Among issues raised were pollutants in Cook Inlet; protection of the inlet and beluga whales; high property assessments; ensuring an interest in water included all waterways of the borough, not just the Kenai River; the Pratt Museum's involvement in public education and projects; the importance of pedestrian trails; rising borough appraisals; public employee and teacher retirement; borough employees; water quality issues; and the borough's spruce bark beetle program.

Roberta Highland, president of Kachemak Bay Conservation Society, shared her concerns regarding the water quality of Cook Inlet, specifically, the waters flowing into the inlet, and acidification of oceans in general.

"I always think open communication is good, however the real test is if it makes a difference," Highland told the Homer News. "We won't know, I guess, for awhile on that. He said he was there to listen and I think time will tell."

When it comes to Carey's goal of forming task forces, Highland said that may not be realistic.

"So many of us who are involved are so overwhelmed with the number of meetings that we go to, it gets really difficult," she said.

Nancy Lord, author of the book "Beluga Days: Tracking a White Whale's Truths," expressed her concern about Cook Inlet and the belugas.

"As the whales go, so go we," Lord told Carey. "They need a healthy environment. We need a healthy environment."

Carey's response to Cook Inlet beluga whales designation as "endangered" has disappointed Lord.

"It seems like he's looking for whatever science can support his position rather than rely on the huge amount of science work that is a consensus that's already been done by objective scientists," Lord said.

On Oct. 17, the same day Carey was sworn in as mayor, the federal government under the Endangered Species Act listed Cook Inlet's belugas as endangered. A few days later, Carey and his staff attended a meeting of the Beluga Whale Stakeholders in Anchorage, at which Carey asked for anexplanation of the listing's impact.

"The potential disruption of economic dynamics in the Kenai Peninsula Borough must be addressed as proactively as possible," Carey wrote in a Web posting after the listing.

Although impressed with the number of people attending Saturday's meeting -- more than 30 -- Lord noted how often taxes were discussed.

"I would say that about half the people there had personal axes to grind about taxes which I'm not excited about sitting through much more of," she said.

In response to Carey's comments about Tyonek's support for the proposed Chuitna coal project near Tyonek, Bob Shavelson, executive director of Cook Inletkeeper, referred to a resolution from the Tyonek Native Corporation and the Native Village of Tyonek dated February 2007. In it, the corporation and village council raised concerns about destruction of archeological sites, increase in power costs and construction of a trestle extending into Cook Inlet that would create a hazard to shipping, fishing and beluga whales. In June 2007, Cook Inletkeeper also prepared a resolution opposing development of the project until problem areas were satisfactorily resolved.

"I was surprised to hear him speak about Chuitna coal mine and have some incorrect legal opinions," Shavelson said. "The only public document I've seen is the resolution from 2007 that said they oppose the mine, so there was some confusion."

Ruby Denison from Ninilchik questioned the continued existence of the borough's spruce bark beetle program.

"The program needs to die," Denison said.

Borough Assembly President Milli Martin of Diamond Ridge disagreed, however, saying one benefit of the program is helping borough residents create defensible space to decrease the likelihood of wildfire.

Denison wasn't the only out-of-towner in attendance. Fred Sturman of Soldotna and one of the founders of ACT, Alliance of Concerned Taxpayers, took the opportunity to address the cost of public employee and teacher retirement.

"(Carey) knows what I'm talking about. I wanted other people to think about it. Where are we going to get the money?" said Sturman, adding that he had considered running for mayor in the October election.

"But after listening to Carey, he and I kind of agreed about 60-70 percent of the time," Sturman said.

"Why should I run and give (former borough mayor John Williams) another crack at it? I thought Carey could beat him. He didn't just beat him, he stomped him. I think we ought to support (Carey). He has the feel of the people."

To those in attendance Saturday, the Mayor's Advisory Group meetings may be a way for Carey to gain an understanding of borough residents.

"He's a guy who's really committed to public service and I hope it works," Lord said.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibbenjackinsky.@homernews.com.