Candidate Q&A: Mat-Su Borough

Mat-Su Borough Assembly

Bruce Walden

Seat sought: Mat-Su Borough Assembly Seat One

Are you an incumbent: No

Age: 45

Residence in the Borough: In the Butte area for six and a half years, an Alaskan resident since 1981.

Public service: My service is all military or military-oriented with the exception of my current position on the Butte Community Board of Directors. I spent one and a half years in the National Guard and 20 years in the U.S. Army, retiring on June 30, 2001, from First Special Forces Group. Afterwards, I worked as a contractor guarding our embassy personnel in Mosul, Iraq.

Family information: Divorced with four kids. I am engaged to a lovely young lady who has two very young children.

Why are you running for Borough Assembly at this time: I have gotten sick and tired of every aspect of our lives being regulated. I’m tired of an unresponsive and bloated Borough government that seems to only respond to those who are members of a certain clique. I wish to bring back government to the Borough that is in line with the Constitution that our founders forged, a novel idea it seems these days.

What experiences do you have that demonstrate your ability to be an effective assembly member: I have worked with governments internationally and have a unique perspective. What is more, I’m a man of my word. I’m one of those who, as the song says, “means just what they say.” I’m not an administrator, I’m a combat-proven leader.

If elected, what would be your top priorities: First we need a good, close look at all the intrusive ordinances that have been ramrodded in recent years. Some of them make no sense whatever and must be scrapped. For anything to pass my desk it must meet these three criteria: 1. Is it Constitutional? 2. Is it necessary? 3. Can it be done without raising taxes (which are far too high and with no more service for the higher taxes that are confiscated from us.)?

What is your position on Borough Prop. 1 and why: I am for Prop. 1. I am a Constitutionalist. I hope this paragraph is not edited out by the Frontiersman. The law on which it is based, I believe it is statute 37 out of Oregon, has been besmirched and misrepresented by the Frontiersman and our assembly. It was said in a recent article that Oregon’s 37 had cost the taxpayers or Oregon $17 billion. We contacted Michael Morissey, who runs Statue 37 down there, and he said that not one dime had been paid out because, as the state restricts the use of Oregonians’ land, they bring suit against the state and the state backs off and gives them a waiver. The assembly had hoped to use public money (read taxpayers’ money) to fight Prop. 1 and then so did the city of Palmer, with both backing down. But what it amounts to is protectionism like in 1920s Chicago. The Borough is scaring the voters by basically saying, “If you don’t let me use your land as I see fit, I’ll make you squirm.” That’s not how this Constitutional Republic works, folks.

What is the most urgent issue facing the Borough today and how would you address it: Getting the Borough out of our everyday lives would be a good start. Our people are tired of not being allowed to move without running afoul of some brand new ordinance. We need jobs and this Borough does everything it can, it seems, to put up roadblocks in front of those who wish to start new businesses. I refer those in District 1 to my DVD I handed out.

Identify and explain one principled stand you would be willing to take if elected, even if it might cost some popularity points with voters: As stated before, I am a Constitutionalist. Love me, love the Constitution. I spent 22 years of my life defending it and will defend it to my dying day. There are those even among the voters that think the Borough should be able to regulate our lives right down to the nitty gritty. I do not. For the first half of my military career the enemy was communism and socialism. Now I find myself in a Borough where totalitarianism is all the rage. If you think you own your land and your life, think again. You only rent from the Borough and that needs to change. If the Borough government will get out of our way and stop thinking of ways to tell us “no” you’d be amazed at the potential that would be realized.

Lynne Woods

Seat sought: Mat-Su Bourough Assembly District 1

Are you an incumbent: Yes, I have served the residents for three years.

Age: 58

Residency in the Borough: I have lived in the Mat-Su Borough 58 years; two in Palmer, two in Butte and 54 in Sutton.

Public Service: Deputy mayor, Borough assembly District 1, Alpine Civic Club/Sutton Community Council, Road Service Area supervisor, staff to a state legislator, House Special Committee on Agriculture, Alaska Oil Spill Commission, Mat-Su Borough Economic Development Commission and Alaska Municipal League Board of Directors.

Family Information: Married for 40 years to Dee Woods and have two adult children who live with their families in Wasilla.

Why are you running for the Mat-Su Borough Assembly at this time: I would like to continue my work with the communities of District 1 and my fellow assembly members. We have worked hard to find solutions to community and Borough issues. I have skills and knowledge that are necessary to do the job. The work is enjoyable and rewarding. The residents are great. We live in a spectacular place with a bright future.

What experiences do you have that demonstrate your ability to be an effective council member: I have conflict resolutions skills that are very important. For example, the Knik River Public Use Area is a big issue for residents of South Knik River and the Butte. There was lawlessness and degradation of the area. When legislation was introduced, I held a meeting of concerned residents and we found common ground on issues that everyone supported. I took that message to the Mat-Su Borough Assembly, to the Anchorage Assembly, every public hearing and legislative teleconference asking for those common issues to be a part of the legislation. We now have legislation creating the PUA and the most important issue of law enforcement received funding for weekend patrols.

If elected, what would be your top priorities: Revenue sharing, PRS/TRS solution, education and roads.

What is your position on Borough Prop. 1 and why: I am concerned about the impacts of Prop. 1 on community comprehensive plans. There are five communities in District 1 that have Comp Plans — Lazy Mountain just completed its plan and will be at the Planning Commission soon and South Knik River has been waiting for a planner to create its plan. The ordinance to enact Prop. 1, under “definitions,” cites that “land use regulations” include comprehensive plans, transportation plans, service areas and forestry plans. I support grassroots democracy and the communities have chosen to create these plans. I have stood up for communities and defended their plans when actions impacting residents such as coal-bed methane or prisons were proposed. I will not be voting for Prop. 1.

