Unalaska, AK – Last night, candidates for city council and for mayor gathered at the Burma Road Chapel to share their visions for the community.

The forum opened with statements from the three candidates for City Council Seat C. Roger Rowland, who is the incumbent, touted his record as a councilmember and spoke about the work that the municipal government has done for the city's economic future. When asked about short- and long-term goals for the economy, he spoke about how the city needs to pay attention to other fisheries beyond pollock, and he said that it is crucial for the city to invest in projects like the new power plant that will bring in other businesses.

"We need to position ourselves for things other than fisheries, and I think we have," says Rowland.

Skip Southworth is one of the two candidates running against him, and he stressed the need to increase housing in the city.

"Housing seems to be one of the biggest things that came out of the comprehensive plan," says Southworth. "With that in mind, the city just moved forward with the 8-plex and with 68% of that being funded through grants, I think that's a great start."

Jessica Culp, meanwhile focused on the need to expand into industries like tourism, and how vital it is that the city have air infrastructure that can allow for this.

"If we can increase the tourist industry here, that will bring more money to our small business and create more jobs," says Culp. "And with that, we will get more city taxes and it will go back into our community."

Air travel was also a major community concern in the mayor's portion of the forum. Multiple questions concerning the frequency of flights and the difficulties of traveling during peak seasons were raised.

Incumbent Mayor Shirley Marquardt discussed her experiences negotiating with Pen Air and Alaska Airlines.

"I certainly hope that they are able to come to an agreement and get an aircraft for us," says Marquardt. "But it's an internal question for those two partners to decide - it's a business question. What I have done as mayor, though, is make sure that they understand that they do a better job at providing that service."

Meanwhile, challenger Dick Peck, who currently holds a seat on the city council, stressed that the airport needs to be improved to meet the needs of the community.

"The key to getting a different airline in here is all about improving our airstrip," says Peck. "We are limited at this time by the safety zones and things of this nature, so we in fact need that runway extended and we need the safety zone widened."

The candidates forum will be rebroadcast throughout the week on Channel 8. The municipal election takes place Tuesday, October 5th.