Vaska files to run for House District 38 seat

MATT NEVALA

June 12, 2008 at 3:02PM AKST

Prompted by the call of tribal leaders in the region, Bethel’s Tony Vaska confirmed on June 2 he’s vying for the House District 38 seat in the state Legislature.

Vaska, 50, will square off against fellow Democrats Eric Middlebrook and Bob Herron in the August 26 primary election.

“A lot of tribal leaders asked me to give it some serious thought,” Vaska said. “They feel like they’re not being represented by the two people (already in the race). I’ve been working with the tribes in the past and do now, so that’s why they asked me.”

Vaska, Middlebrook and Herron are gunning for the House seat that belonged for 10 years to Rep. Mary Nelson, D-Bethel, who has announced her retirement. No Republican candidates filed for the seat.

Vaska works as a Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. professional trainer.

Vaska said he’ll make energy costs and education two of his primary campaign focuses
“I work in the field and I see how few students are prepared for higher education and skilled training,” he said.

Vaska also stressed he liked to push the Y-K Delta into stronger forms of local government.

“The direction we go in the region has to be done by the people out here,” Vaska said.

“We have a great opportunity to control our lives.”

What follows is the first of The Tundra Drums’ “Meet the Candidates” Q & As with the House District 38 candidates, starting with Vaska. We directed questions to the candidates that would offer more insight about them as people and not as politicians.

Look for similar features on Herron and Middlebrook to follow.

Here’s what Vaska had to say:

What’s your favorite mode of transportation and why?

Walking.  Self-help and healthy exercise.

Who’s your favorite musician or musical group and why?

Janis Joplin — soulful blues music.

What five Websites do you visit on a regular basis and why?

New York Times, Anchorage Daily News, National Public Radio for national and local news; Yahoo.com for research and NASA.gov for extraterrestrial news.

How much subsistence fish, moose and/or caribou did you take home in the last year? How much did you share?

A lot of different species of fish; some moose, caribou and reindeer.  Always share with family and friends.

Describe your family/home life. What are your kids — if you have children — up to these days?

Quiet space for reading and doing research.  No children.

With today’s high energy costs, what are you personally doing to conserve fuel/save energy?

Walk everywhere and keep the thermostat at 60 degrees.

What’s the last book you read?

“Collapse” by Jared Diamond.

Describe your favorite way to cut a rug/dance.

I don’t dance.

What’s your favorite professional sports team and why?

Green Bay Packers. My first live game was between the Packers and Bears, and Gayle Sayers ran for 205 yards, and the Bears won on a last-second free kick.

Did you attend the 2008 BRHS commencement ceremony? What did you think about it?

Unfortunately, no. However, I wish them well taking their next steps in life.

Matt Nevala can be reached at (907) 348-2480 or toll free at (800) 770-9830, ext. 480.