What is the most urgent issue facing the Borough today and how would you address it: Transportation. The transportation issue is being addressed on all three levels of government. Locally, there is a blue ribbon task force on road service areas and the members are examining the problems with local, Borough roads. Road service area taxes are high in some areas and the revenues raised are still insufficient to maintain, upgrade or do necessary repairs. On the state level, I have talked with other mayors across the state, the deputy commissioner of the Department of Transportation and the governor’s staff on devising a plan for financing the construction and maintenance of state roads. Our Borough has a proposal and we will be presenting it this fall at the Municipal Government conference. The Mat-Su Borough has an estimated $1.3 billion of state roadwork that needs to be done. We need to work together to address this need.

Identify and explain one principled stand you would be willing to take if elected, even if it might cost some popularity points with voters: Public involvement. I will defend our residents’ right to have a voice on issues that impact them and their neighborhoods. I know there are intelligent, caring people who have ideas and convictions that deserve to be heard. If there were not a process for their voice to be heard, I would work to create one. The other issue I will always defend is protecting our drinking water. There are so few places in the world where people can drink their own water. It is a very valuable asset and we should ensure that it is not diminished in any way. Life depends on water. Public costs to treat and provide drinkable water are high.

Peter Houston

Seat sought: Mat-Su Borough Assembly District 2

Are you an incumbent: No, the seat is currently vacant.

Age: 40

Residence in the Borough: Palmer area for six years.

Public service: I have been involved in a number of grassroots community organizations, including the South Palmer Community Organization and the MEA Ratepayer's Alliance, and have served on committees within the local schools, including the Sherrod playground design and the group designing the new prototype for the South Palmer Elementary School. Additionally, I am currently the vice president and acting president of the Matanuska Soccer Club; however, I have not sought a public office before this election.

Family information: I am married and have two boys ages 10 and 7. The boys attend Sherrod and Swanson Elementary and keep us busy volunteering and participating in all of the activities that the schools sponsor. We are also part of the local Cub Scout Pack 354, where my wife and I volunteer as leaders. As a family we also enjoy exploring the giant playground that is the Mat-Su Valley.

Why are you running for Borough Assembly at this time: I have long thought of public service as an honor and a privilege, as well as a duty. In addition, I feel that public office should not so much be sought by a person; rather, a good candidate should be a person recognized by members of the community and asked to serve. So, with this ethic, when I was asked to consider running for this seat I felt both honored and a personal obligation to step up. I think what we need for our area is a person who is adept at listening with an open mind, yet willing to pull the pieces together and make a decision when the time comes. I believe I will do an excellent job. I love the Valley and want nothing more than to see us prosper with the coming growth in a way that maintains our fabulous playground as well as the character of our communities.

What experiences do you have that demonstrate your ability to be an effective assembly member: During my career in social services I have done child protection investigations and have worked with juvenile sexual offenders. I have “provided therapy” for kids in residential treatment and for families in their own living rooms. What this means to me is that I am good at helping people identify problems they haven't been able to acknowledge exist, help them form a vision of what life will be like when that problem is fixed and create a plan to make that happen. This works for individuals and small groups as well as the community as a whole.

If elected, what would be your top priorities: My top three priorities would be revenue diversification that would provide some tax relief for homeowners, creating solutions for infrastructure development such as transportation and trails with an emphasis on making the Palmer area a destination for recreation tourism, and developing communication and organization within the greater Palmer community in order to make access to information and participation in government process easier for Joe Public.

What is your position on Borough Prop. 1 and why: I am not in favor of Prop. 1. I am generally opposed to putting new laws on the books without first demonstrating a compelling need. I question the need for this as a protection for property rights. I would like to see examples of real local situations that this initiative is designed to address and allow for a public process to determine if this ordinance is necessary. I believe there are measures in place that already protect property rights as well as allow communities to establish protection for the common good. Indeed, this is a balancing act, but a balance that is necessary when we live in community with others. Secondly, I am concerned about the language, both of the initiative itself as well as that on the ballot. I do not believe that there is enough reliable information readily available for the average person to make an informed decision on this issue. Again, I would like to see a public process that allows for independent information regarding the administrative and legal implications of this initiative to be presented. Finally, I am concerned about the potential cost. It is my understanding that when Oregon implemented similar legislation, essential services such as public schools had to shut down for a period of time due to the administrative cost. If this is even close to a potential, we cannot afford it. In short, if it can be demonstrated that this measure is indeed needed, I believe it needs a lot more work before it should be considered ready for a vote.

What is the most urgent issue facing the Borough today and how would you address it: Frankly, I believe Prop. 1 is the most urgent issue today.

Identify and explain one principled stand you would be willing to take if elected, even if it might cost some popularity points with voters: I would say the sales tax might be it. I think we need a sales tax that allows for the exemptions of food and essential services. Unfortunately, in order for this to work we might have to look at a little higher tax than folks would like and a little less property tax relief as well. I favor the exemption of some portion of the value of your home from taxes over a cap on the mill rate. I would like to see this measure augmented by subsequent taxes and fees that are also tied to property tax relief. In this way we might have a combination of, say, five different measures that in total would exempt maybe $100,000 worth of the value from owner occupied homes.

John R. Leiner

Seat sought: Mat-Su Borough Assembly District 2

No response