Borough mayoral candidates miles apart

WASILLA — For those wanting to see the differences between the two men hoping to be elected Mat-Su Borough mayor, they weren’t hard to spot at a Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce forum Tuesday.

For instance, incumbent Larry DeVilbiss and challenger Mark Masteller were miles apart in their answers to the question of what is the most important infrastructure project in the borough that has yet to receive funding.

Masteller said it was finding affordable energy sources. He said he favors multiple smaller energy projects coupled with a move toward energy efficient buildings so the borough needs to use less power.

“You can get a better return on investment for these kinds of things than anything you can do on Wall Street,” he said of energy efficiency.

For DeVilbiss, though, the answer was a little more familiar: the Point MacKenzie Rail Extension. That project has been funded, of course, and is currently under way, but it will need more money before it’s complete.

“That we expect and hope to get out of the Legislature this next session,” DeVilbiss said.

Also on his list of things he’d like to see funded — roads, especially the project to extend Bogard Road.

When he was on the borough’s planning commission, Masteller voted against extending Bogard Road, instead urging the borough to improve existing roads and look at public transit options. DeVilbiss did not hold a borough elected or appointed office at the time but did, soon after assuming office, attempted to veto funding for the Bogard project, saying that upgrading Palmer-Fishhook Road was a better option. He later withdrew the veto before the assembly could override it, saying the project had moved forward too far to go back.

The candidates also were asked about big Valley issues like coal mining returning to Wishbone Hill.

“I was probably the first mayor to come along in awhile who was not afraid to say I support coal development,” DeVilbiss said. He also was on the Matanuska Electric Association board of directors when that body was pushing for to build a coal-fired power plant in the borough.

For his part, Masteller said the coal mine is a state issue — the state will decide whether or not to permit it. The borough’s role, he said, is to watch out for the health and safety of its residents.

But, he said, he takes exception when people say the Valley’s roots are in mining.

“The roots of the Valley really are in salmon,” Masteller said, and salmon is still a very valuable resource. “I think it’s important that we develop, but protect our resources.”

On the question of the ferry — the M/V Susitna that was supposed to shuttle cars between Anchorage and Point MacKenzie, but which remains docked in Ketchikan costing the borough nearly $70,000 a month in berthing fees — neither gave a really strong answer.

DeVilbiss joked that he’d need more than his allotted 90 seconds, but was glad someone was asking his opinion; as mayor, he’s usually sitting in the background while the assembly members give theirs.

“I would like to see our assembly first of all come to a decision point,” DeVilbiss said. “If it cannot pencil out and pay its way it’s not something we should burden the taxpayers with.”

Masteller said he applauds borough manager John Moosey for doing so much work to bring forward myriad options for what to do with the vessel. He said he’d add one more possibility — what about hitting up the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority?

Big bridges usually begin with a ferry that demonstrates the need for a span. KABATA, Masteller reasoned, might be willing to part with some funds to set up the system.

“One thing I’d like to explore is can we work with KABATA?” he said.

Contact reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.