"I've spent a lot of time trying to get the government to work with rural communities," said Rosenfeld, who served as the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council's director for 10 years. "I've also spent a lot of time mediating between environmental organizations and government. I'm a mediator."

Rosenfeld is a former vice chair of Homer's Parks and Recreation Commission and presently serves on the board of directors for the Renewable Energy Alaska Project and the California-based Hesperian Foundation, which produces and distributes public health information around the world.

In addition to rural issues and renewable energy, Rosenfeld's areas of interest include improvement of the state's education system and diversification of its economy.

His primary motivation for seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, however, was the conduct of Palin, he said.

A conversation with former Palin rural advisor Rhonda McBride woke him up to Palin's indifference to important issues in rural Alaska, he said.

"I asked Rhonda why she stepped down and, come to find out, she said she was unable to secure one meeting with the governor in 10 months as her rural advisor. Rhonda is a good person, but she was really perturbed.

"What I've learned from people in Juneau is that it's hard to get meetings with her. She lives in an insulated reality. It's wonderful to have advisors, but if you don't meet with them then it's just a game of make-pretend.

"Instead she concerns herself with national and international politics. This state deserves a governor that pays attention to Alaska. I just don't see that with Governor Palin."

Rosenfeld said he would have a campaign Web site up in about a month. In the meantime, he can be contacted at 235-7528 or via e-mail at robrosey@xyz.net.

Aaron Selbig can be reached at aaronselbig.@homernews.com.