Early voting for the upcoming Oct. 7 Fairbanks Borough elections begins on Sept. 22. In the lead up to the vote, Borough Assembly incumbent Barbara Haney agreed to answer a few questions from the Watchman to explain why she believes having a strong conservative voice on the assembly is critical to safeguarding liberty and economic prosperity in the years ahead. Below are Haney’s responses to our questions.

What do you see as the key economic differences between you and your opponent, Patrick Roach?

Patrick and his spouse, Tom Chard, are both attorneys and are both public employees. One works for the state and the other for the City of Fairbanks.

I’m retired and an economist by trade. My late husband was a disabled veteran and a member of IBEW. My current husband works in the private sector, so most of my life is contingent on the private sector, not the public sector. So, I am acutely aware of the need for a healthy, vibrant, private sector.

That by itself is a big deal because we need to grow the private sector since that’s where jobs are created and revenue is generated.

In terms of policies, I’m not sure what his policies are since all he says is that he wants to take the borough in “a new direction.” I want to lower taxes. Does that mean he wants to raise taxes?

He’s not clear on what he means by going in a new direction, so I don’t know, and neither does anyone else as far as I know. 

He was part of the current mayor’s re-election committee and is a friend of the mayor, and I’ll go out on a limb and say that he’s probably not going to be very good at keeping a check on the mayor’s actions.

I was not on any committee with the mayor, and I believe it’s our position on the assembly to keep checks and balances on the executive branch, the mayor and the administration. 

Another issue is that I am retired whereas my opponent is working a full time job as a public defender, I don’t think he’s going to have the time to devote to this. Public defenders are famously overworked with huge caseloads. I don’t think he understands how much time this job takes.

It’s not just showing up on Thursday night to vote yay or nay, it takes time to check out different things like going out to land to assess the issues in an ordinance, neighborhood meetings, facility issues, etc. You have to go out and see it in person. It’s not a commitment where you can just throw out a few votes and back the mayor and call it good. That’s not how this works. That’s a very naive view of the assembly.

Roach is also married to the city attorney Thomas Chard, Mr. Chard was a big supporter of the ordinance to restrict the use of private property by banning political signs, and greatly restricting their use in the city of Fairbanks which was a major imposition on the 1st Amendment, 5th Amendment, and the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution as well as the free speech Amendment. So, I don’t think they’re big on civil rights, of course I don’t know what Patrick’s position is, just what his spouse’s position is.

I’d like to mention how important it is that we started the Online Checkbook so people can see how the public’s money is spent. It used to be difficult and expensive to research how the borough spent our money on various projects, salaries, pioneer park, etc. Now people have a reasonable idea and if people want to dig deeper, they have a good idea how to narrow that down in a more specific way. Prior to this, people didn’t know where their money was going. People would face FOIA fees to get basic information. Now people can get a much better idea of what their tax money is actually being spent on. 

What are the key social/cultural differences between you and Patrick?

I’m 66 yrs old, he’s in his 40’s. I’ve been alive for many historical events. We both believe in marriage. I marry men and so does he. We both are interested in the assembly, so we have that in common.

I have a deep faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and am a born again Christian. I believe in patriotism. I don’t know what he believes in. He’s a Democrat, I’m a Republican. My experience with registered Democrats is they will say whatever they have to say to get elected, but once they’re elected, they go in a different direction.

For example, when Mr. Crass on the assembly was campaigning, he said he was in support of the tax cap, however since being on the assembly, he has voted to break it and has consistently done things to undermine the cap. Whereas for myself, I have been very vocal about my support for the tax cap and also outspoken about our overspending which is currently $8,000,000 over budget right now. This will not end well for our borough if this continues.

Assembly members need to understand that when they are spending taxpayer money, this isn’t oil money. Some man or woman went to work for a wage, and then they took that money out of their wage and paid it to the government. This is not money from “millionaires” or out of state people. This money is paid by people here locally. If you overspend, you raise their taxes and they lose their home, you’re taking a home from a family! When you take a home from a family, those kids and grandkids will remember that you were the one who voted to take that land from that family. You’re taking away homes, it’s a big deal. When they raise taxes, you are in fact taking money from that family, so there are real implications to overspending. I don’t know if my opponent has had to look at someone who’s lost their home in a tax auction or foreclosure, but it is a very sobering event.

Is Fairbanks at a critical tipping point, politically? What’s at stake?

Yes, FNSB is at a tipping point. $8,000,000 and beyond in our revenue. We are spending our savings. 

Here’s what’s at stake: Tax cap, fiscal stability, bond rating and affordability to live in the borough. It’s becoming unaffordable. People are being taxed out of their homes. There’s so much at stake!

This is not an election that people want to sit out and ignore because it affects our basic freedoms.

The left wants to silence anyone with which they don’t agree. They tried to stop campaign signs because they mentioned election dates. The left wins when people stay home.

What do you see as your role on a majority-leftist assembly?

I am the one who runs voter education programs to let people know what’s going on. I have a big voice and with my voice I was able to stop the vote that would have forced only mail-in voting. I alerted the public when the contract for the voting machines was up for renewal, and when the assembly wanted to close the Mary Siah Recreation Center.

On May 7th, 2024, I let people know that they were going to sneak an election to break the tax cap. I alert people and educate voters and how they can get involved.

So, giving the people a voice has been an important part of my work on the assembly.

In what ways have political interest groups pushed Fairbanks to the left? How can this be reversed?

The left controls local media. This can be reversed by starting another form of local media. But above all, people need to start voting. Vote for conservatives. Stop being afraid. Fear and faith cannot live in the same body. Be fearless. Go and vote – because the people with whom you disagree will vote.

What would you say to Fairbanks conservatives who just aren’t that interested or active in local elections?

When you ignore the government, it does not ignore you! Government will find ways to interfere with your freedoms, budget and life. When you don’t vote, you generally lose. Politicians may not know who you voted for, but they do know if you vote or not. When you don’t vote, you surrender your authority to the government. 

The people you disagree with, however, will vote, and they will turn out in high numbers.

Any other thoughts?

We haven’t had prayer in the assembly for a long time. When we get a conservative majority, I will do what I can to bring back prayer. Without God, we are nothing. We are on the brink of a financial disaster, and we need a miracle. I only know of one miracle worker, and that’s God. 

I have a PhD in economics. I have budgeting experience with the legislature and the assembly. My opponent does not have this experience and will most likely not be a check and balancer of the mayor. He will face a steep learning curve. If he’s anything, like his spouse, he will vote against property rights and free speech.

How can people get involved with your campaign?

First, vote! If you don’t vote, everything else means nothing. Bring a friend or two with you! Early voting starts September 22, at the Bentley Mall. 

Second, I need poll watchers. Contact me by text at 907-347-5109 and be sure to mention your name and poll watch. Having poll watchers stops nefarious activity.

Third, you can send donations through my website at Haney4fnsb.com. A $20 donation pays for a lot of texts.

Fourth, you can pray that God stirs the hearts of your fellow countrymen to vote.

TAKING ACTION

— Early voting for the Oct. 7 Fairbanks Borough elections starts on Sept. 22. For more information about candidates, voting locations and options, click here.

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