Seven vie for three borough assembly seats

MAT-SU — With the sales tax, gravel ordinance and calls for division bringing the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly to the forefront of Valley conversations, expect a big turnout on Oct. 6 when voters will decide on the three seats up for election.

What follows are brief summaries of the candidates’ backgrounds and answers to questions posed to each by the Frontiersman. Their complete answers, as well as the list of questions, can be found below the story.

The seat from District 3 represents the core area of the borough, from Trunk Road to Seward Meridian. Incumbent Michelle Church is running for reelection against challenger Ronald Arvin.

Church describes herself as a parent, farmer, counselor and community organizer. Her three years on the assembly gives her an understanding of how the borough works, and she has a record of fair and responsible decisions, Church said. She supports the sales tax because it allows the borough to lower property taxes while maintaining services, and it includes exemptions to help vulnerable populations. The borough is not too restrictive on new development, Church said, as it needs to protect everyone’s property values and water supplies.

Arvin’s experience in both public advisory boards and commissions and as a private small business owner gives him the skills to attract jobs to the borough, he said. Arvin said a sales tax will push consumers back to Anchorage, and the borough should instead look to tighten its own belt instead of raising taxes. He considers himself a conservationist, but admits the borough has a reputation of being anti-development. To protect the environment while attracting new jobs, he said, each party should have an equal set at the table.

Robert Wells is running for reelection to the seat from District 6 — the area including Hatcher Pass, Wasilla Fishhook and Memory Lake. He is facing opposition from Jim Turner and Jim Colver.

Wells previously served on the assembly, the school board, as the director of the Division of Agriculture and is the owner/operator of Matanuska Creamery. He said government should focus on providing infrastructure to best help industry to expand, and he has always been a supporter of public/private partnership for the Hatcher Pass Ski Area. Because of the pros and cons of the sales tax, it is a question the voters should decide, he said. He supports using the natural resources of the Valley, future development for tourism and Point MacKenzie and using municipal lands to grow the tax base and economy.

Turner owns a store in Hatcher Pass and served one term on the assembly in the late 1990s. He said friends encouraged him to run after seeing the borough pushing central planning, higher taxes and restriction on individual initiative and economic development. A sales tax would push shopping back to Anchorage, increase the size and reduce the accountability of government and lead to higher taxes over a longer period of time, Turner said. He said the borough needs to make its land and resources available for economic development, something they are failing at.

Colver owns a surveying company, is currently president of the school board and served on the assembly from 2000 to 2006. The government should have a more limited focus on essential services, he said. An economic downturn is not the time to start new taxes, Colver said, and a sales tax would cause a hardship on consumers while giving big box stores a break. He said some of the restrictions are too harsh, and the borough needs to focus on transportation links instead of studies.

The District 7 seat is open, as Tom Kluberton is not seeking another term. Vern Halter and Doyle Holmes are vying to represent the northern area of the borough that includes Meadow Lakes, Houston, Willow and Talkeetna.

Halter said he was a lawyer until he found dog mushing. He has won the Yukon Quest, finished in the top five in the Iditarod and is currently on the borough’s planning commission. He is committed to improving the roads and giving local communities more self-governance. Halter understands both sides of the sales tax issue, and he is happy the voters will have a chance to decide the matter. One-size-fits-all regulations do not work for the Valley, he said, and questions about development should be decided by the community they affect.

Holmes owns Willow True Value Hardware and served three terms on the assembly prior to 2000. The borough needs to focus on providing services instead of more taxes and regulations, he said. Holmes said a sales tax will take money from seniors and working people while expanding government.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.

Questions to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly Candidates:

1. What is your background? What experience has prepared you for this position?

2. Why are you running for the seat?

3. Would a Borough-wide sales tax would hurt or help the Valley? Why?

4. Is the Borough too restrictive on new development, or should more emphasis be put on protecting the Valley’s natural resources?

5. How do you respond to the calls for splitting the Borough in two?

6. Would you support more restrictions on off-road vehicles?

Answers:

District 3

Michelle Church (incumbant)

1. I’ve served as the assembly representative for District 3 since 2006. I have a record of being involved in my community. I am a parent, a farmer, a counselor and a community organizer. I have a Bachelor of Science from UAA in Natural Science with specific studies in biology and geology. I’ve served on the Borough Platting Board, and was an active member and board member of Gateway Community Council. I believe in community involvement and the public process.

2. After serving on the assembly for 3 years, I have experience and understanding of how the borough works. I understand the importance of public process and honest representation. I have a record of fair and responsible decisions on borough issues.

