Supports DeVilbiss, Arvin

To the editor:

I am proud of Mayor Larry DeVilbiss and the Assembly for the work they have done helping to create jobs and better communications with businesses within the Mat-Su Borough. Many of the decisions that were implemented with former Assemblies put undue restrictions on businesses and homeowners. Restricting job producing businesses only moves the jobs away from the core area thus employees need to travel farther to support their families.

There are five goals to be implemented that director Don Dyer and the Economic Development Council have been working on for the past nine months.

Codified regulations have been rectified on many issues that restricted use and business. Tall structures, such as cellphone towers were blanket restricted throughout the borough which did not make sense for outlying areas with no way of communicating by cellphone in the event of an emergency. The new revisions made the communication infrastructure available to these areas. Radio controlled airplanes and cars were restricted and unable to be used by various enthusiast’s. Racetracks were shut down or restricted from use even though they are restricted by Mother Nature and unable to run in the rain.

Subdivisions that were restricted under Title 27 and 16 with undue cost to create have been given a green light with the new Title 43 Subdivision Code. People wanting to subdivide property to leave a legacy for family members could not afford the added cost of the former codes.

The current Jim Creek Motorized Master Plan to address the Sullivan Avenue borough-owned land needs, correcting trail conflicts, camping, restroom facilities and a training lot for the military and children is the first action taken by a government agency that specifically addresses motorized use in the state of Alaska. This plan does not restrict any user; motorized use is multi use and restricts no one. This action is a result of a resolution submitted by Assembly member Ron Arvin. The current Hatcher Pass Plan restricts motorized use except in the Willow area thus eliminating snowmobile use in historically popular areas in the rest of Hatcher Pass.

The Mayor and Assembly are open to phone and email contact whenever there is a concern, not the closed-door antics of past members and managers. Not all concerns benefit the public as there are many issues that don’t always have a clear solution. Mayor DeVilbiss and Assemblyman Arvin are strong advocates of access and work with all user groups, not just non-motorized. I hope you will vote to keep Mayor Larry DeVilbiss and Assemblyman Arvin in office one more term.

Patti Barber

Palmer