Some comments for the Borough

I’m writing this letter because I was never informed that the Mat-Su Borough is considering building a railroad diagonally across my farm.

Turns out my neighbor to the south was never informed you intend to build rails across his farm either. In fact, our farms and sections weren’t even identified on your map. How much are you paying these guys, anyway? There is a rail right of way that runs along the east border of my property; there is no right of way that runs diagonally northwest to southwest through my 303 acres.

I heard there were public meetings (after the fact) and that public comments were accepted. I’d like to give you a few comments now.

I strongly oppose your third proposed rail spur line route. A lot of money was spent about three years ago on studies and routes for this railroad idea. I think all those meetings and money were wasted. No doubt this will be another $10 million wasted.

I know the Borough is in trouble with this whole port thing. Nothing is happening out there. The wood chip outfit is pulling out and I know you are trying hard to bail out a bad idea. But Anchorage has the port, has the infrastructure and even has rails. I’d like to see the figures on the amount of freight that goes out of Anchorage by rail, and how much of that freight do you think will move over to your port? How many years has it been since the surveyors came in and restaked the port gravel road, and it never got paved?

A ferry system? I’m not sure who is going to use it, but I think whoever does will want a paved road.

Maybe you could put a marina there. That was if the causeway ever does get built (we’ve only been spending money on studies for building a causeway for 45 years now), all of the Anchorage people would have a dock for their pleasure craft.

Did you bother to run this idea by the Anchorage airport? It was just a few years ago it came forward with a plan to build an airstrip over all these farms.

I see where the Borough states, “The rail could also provide long-term benefits by lowering property taxes.” I wonder if you people really believe your own bull? Do you think we’re all going to rush out and approve a bond for that?

I talked to some people who attended your public meetings. They said the Borough was quick to respond with threats. I think you need to review U.S. Supreme Court rulings. That doesn’t always work anymore.

The guys in Juneau need to take your $10 million back.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express my comments.

Gary Thompson

Mat-Su