Veto vote slated

Assembly to decide fate of special election

February 10, 2006

DARRELL L. BREESE\Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - When Mat-Su Borough Mayor Tim Anderson vetoed an ordinance that would have set a special election for a $39.7-million school bond package, he canceled a scheduled public hearing originally set for last Tuesday.

Despite the veto, more than 100 supporters of the bonds flooded the Assembly Chambers, marching three abreast down the aisle in defiance of the mayor's veto.

Thanks to assembly member Cindy Bettine, the throng of supporters got a little relief. Bettine requested a special meeting be set for Feb. 13 for the assembly to consider an override of the mayor's veto.

Following some debate and discussion over the clerk being able to meet the required advertising requirements for a special meeting, Bettine changed the date to Feb. 14 and the five assembly members in attendance voted unanimously to set the meeting for 6 p.m.

The vote drew a stirring show of approval from people in the audience, most of whom supported holding a special election allowing the voters to decide if they want to pay for the school bonds.

Anderson vetoed the April 25 special election on Monday, stating he felt it was too close to the October election in which voters rejected similar school bonds.

&#8220There is a saying in politics that there is a silent majority,” Wasilla City Council member Marty Metiva said during the meeting. &#8220I think it is plain to see that the mayor has awoken them and they are no longer going to be silent on this issue.”

Metiva was not the only community leader to speak in support of the school bonds. The Big Lake, Palmer and Wasilla chambers of commerce submitted a joint resolution supporting the bonds and the spring special election. School district officials stressed the importance of passing the bonds. Teachers and parents all voiced their support.

Teresa Blume, whose husband is a pilot with Fed/Ex, indicated that the air freight company is planning to add up to 100 new pilots to their staff in Anchorage and she is already getting calls and e-mails from pilots asking how the schools are in the area.

&#8220Pilots are highly educated people and they want to ensure that their children will get a good education as well,” Blume said. &#8220So when people call and ask how the schools are where I live and I have to say that they are overcrowded, I fear they will change their mind and choose not to come to Alaska. Good schools impact economic growth, and poor schools keep companies and individuals from relocating.”

Assembly member Mary Kvalheim said she had some concerns about being able to establish a quorum for the meeting on the 14th.

&#8220I know some of us are planning on traveling to Juneau to meet with our local delegation,” Kvalheim said. &#8220Having the meeting on that day may be pointless if we can't get a quorum or even have the five people needed to overturn the veto.”

Assembly member Talis Colberg, one of the assembly members who was going to travel to Juneau, canceled his flight reservations during a break in the meeting, to ensure he would be present for the meeting.

&#8220It's important for us to be here,” Colberg said. &#8220I can travel to Juneau later in the session. This is an important vote and I hope those who choose to travel will make arrangements to teleconference.”

Bettine, who represents the Knik-Goose Bay area, said the area's population grew by 31 percent in just four years. Goose Bay Elementary has five portable classrooms now, but needs another two this year and likely more next year, she said.

Lisa Miller, principal at Goose Bay, said the school has added 36 new students in the last month and that it has converted a storage closet into a makeshift classroom to accommodate all the students it has.

&#8220The mayor is concerned that it will cost $83,000 for the special election, but it will cost twice that to build two new portables for Goose Bay Elementary,” Bettine said. &#8220There is almost half a million dollars in portables now at Goose Bay and voters didn't get a say in it. This is not about the budget, this is not about school district management, this is about square footage and the need for buildings.”

In his veto message, Anderson said he supports the need for new schools but issued a veto because of concerns about increased costs as well as voter disapproval of nearly the same bonds four months ago.

&#8220It is all just a matter of timing,” Anderson said. &#8220The voters rejected this in October and I believe it is too soon to put the same question before them.”

If the assembly successfully overrides the veto, a public hearing will be held immediately afterward, for members to discuss the ordinance that would place the bond question before the voters.

If the assembly overrides the veto and supports a special election, the election could take place May 2, one week later than the original proposed April 25 date.

If the proposed bonds are approved, property taxes would increase by $34 for a house valued at $200,000. The state, however, would pay most of the cost to build. Under a state law that expires in October, the state will reimburse at least 60 percent of the construction costs on one school and up to 70 percent on the other school.

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or darrell.breese@

frontiersman.com.