Political newcomer and Homer resident George Hall has thrown his hat in the ring to serve on the Homer City Council.

Hall is running in the October election for one of two open seats on the council. A resident for more than than two years, Hall discovered Homer on a fishing trip with his wife in 2015, according to his candidate statement.

“I bring many years of successful business experience as a high-tech executive that includes working with diverse people, projects, and, most importantly, budgets,” he wrote in the candidate statement.

Hall is has been the founder and CEO of Video Streaming Services, a video production company, since 2005. He founded and was CEO of Internet Network Technologies (an internet service provider) from 1994-2003.

Hall graduated from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan in 1976.

He is a member of the Homer Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the South Placer Amateur Radio Club. He an Alaska GOP District 31 bonus vote member.

Additionally, Hall is a finger picking guitar player who performs regularly at Alice’s Champagne Palace, Kharacters and other music venues around Homer.

Question: What made you decide to run for Homer City Council?

Answer: My wife and I love Homer. I wanted to find a way to give back to the community and use my decades of business skills in a meaningful way to give back to Homer.

Q: Other than the issues caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, what do you see as the three biggest issues facing the city currently?

A: Jobs, fiscal strength, and economic development.

Q: What could Homer be doing better in terms of handling and mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic (if anything)?

A: Homer is on a positive path to getting past the challenges of COVID-19.

Q: What will be the biggest priority/priorities heading into the city’s next budget cycle?

A: COVID-19 has reduced some tax revenues to the city 18% in the first quarter and is estimated to be a much deeper reduction in revenues in the second and third quarters. Resisting the temptation to raise taxes, rates or service fees will require fiscal discipline and creative approaches to avoid encumbering the people of Homer with higher taxes and fees.

Q: What skills do you bring to the table that would make you an effective council member?

A: I am a veteran of two successful high-tech businesses that I founded and ran over the last 30 years. I know how to read budgets, build budgets and think outside the box looking for solutions to a variety of challenges.

Q: What is your favorite book and why?

A: “Master and Commander.” It is a good maritime story that I can appreciate since I have spent most of my life on the water.