Will Mayor Edward Itta Cause Suffering and Exodus for Future Generations Of North Slope Borough Residents? In a July 18 Parade Magazine cover story, Mayor Edward Itta (NGP Photo) was quoted as saying, "I'm not trying to stop the oil, but if whales disappear, so will our culture."  (See attached article.) We believe all Alaskans emotionally support Itta's desire to maintain modern subsistence lifestyles, but Parade readers may not grasp the larger picture.  Alaska's economy is 1/3 dependent on oil.  Alaska's state budget is 90% dependent on oil.  The massive, [...]