KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Last Friday Kodiak City Council members met to interview two candidates for the city’s Juneau lobbyist position. The lobbyist will work closely with the city manager and the council to advance Kodiak’s interests in Juneau. The candidates are Ray Gillespie and Cliff Stone.
Stone lived in Kodiak for many years and was a staffer for representatives Alan Austerman and Dan Ogg. He currently lives out of state. Stone says his approach to lobbying is to be aware of what the city council wants.
— (Lobbyist 1 :16 "I see my job … information that they can use.")
Gillespie grew up in Seward and maintains a full-time presence in Juneau during the session.
— (Lobbyist 2 :22 "I have 25 years… and a chief of staff.")
After the interviews the council went into executive session. If the council decides to contract with one of the applicants it will be on the agenda at a future regular meeting. The city has budgeted $30,000 in FY12 to pay for lobbyist services.
