We will all pay for assembly’s screw-ups, one way or another

To the editor:

Sitting in my rocking chair and reflecting on recent actions by the ceremonial Mat-Su Borough mayor and some assemblypersons, I’ve come to the conclusion that perhaps the time is upon us to establish a public review commission of the role of assembly members. Or, start the recall vote process for the mayor and his cronies who seem to have forgotten that is important our government remains of the people, by the people.

There are many recent issues and actions that indicate the majority of assembly members and the mayor don’t believe in free speech and equal opportunity, that they only rule by cronyism.

On the good side, hooray for Assemblyman Warren Keogh for addressing an elephant in the room — that of Assemblyman Ron Arvin’s extended absences. Other issues include the ceremonial mayor’s reticence toward allowing women to volunteer for duty on various boards and commissions (perhaps because they are smarter, wiser or more experienced than a worn-out hypocrite).

Another issue is the ongoing spate of ethical issues that seem to arising among, and are ignored by, the mayor’s cronies on the assembly. When called to task they refuse to acknowledge the right of borough residents to stand before the assembly and be heard without being cursed at, or their speech censored by assembly members.

Such a commission would be tasked with preparing for a public vote borough code changes that do things like establishing responsibility for physically attending assembly meetings with limited exceptions for telephone attendance, mandating equal opportunity representation on boards and commissions, developing an ethical ethics policy and reassuring enforceable public input processes and the rights of residents to be heard.

If there is anybody out there among the borough’s 80,000-plus residents (of course including you 40,000 or so disenfranchised women) who might agree it is time for some refreshing changes, make your voices heard. You all do live here in the Valley, so you will pay for the assembly’s screw-ups one unpleasant way or another.

Bish Buckle

Wasilla