By John Fraser, The Seward Folly

The race for two three-year seats on the Seward City Council came into sharper relief on Monday, September 29, as only two of the six candidates, Lori Draper and Randy Wells, took part in a live candidate forum hosted at the Seward Community Library and Museum. Organized by The Seward Folly in partnership with KBBI 88.1 FM in Seward and the Peninsula Clarion, the event drew a small but interested in-person audience and, we hear from our friends and neighbors, quite a large listener audience ahead of the October 7 municipal election. 

Half the Candidates Were Missing 

The empty chairs underscored a conspicuous absence. Michael Calhoon and James Michael Taylor, both invited more than six weeks before the forum, did not attend. Calhoon cited a last-minute conflict, Taylor offered no response to repeated invitations, and Kevin Finch declined to participate when contacted again on the day before the forum. Samantha LePera was unable to attend due to pre-planned travel but submitted a written statement well in advance of the event, which moderators read aloud during the program.

The absence of four of the six candidates narrowed the discussion to just two people who clearly wanted to share their views and meet with voters. While all six have provided written platforms republished here [https://sewardfolly.com/2025/09/25/vote-in-seward-meet-your-2025-election-candidates-4/] on this news site, their lack of participation meant that questions about governance style, infrastructure priorities, and approaches to economic diversification remain, in many cases, unanswered.

Draper Grounded the Discussion in Seward’s Maritime Identity

Draper, a retired bank executive with five decades living in Seward and raising her family, opened the discussion by framing Seward’s identity as deeply rooted in the fishing industry. Drawing on her career working closely with the fisheries business leaders, she reminded residents that the community’s economic foundation is equally balanced between the more visible tourism economy and its traditional economic base. While acknowledging the prosperity brought by cruise ships and visitors, Draper suggested that policy decisions must continue to support the maritime and fishing sectors that sustain Seward’s year-round economy.

Her remarks reflected a broad campaign focus on fiscal strategy, social investment, and collaborative problem-solving. Draper highlighted her formal training in conflict mediation, noting that active listening informed her emphasis on collaborative decision-making. She argued that city government must be proactive in addressing workforce needs, including better housing standards, safer commuting conditions for seasonal workers, and more accessible transportation options. Draper also drew a connection between workforce stability and education, calling the ongoing decline in state support for public schools a critical risk verging on a crisis for Seward’s workforce. She characterized municipal support for schools as a practical necessity for retaining families, something she suggested was a moral imperative for the incoming council.

With her career steeped in financial planning and organizational leadership, Draper emphasized the importance of prioritizing budget allocations to address future needs rather than merely maintaining current operations. She proposed a more deliberate approach to city finances, one that is more clearly projecting revenue streams from Seward’s tourism and marine economy that is consistent with past income, rather than assuming an unplanned general fund that each year nets more funds than are in the budget.

Wells Highlights Institutional Knowledge and Statewide Business Experience

Incumbent council member Randy Wells offered a slightly contrasting approach that he attributed to his entrepreneurial skills. With four years on the Seward City Council and a career managing businesses across Alaska, Wells emphasized the value of institutional knowledge and the importance of understanding the complexities of local government. He remarked that he is proud of his role in the current council’s direction and sound fiscal decisions. He highlighted his 2-year learning path that he felt led to sound decisions on zoning reform that is now making low-income and affordable housing initiatives possible.

Wells offered specific detail on how the zoning reform was a critical tool for unlocking new residential development that is promising to expand the city’s year-round housing supply. 

In two or three of the opening questions, Wells highlighted that his role in prioritizing investment in modernization of the electrical utility had overcome decades of deferred maintenance. He highlighted how these improvements have positioned the city to deliver future cost savings on utilities. In his view, infrastructure investment and steady policy continuity are the most effective strategies for maintaining Seward’s economic resilience.

While Draper advocated for a more active municipal role in arts and culture, Wells outlined a more restrained vision. He suggested that cultural and economic development should primarily be driven by the private sector, with the city serving as a facilitator through land leases, infrastructure support, and permitting. He pointed to recent initiatives, such as the recent land transfer to Alaska Native research organizations, and the current de minimus land leases to economic drivers of the economy as sound city policy that can lead to broader income streams that sustain a livable city that thrives on entrepreneurial innovation.

A Civil Exchange and Shared Commitment

The tone of the evening was notably cordial. Draper and Wells, despite differences in emphasis, engaged in a thoughtful and respectful dialogue that underscored their respect for one another and the missing candidates. Each acknowledged the qualifications of the other candidates and emphasized their willingness to support whoever the voters elect.

