I will listen, work to solve problems, address concerns

On Tuesday you have the opportunity to vote for State House candidate Jim Colver, a proven problem solver, with a strong conservative record of working hard for the Valley. The other candidates in this race have absolutely no record whatsoever. With no results to run on, Pam Goode has chosen instead to twist facts and make false accusations about me.

There’s a reason why Pam Goode’s own community of Delta continues to reject her. They can’t count on her because of her inexperience, and they disagree with her unbalanced views, which won’t produce any tangible results for them. That is why she got trounced 3:1 in their local school board election.

The last six years has been hard enough on our state. We can’t afford to have a novice like Pam Goode behind the wheel.

My approach representing you in Juneau will be the same as it has been representing you on the Mat-Su Borough Assembly: listening to you, working to solve problems, and addressing your concerns.

State budget

The sky is not falling. I grew up here before we had oil revenues. Oil prices and state budgets rise and fall with the price of oil. High oil prices allowed the budget to mushroom. State spending does need to be put on a diet. Alaska has reined in spending before and we can do it again. On the assembly I have consistently trimmed budgets to provide for funding of essential services such as education, public safety and roads, while at the same time lowering taxes. State agencies are over-regulating the private sector at a huge cost to the state and our citizens. By cutting red tape we can reduce costs. I will put that experience to work for you in Juneau.

Roads

I will continue to work on making our roads safer. Trunk Road, Bogard Road extension, the Seldon and Lucille Intersection, and Vine Road are just some of the projects that I have been successful in getting funded and built. Three of the most deadly roads in Alaska are here in Mat-Su: Knik-Goose Bay Road, the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, and the Parks Highway from Wasilla to Big Lake. I have a plan to make these roads safer.

Jobs and development

I support developing our oil, gas, timber, and minerals to provide good-paying jobs for our residents. However, local hire of Alaskan companies and Alaskans is my bottom line. I support vocational and technical training in our schools to provide the private sector with a qualified work force.

Alaskan way of life

My commitment to the second amendment is unwavering — that is why I am endorsed by the National Rife Association. I will continue to work to increase your hunting and fishing opportunities. This summer, silver salmon returned to our streams — the largest run in six years because of the work of our Fish and Wildlife Commission. We convinced the Board of Fisheries to adjust commercial fishing methods to let salmon pass to Mat-Su. I also helped convince the Board of Game to open a new any bull registration moose hunt in Paxson. I am endorsed by the Alaska Outdoor Council and the Sportsman’s Conservation Alliance.I believe we need to make long-term decisions that are the right decisions for future generations of Alaskans. We are blessed with a bounty of resources — we just need to manage them better.

For more information, visit jimcolver.com, or call 810-7200. I will always listen to you, and I ask for your vote.

Jim Colver is a candidate for the Alaska State House of Representatives in District 9.