Mayoral candidate has longtime Valley history

Spectrum, by Steve Menard

In the early 1970s, my father moved from Anchorage to the Valley in order to get away from the "Big City" and raise his family in the open range of the Mat-Su. He found an old homestead off Memory Lake outside of Wasilla where we have lived ever since. Five of us lived in a little cabin without water and sewage until the foundation was built. My family was like many others who come to the Valley in search of land and prosperity. Everybody knew everybody. Grocery shopping was done at Teeland's. Dinner was at the Williwaw. Football was played behind the current Palmer Junior High School. And church was at the old Sacred Heart. But times have changed.

The Valley has grown and the future is uncertain. However one thing still remains constant, families still come from all over in search of the same land and prosperity that we did, unfortunately, the infrastructure cannot support such traffic. We are building roads today that will be obsolete in 10 years. Where is the vision? If we are truly concerned with the port development, then why haven't we done anything to improve Knik Road? Why haven't we at least started construction on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway expansion to four lanes? The Valley is only going to get bigger. Where is the vision?

Here's my budgetary plan. Everyone that runs for office says they can control spending, without ever working a day in government. I have worked in government and know how to tame this "Beast." As mayor, I'll do a cost-benefit analysis from each department and then make cuts accordingly, "cutting the fat." That is my vision.

We need leaders in office that understand the past and have visions for the future. Most of all, Mat-Su needs new ideas, new leaders! We need new, reliable jobs, schools and roads. And we desperately need to get a handle on our state and borough financial crisis. I know Alaska like the back of my hand, because I was born and raised here. I know the people, the problems, the dreams of Alaskans, and especially the Mat-Su Valley. I've worked in Washington, D.C., as an intern for U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, and in Juneau for Sen. Scott Ogan as a legislative aide. I was student body president at Wasilla High School and elected lieutenant governor at Boys' State. I competed nationally on parliamentary procedure and was awarded the Jean-Pierre Student of the Year award at the American College of Switzerland. I was the honor graduate of the United States Marine Corps and served six years defending this country and this great state.

I have a degree in political science from the University of Alabama and am a proud member of the College Republicans, American Legion, NRA and AOC. I hope to continue serving the public and would be honored to be the next Mat-Su Borough mayor. On Oct. 7, vote for me, Steve Menard, a proven leader.

Steve Menard is a candidate for mayor of Mat-Su Borough.