There are two candidates in Skagway’s mayoral race this year. The challenger is long-time resident and business owner Christy Murphy seeking to unseat incumbent mayor Andrew Cremata. KHNS brings you this interview with Christy Murphy as part of our Candidate Profile Series.
Originally from Southeast Alaska, Christy Murphy moved to Skagway from Sitka in 1989 when she was in middle school. She currently co-owns a tourism company in town and says she’s running for mayor because she loves the community.
“I’ve been here a really long time, it’s going to be my home… So, I’m ready to help out with the community, become a civil servant,” said Murphy.
Skagway’s harbor around the Ore dock has been contaminated with lead and zinc ore concentrates for decades. Those materials have been shipped in originally by train and later by trucks from Canadian mining operations.
Murphy says cleanup of the Ore Basin needs to move forward. She says she recently met with one of the main partners from White Pass which has held the lease on the waterfront for over 50 years.
“I met with Bob Berto a couple weeks ago. And I think really, it’s just a matter of just sitting down. And I think a mediator is very important,” said Murphy.
Murphy says depending on how that proposed mediation goes, it’s possible that the municipality could be responsible for some of the cleanup.
“Under the dock is where most of the contamination is, and it is capped right now. And we’re going to need to clean it all up because we want to rebuild our Ore dock. So regardless of what has gone on in the past, when I become mayor, I will move forward with the information I have right now,” said Murphy.
Murphy says that she’s open to partnerships to help complete the redevelopment of Skagway’s port when the municipality takes it over in 2023. She says that could include a new agreement with the long-time operator, White Pass.
“I’m just not sure the community would be happiest with that option. I do feel that the community is ready for a change. With that said, if it ends up that they’re the better partner and we change our minds because they have a better proposition, it’s under new ownership, you know, I won’t be opposed to that,” said Murphy.
Murphy says shipping regionally mined ore concentrates out of Skagway is one of the best ways the community can continue to diversify its economy, but with some key changes.
“No more bulk ore and I do feel that the containers need to be stored in the industrial area. They should not be stored at our waterfront,” said Murphy.
Murphy also says that she supports the assembly’s handling of the $2 million gift the community received from Norwegian Cruise Lines. But with some reservations.
“I have a hard time with the unemployment this winter. Because, well, there’s jobs available. There’s lots of jobs, everybody’s looking for people to work right now,” said Murphy.
The assembly voted to set aside $450,000 from the $2 million gift to be paid out over three months this winter when unemployment numbers are typically at their highest. But it hasn’t finalized its plan on how payments would be made to residents. That’ll likely happen this fall.
When asked about improving ferry service to Skagway in the winter months, she says she is excited about some experimental concepts being worked on locally.
“I love the idea of the electric ferry. That is, it’s so romantic and edgy,” said Murphy.
Skagway’s Ad Hoc Ferry Committee has been working on possible solutions over the last decade including an electric ferry that could run from Skagway to Haines in the summer and a hybrid model that could potentially run from Skagway to Juneau in the winter.
“What I am concerned about, and I hear a lot of chatter about is whether this program is going to add another leg to our travels, and we have to sit in Haines,” said Murphy.
The election is scheduled for October 5 and Murphy is running against incumbent mayor Andrew Cremata who is seeking a second full term. His profile aired earlier in this series and is available at khns.org. Early voting starts on September 20.
There is a candidate forum scheduled at 7 p.m. on September 20 in assembly chambers. Listen live on KHNS FM or online at KHNS.org. Topics and questions for the candidates can be submitted ahead of time by emailing news@khns.org.
