Another ‘no’ for Prop. 1

If you think Prop. 1 on the Mat-Su Borough ballot will protect you and your property, keep your checkbook close at hand! If passed, Prop. 1 will increase your property taxes, degrade your quality of life, create uncertainty for new business investors and unleash a feeding frenzy for lawyers.

Please vote “no” on Borough Prop. 1.

In my time on the Borough Planning Commission I have heard countless stories of people’s lives and property values taking a sudden turn for the worse because a neighboring landowner decided — over the objection of the community — to develop a gravel pit, racetrack, medical waste incinerator, cell tower, etc. With our rapid population growth local governments, using exhaustive public processes, have developed land use regulations designed to help protect our quality of life and our property values.

With Prop. 1, local governments would be forced to waive these land use regulations for special interests or forced to pay them to follow the rules. When local government pays, who gets the bill? In states that have passed measures similar to Prop. 1, the number of claims has skyrocketed. When local government goes to court, who gets the bill?

Most business owners will not invest in an area where an incompatible land use could change their profitability overnight. As we seek to diversify our economic base, well-crafted land use planning helps prevent this from happening.

Please vote “no” on Borough Prop. 1.

Mark Masteller,

Palmer