Vavrin: ‘We are making history’

Running for Mat-Su Borough Mayor is an incredible experience, and I am so glad I decided to do this. I love living here and I see myself as a cheerleader for the Borough. After all my adventures and experiences, I want to “give back.” I’m a fresh, new voice.

With more and more people of all ages moving to one of the towns or rural areas of our Borough, it is important to be aware of what connects us — all forms of transportation: roads, rails, ferries, airplanes and transit (buses).

Most folks know me for speaking up for increased and improved transit services — both within the Valley and to connect us to the entire Borough and also with Anchorage.

I’m a big supporter of all kinds of transportation. Residents need to get to and from work, schools, shopping centers, various services, vacation and tourism sites, outdoor activities, libraries, farmers’ markets, exhibits and shows, the Fair, various meetings, the political process, voting sites, and — wow — the list goes on.

The various means of transportation bring us all together. It’s part of our wonderful way of life here.

The Mat-Su Borough has been called “the Heart of Alaska.” I want us — our current and future residents — to be a strong, dynamic, healthy, and happy heart for the entire state of Alaska.

The position of Mayor has several responsibilities, but it is largely an honorary position. I see myself as a cheerleader. I love living here and I want everyone to love living here, too.

We can solve our economic and social problems. We can do it — we are part of history in the making.

I’m non-partisan. I’m the only one who speaks for me. And I’m beholden to no one.

I paid for my campaign expenses out of my own pocket and I turned down some offers of money. Why? Because I do not want to be beholden to anyone. I’m free and independent .

My only campaign expenses were the printing of the blue cards I gave away and more taxi fares than I normally spend in a year.

I have a limited amount of political savy and I’m proud of it! I’m a fresh voice and I bring a new perspective to the position of Mayor.

We are definitely making history with this Election. We are setting the path for the future of the Borough.

We face decreased revenues and an increased need for services. We need to spend our dollars wisely, frugally, and with limited frills.

Campaigning for public office has a connotation of being very expensive. Why? Why does it have to be that way?

Many adults of different ages are very hesitant to run for any office because they think they can’t solicit enough money. I did not spend any time soliciting funds. I have spent the last 11 weeks talking with people and filling out numerous surveys.

I have been happily surprised by how many groups have sent me surveys. They in turn have shared this with their members, supporters, readers, viewers, listeners, and other interested folks. In our technology-connected world, these groups have gotten the word out on the three candidates for Mayor.

Several organizations hosted public forums for their people and the general public. These forums were the personal touch — the personal aspect of this historical mayoral campaign.

Both of the gentlemen running for mayor — current Mayor Larry DeVilbiss and Assemblyman Vern Halter — have proven to be worthy of my first campaign. Both have been kind and gracious to me.

I think the three of us have set a high standard of how the national candidates for President should act. The national election is more than a year away, and those “candidates” should look, I think, to the 2015 Mat-Su Borough mayoral campaign as an example of how to conduct a campaign — talk about issues, solving problems, and planning for the future.

Besides transportation, I’m a big supporter of the Alaska Grown program, summer and winter tourism, our libraries, our outdoor activities, and our wonderful way of life here. I also want to encourage adults of all ages to seriously consider running for public office in the years ahead. As we step into the future, the Borough needs folks of all ages with a great variety of experiences.

Traditionally the herb rosemary symbolizes remembrance. On Oct. 6, I hope voters will remember the name Rosemary. When I’m Mayor, I want to be addressed simply as Mayor Rosemary.

I hope and anticipate that Oct. 6 will have a record number of voters going to the polls. We are making history as we step into the future.

Rosemary Vavrin is retired and lives in Wasilla. She is a candidate for Mat-Su Borough Mayor.