![]() Gara, a member of the Alaska House of Representatives from 2003 to 2019, said he is aware of the hospitality industry’s issues as a part owner of an Anchorage cafe, although his share is small enough his suggestions tend to be “we should serve whole milk with our coffee.” He noted he has also been a waiter and bartender - even if the latter was just for a single shaky day as an emergency fill-in - and as with many questions during the debate referred to some of his primary campaign themes as solutions to industry-specific challenges. ![]() “I’m anxious to hear from you at what can be done regulatory-wise to make the industry better for you.” “I can really imagine what you’re dealing with in the state of Alaska,” he said, adding a qualifier that perhaps he “couldn’t imagine” some of current difficulties audience members are having in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. ![]() Befitting the barroom atmosphere, the forum was untimed and candidates were not alerted to questions in advance. Gara’s and Walker’s ongoing criticisms of the governor were also constantly invoked in their responses to questions during the 90-minute midday forum at Louie’s Douglas Inn. 16 primary, continued criticizing Republican incumbent Mike Dunleavy for his absence from all but one of those events (and neither mentioned by name Republican candidate Charlie Pierce, who is far behind in polls and been largely absent from the campaign since the primary). Two of the three major candidates for governor swapped bartending stories during what might be called their most spirited debate of the fall campaign to date Wednesday as they discussed workforce, business regulations and other hospitality industry issues during a forum hosted by the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association.ĭemocrat Les Gara and independent Bill Walker, participating in their 12th candidate forum since the Aug. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |