KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The Kodiak City Council voted five-to-one Thursday night to spend nearly 40-thousand dollars giving the city’s point of view over a unionization initiative that will be on the October municipal election ballot. The money will be used to pay the public relations firm Bradley Reed and Associates to conduct a public information campaign.
Councilman Charlie Davidson, who cast the lone vote against the measure, was upset over the campaign expenditure, saying it might unduly sway voters.
— (Union 1 41 sec "This is $40,000 … a biased opinion on this?")
In one of his exchanges with Davidson, Councilman Tom Walters said unionization could cost the city tens of thousands of dollars extra:
— (Union 2 67 sec "You ask what the impact … that’s right, private money.")
Councilman Terry Haines explained why he supported the expenditure:
— (Union 3 58 sec "The question is whether … you have to hire someone.")
As of yesterday afternoon, a copy of the contract was not available for public viewing. The municipal election will be held on Tuesday, October 6th, five weeks from today.
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