Unfortunately, Alaska no different than the rest of the U.S.

To the editor,

Proper oversight, planning, budgeting are needed!

I have worked for governments in different areas in the United States, including All-American awarded cities and areas who have had proper planning and foresight — and those that have not!

The Mat Su functions in a category that is destined to implode!

Pretty self explanatory if one steps back and looks!

Area Community Councils don't function properly, and borough staff and the Mat-Su Assembly plow ahead with a 20-year-old proven failed plan without listening to people who live in the Mat-Su and accepting facts and change!

The Mat-Su now has over 100,000 people living here with over 65,000 eligible voters,

Times have changed!

As one who owns property and lives in the Mat-Su, in a unincorporated area, considered the “out” by staff, I often wonder who you elected reps, representative of the people, (and staff) in the Mat Su think your obligated to?

Just curious is all.

Is it developers who function in the Mat-Su without presenting proper plans and without proper oversight?

Is it Anchorage-area people who want to use the Mat-Su for their recreation needs without paying for such?

Is it promoting uncontrolled growth in the Mat-Su without having proper planning and budgeting “because this is Alaska and we are different”?

Whether it is Talkeetna with our sewer/dike/flooding/trash problems, Willow with their fire problem, Hatcher Pass with their lack of proper oversight, Big Lake, Butte/Sutton, or the never-been-used-ferry, the ferry building, Port Mac or the rail link, all could use public input and scrutiny from the people who live in the Mat-Su.

Why is Mat-Su government and staff afraid to allow the people who live in the Mat-Su to be involved in governing where they live?

Mike Stoltz

Owner, Meandering Moose Lodging

Talkeetna