3. A sales tax will provide an alternative revenue source to reduce property tax and still give our residents services they ask for like ambulances and fire rescue, safe roads and good schools. Our senior citizens are better protected by having their property taxes lowered. They can stay in their homes after retirement. The proposed sales tax gives specific exemptions to foods and services used by our senior residents and other vulnerable populations.

4. No, the borough is not too restrictive on new development. Restrictions that are imposed are there to protect everyone’s property values, to protect our water supply and to reduce traffic problems.

5. I believe that call was made in haste by individuals who do not sufficiently understand the costs associated with being a borough. What would result is a duplication of government services in an area where less government is desired, not more.

6. That would depend on the restrictions being proposed. The Borough is not working on any regulations at this time that I am aware of. This is more a state DOT issue. Separation of uses, not restriction of uses, is what is needed. It’s about safety for the off road riders, the non motorized riders who currently share the trails, and the motorists who drive along side those riding in the ditches and dirt trails.

Ronald Arvin

1. My combination of Public Service and Private Sector experience allows me to have a unique set of skills that will translate into my being a fair and balanced Assemblyman, able to serve all residents equally.

Served as Board Member, Mat-Su Borough Transportation Advisory Board 2001-2005.

Served as Port Commissioner Mat-Su Borough Point MacKenzie Port Commission 1998-2004.

Served as Council Member, Parental Advisory Council to the Mat-Su Borough School District 2006-2007

Served as Sector Member to the Taiwan Alaska Trade and Investment Cooperation Council 2006-2008

Tradesman / Heavy Equipment Operator / Superintendent 1982 - 1994

President and Founder, RA Environmental, Inc. 1994 - ongoing

COO / International Business Development Director, NPI LLC 2003 - ongoing

Born in Alaska and Lifelong Resident. 15 year, core-area valley resident. Married 16 years to Nina and together we have three daughters that attend the Mat-Su Public School System in grades 5, 7 and 10 where they are receiving an excellent education.

2. The direction of the Borough Assembly is contributing to rising unemployment in the valley and I want to do something about that. We should be trying to create jobs so that people don’t have to commute to Anchorage or the North Slope to make a living. I have experience in the private sector creating jobs in the Mat-Su which have provided support for families, and can use that experience for the benefit of Borough residents. I have communication skills that will help achieve that goal by listening and coming to a fair and balanced approach to sound economic development. I strongly feel that now is the time to accomplish a change in direction in our Borough to create a healthy business environment which will attract good paying jobs.

3. The Sales Tax initiative going before the voters on 6 October does not guarantee relief to Property Tax Payers because the Property Tax Mill Rate is not permanently set during the life of the Sales Tax. A Borough-wide Sales Tax will unduly burden every consumer and business, both being the underpinning of our local economy and jobs. Additionally, the Sales Tax will likely drive much of the current retail activity back to Anchorage where there is no Sales Tax. While every other state and local government has been tightening its belt, the Borough has made not one reduction in the cost of government. It is unfair and unrealistic to expect the public, which are feeling the economic crunch personally, to carry any additional tax burden. The Borough has also under estimated the cost and staff required to collect and process the tax, while also underestimating the amount of taxes that will be generated.

I do not support an additional tax of any kind at this time unless it is a clear replacement of property taxes.

4. The Borough Government has a reputation for being hostile toward development, whether it is ongoing or new business. As a result, there is a perception that the Mat-Su is not a good place to expand or start a new business. I consider myself a conservationist and believe we truly can encourage business and development while at the same time protect the environment and the places we hold dear to our hearts. In order to do that, all stakeholders must be treated equally and with respect. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been true for some time in the Mat-Su and this is unnecessarily causing a loss of good paying jobs and a failure to create new jobs.

5. This is a divisive issue that is driven by the continued divide between the Rural and Urban areas. The current assembly majority continues to implement new borough-wide laws which are divisive. These actions create inequities and are unfair to all. Unfortunately, the current Assembly majority seems unable to understand that their actions contribute to this issue. I believe the calls to split the Borough are clear statements by voters outside the core area that the Borough does not address broad issues and needs. Either the Borough must address the issues and needs of rural and urban areas better or the voters will demand that the borough be restructured to be more effective through the elective process.

6. Of course, individuals should not be able to destroy or damage private or public lands. However, conflicts can be best managed by the enforcement of existing laws before the Borough starts passing more laws restricting use and personal freedom. There are many local users groups that work hard to ensure the safe and respectful operation of Off-Road vehicles. I am supportive of the Borough doing more to work with these focused groups to resolve conflicts.

