Contributed by Tim Hale
It’s been a little over three months since I announced my candidacy for the Borough Assembly; and let me tell you, it has been an amazing journey! I want to give a big shout-out to my wife, Tara, and our daughter, Eliza, for their patience, understanding and hard work to help ensure that the People have a voice on our Assembly. Tara and I got married August 24th. Two days later, we closed on our house, and two days after that, I filed to run for this office. I like to joke around with her about our “honeymoon”!
I am running for Assembly District 1, which covers the Old Glenn, from Mile 0 to the George Palmer Bridge, skips around the City of Palmer, and runs from Palmer Fishhook north to Lake Louise. It’s a huge district, spanning 200 miles on its longest axis, and I have been out in our community every day knocking on doors, calling folks and attending community council meetings and other events. I’m doing it because I want to hear your ideas and concerns about our community, and you have obliged! I have spoken to hundreds, if not thousands, of community members, scribbling notes in my yellow “Rite in the Rain” field book, and what I have heard is encouraging. Sure, there are some things the Borough doesn’t do well, but we have a bright future and there are many hardworking folks in the community fighting to ensure that it gets brighter!
I’ve heard concerns about funding for schools, and taxes, and wasteful spending. I’ve heard concerns about the loss of ambulance personnel in rural areas, roads that need paving and roads that got paved when they didn’t need it. I’ve heard concerns about the Mat River, and how it likes to eat houses, both here in Butte and up in Sutton. I’ve heard concerns about crime, and squatters, particularly at the property known in these parts as “The Compound”. I don’t have all the answers to these problems yet, but I do know that there are folks in our community who do! That is why I will fight to make our local government easier to participate with, and more transparent and accountable to the people.
I will fight for an online checkbook, so that anyone can see exactly what we spend our money on. I will fight to allow the public to call in to meetings and give their testimony, so that every resident in our Borough (which is the size of West Virginia) can have their voice heard. I will fight for a Citizen’s Advisory Committee on the Budget, to restore trust in government and to find out what we are doing well, what we are doing poorly and what we are wasting our money on.
Mostly, I hear how this is the greatest place on earth to live, and work, and play! I hear about how we have the best schools in Alaska, and how they do more with less than any other district. I hear about all of the amazing groups and faith communities that are working on behalf of our elders, or victims of domestic violence, or folks suffering from addiction. I hear about how our economy continues to grow, and that we are the only bright spot in an otherwise dismal state economy. I hear about opportunities: for employment, for recreation, for learning, and for community.
These are the things that made me fall in love with this place, way back in ‘96, when I came to fight the Miller’s Reach Fire, although that kid wouldn’t have been able to express it in these words. These are the reasons that a lifelong Alaskan would choose this little corner of our great state to call home. These are the reasons I am working so hard to be your advocate on the Assembly, to preserve what makes our Valley great, and to fight for an even brighter future! I am working hard to earn your support and would be honored to have your vote on November 5th.
Tim Hale
Candidate for MSB Assembly, District 1
907-590-8243
17635 Marcus Baker Dr.
