I’m a parent of two youngsters. My older son just entered kindergarten in the public school system, so adequate funding for education is at the top of my priority list when I vote. While both candidates in District 34 are intelligent and well-spoken, I will be voting for Justin Parish because his top priorities include fighting for better access to education and increased education funding. I’m confident he will do this because 1) he works in the schools and sees first-hand everyday what schools and students need, and 2) when I asked him about funding for schools his response was, “If Alaska can afford to subsidize oil and gas development, then we can afford to invest in our youth.” Exactly!
My younger child attends day care. The cost for high quality child care for kids between the ages of 0 and 5 in Juneau is high (about $1,000/month). Pre-kindergarten public education would help families with the high cost of child care and would prepare children for kindergarten and beyond. So I asked Justin Parish if he supports pre-kindergarten education and care in Alaska. He said, “Absolutely!” I also feel confident that Justin will support other early childhood education programs, such as Parents as Teachers and Best Beginnings (which includes the Imagination Library that sends a book a month to pre-school age kids) that give parents the tools to assist in preparing their student.
Finally, for both my kids, I worry about their safety and I will do everything in my power to protect them. This includes protecting them from pedophiles and sex offenders. I simply cannot vote for anyone who asks the court for leniency for two people convicted of sex crimes against children, which Rep. Cathy Muñoz did earlier this year.
As a parent concerned about education and child safety, Justin Parish is clearly the best choice for residents of District 34, which covers Juneau’s Mendenhall Valley and out the road. I plan to vote for Justin Parish on Nov. 8.
Heather Brandon
Juneau