Editorial way off base

To the editor:

The Jan. 4 editorial titled “Reflect, then act,” showed the major reason why the Valley has problems in several areas.

First, the editorial attacked development by asking, “Does the Valley really need more box stores?” While listing the philosophical reasons way box stores shouldn’t be allowed, they missed the main reason why they should: Tax revenue for the borough and the cities. Not to mention employment for local housewives and young adults seeking part-time local employment. (Why drive 100 miles a day for part-time work at basically the same wages they can get here?)

The editorial writer then goes on to list several places the borough, state and federal governments should put money into local projects.

“The borough needs to get on the stick and develop Hatcher Pass.” If Hatcher Pass would be such a great draw, why hasn’t a developer moved in? Maybe the answer lies in the borough management attitude toward developers.

Develop a “safe and efficient transportation system”? Neither Mascot nor People Mover could operate without generous subsidies from the government. Park and ride? How many people of the people who park in those areas actually ride Mascot?

More likely is they carpool with others, which cuts Mascot out of the revenue stream. If there was profit in it, private investors would already have put in a “safe and efficient” transportation system. Or are government regulations preventing them from offering the service?

Save the farm land? What farm land becomes more valuable for farming than building subdivisions, that’s what it will be used for. Until then, retiring farmers will continue to sell land to developers.

I don’t know what time of day the writer went by the Mat-Su College parking lot, but don’t bet on finding a parking space there during the day there.

All in all, the writer of the editorial is suggesting the expenditure of more government (read taxpayer) money to build a socialist utopia in the Valley. It’s been tried already, not only here but in lots of places, with the same results. Nil.

Harry Yost

Palmer