Supports Masteller, Church

To the editor:

The Mat-Su Borough-wide election coming up on Oct. 2 is critical if we want a transparent government that values public input and process. Our current mayor and majority on the Assembly are demonstrating through their actions that they would rather ignore public process and listen to special interests, and these actions will cost borough property tax payers more money. Here are three examples:

Change in new subdivision regulations: The current mayor and assembly changed the development regulations for new subdivisions. Now, counter to the advice of the Road Service Area Supervisors, those who develop new subdivisions no longer have to build roads up to borough standards. This might help the bottom line of developers, but as Mayor Larry DeVilbiss put it, in changing the new subdivision regulations, he and the current Assembly were “pushing the cost of development into the future.” Perhaps DeVilbiss doesn’t plan on being around in the future when that bill comes due, but it’s not right to push a bill onto taxpayers that should be paid originally by the developers.

Economic Development Plan: Through public and industry/business participation, a consultant hired by the borough produced a thorough Economic Development Plan. This plan offers sound advice, such as the borough should “emphasize high quality,” compatible development that is “complementary to the existing uses and resources of the area.” But rather than bringing on a competent person to encourage economic development in the borough, our current mayor failed to fill the position of Economic Development Director for close to a year.

Cellphone towers regulations: Through public and industry participation, the Mat-Su Borough volunteer Towers Working Group spent two years working out new regulations regarding the placement of cellphone towers in the borough, which was approved by the Planning Commission. (Note: Mark Masteller was Chair of the Planning Commission during this period.) Were these new regulations perfect? Probably not, but the important point is that they were developed through public and industry cooperation, and they were better than what was then on the books, and better than no regulations at all. Our current mayor and assembly voted not only to reject these proposed new regulations, but to repeal the existing regulations as well. As those who read the Frontiersman well know, this misguided thinking, that no regulation is better, is causing heartache for those now stuck living within 90 feet of a 100 foot cell tower. Mayor DeVilbiss claims that he could not have vetoed the Assembly action to repeal existing cell tower regulations, but this is not true according to borough staff.

As borough taxpayers, we deserve better. We deserve a mayor and assembly members who will invite public participation and listen to the public when comment is given. Please vote for Mark Masteller and Michelle Church.

Pete Praetorius

Palmer