If it is necessary to address conflicts with new laws, the Borough should work with these groups and others to jointly craft any changes in current ordinances.

District 6

Robert Wells (incumbant)

1. Moved to Alaska in 1960, grew up in Anchorage, lived in the Valley since mid 1970s, bought property in 1977. Degree in Economics from University of Alaska Anchorage, 1983. Built home and farm, owner of L&R Greenhouses with wife; vendors at Farmers Markets for over 20 years. Cook at lodges and restaurants in Hatcher Pass area in the 1980s-90s. Elected to Borough Assembly in 1991, re-elected in 1994- served one year as Deputy Mayor. Elected to Mat- Su School Board in 1997, served three terms until 2006; served one year as President. Elected to Borough Assembly 2006 to present. Served as Director of Division of Agriculture, State of Alaska 1997-2002. Division has Three million + annual budget with over twenty employees. Helped form Fishhook Community Council in mid 1980s, numerous agriculture organizations, currently President of Alaska Farmers Union. Owner /working manager at Matanuska Creamery since 1997.

2. I think my experience adds value to the public process. My service on both the Assembly and School Board have given me an education on budgets, borough codes, state and federal issues, and many other areas that local government officials need to be good representatives for the voters who hired them. If re-elected, this will probably be my last term in local government. Term limits do not allow further service on the Assembly. My main focus is assisting in continued development and of a vibrant local economy, one that has good opportunities for job seekers. Government can assist by focusing on infrastructure (transportation network of roads, bridges, ports, ferries and public transportation/ education-primary, secondary, vocational and university/ regulatory climate) so that the private sector can do what it does best- create and expand businesses. Hatcher Pass Ski Area and recreational tourism will continue to be a focus as the Environmental Impact Studies are completed in the coming year and development parameters can be determined. The Assembly adopted" New Beginnings" for the area outlines a regional day use area and private sector investment needs to be solicited. Basic industries including agriculture, timber, mining and tourism can be further developed.

3. I don't know the answer to that question, however, here are some thoughts about the issue. First, there are many variables in tax and consumer spending that effect the question. If we look at Palmer, Wasilla and the Kenai Borough and their experience with sales tax, we see different results. Palmer has long had a sales tax to help finance their government. Palmer has grown steadily but not into the retail giant of the Valley like Wasilla. Geography plays a role, as well as the basis of the respective economies. Palmer is more government oriented while Wasilla is more private sector driven. People still shop at both locations, and mostly don't seem to drive to sales tax free zones to shop. When Wasilla got their sales tax, some said business would suffer. They have grown into a retail center thriving with the sales tax to the point of eliminating property taxes for city residents. Is part of the reason for the robust retail economy because of the lack of a property tax on business? Some will argue that lower property taxes encourage more business development; it certainly is a cost of doing business. The Kenai Borough has consistently had a lower property tax than Mat-Su, as their cities and borough both have sales taxes, similar to the proposal we will have on the ballot, though ours has a real property tax rate cap. Having only property tax to fund government does put the burden on real property owners, and that can be seen as unfair. Having another primary source of revenue like sales tax would spread the burden to all, including those tourists and others passing through our borough. One negative of a sales tax is that it is regressive, that is it effects those on fixed incomes and lower incomes more dramatically. If the sales tax rate is low, that can be minimized, however having borough and city sales taxes bring the rate to five percent or more. Borough government is responsible for funding education , which is the largest part of the budget. Cities are not responsible for that portion of government, rather spending revenue form sales tax to support police and other services. Borough residents living outside the cities pay a large portion of the cities expenses. The sales tax proposals goal is to be revenue neutral and apply any excess sales tax to further property tax reductions. The sunset provision in three years allows for voters to try the new tax system, and automatically review it at that time. If it is not working, the voters probably won't re-affirm it. Only the Mat-Su Borough voters can approve and set the rate of a sales tax. This ballot question gives them a choice on tax policy to fund our local government.

4. My voting record leans toward more development, as I believe a healthy private sector economy will keep us a great place to live and work. Some of our ordinances are too restrictive on development. We need to minimize conflicts between residential and industrial uses, trying to find compromises where possible. I support using our natural resources like timber and minerals and agricultural lands. We need more land sales and resource leasing. I support additional tourism development and Port MacKenzie and the rail spur. We should use our municipal entitlement lands to develop our local economy and tax base to pay for government services.

