Opposition to Governor Palin - Rob Rosenfeld announces his candidacy for Governor of AlaskaRob Rosenfeld, a long time spokesperson for social, economic, and rural issues, has formally announced his campaign for Governor on Channel 2 KTUU TV on Friday, February 6th, 2009.
Rosenfeld is a long term political strategist, facilitator, community development worker, rural advocate, soccer player and downhill skier.
Rosenfeld has worked in the non-profit sector for 27 years. He is a long term resident of Alaska who lives on the Kenai Peninsula. He arrived in Alaska in 1989, when he began working on a commercial fishing boat - which later brought him to Kodiak Island, where he remained to work with emotionally disturbed youth and eventually on the Exxon Valdez oil spill clean-up.
Rob has spent the past eleven years working with tribal leaders to create the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council. He served as Director for more than 10 years and currently works as the International Policy and Development Advisor to the 66 indigenous communities of the Yukon River Watershed. Rob is known for his passion and his unwavering commitment to rural issues. The Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council (YRITWC) has received two awards from Harvard University, where Rosenfeld has been a guest speaker.
His speaking engagements have been many, including a speech at a NAFTA conference on the topic of Cross Border Environmental Cooperation. With Rob’s leadership the YRITWC has moved more than 8 million pounds of hazardous waste and recyclable materials from the banks of the Yukon River, often doubling the lifespan of rural landfills. The YRITWC is known for its innovative solutions in addressing solid waste, sewage and energy issues. Recently the YRITWC succeeded in installing the first hydro-electric/run-of-the-river turbine in the United States in Ruby, Alaska.Rosenfeld has a Masters Degree in International and Sustainable Development and an undergraduate degree in Teaching Adaptive Physical Education K-12. He has worked for 15 years with people with disabilities and has lived in two Central American countries, travelled on 6 continents, and has been to more than 10 countries in Africa.
Rosenfeld will strive to obtain the Democratic nomination for Governor and run against Governor Sarah Palin. He is “running to lead Alaska during difficult times, to address third world living conditions in rural Alaska, and to demonstrate the interdependence of rural and urban Alaska.” His primary areas of focus will be: Economics, Energy, Rural Issues, Education and the Environment. Rob’s many years of development experience qualifies him to be a Hands-on-Governor. His skills are sorely needed in both rural and urban Alaska to effectively address the multiple challenges created by the current situation.
Rob firmly believes that there is “ no silver bullet” to effectively address the energy challenges in Alaska. He will advocate for combined investments in hydro-electric, while maximizing wind, solar, wave, tidal, biomass, and geothermal. In addition, Rob agrees with the importance of utilizing Natural Gas and Propane. Regarding rural issues, Rosenfeld intends to focus on rural issues while demonstrating the interdependence of Rural and Urban, Alaska. “What happens in rural Alaska, almost always has an impact on urban Alaskan social and economic realities.”
Listen to Rob on APRN, Feb 16, 09
