What are people afraid of?

To the editor:

Sutton Community Council hosted a public hearing to hear comments on the ordinance amending Mat-Su Borough code (No. 2.76.030) regarding the definition of membership for community councils.

Mayor Larry DeVilbiss and assemblyman Warren Keogh were there to answer questions.

From the written ordinance we learned that:

• Current borough code restricts community council membership to people age 18 and older who are residents of the council’s demographic area and qualified to vote or to register to vote under state and borough laws. It excludes people who own property, but do not physically reside in the area

• Ordinance 11-157 (SUB), which will come to the assembly for vote on April 3, would allow each community council to decide if nonresident property owners would be allowed to have membership, but not multiple memberships, in their local community council. Property owners are owners of record at the borough Recorder’s Office. For ownership held by a legal entity, the owner is the authorized representative of the entity.

• SCC voted to use comments from the hearing to develop a public survey. So, I listened carefully to the recorded hearing to design that survey. I found that after two hours of discussion and chasing boogey-men there was only one question to ask.

“Check one choice.

“• Borough code should limit community council membership to residents.

“• Borough code should allow community councils to choose for themselves if they wish to include property owners as members.

“• I have no opinion.”

If Ordinance 11-157(SUB) passes the assembly, Sutton Community Council will take public comment to determine what we will do in our council.

The ordinance says:

“WHEREAS, the Assembly has decided that it is appropriate to allow Community Councils to decide if nonresident landowners should be allowed to have a say in local Community Councils.”

One resident at the hearing asked what people are afraid of. Are they afraid that a council cannot responsibly choose the course that is best for its community? Do councils think the assembly is better equipped to make the decision for them? Why is there any question when people are allowed to self-determine at the ground-roots level?

Roberta Mason

Palmer