Continuing our series profiling the candidates running for Bethel City Council in the upcoming municipal election.
Listen to full recorded interview on the bottom of the page.
Watson: My name is Fred Watson. I’m running for City Council because I can. I’ve been a city employee on and off for the last 17 to 20 years, and I’ve always had an interest in what’s going on in the city, in my hometown. And I wanted to get a little bit more involved.
Three of the top issues as a council member. The first one would be a budget. You know, we’re always running budget to budget, year to year, and it’s always been a concern, especially with a decline in revenue from the state and federal. So I think we have to set a decent budget that’s going to make the city sustain itself with very little revenue.
The other thing that I’m worried about is streets and roads. Working the ambulance I’ve seen many accidents. And of course, we have a dust problem, so that’s always been a priority.
And a third one would be the sewage lagoon. I think they’re working on it really well.
KYUK: Where would you find funding for these projects?
Watson: Well, it’s going to have to be a collective thing. It’s not just myself doing it. As a collective unit, the City Council, working with the City Manager. We do have a grant writer on board. So I think with those entities involved, it’s certainly going to increase our chances of getting grants. It’s going to be few and far between, I imagine, but what choice do we have? We have to go out and look.
KYUK: What do you do in Bethel, and how else are you involved in the community?
Watson: Well, I started as a volunteer EMT back in 1989. So it’s been on and off fulltime. I think I’ve got total fulltime staff of about 17 or 18 years. And in between being a volunteer, I’ve done other jobs in between. I’ve lived out in Toksook Bay for a several years. I ran a sub-regional clinic. I worked for the fire station up until last June. I work for YKHC right now as a Sobering Center technician.
Of course, I have been involved in other volunteer organizations. I was a member of the Lions Club, the Bethel Volunteer Emergency Services Association. I volunteered with TWC at the thrift store. So I try to get involved as much as I can.
KYUK: Why are you qualified to serve on City Council?
Watson: I don’t just it’s just that I’m qualified. I think everybody is qualified. Everybody has their own perspective on things. I think one of the advantages I bring is that I’ve been here. I’ve been a lifelong resident, so I’ve seen the changes. I’ve seen people come in with good ideas. And I plan on staying here for another few years. So with my life experience here, I think I could have some valuable input.
KYUK: Why should people vote for you?
Watson: Like I’ve said, I’ve been a lifelong resident in Bethel. I don’t know any place else. So I think I have a good perspective on what’s needed, and I’m a good listener. You know, working with the ambulance, that’s half our skills is listening to people, figuring out what they need. And I can do the same thing on the Council. It’s not just going to be my wants, my needs, my ideas. Like I said, it’s going to have to be a collective thing. So I think doing that is probably a good way to represent the citizens of Bethel.
KYUK: Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you?
Watson: Like I said, I’ve been a lifelong member of Bethel. I’ve got a keen interest in the direction of the city. I think we have some good council members with some great ideas. I’ve talked to a number of citizens just in the stores, and they’ve known about my candidacy coming up with some other questions like you have. I don’t have all the answers. Nobody does. But I think my ability to work with other people is going to be a big plus if I do make it on Council. So I certainly would appreciate your vote.
KYUK: What do you mean by your ability to work with other people?
Watson: I’m able to listen to others. I’ve always been one you agree to disagree, and you do it in a professional, clean manner. We’re not always going to agree on everything, but I think if we take the needs of the city, the needs of the citizens into account, you know, I think there’s some real progress that can be made.
KYUK: Thank you very much.
Watson: Thank you for having me. I appreciate it.
