Halter would do a good job as mayor

To the editor,

I’m proud to throw my support for Vern Halter for Mat Su Borough Mayor. His experience, his voting record and his slogan, “People before Politics” says it all.

As a former Borough assemblywoman between 2005 and 2011, I served with both mayoral candidates, the incumbent Mayor Larry DeVilbiss and Assemblyman Vern Halter, as well as former mayors, Tim Anderson, Curt Menard and Talis Colberg.

My perspective on the qualities and qualifications we need in the next Borough’s mayor is based on having worked with these leaders and seeing how they were most effective at leading the Assembly and at getting the work done.

Our 23,000 square mile Borough has seven Assembly districts with a “weak mayor” form of government which rightfully gives the majority of the power to the people and to the Assembly person they elected for their district representative.

A hot button this year is the Mayor’s overuse of the veto powers. During the budget cycle, Vern Halter and the majority of the Assembly had to override six out of seven vetoes on the budget. Time is money and when the government is slowed down by senseless vetoes, the taxpayers loose.

In 2011, when I was still on the Assembly, the Assembly had to override a DeVilbiss veto in order to put the (much needed) Road Bonds on the ballot for a public vote. The people overwhelmingly supported the road bonds and we now have Vine Road and Seldon upgrades, including a new connection between Church Road and Pittman, Hawk Lane improvements that connect Beaver Lakes and Houston and other major traffic calming projects soon to be completed such as Knik Goose Bay to the Menard Sports Center & the Parks and South Trunk Road.

During this same period, Mr. DeVilbiss threatened to veto the Bogard Road extension to the Glenn Highway and the state grant monies that take care of programs like “Meals on Wheels” for senior citizens.

Vern Halter has a better way. Vern is a consensus builder. He is fair and impartial. His education, experience and voting record makes him the best candidate for Mat-Su Borough Mayor. Vern is ready to tackle the opportunities and challenges of our growing Borough. Please join me in voting for Vern Halter on October 6.

Cindy Bettine

Wasilla