Box stores and traffic lights are big news lately

Spectrum/Verdie Bowen

It seems to me that as each week goes by, someone else has something to say about the issue of box stores and traffic lights. I find myself pondering this point; "What if all box stores were not located in the Mat-Su Valley?" In the Dec. 10 Spectrum article, "City of Wasilla shouldn't pay for box store traffic lights," this person has a great deal to say about his planned direction for Wasilla.

I loved the idea of allowing the Alaska Railroad the ability to place the trains on a monorail system. After discussing this with an engineer, this type of system is best suited for passenger traffic, not freight.

While serving on the Wasilla planning commission, we worked on alternate corridors for the railroad. It seemed the common denominator in failure of all efforts was the cost. In order to move the train, someone has to pay. The price tag for this would be as big as the bridge to Anchorage and it would take lots of box stores to pay for this project.

A promise was quoted: "I promised I'd work to balance the stable economic growth and, while holding the city fiscally accountable, [also strive to relieve the traffic congestion by installing traffic lights at key city intersections and find ways to first pave existing local city-owned roads.]"

This is a very deceiving statement and implies the current mayor and council have not accomplished this task. One only needs to look around and see the great developments throughout our great city. If you ask anyone for future development inputs, they will tell you a Costco would be nice. I know with the correct incentive, one will locate here one day unless someone stops it due to a traffic light.

As for fiscal accountability, one only needs to call the city finance department and see how strong we are. I called, and as of this week the city is $800,000 in the black. One noteworthy item of interest -- this same finance department takes awards each year for outstanding records. So, if you think the records are embellished, call the last inspector. I bet they have that person's name on this year's audit report.

I loved the reference to being appalled about supporting the light at Lowe's. The last I checked, that light supported numerous businesses in that area and not just one store. One should be appalled at the issue of public safety, not who is to pay for the light. If DOT is unable to fund a light on a DOT road due to budget constraints, then a creative way of funding should be considered.

I bet if you check the records, something was said this summer about placing a light long before word of a box store. This came after one of our own Wasilla children was struck at that intersection leaving the movies. I also know if a light would have been there then a young girl would not be in coma today.

The reference about supporting a business with $30-billion sales is wonderful. This gets back to every one of us driving to Anchorage each time we need to shop at a large store. I know some of you remember what it was like here in Wasilla before Sears moved into a big store and Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Fred Meyer and Home Depot opened.

I know development sometimes comes with a price. We all benefit from the improved local services sales tax returns to the community. For instance, a great police department, more than 13 miles of new roads paved, a new storm system off Main Street and new water and sewer system upgrades throughout the city.

Without this forward planning by the mayor and the council, the city would be in a world of hurt and the property mill rate would be 2 for the city versus .4. I guess a lot can be said about a $30-billion-a-year-in- sales company locating in the Valley.

I seem to count these stores another way -- 600 quality jobs for Mat-Su residents, with health coverage. I love the reference about basic services we are required to support. I guess I must refer to the above paragraph citing the accomplishments. In order to ensure basic services, a city needs a tax base to draw from. Without the stores, it falls on the home owners, and a good example is Anchorage.

Look at the big taxes they pay for their properties. I, for one, do not want to pass that on to my grandkids. This is what Mayor Stein must have been thinking about when he pushed the sales-tax issue during his term as mayor. This city has benefited greatly.

As for the water pressure -- sure, the water pressure should have been tested several times during the installation of the system. The city knew a water tower would be needed eventually when more businesses developed in that area. It's not a show stopper for development and not the end of the world.

Home Depot will stay open and we will do what is needed to make it all work out. Maybe after we work this water pressure out, we might get our Costco. The great thing about Wasilla and the people who live here is that we work hard issues together and this benefits everyone in the Valley.

My challenge to each and every one of you is to please check things out for yourself. If someone preaches doom and gloom, look for the truth. We live in a wonderful state and every record is open for viewing. You can look up criminal records, property liens and title transfers through a state of Alaska Web page and the recorder's office. You can visit your local city and borough clerks' offices. They have a wealth of knowledge of where public records are stored. If someone in local government is doing a poor or good job, call them and let them know how you feel. They work for you.

Former Wasilla City Council member Verdie Bowen ran against Mark Ewing, the author of the Dec. 10 Spectrum mentioned above, for a seat on the Wasilla City Council.