Contributed by Brian Endle
Over the past three years, there has been no other candidate with a consistent record of showing up to the Borough Assembly, bringing transparency to things that are hidden and defending the rights of residents.
Through Facebook, emails and articles, I’ve been serving borough residents and communicating problems and solutions to the Assembly. Now I’m asking for District 1’s vote to bring the same transparency to the other side of the bench and help move solutions forward that benefit borough residents rather than big government agendas.
Most recently some assembly members attempted to use the government to solve a problem between two neighbors. One was target practicing on private property. Others, hearing the noise, went to the Borough Assembly to solve their problem. If any wrong was done, the assembly was not the place for resolution.
The Assembly’s solution in the September 17th meeting was to have the Planning Department come up with a CUP (Conditional Use Permit) process for commercial, educational and non-profit shooting facilities.
When this issue of regulating shooting ranges first arose about a year ago from another Assembly person, the Borough was tasked to contact those with shooting range expertise to participate on an advisory board. However, they failed to reach many in that community according to the testimony of those present at this year’s meeting. The Assembly had an opportunity to create an advisory board with those that attended the September meeting, but rejected that opportunity and decided to fast-track their control over what happens in the borough. The Planning Department, which likely lacks expertise in this area, has now been directed by the Assembly to gather information from experts at the meeting and others and present regulations to the Assembly for approval. This is just government gone bad.
One of the solutions proposed by the Planning Department was that, “The Borough may expand the Core-Area CUP to the entire Borough. This action would extend additional restrictions to all new, commercial and industrial developments, including shooting ranges, which exceed thresholds for noise, traffic or hazardous substances.”
The proposed “solution”, depending on how it is implemented, could bring a process where input from your neighbor and the Borough Planning Commission appointed by the mayor are weighed to decide how you use your property. According to one solution presented, the Borough’s control could also bring in unwanted zoning and easily extend beyond shooting range regulations into other areas.
I was the only candidate present at this meeting, and I testified against it.
I’m looking for your support to help bring solutions that reduce government control over private property, solve problems with the Matanuska River, address issues with drug compounds and other borough resident concerns.
I’d appreciate your vote November 5th!
