Mat-Su Borough Mayor candidate questionnaires

Editor's note: Candidates in the Tuesday, Oct. 6 Mat-Su Borough election were asked by the Frontiersman to answer a series of questions leading up to the campaign. Scroll down to see answers from the four candidates on this year's ballot for Mat-Su Borough Mayor: Larry DeVilbiss, Vern Halter and Rosemary Vavrin:

LARRY DEVILBISS

Age: 71

Office sought: Borough Mayor

Profession: Farmer

Hometown: Palmer

Previous Elected Office Held (If Any): Four years Mayor, Two terms Assembly, Two Terms School Board.

Why did you decide to seek elected office?

I was solicited by local businessmen three years ago who were concerned that the Borough’s economy and infrastructure were not keeping pace with our population growth. Our timber industry was shut down with a tree cutting moratorium. Our partners in the Hatcher Pass down hill ski development were disaffected. MEA power generation was intentionally forced to Anchorage. Our schools and roads were over capacity. In the last three years I have enjoyed changing our direction on many of these issues.

What do you see as the central issues of the campaign?

We are entering a new era with diminished State and Federal dollars available. We need to work out innovative ways to complete building out our Pt. McKenzie rail extension and our major road grid without incurring long term debt. In the past we have enjoyed matching State money to complement our school and road bonds. I will be asking the voters to move forward with voter approved forward funding for specific projects so we don’t accumulate any more debt. At the same time we need to nurture our local commercial sector to bring jobs closer to home and to share the tax load.

What specific plans or goals do you have to address those issues?

As external governmental funding shrinks we need to correspondingly shrink the cost of government and possibly the scope of services. Where possible we should let the private and non-profit sectors take over services.

Why should voters vote for you?

We are sailing into a perfect storm. We need a steady hand at the helm that represents the most extensive understanding of all of the facts as possible. I believe I am uniquely prepared for that. As a farmer I have learned to navigate the boom and bust of the free market as well as our extreme weather cycles.

What distinguishes you from your opposition?

I am probably less reactionary to issues that come up. I will be less likely to over regulate. I will never legislate against our “tax cap” as Vern Halter has and I am committed to allowing property owners vote on any land use regulations that have the potential to diminish their property rights. Under my leadership we have seen independent business licensing grow by over 40%. This represents the hope of the future.

As a founding member of Lazy Mtn. Bible Church I am very active in the faith community. Those relationships position me to integrate our churches and non-profits on many of the social pressures that we will face.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

You should know that I am the only elected official to make any effort to bring the “local option” to the voters on the commercialization of the marijuana industry. Vern Halter voted against this issue being on the ballot. I have facilitated initiatives that allow the voters of each municipality this opportunity. It will appear in Palmer and Houston this year and, hopefully, on the ballot for the Borough and Wasilla next year. Our voters need to get educated on this new phase of marijuana, which will hit us next year, and vote wisely.

VERN HALTER

Age: 66

Office sought: Borough Mayor

Profession: Business owner

Hometown: Willow

Previous elected office: Mat-Su Borugh Assemby

Why did you decide to seek elected office?

I have thoroughly enjoyed my six years representing District 7 on the Assembly. I came to know my constituents and their communities. I worked with them to ensure that their vision for their communities was not lost in bureaucratic red tape. I learned about the many critical issues facing the entire Borough. As I approached the end of my Assembly term, people urged me to run for Mayor. This is a critical time for the Mat-Su Borough. The State’s financial woes are filtering down to us. We need good leadership which looks to the future to continue to prosper.

What do you see as the central issues of the campaign?

The central issues of the campaign are how to face the challenges of increased population and to provide critical services with tough financial times ahead of us. We need to stick to our core values and deliver the essential services – better roads and highways, reliable ambulance and fire service, a great education system that minimizes over-crowding in our classrooms. We need to partner with the state to rebuild the Parks Highway, KGB and the Glenn. Completion of the Railroad Spur line is critical. It will open opportunities for our Port, and will increase commercial revenue to the Borough, reducing residential taxation.

What specific plans or goals do you have to address those issues?

I will promote a united front with our cities and partners in Juneau on school funding, the Railroad Spur and other Borough priorities. I will promote a frugal budget that sticks to essential services, such as better roads and highways, quick and reliable ambulance and fire service response. I will work to address our student and population growth. I will lead an open government where the Assembly and the Mayor work as a team rather than as adversaries. I believe in forming strong coalitions. We need to remove political strife and political wrangling from the equation. This hampers our ability to work together.

Why should voters vote for you?

Voters have a clear choice: a person, such as my opponent, who follows his own narrow agenda, or one who will listen and act in the best interests of the residents. My three years on the Planning Commission and six years on the Assembly have been the most productive in the history of the Assembly. We built roads and schools with the 2011 Bond money, including the Bogard Road extension with the state. We built the Hatcher Pass Ski Area and Chalet, with lighted ski trails soon to come. I am respected by my fellow Assembly members and am able to form coalitions that get things done.

What distinguishes you from your opposition?

My leadership style is inclusive. I learned a long time ago as a judge to be fair and impartial. This has led me to be a consensus builder. My opponent’s style is to veto rather than find solutions. Ninety percent of his vetoes were overridden, many unanimously. The vetoes on the 2011 Road Bond Package, the Hatcher Pass Road to the Ski Area, library money to our cities, and SART money for rape evidence collection by Mat-Su Regional Hospital, would have seriously impaired the Borough. These vetoes were overridden for good public policy reasons. The projects provide benefits that will meet growth head-on.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I am the only Veteran running for Mayor. The oath I took to defend the US Constitution is very important to me. Being a judge strengthened me in a different way. Winning the Yukon Quest is the toughest thing I have ever done. The Mat-Su Valley is our home and I love it here. We are booming and are on the cusp of being even greater with business flourishing. I will do my best as your Mayor. I want to meet our fiscal challenges and keep our quality of life. I respectfully ask for your vote on October 6.

ROSEMARY VAVRIN

Age: 70

Office sought: Borough Mayor

Profession: Retired teacher/media

Hometown: Wasilla

Previous Elected Office Held (If Any): None

Why did you decide to seek elected office?

I love living in the Borough and I feel it is time for me to “give back.” Serving as Mayor is the best way I know to do just that.

What do you see as the central issues of the campaign?

Transit and transportation needs, social service issues, and balancing the budget.

What specific plans or goals do you have to address those issues?

I want to be instrumental in improving and expanding our transit systems.

Why should voters vote for you?

I’m a fresh voice in the Borough. I can be a cheerleader for our wonderful way of life here. I’m very independent, non-partisan, and I’m beholden to no one. I speak for myself and not for any special interests [except for more bus service!].

What distinguishes you from your opposition?

I’m a woman with an education and media background, and I want to be a cheerleader for the Mat-Su Borough.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

Every flower and herb is a symbol of something. The herb rosemary is for remembrance. I hope voters will remember Rosemary on Oct. 6.