Democrat Tony Knowles (standing) addresses a question asked by Junior Statesmen of America member Rebekah Smith (right) at the area's first-ever gubernatorial debate at Chugiak High Tuesday. The debate was also attended by Libertarian Bill Toien, Republican Sarah Palin, Independent Andrew Halcro and Green Party candidate David Massie. STAR PHOTO BY MARY M. RALL

The event, sponsored by the unofficial Chugiak chapter of the Junior Statesmen of America, filled the 600-seat auditorium to overflowing as voters from throughout the Chugiak-Eagle River community turned out to hear Republican Sarah Palin, Democrat Tony Knowles, Independent Andrew Halcro, Green Party candidate David Massie and Libertarian Bill Toien debate campaign issues. Junior statesmen member Tamiah Liebersbach said Alaskan Independence party candidate Don Wright confirmed his attendance but was inexplicably absent.

"We wanted to see Eagle River come into more of a politically active situation, especially with the fact that most candidates ignore Eagle River as a campaign stop. So we want to bring the candidates out here more so that the people of Eagle River have a chance to hear their positions," said Rebekah Smith, one of the chapter's founders.

The candidates had one minute each to answer five questions dealing with the natural gas pipeline, the state's budget deficit, the public employee retirement plan, ethics reform and the Anchorage School District's $83 million budget shortfall. However, the debate didn't become animated until the planned questions concluded and the candidates were given an opportunity to ask questions of each other - the most heated of which revolved around whether or not the government should be given the opportunity to tap into the Permanent Fund's interest.

Halcro was the definite odd man out as the only candidate who said the government should have the option to access the fund.

"I'm not saying we should rush in and use Permanent Fund earnings," he said. "What I'm saying is that should be an option that government can utilize in the case of declining oil production."

His opponents, however, were adamant about maintaining a hands-off approach to the fund - especially Toien who asked audience members who enjoy receiving Permanent Fund dividends to raise their hands. He received an overwhelming response. The same request as to who would be willing to forego their annual check to instill a new government program was met with a smattering of respondents - sending a clear message to the candidates.

Palin said the fund should only be accessed if the public deems it necessary.

Knowles agreed, stressing that many household budgets rely on dividends to support their annual income.

Halcro deemed such comments as pandering to the voters who need to understand the difference between "reality and politics."

Massie, who limited a number of his responses to comedic one-liners throughout the debate, did not offer comment on the matter.

Smith said the variance in opinions and giving candidates a forum to express them was integral in planning the event, which she hopes provided genuine information for area voters, many of whom had an opportunity to pose questions to candidates following the debate.

"We believe that democracy has to be founded on education, and we believe the only good way to vote is if you know the candidate's positions," she said. "So, we want the people of Eagle River to be able to vote based on what they really believe."

Knowles said the debate was the best he has participated in during the campaign, and he was grateful to have an opportunity to discuss pertinent issues with a majority of the candidates.

Palin agreed and praised the junior statesmen for professionally conducting a well-organized event.

"It was great (and) very refreshing because this was a great homegrown crowd here in Chugiak-Eagle River. It's good people," she said.

Smith said the statesmen couldn't have been more pleased about the event.

"We're certainly very proud of our citizens of Eagle River," she said. "We're excited to see that so many of them care about what's going on in the state. I think this speaks well for our future in that the people will always rule in Eagle River."

Reach the reporter at mary.rall@alaskastar.com.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, October 5, 2006.