City ‘open for business’

It’s time to shift our focus from business as usual in Wasilla — more jobs that ultimately result in low pay and little, if any, benefits — to aggressively pursuing small businesses that can build the foundation for better pay and better benefits. This is a core quality-of-life issue.

I believe it is your local government’s job to create the environment and a level playing field for small businesses to start up, grow and sustain their industry.

We are at a critical turning point in our city. As of today, the overwhelming majority of our industry is retail, and much of that is big retail. Don’t get me wrong. Large retailers are great for the city. However they benefit their bottom line and the city’s bottom line best when it is balanced with diversified economic development. This formula is not rocket science. It’s simple and it’s what local government is charged to do: create a fair (ethical and transparent) playing field for all business and send the message loud and clear that “The City of Wasilla is open for business.”

The result will equal greater opportunity for your government to grow infrastructure (roads, a library, a downtown district and quality-of-life projects, etc.) that will create more opportunities for economic development. I’m not talking about growing government; I believe that less government is better. I also believe that government is for the people, and as your mayor it will be my job to serve you. That is what public service means to me.

No one charged with the responsibility of representing the people has the right to grow government without the will of the people. Growing infrastructure in order to grow our community’s quality of life doesn’t require more government — it requires a plan; a comprehensive plan that is implemented through the voice of all Wasilla residents, not a select few, and not behind closed doors.

Marty Metiva

Wasilla City Council member

and candidate for mayor