Student group sponsors natural resources candidate forum

Submitted by Jason Mercer
Phone: (907) 455-3840
04/05/06

Fairbanks, Alaska--A panel of the five major declared Alaska gubernatorial candidates will address the issue of governing Alaska’s natural resources April 17 from 7:15-8:45 p.m. at Schaible Auditorium at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The panel discussion is sponsored by the Resource Management Society, a student organization. The students have invited Republicans John Binkley and Sarah Palin, Democrats Eric Croft and Ethan Berkowitz, and independent candidate Andrew Halcro.

"This event will provide the candidates a public forum to address Alaska’s natural resource issues and policies,"? said RMS head Jason Mercer. "It is currently the only candidate discussion scheduled for interior Alaska and we’re hoping it will provide insight on the candidates’ positions as they relate to natural resources."?

The RMS will provide four to five questions to each candidate before the event so they will have time for thoughtful responses during the panel discussion. After this formal question and response, people in the audience will have an opportunity to ask their own questions that are relevant to natural resource management.

The RMS is the official student organization of the School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences at UAF. Carol E. Lewis, dean of the school, will provide introductions. Communications graduate student Kathryn Arlen will serve as panel moderator.

CONTACT: Jason Mercer, head of the Resource Management Society, at (907) 455-3840 or via e-mail at fbrms@uaf.edu.