Gatto to hold town meeting

PALMER -- Reps. Carl Gatto, R-Palmer, and Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak/Mat-Su, have scheduled a town meeting at the Palmer Library Saturday to discuss education and other legislative issues, and will be touting a plan to save Alaska's schools.

The meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., but staff at Gatto's office said he plans to stay as long as needed to hear the concerns of his constituents.

"We'll stay until all have a chance to share their concerns," said Shelley Hughes, a legislative aide for Gatto.

Stoltze said there's a lot of work to be done in terms of education in Alaska, but he's pleased to see the Legislature is tackling the project early on.

"Getting this off the table early and meeting the budget needs will allow the focus in our classrooms to return to education instead of funding, and the anxiety that it causes for parents, kids and teachers," Stoltze said.

Contact Rindi White at rindi.white@frontiersman.com.