| Advertisement |
|
|
Measure 2 wants to create a coastal management program as a way for coastal areas to have a say in what happens off their shores, but opponents see it as just adding more red tape to economic development.
It's hard to miss the large vote no on 2 signs. So far over a million dollars have been raised for its campaign and despite what the opposition says campaign director Willis Lyford isn't shy about admitting where the money is coming from, big oil companies.
Lyford says, "These folks provide economic opportunity and jobs all across Alaska and the assertion that they shouldn't be involved in a public issue that affects jobs and the economy just seems bogus."
Vote Yes Supporter Ron Clarke says, "It makes me crazy that some corporate head in the London or Monaco can sit down and write a fat check and overrule the voice of a subsistence family in Kwigillingok, or a fisherman in Nangoon or a whaling captain in Nuiqsut."
While they may not have big billboards they have made a statement in other ways. Photos from the supporting groups Facebook page show people posing nude with the ‘vote yes’ sign to gain attention for the measure.
The group behind measure 2, the Alaska Sea Party, wants to see Alaskans deciding what happens off the coast. They've proposed 13 people to be on the coastal management program board including 9 members representing coastal areas.
Opponents say the board would just slow down economic growth and create more hoops for companies to jump through before being able to open business here.
Lyford says, "We need to be doing things that will help our economic future and this will stifle investment, economic opportunity and jobs. We can do better this measure is not good common sense coastal zone policy."
Clarke says, "Being outspent 15 to 1 it's an uphill climb but Alaskans have one thing the corporations don't. Corporations have a lot of money but Alaskans can vote, and we're hoping they do just that and get out and vote next Tuesday."