SCHOOL BOARD TAPES — All school board meetings are videotaped. The tapes are cataloged, filed and available to the public. This celluloid accountability is a helpful thing. It keeps the public record clean. It allows for untainted accuracy.
Why doesn't our borough assembly or planning commission do likewise? The claim of "honest and open government" is easy to say.
Perhaps the truth lies in the actions. Or the non-actions.
VALLEY QUOTES FROM THE PUBLIC RECORD — "Things are calm in our city and we kinda like it that way," Palmer Mayor Henry Guinotte. "Things are going huckity buck in our city and we kinda like it that way," Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin. "I am not Mr. Colver. I am different in so many ways. And I am happy about it," borough assembly member Talis Colberg, commenting on his fellow assembly member.
"Oh good. We've finally found something that Mr. Colberg can vote for," borough assembly member Jim Colver, commenting on his fellow assembly member.
"I'm feeling like a lonely desert shrub," borough assembly member Talis Colberg, regarding his lone voting stance.
"We have the best dirt in the world. Our carrots are popping out of the ground and we planted them in the snow," borough assembly member Larry Devilbiss, regarding his carrot farming industry.
"Happy paving," borough assembly member Sara Jansen, regarding the approval of numerous local improvement road paving districts.
"I listened real closely to Mr. Hall, because he was a Republican," borough assembly member Larry DeVilbiss, commenting on public hearing testimony.
"It's been fun playing parliamentary games with you tonight," borough assembly member Jody Simpson, regarding a long borough assembly meeting filled with votes and reconsiderations.
CREDIT PROFILE — Here are excerpts describing the "Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska." This information was gleaned from an upgraded bond rating as described by a Standard & Poors report on March 29, 2001.
"A growing economy dominated by tourism, recreation, and government, with continued increasing ties to the greater Anchorage economic base.
"Recent new projects include an expanded Wal-Mart store, a Sears, the Port MacKenzie business and industrial park and many residential properties."
There you have it. Our worthy Valley profile.
REMEMBERING — It is wise to remember your allies. It is wise to remember your supporters. It is wise to remember the people who fought for you and stood up for you. Memorial Day is the day to recognize the contributions of veterans at the Veterans' Wall of Honor. May 28 — 1 p.m. and don't be late. It is also a good day to sweep graves at the cemetery. Plant some flowers for ones you love.
PARENT BAD MANNERS — Graduations and school presentations fill the bill this month. The MOUTH has attended several and has noted that some parents are rather poor role models.
They let their cell phones disturb performances. They talk and jeer and disrupt the event. They wave and whistle like they're on the Jerry Springer show. They don't restrain their other children. They get up in the middle of speeches.
This is plain and simple rudeness.
The students are on show. The students have worked hard and deserve proper attention and applause. This is not a football game. This is not a comedy spoof. It is your children's promotion. Show some respect.
THE MOUTH WONDERS:
Is it true that the city of Wasilla is annexing 313
acres? And all of it is voluntary?
Is it true that the governor will be offering honorary diplomas to WWII veterans?
Is it true that 1,300 Mat Su students have signed up for the summer "Math Matters" program?
Is it true that the operating engineers are donating $200,000 of work effort to Wasilla's growing Iditarod Park?
Is it true that the cost of three new Valley fire trucks equals $688,625.47?
Is it true that two picnic tables were carried up Mount POW/MIA by the Colony High JROTC?
Is it true that the port will be subject to "already planned vibrocompaction."
Is it true that it costs more to house one student at McLaughlin than it does to send two students to Harvard?
Is it true that the biggest commonality in prisoners is lack of a high school diploma?
Infamous borough scribe Barbara Hunt puts words in The Mouth every month. If you have questions, tips or suggestions, please fax them to her at 376-8059 or to her attention at the Frontiersman at 352-2277, or you may mail them or drop them off at 5751 E. Mayflower Ct., Wasilla AK 99654. The Mouth is also accessible on the Internet at bhunt@alaska.net. Confidentiality will be respected. Accuracy required and good taste requested.
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