Valley mayors get to sound off on these pages

Verne Rupright had a good idea the other day. Not that he doesn’t have some regularly. He suggested all four mayors in the Valley write a column. That way each one would have a column every fourth Tuesday.

It is a good idea. It’s not like they don’t already have access to a podium, but so many people don’t go to city or borough meetings, let alone make an appointment to meet with the leaders of their communities.

So we’re hoping the mayors will take this opportunity to tell us what’s on their minds.

It’s not like there aren’t things going on out there.

Gravel mines, shooting ranges, elections, stimulus funding, spending accusations and budget constraints to name a few.

It seems like every now and then a topic pushes the buttons of a lot of people and it would be good when those things happen to have a leader’s voice be heard unfiltered by reporters and editors.

Wouldn’t it have been great to hear from Mayor Colberg in his own words discussing why he vetoed the sales tax proposition? Or why the borough was silent when Wasilla and Houston sued to keep the Knik Arm Bridge on the short-range project list.

Houston is aiming toward first-class city status. Palmer’s downtown looks like a giant sand box. So where is the state fair parade going to be?

Mayor Verne Rupright kicks off the series today.

He’s not sure one politician’s idea of biking to work is feasible in the Valley, especially in the winter. He certainly doesn’t want to live in a city complex where he can hear the neighbors.

So right off the bat he takes a national concern and plays it out for us from a local perspective.

Once the mayors hit their writing strides, it should make for interesting reading. And of course, a great opportunity for our readers to give feedback.

We are pretty sure the mayors will be open to topic suggestions from the readers, not that they have to write about them, but anybody who has to write a regular column knows a blank page can be daunting.

Whatever they come up with, it will be a good thing because getting more people to know more about what’s going on in local government can’t be bad.