Mat-Su Assembly ponders policy for naming of public safety buildings

Proposed change to borough code would eliminate restriction on memorials

January 8, 2006

DARRELL L. BREESE\Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - Martin Fine dedicated considerable energy to developing the Meadow Lakes Fire Service Area as part of the Mat-Su Borough's overall public safety program.

His efforts were successful, and now, following his death in May, the members of the Meadow Lakes Community Council and FSA board want to honor him by naming Fire Station 72 after him.

But they hit a snag when they presented their request to the borough.

Current borough code doesn't allow for public safety or emergency response buildings to be named for an individual, leading Assembly member Betty Vehrs, who represents the Meadow Lakes area, to draft a proposed change to borough code eliminating the restriction.

Other buildings and fixed facilities in the borough may be named to honor prominent Alaskans who, by virtue of their accomplishments or contributions, have benefited the borough, state or nation and have achieved public status worthy of long-term recognition.

&#8220I'm not exactly sure why we can name other borough buildings after people and not name public safety buildings,” assembly member Betty Vehrs said. &#8220I think it is fitting to name any borough building after those who were involved deeply in the community.”

Fine moved to Alaska in 1962 and to the Meadow Lakes area in 1974 after graduating from East Anchorage High School in 1973. He was instrumental in the development of the Meadow Lakes Fire Department and community council.

A change to the code was made in 2002 when debate began over the naming of the facilities, leading to the restriction to be put in place by the assembly.

Assembly member Talis Colberg introduced that motion, 02-158, which was adopted without objection on Sept. 17, 2002. Colberg, according to minutes of that meeting, &#8220explained that this is an effort to avoid in the future having a repeat of a naming commission running up against a popular, but not very well known, set of ideas about names.”

The Bud Beech public safety building in Big Lake and the George Steffes public safety building in the Knik/Butte area are among the buildings named for individuals before the restriction was enacted.

&#8220It's time we lift the restriction,” Vehrs said. &#8220We've had some great men and women in the borough who have dedicated their lives to public safety and are worthy of being honored.”

Dennis Brodigan, borough director of emergency services, had no objection to the plan.

&#8220The buildings belong to the community and I believe that if the people who live in the area want to name a building after a deserving individual, they should be able to,” Brodigan said.

&#8220There was some kind of political issue that took place before I began working for the borough that led to the change in code, but I don't see any reason why naming public safety buildings should not be allowed.”

The Mat-Su Assembly will take up the ordinance changing the code during the public hearing portion of the Jan. 17 regular meeting.

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or darrell.breese@

frontiersman.com.