Mayor should rethink position

We heard some very disturbing words in the Mat-Su Borough Assembly chambers recently.

Borough Mayor Darcie Salmon took issue last week with two of his assembly members, Sara Jansen and Jim Colberg, when they cornered him on why he had not appointed a qualified woman named Kathy Wells to the Parks, Recreation and Trails Advisory Board.

Wells applied to serve on the committee last year shortly after the advisory board was formed.

One of the mayors duties is to select the people who will fill slots on the boroughs various boards and commissions.

Salmon has refused to appoint Wells to the Parks, Recreation and Trails Advisory Board, much less according to Wells even discuss the issue with her.

When the matter came up in last weeks assembly meeting, Salmon said he would not appoint her because she disagreed with him over the development of a ski resort at Hatcher Pass.

I dont think its right to put dissenting voices on a board with that sort of power, the mayor told assemblyman Colberg.

For the record, Wells insists she is not opposed to development of the popular hiking and skiing area, but she is opposed to the projects proposed scope and to how the development has been carried out.

What disturbs us most, however, is the idea that the boroughs various boards and commissions are only to be filled by those individuals who do not disagree with Mayor Salmon.

There is nothing wrong with his appointing those who support his goals he must if he is to carry them out, of course.

But there is something seriously wrong with intentionally excluding those who disagree with him.

I dont think its right to put dissenting voices on

a board with that sort of power, Salmon said.

Lets take that a step farther.

Natives, whites, and blacks often seem to see issues differently. Imagine how much easier it would be if we only allowed whites to live in Mat-Su.

Jews, Bahais, Muslims and Christians often seem to be at the opposite ends of issues, as well. Lets close off the borough to anyone but Christians.

Actually, lets make that Protestant Christians. Allowing Catholics and Mormons and Orthodox Jews to live here would just complicate things.

Sound farfetched? We would like to think so. Just as it is every Alaskans right to live where they want and to practice their faith, it is also the right of every Alaskan to serve their fellow citizens by becoming active in government.

Some would argue it is their duty.

Salmons statement smacks of arrogance and is wholly out of place in a pluralistic society. Its a pity he doesnt see that.

Editorials are written by the Frontiersmans editorial board, consisting of Kari Sleight, Tracy Wilson, Eowyn LeMay Ivey, Casey Ressler, Eric Burkett, Rindi White, Jo Goode, Gene Jansen and Lew Pumphrey.