Time to set the record straight

To the editor:

In Earl Lackey’s February 28th opinion letter to the Frontiersman, he claimed that “Mr. Mayfield has already been instrumental in preventing the construction of two ranges for use in high school shotgun competition.” Mr. Lackey’ motive in making that statement is subject to speculation, as facts do not support his conclusion. Let’s review the facts.

In early 2015, Ordinance 15-001 came before the Assembly. The ordinance advocated selling 40 acres of Borough owned land located in Big Lake for 10% of its value. The sale was to allow the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) to build a shotgun range to teach kids competitive shooting. The program was worthy of support. As the ordinance went through the public notice stage, many citizens raised concerns about the location of the proposed range. After visiting the site, I found it to be near an established horse stable and subdivisions. Still believing the program was worthwhile, I did object to the location and suggested to organizers that a different location may work better. Borough staff was instructed to look for a more suitable piece of property that would accommodate the program. Thereafter, the ordinance was pulled from the Assembly agenda by the unanimous vote of all seven Assembly Members.

Borough staff located several Borough owned lots. The organizers for SCTP decided on a 240 acre piece of land in Knik. As a result, Ordinance 15-110 was noticed to the public and considered by the Assembly. The ordinance was defeated on 10/20/15. Four Assembly Members voted against the ordinance with Assembly Members Arvin, Colligan and Mayfield voting in favor of the ordinance.

Still being convinced that the goal to build a shotgun range was worthy, Assembly Member Halter and I sponsored a budget amendment in 2016 to provide a grant of $150,000 to SCTP. That amendment was approved by the Assembly but was vetoed by Mayor DeVilbiss. A veto override was proposed by Assembly Member Arvin and was supported by Arvin, Mayfield, Halter, and Colligan. Five votes were needed to override a mayoral veto thus it failed.

A more accurate statement that Mr. Lackey could have made is that Mr. Mayfield objected to the Big Lake location due to close proximity to established neighborhoods but was instrumental in supporting the SCTP program in two separate proposals over the next year. This is all public record, not opinion.

— Dan Mayfield, Mat-Su Borough Assembly