Letters to the editor

In support of Kristi Short- District 6, Mat Su Borough

To the editor:

My name is Emily Forstner and I am writing today on behalf of myself and my husband Peter Forstner to endorse Kristi Short for Mat Su Borough Assembly, District 6.

Kristi Short is a life-long Alaskan who grew up in the Mat Su. She currently lives in Hatcher Pass and cares deeply for the Mat Su.

Kristi knows first-hand what the time and effort it takes to make a difference in our community. Kristi is a parent, a business owner, and a Fishhook Community Council representative. She learned to love agriculture while involved with FFA at Palmer High, and continues to work to promote agriculture in the Mat Su with her small business, Alaska Farm Tours. It has taken creativity, commitment, and conscious decision making to start up a small business in 2020, and even more so to have it thrive in a period of so many unknowns and inconsistencies. Kristi knows that it takes more than just a long-term vision, it takes carefully planned action steps to promote economic growth in the Mat Su without losing the down home, close-knit feel that makes the Valley and District 6 such a great place to live.

Kristi is fiscally responsible. Owning a small business, she has learned that the bottom line is always about maintaining a responsible budget. She will work to make that happen in the Borough Assembly- without property owners bearing all of the burden of being the only source of revenue.

Kristi is forward thinking. She sees the value of tourism in the Valley and strongly supports the Arctic Winter Games 2024. But, more than anything, Kristi Short recognizes that the increasing population in the Valley threatens our quality of life without forward-looking leadership and planning.

Kristi Short is energetic and excited to be a part of whatever it takes to lead our community through difficult times for a safe and successful future. She follows through with what she says she will do. She is pragmatic in her approach and honest in all that she does.

Thank you for joining us in supporting for Kristi Short for Borough Assembly, District 6 on November 2.

Emily and Peter Forstner,

Palmer

Time for School Board changes

To the editor:

As a Vietnam veteran, I took offense at the school board’s action to ban two books from the high school curriculum last year. Catch-22 and The Things They Carried are classics of contemporary American literature about war experiences in WWII and Vietnam. When our school board makes fundamental missteps like this it’s time to make a change.

Our school district will be in better hands if we elect Lori Berrigan to replace the incumbent in District 1. We will be better represented by someone who has ideal background and credentials to keep our schools on track to deliver quality education. For Lori’s values and her history with charter schools, community service and small business, visit berriganforschoolboard.com.

Warren Keogh,

Chickaloon

Beck will be a mayor for all

To the editor:

I’ve known Matthew Beck for quite some time. One thing that I really appreciate about his demeanor and approach to a problem is his ability to listen to all stakeholders and all points of view. That’s no small feat in a borough as broad and diverse as ours.

Whether you’re in Lake Louise, Talkeetna, or somewhere in between, Matthew Beck will work for you. On Nov. 2, I’m going to be voting for Matthew Beck. He will represent the best interest of tourism. He will represent the best interest of all the citizens of the Mat-Su Valley.

Mark Austin, Executive Director

Musk Ox Farm

Vote Nov.2 Edna for Mat Su Mayor

How do we know who we are really voting for? A candidate can tell you they are a conservative knowing a majority of voters in the Mat Su are conservative. How can we avoid what happened in our legislature with some running as Republicans, supporting a full PFD then joining with the Democrats and losing the majority and surrendering the PFD . It happens all the time, but it only takes a little research to discover who the true conservatives are i.e. who is pouring money into their campaign? Who are their supporters? Are they endorsed by conservative groups or are they running as non-committed? Are they beholden to unions? Edna DeVries is a true constitutional conservative with a proven record, conservative endorsements, no strings attached supporters and a conservative platform holding her accountable to stand on. Vote Edna for Mat Su Mayor Nov. 2. The only true conservative.

John and Candy Miller,

45-year Valley residents

Easy choice for borough mayor

To the editor:

Our votes on Nov. 2 will go to Matthew Beck. In his six years on the borough assembly, Beck compiled an impressive record of accomplishment.

He impressed me as a consistent hard worker who approached the job with a strong sense of fairness and desire to respectfully serve all residents of the borough. Additionally, he has demonstrated an unusual ability to listen to all sides of an issue with an open mind. As a successful small businessman himself, Beck also knows the value of a vibrant economy and the importance of a responsive local government that works for entrepreneurs of all sizes.

Beck is not encumbered by party allegiance either. He is a nonpartisan candidate who can be counted on to prioritize the best interest of borough residents over personal or political party agendas. He is adept at supporting the public process without letting it become the barrier of progress. This is in complete contrast to his opponent, who has her own record of bringing divisive party politics to Palmer city council meetings, much like we see happening in Anchorage now.

This borough will continue to be the fastest-growing area of the state, and that brings some huge challenges. The kind of leader who will guide that growth is key to our overall success. A proven independent leader like Matthew Beck, who is experienced, invested in our community and able to build confidence back into government, is what is needed now to meet those challenges.