5. I understand the frustration of some in the duplication of government that we see by having such a large area and trying to make one size rules fit all. I grew up in Anchorage when they unified the Borough and city into one government and it was successful. The Mat-Su Borough is a different case and the Local Boundary Commission will be a tough sell to change our current situation. That said, I am interested in how we can better organize our large borough so that the rural areas are not subject to regulation that makes sense in the core area.

6. If we are going to have additional restrictions we need to be able to enforce them, and that has costs. We need to develop corridors to "play areas" for motorized use where people can enjoy this form of recreation. Education by parents and off road vehicle dealerships for young riders is needed; common sense goes a long way. The sides of our roads are not appropriate places for racing and dust generation.

Jim Turner

1. Background: Resident of the Mat-Su Area since 1960, attended Wasilla and Palmer public schools graduating from Palmer in 1973, briefly attended University of Alaska and the University of Chicago, have worked as soapstone carver, carpenter, heavy equipment operator, hard rock miner, glazier and commercial fisherman, have owned and operated Turner’s Corner (the yellow store), Gateway to Hatcher Pass, since 1983, am a passionate outdoorsman enjoying skiing, hiking, snowmachining, boating, hunting and fishing, like to read history and have raised my children to adulthood in the Mat-Su Borough.

Relevant past experience: Founding President of the Fishhook Community Council, Asst. Chief Fishhook Volunteer Fire Dept., Fishhook Fire Service Area Supervisor, President Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau, Treasurer Palmer Chamber of Commerce and Mat-Su Borough Assemblyman 1997-2000.

2. In the past several months many people have encouraged me to run because they believed that the Borough government was going in the wrong direction and that I could help lead it in the right direction. The assembly in the past several years has increasingly pushed central planning of society, brought about higher taxation and created a climate hostile to individual initiative and economic development. I reluctantly decided I had a responsibility to run and try to help lead in a new direction of liberty, individual responsibility and initiative and the promotion of economic development through free enterprise.

3. A Borough wide sales tax would hurt the valley for three reasons: first, it would drive shopping and business to Anchorage (remember 35% of the workers commute to Anchorage) and in these economically challenging times that would be a mistake, second, multiple taxes decrease the accountability of government to the people and encourages the growth of government, remember when you see the property tax bill you know how much you are paying for government and it makes for a clear issue when you vote for candidates and allows you to more exactly judge whether you want to pay for more government or not and third, despite denials adding a sales tax would lead over a relative short period time to substantially higher taxation.

4. The Borough needs to encourage economic growth through low taxes and minimal, effective and stable regulation. The Borough needs to make it lands and resources available through sale or lease in a rational way to private enterprise. Remember the State gave land to Borough for the express purpose of economic development and financial support. The Borough Assembly has failed woefully in all aspects of this task. Our natural resources need to be developed for their timber, mining, natural gas, agriculture, tourism, fish and game and recreational potential.

5. The reasons and grievances that have brought this issue forward need to be explored and addressed, but to seriously pursue splitting the borough would be a distraction and a mistake.

6. No!

Jim Colver

1. I served on the Assembly from 2000-2006 until I term limited out. I have spent the past 3 years serving on the School Board. I will bring accountability to the Assembly, ask hard questions and separate the fact from the spin. To give an example, when the decision was being made on the site for the new elementary school in 2006 after I was out of office, I had serious concerns that the road access to the recommended site was unsafe and unsuitable. I shared these concerns with the Assembly and the Site Selection Committee. That site was chosen and there still is not adequate access to the newly constructed school. Consequently the Borough is now on the hook for a multi-million dollar road extension.

1993-1999 Matanuska-Susitna Borough Planning Commission

1988-1990 Chairman Local Road Service Advisory Board, Mat-Su Borough

Occupation: Surveyor

Small Business Owner

2. I think the Borough needs to return to a focus on providing basic services such as supporting our schools, upgrading roads, providing emergency services and low taxes. Government often tries to do too much, which only leads to costly studies with nothing to show for the money.

3. Now is not the time to implement new taxes, especially with the current national economic slump that is beginning to impact Alaska. The sales tax as structured, in my opinion just shifts the costs to consumers at the grocery store while giving a property tax break to the large multi-national big box stores.

4. Yes some of the regulations recently adopted are overly restrictive and costly. For instance it is cost prohibitive now for a landowner to remove a common lot line between 2 parcels. For our community to flourish we need to get our major transportation links built now. Many of our roads were never built for the amount of traffic they now carry. The Borough is spending way too much money on studies instead of on basic services like upgrading the roads.

