Local government debate — what’s in it for us?

To the editor:

We are pleased with the public debate about government expansion or reduction, transparency or special interest, and legal authority. With all respect to those with a diametric paradigm, in our opinion, we believe our family can make better decisions than the federal or local government that chokes on its own bureaucracy.

My family lets the politicians and ideologues debate the importance of public actualization. We choose to keep our heads down and work.

Like other longtime Valley families, we have invested significant hours and treasure in the Mat-Su. We refer to our family philanthropy as weaving the many fabrics of our quilted Valley community.

With the exception of one term on a state board and one term on the Mat-Su Borough ethics board, we have focused our volunteer efforts in the private and nonprofit sectors. As a 30-year professional, it is clear that the private sector generates productive jobs.

The top priority of most of the 28 students I teach in my college business law class is their future careers. I do everything I can to coach this “next generation.” Upon college graduation, will these students have productive careers generated by private sector revenues, or will they work for the government paid for by tax collections?

As the state economists frequently remind us, the Valley exports our workforce to high-paying jobs elsewhere. Our Valley has experienced very limited economic success for large projects – no offense to a few small start-up companies and family owned business. One exception is the expansive new private-sector hospital. Development of the regional hospital is a tremendous success for local economic stimulation. It created many new, valuable jobs. The current construction of the new governmental sector prison, a significant endeavor, may possibly have a similar economic impact. We will have to measure that impact in the near future. The construction of the railroad spur line to Port MacKenzie could come at an opportune time – we hope. So, what are the future large projects that will expand the fabric of our economic blanket?

Lastly, we applaud President Obama’s bipartisan debt recommendations published this week that would slash $4 trillion in deficits over the next 10 years. The proposed reductions are only a rhetorical start to reducing the gigantic debt and federal bureaucracy our children will pay for. The federal government now realizes its “moment of truth.” Perhaps local governments should follow that example of less government for the next generation.

Dan F. Kennedy

CPA/MBA

Wasilla