Candidate wants more 'business friendly' borough

Spectrum, by Charlie Fannon

I noted that Mat-Su Borough Mayor Tim Anderson's Spectrum article in the Aug. 26 edition of this paper spoke of his experience and commitment to the office of mayor. The old adage says, "that by their fruits you shall know them." Mayor Anderson's administration has time and again attempted to slow down economic growth by studying projects multiple times thereby prolonging implementation. As recently as Aug. 19, Mayor Anderson once again in an open assembly meeting suggested doing another study of Port MacKenzie rather than putting the bond issue on the ballot. Wiser heads prevailed and the assembly properly agreed to go to the voters for guidance.

In the Hatcher Pass development saga, how much time and money has gone into studying this project? It is clear that the voters do not want their local government building a ski lodge at Hatcher Pass. Most voters do want to see private business develop Hatcher Pass, but that can never happen until the Mat-Su Borough administration gets out of the way and allows it to happen. At a recent community meeting in Big Lake the subject of interest was the drilling for and extraction of coal-bed methane. Mayor Anderson made it clear where he stood on this type of economic development. He sided with those who were against it. However, his campaign handout says he is bringing the shallow gas industry to Mat-Su. His support or non-support of this project seems to depend on the voting audience he is addressing. The only commitment that shows is a commitment to get the vote by bending whichever way the political wind blows. That's one way of surviving in politics, but that's not public service.

In Mayor Anderson's Spectrum article he talks about "the wise use of public monies." Is it wise to try and circumvent the public's right to vote on a $10 million bond by trying to obtain those funds through a "Certificate of Participation" and putting up Mat-Su Borough buildings as collateral?

As I campaign throughout the borough, I am bombarded with stories of communities and projects being stymied by Anderson's administration. Ask Mayor Adams of Houston what kind of cooperation they received from Mayor Anderson regarding requested zoning changes needed for economic development. They were stalled for months. Members of the Chickaloon Community Council told me it has been 15 years since they have received any funding support from borough government.

The article also states that "we must work together" and that "nothing is more important than the team approach." Take a look at how one-sided and divisive most of the current mayor's appointments have been to the different boards and committees.

The Mat-Su Borough is a wonderful place with tremendous potential. It is growing at a pace that is out-stripping government-supported infrastructure. Our borough government needs to become more business friendly and promote economic development for the creation of jobs and diverse funding streams. With the growth in population comes more pressure on our educational system, which in turn will require more funds. This is true for roads, recreation and possibly even some form of public safety; depending on what the people want. Anderson and his supporters would like to slow down that growth and control the land and water resources according to their wishes, not that of the majority. If I'm not mistaken, this is also the agenda of the environmental group, Friends of Mat-Su. I get nervous when I see a small, well organized group start to make the rules for the majority. I prefer to support the majority, not convince them I know what's best for them.

The people of the Mat-Su Borough tell me they want to see economic growth keep pace with our population growth. They also say that they want to see diverse funding streams and jobs developed so that the tax burden on the property owner doesn't have to increase. I want those same things as long as it is safe development. I don't believe that can occur on Mayor Anderson's watch.

Mayor Anderson speaks about holding the mil rate down this past year. Take a look at where the average assessment is now compared to two years ago. Most of you have seen a double-digit percentage increases in your assessments. Sure the mil rate is the same, but you are paying a lot more in taxes. The only way Anderson could keep the mil rate down was by dipping into the Reserve Account to fund the budget requests. We as property owners will have to pay that back. Where do you think the current administration is planning on finding those funds?

Again, recalling Mayor Anderson's Spectrum article, let's take a look at what he calls the "team approach." What has his management style done for borough employees? It is interesting to note that there have been more than 40 employees leave the borough during Mayor Anderson's watch. I wonder how much training and experience has been lost? It's pretty hard to develop a "team" when you keep changing the players.

Anderson says in his Spectrum article that investing in our children's future is one of the best uses of our tax dollar. I agree and support giving our kids a good education. I would go a step farther and say let's stop wasting tax dollars on redundant studies and also support other worthy programs like the Children's Place, where they work hard to protect our children from victimization. If our children aren't given safe communities to grow up in, many of them will fail. Anderson's administration has been asked to support this worthy program, but to date has not done so.

I encourage each of you to study the current borough administration. Is it business friendly? Will your kids have jobs here or have to leave to find work? What has Mayor Anderson's administration produced that stands out as a benefit to the majority?

Charlie Fannon is a candidate for Mat-Su Borough mayor.