Sign-waving a safety hazard

We have weighed all the options and I decided that my supporters and l will not take part in the ritual of waving signs at busy intersections on Election Day this year (Oct. 2). Some say you must wave signs to win an election in Wasilla; however, I feel the voters are more informed than that, and wining an election is not as important as the possible loss of a life.

If voters can’t make up their mind on which candidates they will vote for before hand, and will use that right to vote based on what they see on the way to the polls, there is something wrong with our system.

We already have a traffic congestion problem at the three major Wasilla intersections, so add a hundred or so people distracting drivers and blocking their view with signs and sprinkle in a few children along a busy roadway and you have a public safety issue.

Another factor is at the Parks Highway and Knik Goose Bay Road intersection there are two construction projects in full swing, the remodeling of the Tesoro 2 Go Mart gas station and the highway intersection improvement. Really, if you don’t know by then who to vote for, is holding a sign and waving at cars really going to help? My supporters and I feel we would rather let the others crowd the traffic that day and not add to the problem. You never know, we may start a trend.

On a more personal note I feel that anyone can gather a group of people to hold signs and smile, many of whom are not residents of the city and will do what it takes to try and persuade the final outcome. If you look closely you may see a few people on company time or on the state payroll in the group.

There is a difference between a “politician” and a “public servant.” Politicians want to climb a ladder to success, but public servants just want to make Wasilla a little bit better place to live for their children and grandchildren than they found it. So let the other candidates wave signs because on Election Day, my supporters and I will be voting, then some spending time at home enjoying their retirement, donating time at the polling stations or, like me, out working for a living. Remember, this is not about politics, it’s about people.

Mark Ewing

Wasilla City Council

Seat F