Absentee and early, in-person voting begins Oct. 18 ahead of the Nov. 2 election.

None of us can afford to elect the wrong leader. Please vote, and encourage co-workers, friends, and family who can vote, to vote for Matthew Beck for borough mayor.

Houston & Terry Snyder

Palmer

Voting for Short for assembly

Kristi Short, who is running for Assembly District 6, would make an excellent, well-rounded assembly person. She is knowledgeable in natural resources, owns and runs Alaska Farm Tours highlighting the potential of Alaskan agriculture, and has managed other businesses, including Bushes Bunches. She is currently on the Fishhook Community Council, so she is already involved with helping our community. Fostering agricultural tourism and other forms of tourism, such as the Arctic Winter Games, are low-impact ways of bolstering our local economy that will help preserve the nature and quality of life here in the Mat-Su Valley makes good business sense. Let’s elect her; we deserve to have such a qualified and competent person on the assembly.

John Breiby,

Wasilla

Supporting Beck for mayor

To the editor:

I first met Matthew Beck in the summer of 2005 when we were volunteering together at the Alaska State Fair. It was then I learned that he was a “transplant” to Alaska, just like so many of us. Over the years since then I have watched Matthew’s investment in and love of Alaska & the MatSu Valley grow tenfold. His interest in making sure the Valley operates in a fiscally responsible way while helping all who live here are evident in the two terms he spent on the Assembly, including 4 years as Deputy Mayor. Because Matthew and his wife are business owners in Palmer, he is committed to keeping the economic growth of the area going in an upward direction. He is a wonderful family man and supports his three girls in local sports and 4H. His career as a youth minister is a testament to his interest of the future residents of the Valley. My husband and I have enjoyed many MatSu Miner baseball games with Matthew. He has his finger on the pulse of the Valley and is involved in many aspects of the community, while continuing to educate himself in aspects he is just learning about. Matthew is a great listener, takes everyone’s opinion into consideration, and makes carefully thought-out decisions. We will be voting for Matthew Beck for Mayor of the MatSu Borough because we believe he is the best person to take the Valley in the right direction.

Steve and Janet Washam,

Wasilla

Supporting Berigan for school board

To the editor:

I am writing this letter in support of Lori Berrigan for School Board in the Mat-Su School District. I have known Lori for more than twelve years, over which time she has proven herself to be a fierce advocate for children of all ages. As a board member, parent, business owner, community leader, volunteer and friend, Lori continues to show up, listen and do the hard work necessary to ensure kids in the Mat-Su School District have access to quality education. I trust that Lori’s understanding of how boards work and proven commitment to this community will make her an asset on the Mat-Su School Board.

Please vote for Lori Berrigan for a quality future for Mat-Su kids!

Warmly,

Heather Lee, LPC

Parent, Community Member, Mental Health Professional

Support Kristi Short for Mat-Su Assembly District 6

To the editor:

We are voting for Kristi Short for the Mat-Su Assembly District 6 seat on November 2nd. Kristi is a board member of the Fishhook Community Council and will listen to all her constituents concerns. She is concerned about issues we all face with increased population growth: traffic, crime and property tax burdens.

Her experience in agriculture, tourism and owning a small business makes her well qualified to bring the necessary skills to the Assembly to promote economic opportunities and infrastructure for the Mat-Su Borough. Her enthusiasm for new ideas and the upcoming 2024 Arctic Winter Games will enhance the infrastructure development needed in our community.

Please join us in voting for Kristi Short on November 2nd.

Daryl and Cynthia Farrens

Wasilla

I support Matthew Beck for borough mayor, here's why

As the Borough Mayoral election draws near, it is fitting to first remember Bert Cottle, a diligent public servant who withdrew from the race for Borough Mayor due to health reasons. Our hearts are certainly with him and his family.

Matthew Beck has always been the best candidate for the job. Matthew and his wife, Teresa, raised three daughters in this community. Matthew understands the value of the quality of life we enjoy here in the Mat Su, and the need to preserve and expand paths of opportunity for our children and grandchildren.

Matthew is also the only candidate with boroughwide experience and the energy to tackle the challenges of this diverse and rapidly growing borough. Do not fall for his opponent’s mean-spirited attacks. They do not represent the real Matthew Beck.

The real Matthew Beck can be found in his six-year record as a Borough Assemblyman, four of which he served as Deputy Mayor. The real Matthew Beck can be found in his demonstrated support for police and state troopers, the Second Amendment, and property tax relief. The real Matthew Beck supports first class schools, our first responders, and putting more salmon in rivers and on dinner plates.

The real Matthew Beck is a great listener. He will work alongside industry and landowners to reduce beetle kill and fire danger. He will continue to advocate for tourism and recreation opportunities, ensuring that this borough remains a great and affordable place to live, work, and play.

I admire Matthew Beck, and I have great respect for him. He is in his prime, he is healthy, and he will hit the road running as your borough mayor.

Please vote for Matthew Beck Borough Mayor on Nov. 2.

Vern Halter,

Willow