Questions Assembly opponent’s voting record

As our local election date nears, some candidates find it necessary to use ill-advised tactics to try and win. I refuse to engage in such behavior and wish to simply state the following truths in a continuing effort to earn your vote on Tuesday October 2nd. The following is fact and public record.

My opponent, whom served on the Mat-Su Borough Assembly from 2006 to 2009, has a clear voting record. I do too, now. This is because an overwhelming number of you in District 3 helped me to unseat her during her re-election bid in 2009 and as a result, I have served you effectively for the last three years.

During my opponent’s time on the Assembly:

• She voted to construct the M/V Susitna ferry that had no docks and is now costing Mat-Su residents $80,000 a month while parked in Ketchikan.

• She voted to implement anti-power generation regulations that resulted in MEA building our power plant within the Municipality of Anchorage rather than within the borough.

• She introduced and championed a borough-wide sales tax in October 2009 that failed at the ballot.

• She approved constructing Machetanz Elementary at its current location because the land was “free,” but failed to think through the cost of building road access now costing us all $9,000,000. Nothing is free, as we know.

• She opposed the rail extension to Port MacKenzie — slowing that critically important economic engine.

• She opposed the Port MacKenzie development and drove away, through a legal battle costing millions, the only operating company earning the borough wharf and dock fees.

• She opposed the School District’s budget in 2008 and 2009 that resulted in larger class sizes and fewer teachers.

Her record is dismal and what is worse, we, none of us, know for sure where she stands on present borough issues. She has avoided debating me publicaly, which would have brought this to light.

The double talk ends with a healthy public debate. When we have election cycles we should be able to debate our opponent. This way the voter, all of us, can see the real position of a candidate and engage further to identify any inconsistencies about what a candidate is saying door to door. A candidate cannot talk out of both sides of their mouth when their opponent is standing there ready to counter every inconsistency. Unfortunately, for you the voter, my opponent failed to show anywhere to debate me. The opportunity for a real discussion of issues has been lost due to her slipping from public view.

Again, none of us know for sure where she stands on present borough issues except for her guardedly released campaign literature. Her only big harp is that I am sometimes out of the country working. Noteworthy though is that I have never, ever missed a meeting while traveling and have always been well prepared for each meeting. Like many of you who commute to Anchorage, the North Slope or elsewhere, I too wish I could work where I live.

Regarding my voting record, it too is clear. I believe that government should focus its limited funds and resources on five main and essential services: education, emergency services, public safety, roads, economic development infrastructure and helping those who truly cannot help themselves, i.e., children, seniors and the disabled. I have relentlessly supported each and I introduced legislation that passed at the table and the ballot furthering each: $64 million road bond, $214 million school facilities bond, $1 million increase to wages paid to Emergency On-Call Responders, supported the Rail Extension, supported Port MacKenzie, supported KABATA and I always supported the Health and Social Services grantees. I will continue to support these and similar issues.

I believe in government that preserves personal opportunity and protects the freedoms we need to pursue those opportunities.

I believe economic development is a partnership between government and private enterprise, whereby government provides the workable regulatory framework and business provides the capital, labor, machinery, management and assumes the risk. Government should never be financially responsible for business failure. Government is entitled only to reasonable taxes from its citizens.

In closing, if you want a less restrictive government, I ask for your vote.

If you want government focusing on essential services like Education, Emergency Services, Public Safety, Roads / Infrastructure and helping those that truly cannot help themselves, I ask for you vote.

If you want government to get out of the way to allow development that creates “family wage jobs,” I ask for your vote.

Because I have voted exactly the way I said I would, I ask for your vote.

Like you, I simply desire a community with its own vibrant economy so we all can make a good living right here at home.

Ron Arvin is a candidate for Mat-Su Borough Assembly District 3.