Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Letter to the Editor by Mary Richards

Do you know Bill Walker? If not, you should. Bill is a fine honest man, Alaska-born, who wants to be your next governor. Bill is not looking for a job; as a successful businessman he has secured his own future. Bill wants to secure Alaska’s future by building a gas pipeline. If elected he can do it.

Bill has worked in gas and oil for decades. As a young man, he was mayor of Valdez during the construction of the pipeline. For years, he has partnered with those that want to buy Alaska’s gas, only to see those efforts frustrated by a dysfunctional political process.

If I were 40 years younger and many pounds lighter, I would pull out my pom-poms and jump up and down chanting “Bill, Bill, he’s our man, if he can’t do it no one can.” How much longer will we allow the lack of a pipeline to prevent access to affordable energy? But it is not just about our fuel bills. If Alaska does not secure revenues from gas to replace declining oil production, we as a state will not have enough money to operate. Alaska will find itself in the same situation as Greece, only without the European Union to bail us out. How will we run schools, pave streets, support the Pioneers’ Homes or fund statewide social programs?

It has been suggested Bill is a one-issue candidate. That is simply not true. He understands and supports fishing, mining, tourism, logging and all industries that bring prosperity. Alaskans must acknowledge that none of these industries alone or combined will finance the state treasury. We must have oil and gas revenue. If gas is not developed, we can all count on a future state income tax. Even that will not be enough to fund current services and ensure a vibrant economy for our grandchildren. Don’t we have a responsibility to guarantee a strong financial future for the next generation?

Take a few minutes to learn about Bill by visiting his website at http://www.billwalkerforgovenor.com. Pick up your pom-poms and chant because Bill is our man.