Contributed by Mayor Edna DeVries
Spring is in the air and summer will soon be here or maybe this is it. The January wind storms maybe in the distance past for some but others like ourselves, we just finished repairing our fence this last week from the wind damaged.
Assembly public budget meetings have concluded, and the administration’s proposed budget is currently under deliberations by the assembly. It seems to me that the assembly is actively seeking ways to reduce the mill levy for the borough’s taxpayers.
The assembly recently awarded 200 acres to Alaska SCTP Non-profit for the purpose of development of a youth shooting range.
The Borough has several projects in both the Senate and House Finance Capital budget – time will tell whether they survive. Worthwhile projects such as funding for Arctic Winter Games, funding for a facility for First Responders facility that will serve the Palmer, Butte, Sutton, Fishhook areas. This will also serve as a training facility which is currently not available for these areas. Additional monies were requested to assist with payments for the Road Transportation Projects that you as voters approved in November 2021 by a margin of 2 to 1.
Recently we had 5 Third Classes from Sherrod and two Third Classes from Butte Elementary visit the borough where we held ‘mock’ assembly meeting. The students were very engaged and well-behaved. Sherrod students considered whether they should purchase a fire truck or clean up the Palmer ‘Amoosement’ park. Butte students debated whether they should purchase an ambulance or a fire truck. Earlier this year, I also hosted several homeschoolers ranging in age from third grade to high school. They discussed the Youth Shooting Range. I welcome students as well as adults to visit the borough building and my office for a short lesson on how government works and how you can influence the decisions that are made.
I have maps available in my office showing the new redistricting lines for the assembly and school board seats. All three cities have copies also as well as Willow and Talkeetna Public Libraries. This question will be on the Borough Election on July 12, 2022.
Recently Valley Recycling Center honored Janet Kincaid who has been an active recycler since the beginning. Theme was Janet saves the planet ‘one can’ at a time. Very festive event with live music and Janet was making more people aware of the great resource that the recycling center is.
Governor Dunleavy this last week held a press conference on the drug challenges that we face in our community as well as the state. He addressed the fentanyl crisis in Alaska, highlighting the effort of healthcare officials and others to spread the warning: one pill can kill. He has proposed several pieces of legislation that will assist. He is asking for the Legislature to increase the penalties to the maximum extent possible for anyone who deals fentanyl or fentanyl-laced drugs. Deaths by drug usage hits all segments of our population. Two prominent members of our state community spoke about their personal journeys regarding loosing sons to drugs. In our valley, we have several very successful treatment centers – don’t hesitate to reach out - many in our community have or are walking the journey that you are. Law enforcement officers in South Central Alaska are aggressively investigating the source of illicit narcotics. If you or anyone that you know has any information about drug trafficking in the Mat-Su area, please call Alaska State Troopers at (907) 352-5401, or to remain anonymous, submit a tip on the AKtips smartphone app or online at: https://www.tip411.com/alerts/81954. Together we can reduce the drug overdoses in our community.
Enjoy your summer.
Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries,
907-861-8682,