The forum’s civility stood out as both candidates sought to discuss ideas rather than personalities, highlighting the shared belief that Seward’s governance should be collaborative rather than adversarial.

Both candidates also spoke respectfully of those not present, noting that the written statements submitted by their opponents reflect a shared dedication to service and community. This collegial tone suggested that, regardless of the election’s outcome, the next council may be defined more by cooperation than conflict.

Policy Differences in Emphasis, Not Direction

Although Draper and Wells diverged on the details of policy and governance, they presented remarkably similar overarching visions for Seward’s future. Both support continued investment in infrastructure, the expansion of affordable housing, and fiscal policies designed to ensure long-term stability. Both see no reason to revisit proposals for transferring municipal electrical utility in the near term, pointing to decisive voter rejections in the past and recent progress under the current management structure. However, both reserved decisions, stating that they intended to participate in the learning session at the UAF Rae building immediately following the forum.

The distinctions between these two candidates appeared to be largely matters of emphasis. Draper placed significant weight on education, workforce well-being, and municipal engagement with social infrastructure, while Wells focused more heavily on zoning, infrastructure modernization, and private-sector partnerships. On cultural life, Draper suggested that city-owned land leases with organizations like the public schools could be leveraged more actively to support arts programming, while Wells argued that new venues like the Alaska Railway Terminal could naturally catalyze cultural and economic opportunities without additional government intervention.

LePera’s Personal Perspective, Delivered in Absentia

The forum also featured a written statement from candidate Samantha LePera, which described her journey from arriving in Seward as a young adult with no housing to becoming a homeowner and active community member. Her platform, centered on community building, small business development, and municipal finance, reflects a younger generational perspective that focuses on belonging and participation.

Shared Vision for Seward’s Future

As the forum concluded, it was clear that Draper and Wells, despite their differences in style and policy nuance, shared a positive vision for Seward’s future. Both envision a city that grows responsibly while protecting its maritime heritage, expands housing opportunities while maintaining livability, and invests in infrastructure by stewarding financial resources carefully. Both see planned growth for a future Seward that continues to welcome new residents, support long-time families, and sustain the industries, from fishing to tourism, that define its identity as an arts, culture and leisure destination with a high quality of life.

Their cordial exchange and mutual respect suggested that, regardless of the election’s outcome, collaboration and shared purpose will likely guide the city’s next chapter.

For candidates’ positions on issues, see the helpful matrix below this article. 

Absentee In Person voting is already available at the Seward City Hall September 22- October 6, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday) and during Election Day October 7^th, 2025.

John Fraser is a psychologist, Director of Mission Impact at the Alaska SeaLife Center, a ceramics teacher at Keramiikka Ceramic Studio and Gallery, and finally admitted failure as a foster care provider for Seward’s animal shelter, electing instead to provide a forever home for two adorable cats.

Seward City Council Candidate Issue Matrix

Issue / Priority	Michael Calhoon	Randy Wells	Lori Draper	Kevin Finch	Samantha LePera	James Michael Taylor
Housing	Affordable single-family housing; responsible development	Modernize zoning; expand housing opportunities	Affordable housing tied to education & utilities	Mentions balance for residents, not specific	Supports families settling & thriving, no detailed policy	Mentions representing community needs, not specific
Economic Growth	Year-round sustainable economy; fiscal responsibility	Robust year-round economy through code reform	Focus more on community services than business	Wants balance for residents & businesses	Small business growth; strengthen infrastructure	Indirect—via trust & representation
Education	Not emphasized	Not emphasized	Highlights public education crisis; wants strong local schools	Not mentioned	Mentions thriving families & youth opportunities	Not mentioned
Utilities / Infrastructure	General future planning	Updating codes for development	Notes uncertainty about electric utility	Not mentioned	Emphasizes safe infrastructure for residents & visitors	Not specified
Community Safety / Wellbeing	Emphasis on service & responsible development	Transparency and forward-thinking governance	Collaborative decision-making, community input	Balance for residents year-round	Safe, welcoming, small-town feel	Trust, listening, and fair representation
Governance Style	Service-oriented, fiscally responsible	Transparent, integrity, forward-thinking	Transparent, collaborative, innovative	Practical, balance-focused, minimal detail	Personal, community-driven, youthful perspective	Reflective, narrative style; focus on avoiding personal agendas
Connection to Seward	Resident since 1962; extensive civic roles	Council member 4 years; active in code reform	Resident 48 years; raised family here	32-year resident; business owner, military/corrections