Letter to the editor

9 people made Arctic Winter Games possible

To the editor:

The Arctic World Games selection committee informed us that without the Menard Center, the Mat-Su Valley would have not qualified to host the Arctic Winter Games 2024. And the Menard Center would not be here today if Nine "YES" votes would have voted "No" on the sales tax initiative to fund the entire project of a Multi Use Sports Complex in 2003.

Being CO-Chair of the "BUILD IT NOW" committee, we worked tirelessly for over a year, with a positive outreach campaign to educate, inform and convey the benefits of voting yes. And against a powerful headwind, then current Alaska State Senate President along with Mat-Su Legislative Representatives, marched in the City Of Wasilla 4th Of July Parade, "No new taxes", "Too big" "Too soon" "No sports complex."

At the end of election day, then question ballots, then mail-iN", then re-count, it passed by 17 votes. Therefore if nine people would have voted no, we'd have lost by one vote. No paid for world class facility, as for profit & loss, operating at best in the state, not counting the millions of dollars that have gone directly in City coffers, by the increased sales tax revenue, generated by sales because of the Menard; accommodations, activities, restaurants, supplies, fuel etc.

Remember the four day statewide wrestling tournament, local Wasilla McDonald's "ran out of food".

Three additional points:

There is a big difference between "Spending" and "Investing.”

The power of a vote.

True Visionaries W.A.S.I. members had a lot at stake, why should a senior citizen on a fixed income pay more for their groceries and essentials to benefit a future generation, by voting yes. I vividly remember just that topic at a noon luncheon at W.A.S.I. days before election day with all committed "NO' votes. When a 89 year old wise lady spoke up, looked her fellow seniors in the eyes, and posed the question. "Do you want to live in the past, think about past missed opportunities or worse yet, leave this life knowing you could have enhanced the future lives of your fellow man and members of your community, I am voting "YES" to go towards the light, not the darkness, who's with me!!. Thumbs up by all, that table of ten changed the world.

John Klapperich,

Wasilla

Co-Chair BUILD IT NOW Committee