By Lana Johnson
Special to the Turnagain Times
Girdwood 2020 has sent a survey to all mayoral candidates seeking their opinion on questions of interest to the community. The responses will be printed in the April 2 issue of the Turnagain Times and posted online at www.girdwood2020.org.
Here are the questions:
1. In order for the community to continue to grow, Girdwood 2020, with the assistance of the Girdwood community, has identified major infrastructure improvements needed to facilitate this growth. They are:
• More reliable electrical power
• Secondary road access in and out of the valley
• Expanded water and sewage systems
• Road & drainage improvements
• A Girdwood High School
Historically, few of Girdwood’s projects make it to the top of the municipality’s CIP list for state funding. Furthermore, Anchorage voters typically vote against Girdwood bond projects, even when the funds for those projects were to be garnered only from Girdwood property taxes.
What will be your administration’s stand on funding Girdwood projects? Do you have ideas on how to fund these major infrastructure projects?
2. Girdwood property owners pay an increasing amount in property taxes and receive comparatively few municipal services.
What are your ideas on restructuring this in a more equitable manner?
3. Girdwood 2020 has asked the Alaska State Legislature to appropriate funding for Girdwood directly into the Board of Supervisors’ municipal account and let them administer the money. This would avoid the municipal administrative fees – currently 25% - allowing Girdwood to maximize the impact of any funds secured from the State.
Would you support such a transfer?
4. Some resort communities form organizations for the collective promotion of their business interests. Some of these ‘Resort Organizations’ are similar to the Downtown Improvement District; others have powers similar to those of a local government, including the ability to levy and recover charges from its members.
Would you support such a concept for Girdwood?
5. Land use regulations that facilitate our evolution as a resort community and require high community standards are essential. The new regulations as outlined in the Title 21 Chapter 9 rewrite for Girdwood are cumbersome to understand, difficult for the municipality to implement and increase project costs.
What is your stand on Title 21 Chapter 9, and how would you handle this situation?
6. Girdwood residents want to see the community developed as a four-season resort while maintaining small-town livability. The municipality is the largest land owner in the Girdwood Valley and how it disposes of its land will be a definitive factor in the evolution of the community.
Could you describe your vision of a future that meets the municipality’s financial goals and the goals of the Girdwood community?
The municipal Election is Tuesday, April 7.
Photo:
RIDING HIGH UP ALYESKA
Ken Smith/Turnagain Times
March has been good to skiers and snowboarders at Alyeska Resort. The month has provided plenty of sun and fresh powder. The mountain is expected to remain open until April 26.