Many fine choices for school board

Every now and then we have an election where both candidates are excellent choices.

That is the case where two people I like are running for the Mat-Su Borough School District Board of Education I work with and know very well professionally and personally.

One is Don Zoerb. Don served with dedication on the Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission and on the Mat-Su School District's budget and finance community volunteer committee. His honesty, financial expertise and hard work are all talents that would add a lot of value to our school board. Zoerb was a candidate last year and this is his second run. He has put in the time, and he will be a careful, thoughtful and hard-working school board member.

His opponent this year is a very gracious and kind person. She and I worked together to successfully resolve an issue surrounding whether my son would be allowed to play basketball for Matanuska Christian School (he also played football for Colony High School last year). She has helped restore the reputation of Matanuska Christian School and she deserves high marks for her work there. She also went the extra mile to make the MCS graduation last year a very special event.

However, since I must choose between them, I will be voting for Zoerb. He has already put his name forward for consideration last year, he has an incredible head for budgets and finances, and he is always able to put dollars to work where they will do the most good for the community. He can be trusted absolutely, and with all that is swirling around in politics these days, that is a very important quality to me.

On the other hand, I will also be encouraging his opponent this year to try again next year.

As for the other two school board races, incumbents Dan Contini and Larry DeVilbiss have served our community long and well — not just on the school board, but in many capacities. I do not know their opponents, but I do know both Dan and Larry. I have absolute trust that Contini and DeVilbiss will continue to provide thoughtful and loyal service making the best choices for education in our Mat-Su public schools.

Tuckerman Babcock

Palmer

Editor’s Note: Babcock is director of human resources and corporate affairs for Matanuska Electric Association. Zoerb is the company’s director of administration and DeVilbiss is a member of its board of directors.