House candidate addresses voters

Spectrum, by Pat Carney

First, I'd like to say how much I appreciate the many enthusiastic volunteers and generous contributors who have helped with this campaign. They have been invaluable in helping me carry my message to the voters of this district.

I have lived in the Mat-Su Valley since 1949, when it was not much more than a patch of trees with one grocery store and a handful of residents. I homesteaded here, built a dairy farm and raised a family. I have nine children and 19 grandchildren, most of whom live in the Wasilla area. And I am proud to say I live here, and only here.

As your representative, I will conduct myself in a manner that earns the respect and cooperation of my colleagues from both parties, and my constituents. And I will work effectively with our local delegation to obtain the things we need for this community.

I feel that I am the most qualified candidate to represent District 14 for the following reasons:

I am a 55-year resident of Wasilla, with eight years of experience as a productive state representative for Wasilla; provided funding for construction of Burchell High School, the Wasilla Senior Center, the Job Corps Center and our very first traffic light in Wasilla at Main Street and the Parks Highway; was involved with the local school system for 40 years and am a successful businessman and decorated war veteran.

As your elected representative, my goals are to balance the state budget; protect the permanent fund; adequate funding for education, including decreasing class sizes; reinstating school programs that have been reduced or eliminated; reducing local property taxes by demanding that the state fully fund all state-mandated programs that are currently paid by the local property taxpayer and returning state funding for road maintenance, to reduce property taxes.

I am well-qualified and ready to serve as your representative. I respectfully request your vote on Nov. 2 to help make this happen.

Pat Carney is a candidate for House District 14.