From safer streets to smaller class sizes, the municipal package targets the basics that keep a city livable and growing.
As responsible Anchorage residents, we warn people on the trail when there is a moose up ahead, we slow down on the roads when it’s icy and we shovel our neighbors’ driveways when the snow piles up. This shared sense of civic duty is what makes our community work.
This April, I believe we should add one more civic duty to that list: voting “yes” on the Each year, the municipality asks residents to bond for projects outside of our tax cap. Approving bonds ensures we continue to invest in our neighborhoods, maintain the infrastructure we have and build the community we want to live in. In the past, these ballot propositions have secured new fire trucks for the Anchorage Fire Department, completed major road projects and provided the snowplows and graders that keep our community moving. This year, my team put forward a package of seven municipal bonds and a special levy that focuses on the most critical needs and projects identified by community councils, residents and stakeholders. Notably, as we propose these new investments, we are retiring more than $33 million in bond debt — in today’s dollars, that’s about $54 million. Proposition 2 addresses our roads and drainage. In Anchorage, we ask a lot of our roads. Between heavy snowfall, water, ice, studded tires and high usage, our infrastructure takes a beating. That means it’s important we keep our roads maintained and upgrade our drainage systems to prevent the potholes, overflow and ruts that make driving hazardous. Passing Proposition 2 keeps our roads safer across the Municipality. When you or your loved ones call for help, you deserve state-of-the-art medical care and equipment. Our ambulances have about a 15-year lifespan and it’s time to replace one. Proposition 6, the areawide public safety bond, will fund a new ambulance for the Anchorage Fire Department. Our medics are the best of the best — and their equipment should be, too.For Anchorage residents and visitors alike, mountains are a key attraction. We want to make Chugach State Park more accessible and I encourage everyone to vote yes on Proposition 8, the Chugach State Park access bond. The state of Alaska is responsible for the park itself, but this bond will allow us to make access improvements like safer and more expansive parking, trail extensions and new wayfinding on trails that have been hidden gems. This election, we also have a unique opportunity to support local schools with a special one-time levy by approving Proposition 9. It is no secret that the Anchorage School District has faced years of state underfunding and will see significant cuts to teachers and student programming next school year. Yet we know a thriving school system is the backbone of a strong economy. Strong schools attract new workers and residents and allow more parents to enter the workforce. And, most importantly, schools educate our future leaders. That’s why I worked with the district to propose a one-time $11.8 million levy, which will be used to retain about 90 educators and keep class sizes smaller. At approximately $27.40 per $100,000 of assessed property value, there is no better investment than our kids. In addition to these propositions, the other municipal bonds on the ballot would fund numerous critical safety projects and improvements: new fire engines for the Fire Department, life, health and safety upgrades at the Loussac Library, Performing Arts Center and the Chugiak Eagle River Senior Center, along with enhancements at neighborhood parks across Anchorage.We have the opportunity to choose reliable roads, state-of-the-art emergency services, accessible trails, supported classrooms, safe and functional public facilities and more. Voters, I hope you will look at this year’s bond package and agree that these investments are critical for Anchorage. Please join me in voting “yes” on the bonds. Let’s continue to build the community we want to live in.Open & Shut: Anchorage gets new eateries — Polynesian, Mexican and American with global twists — as well as a game board cafe and a cannabis shopOpinion: Bridges, billions and a blurred purpose define the West Susitna access planLetter: Prop 9 and Prop 1 bring public support to Anchorage teachers and students
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