This week the issue has been "the Whale." About a year ago, former mayor Bill Overstreet came to the Assembly to ask for support for a whale sculpture done by Skip Walling, the same guy who did many of the other bronze sculptures around town. They are truly great pieces and everybody loves them. The Assembly expressed a cautious support of the concept and said they would commit to donating a piece of land and maintaining it once it was up. It was assumed that private fundraising would take care of the construction.
Evidently private fundraising has not been as successful as they needed because the group came back and asked for "startup" money of $500,000. I was really uncomfortable with that because it was a switch in what we had said we would do. I was especially uncomfortable with the idea that the money would be taken from the sales tax budget reserve. I asked if we could instead use cruise ship passenger fees. The mayor said I could not amend the current proposed ordinance to change funding sources. Given that decision, I opposed the ordinance. Right now, people are hurting. Prices are high, and tax dollars should not be used for this no matter how "nice" the sculpture is.
The ordinance passed 5-3, but Mr. Wanamaker "gave notice of reconsideration." That is a parliamentary technique where you get a second chance to vote on something. The idea is that additional information may change members' minds. So on September 8 we will first vote on whether to allow reconsideration. That is often granted out of courtesy. Then we will vote on the issue itself. Over the past few days we have had 40-50 emails vehemently opposing the project. The Empire blogs have been scathing about it. And only one or two people have spoken out in favor. So the question is whether any of my colleagues will change their minds. If they do, it will be because of citizen feedback. So if you have an opinion about this, make sure you tell us! Nothing will happen unless you do. Go to
http://www.juneau.org/assembly/webcontact/index.php
and select "entire Assembly" to get your message to all of us.
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“We must recognize the full human equality of all of our people – before God, before the law, and in the councils of government. We must do this, not because it is economically advantageous – although it is; not because the laws of God command it – although they do; not because people in other lands wish it so. We must do it for the single and fundamental reason that it is the right thing to do.” – Robert Kennedy, June 6, 1966
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