House District 38 field includes Herron

MATT NEVALA

June 26, 2008 at 2:29PM AKST

A check of Bob Herron’s background provides ample evidence of experience in Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta politics.

He hopes to put what he’s learned to work for constituents as the region’s next representative in the Alaska State House.

“Alaska is in for some exciting and challenging times,” Herron told The Tundra Drums in May. “I’d like to be a part of it.”

Herron, 57, is running against fellow Democrats Eric Middlebrook and Tony Vaska for the House District 38 seat being vacated by Rep. Mary Nelson, who has announced her retirement. Herron, Middlebrook and Vaska will decide matters in an Aug. 26 primary election showdown.

Beginning in 1987, Herron worked eight years as a legislative aide for Sen. Lyman Hoffman, his brother-in-law and business partner. He later became Bethel city manager for seven years until 2005 and then worked two years at the Alaska congressional delegation’s field office in Bethel.

He’s been a resident of Bethel for three decades.

Herron clearly states what will be his top priority as a state legislator.

“Without a doubt, the No. 1 issue facing all of us living in western Alaska is the high cost of fuel products,” he said. “I would suggest that Alaska has the wealth and capacity to help its citizens in the short term with direct payments and in the long term with the investment in viable alternative energy infrastructures.”

What follows is the last of The Drums’ “Meet the Candidates” Q & As with the House District 38 candidates. It’s Herron’s turn. We directed questions to the candidates that would offer more insight about them as people and not as politicians.
Vaska was featured in the June 12 edition of the Drums and Middlebrook in the June 19 edition.
Here’s what Herron had to say:

What’s your favorite mode of transportation and why?

Two types: 1) boating on the Kuskokwim River to our cabin in Napaimute; and 2) riding my motorcycle.

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

Eagles — good music.

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

Anchorage Daily News and CNN for news; Google for my personal e-mail account and search engine; NOAA for weather reports; eBay looking for gifts and good deals and Charles Schwab investment account.

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

Enough king salmon to pressure cook and jar for the family to eat at least one or two pint jars each week and a couple cases for gifts to others and visitors until the next season and some silver salmon in the freezer for dinner two or three times each month over the winter.
No moose since the moratorium, willing to wait.
My son and I were fortunate to get two caribou this last winter each for our families and friends.

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

Enjoying our granddaughters; marveling at my 15-year-old daughter — mature and smart beyond her age; watching both sons working on their successful careers. I’m trying work, play, live and not worry about things you can’t control.

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

I’m lowering the thermostat and trying to purchase fuel in bulk when possible. I’m using the lights in the house only when necessary, investing in a new woodstove, harvesting wood and saving money to purchase new windows for the house.

What’s the last book you read?

“The Kite Runner.”

Describe your favorite way to cut a rug/dance.

With my wife.

What’s your favorite professional sports team and why?

Boston Red Sox, fan determination and loyalty.

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

Yes I did, I enjoyed the evening because of the proud parents of a good class of young students who were part of the largest graduating class in recent memory. Also, I was only one person of many (most in attendance) who was impressed by the Yup’ik speech by the son of Shari Neth and Will Updegrove, as well as the significant college and technical scholarship achievements by the class of 2008.

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