Why am I supporting Taffina Katkus for Wasilla Mayor?

To the editor:

I’ve read with interest the articles and opinions on Steve Menard and the fiasco in Sitka in which city participation turned into an embarrassment. Menard made a grievous error by entertaining such a party in his rented room.

I firmly agree with the Conservative Patriots Group position that “it is about values, it’s about getting our elected officials to understand when they take public office, they represent the people. . . As far as we are concerned, their job is to represent us with ethics, and his actions were just not acceptable.” (Frontiersman, Aug. 27, 2011)

And yet, it is not just about Menard. It is about leadership. It is about setting the tone and character of city government. When council members and employees travel on city business and are using city funds they should be expected to bring back useful information and establish working relationships with their counterparts. A professional tone and character simply has not been promoted or expected under the current administration. Thus we have a party and scandal on city funds.

As one letter to the editor expressed, “What has happened to our city?” How many reasons do we need to vote for someone else? REDDI reports on our Mayor? Revolving door police chiefs? A seriously deteriorated dam on Lake Lucille? DEC scrutiny of our waste water? Final draft area wide plans sitting idle for three years? Party time on city travel funds? City ownership of a lease facility in competition with private enterprise? Page 40 of the adopted budget showing increase of city spending of more than $1.2 million? Wonderland Park closed several days for what? Promises made, promises kept? Strong leadership? The current administration has chosen to ignore some of our most basic needs. Do we need a change? I think so.

Missteps and lost opportunities under the current administration are only part of why I support Taffina Katkus for Mayor. Her reputation, character and actions while serving on the city council provide more.

Katkus is a successful wife and mother who has been married to the same man for 27 years and has raised six children — four of them adopted from Romania. Katkus cares for the most vulnerable among our citizens having introduced an initiative giving consideration to the difficult struggle many senior citizens have in paying local taxes while trying to make ends meet.

Katkus has initiated and maintained open conversations with Mat-Su Borough civic and business leaders at Mat-Su Electrical Association, Mat-Su Regional Hospital, Alaska Municipal League, Palmer City, Port MacKenzie Commission — all essential partners in Wasilla business development. Katkus will lead an effective team to address the complex issues and challenges of running city government.

With the Borough she has discussed partnerships in several projects including a Borough Office presence in Wasilla, development of a needed rifle range that can serve all residents, school locations, and cooperation on parks and recreation. Katkus initiated the Borough Shooting Range petition that is in the sporting goods stores, Mat-Su Sportsman Range and similar locations because she is a gun owner and actively supports second amendment rights to keep and bear arms. With citizen involvement, Katkus, will have at least one new rifle and handgun range — out of earshot — on borough land, under private gun club management.

Katkus will move Wasilla forward, setting a positive character and tone for the city council and community. She is a fiscal conservative who will use an above board, open approach to city issues and decision-making. Katkus has support of many credible, hard-working professionals and local business owners. As an owner-operator of a local business for 30 years, Katkus knows what it takes to succeed in Wasilla. As an active community member for more than 40 years, Katkus has served on various city planning and project efforts. Katkus presently serves as a city council member, a fiscal and ethical conservative who has spent her time promoting business development issues, lessening the burden on citizens, working on attracting private sector development for family-wage jobs, and reining in government growth. She has a vision for Wasilla as a home and community that we can all be proud of, a community that attracts family-wage businesses for local jobs.

Can we really afford three more years of ignoring our needs, the continuing controversies and embarrassment for our community? I know Taffina Katkus. She has been a friend of mine for more than 10 years. I’ve watched her work on the various issues needing immediate and serious attention. We need new and very different character and leadership for Wasilla. We have great public employees and they deserve professional leadership with dignity and integrity. Let’s get back to making Wasilla a city of pride and progress. Please make a difference; get out and cast your vote for Katkus for Wasilla Mayor.

Dave Williams

Wasilla