Just say no to Hatcher Pass ordinance

Spectrum

On June 19, the assembly will consider an ordinance to purchase the private "ski resort" company, Hatcher Pass Development Co., for $277,500. Where are they getting the money? Well, you guessed it, right from your property tax dollars. This will culminate a year-long series of events that has driven the private sector out of this project.

I want to make this clear the Friends of Hatcher Pass wants to see a ski resort developed in Hatcher Pass, it is the purpose for our being and I have been an ardent advocate for more than a decade. But this is not the way to do it.

The borough administration and mayor have stated that the current owners of the Hatcher Pass Development Co., Davis Constructors, are withdrawing because they (Davis Constructors) believe it is not a profitable venture. This is not true. Davis Constructors believe that an appropriate development is profitable and the time is now. What they don't believe profitable is the borough administration's vision of the development.

The borough administration now states that the private sector has failed in the public/private partnership to build a ski resort and it is now time for the borough government to take control of its own destiny. The fact is it was the borough government that failed and did not perform.

The private sector, Davis Constructors, did perform and when it became clear that the borough would not, Davis Constructors withdrew.

The borough plan now is to buy the company, repackage the land lease and request for proposals for a ski area from the private sector — the business community. Who in their right mind would respond to this after seeing the borough government's record? Seven of the valley's leading business organizations, including the Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, have condemned this proposal.

For the ski resort project to move ahead the borough must take action to restore their credibility. These three things would be a start. 1. Turn back from the purchase of Hatcher Pass Development Co., leave it in the private sector. 2. Do the necessary engineering and design work, for which there are state funds available to better define the borough's role and the private developer's role in public/private partnership. 3. Re-engage Davis Constructors.

The alternative will be financed right out of your pocket — your property taxes. The borough government by this ordinance is breaking a longstanding pledge not to spend property tax money on the development of a ski resort in Hatcher Pass.

And when a private proposal fails to come forward, as it surely will fail, your property taxes will be further targeted. The borough manager earlier did recommend to the assembly a bond issue to be financed by property taxes.

This borough government has just given you the largest tax increase in years, unnecessarily, I might add, in light of the Legislature's appropriations for tax relief to the borough. They now propose to spend $277,500 of your property taxes to take a private business off the tax rolls and in the bargain break a pledge not to spend your tax dollars.

Folks, it's time to speak out.

If you care about the development of a ski resort to bolster our economy and our recreation opportunities, come to the public hearing and just say no to this ordinance.

If you care about keeping your taxes at a reasonable level, come to the public hearing and just say no to this ordinance.

The public hearing will be June 19, 7 p.m., at the assembly chambers in Palmer.

Jim L. Turner is the president of the Friends of Hatcher Pass.