native Village Corporation. She has been recognized as an Alaska Top 40
Under 40, and a national Native American Top 40 Under 40. Kristina and her husband
Tim are proud to own a small business and claim partial ownership of a family restaurant
in Alaska.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are $15 per person and are available at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub box office
or online. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the UAA Seawolf Debate Program.
Fore more information about the event, contact Steve Johnson, director of the UAA Seawolf Debate Program, at (907) 351-8918 or sljohnson@uaa.alaska.edu.
"Oct. 23, 2014: Public debate on Alaska Ballot Measure 2" is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.