5. I think the Borough needs to listen more and be respectful of the self-governance of the cities. This issue arose I think because the Borough included the cities in a proposed gravel pit regulation. The Borough needs to be responsive and be flexible in regulations, adapting them to the rural or suburban portions of the Borough.

6. This is an issue that is as highly charged and controversial as it gets. The fact is there are major safety issues and frequent accidents occurring. As this community grows, our more urban areas are having more of these types of conflicts. A large portion of our Borough is rural and doesn’t have the same problems. The Borough needs to build access points with parking lots next to public land for riding and snowmachining. I think the way to approach this issue is on a very local basis. Have neighbors get together and discuss it. A grassroots bottom up approach rather than a top down one.

District 7

Vern Halter

1. I moved to Alaska 32 years ago, after having served as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army and earning a Law Degree. My first jobs in the legal field took me to places throughout the State, including Kodiak, Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, Kotzebue, Anchorage and Palmer. I then took up mushing and sleddog racing. I am a Yukon Quest Champion and have finished in the top five of the Iditarod three times and the top ten eight times. Being a full time musher and a full time attorney taught me to be efficient, self-reliant and tough. My wife Susan and I live in Willow and we have built our business into a popular year-around tourist attraction. I have worked on the Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors to promote tourism jobs in the Susitna Valley. I was a longtime Board Member on the Iditarod Trail Committee and promoted it both as a race and for its tourism potential.

2. I have spent the past three years on the Borough Planning Commission. I know the issues and workings of the Borough government and how to get things done. I served on a Borough Road Service Area Board and recognize the pressing need to upgrade and maintain our roads. Now I am taking the next step: running for Assembly-District 7. I want our Communities in District 7 to decide their own future. One size Borough regulations do not fit all. I will be a strong advocate for local control and decisions. That is my top priority.

3. This important issue is on the ballot for Valley residents to decide. A rather unique feature of the Mat-Su Valley is that a high percentage of residents own their own homes. The Assembly’s goal in structuring the prospective sales tax for the ballot was to ease the property tax burden, and then add back the revenue from the sales tax to balance the Borough budget. As written, the sales tax would give homeowners some relief, but it will make things tighter for people on a fixed budget. The voters now have a chance to vote and decide whether a sales tax is right for them. That is as it should be, the majority will decide at the ballot box.

4. Of course we need growth and development. The Borough’s core area is rapidly approaching urban standards while areas in District 7 are remote and unpopulated. One size fits all Borough regulations will not work well in District 7. There is always going to be some tension between growth and development on one hand and quality of life on the other, but my goal is to achieve a balance between the two. I want our District 7 Communities to answer these questions themselves in their Comprehensive Plans, Special Use Districts or City Code. My pledge to the Communities of District 7 is I will represent your views at the Assembly.

5. This proposal is in its formative stages. It is a highly complex issue and very few, if any concrete details are available. We don’t even know what the proposed boundaries are. One of my concerns is: why double up on government? It is unlikely that the northern District 7 could raise enough tax revenue to operate the schools it already has, let alone manage its affairs cost-effectively. A positive outcome is not likely from such a division. I have a lot of concern for Meadow Lakes residents too, caught in-between two cities-Wasilla and Houston.

6. District 7 Communities should decide this for themselves not the Borough.

Doyle Holmes

1. Retired Navy — Business Owner of Willow True Value Hardware for 32 years. Prior to 2000

elected 3 terms to Matanuska- Susitna Borough Assembly. Served as Deputy Mayor 3 years. Past Commander VFW post 10241 and Past Chairman of numerous Volunteer Organizations. Well known for common sense approach to problems and proven leadership.

2. We need better representation on the Assembly. The Assembly needs to put more emphasis on providing services to schools. roads. fire. and ambulance rather than more taxation and regulations.

3. A Borough wide sales tax will take more money from seniors and working people and do nothing

but expand government. It would double the sales taxes in the cities where most people shop now and drive more shoppers to Anchorage. The proposed ordinance will cause unbelievable damage to businesses. When the Tax expires, we will be asked to increase it or our property taxes will have to increase dramatically to replace it. The ordinance does nothing to limit assessed evaluation increases. Overall a bad idea.

5. This was looked at in the early 90's and is feasible for Houston north. Separating the Financial

debts owed by the New Borough from the Old Borough would be a nightmare and when placed before the voters would probably be rejected.

6. Restrictions (Laws) no — but would support implementing training/education programs and

developing a better trail system.