Quick Note!!
This Friday 9/19 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm the public is invited to review the current design for the remodeling of the Juneau Airport. The designs will be posted in the Aurora conference room at the airport.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Election Update
It's a little more than three weeks until the municipal election (October 7) . It's very difficult in a general election year for the local election to get much interest. People are much more interested in the national race-- particularly given Governor Palin's nomination. There are also no particular issue drivers this year-- no big school projects, no initiatives. The only proposition is a rather small bond issue to build a DZ covered play area (vote for it-- the state has committed to pay 70%). So there are no special interest groups out there pushing this or that proposition.
In the Assembly races only 2 of the 3 seats are contested (Merrill Sanford is unopposed). And there are the school board elections -- three candidates for two seats. All these are important, but they really aren't generating huge amounts of interest.
We still go through the regular series of candidate forums. Last week there were two: the Retired Public Employees Association and the Juneau Bar Association. Next week is the downtown Rotary Club, the SE Builders Association, and a Nugget Mall Candidate day. The following week is the Downtown Business Association, the League of Women Voters and the Chamber of Commerce. The big one is the League of Women Voters on the 24th because that will be broadcast. Make sure to tune in.
In the Assembly races only 2 of the 3 seats are contested (Merrill Sanford is unopposed). And there are the school board elections -- three candidates for two seats. All these are important, but they really aren't generating huge amounts of interest.
We still go through the regular series of candidate forums. Last week there were two: the Retired Public Employees Association and the Juneau Bar Association. Next week is the downtown Rotary Club, the SE Builders Association, and a Nugget Mall Candidate day. The following week is the Downtown Business Association, the League of Women Voters and the Chamber of Commerce. The big one is the League of Women Voters on the 24th because that will be broadcast. Make sure to tune in.
Whale update
On 9/8 the Assembly reconsidered using sales tax money to fund the whale sculpture. First it considered using marine passenger fees to fund the sculpture, despite the fact that the City Manager and the City Attorney and a Cruise Lines representative said they did not think the fees could be used for that. That vote lost 5-4. Then the Assembly unanimously voted down the original motion to use sales tax for the sculpture.
I voted against using city money for construction of the sculpture both times. The Assembly previously said it would pay for site work and maintenance, but the sponsoring group came back and said their fundraising had not been as successful as expected and they needed money to "jump start" the donations. I did not think that was a good enough reason to change our original commitment (not to mention the legal advice against using marine passenger fees). Most importantly, the feedback I heard from citizens ran 100-1 against funding the sculpture. Citizen preferences should drive Assembly decisions. While I know there were many who did not express their opinions, this response was overwhelming and it came from all sides of the political spectrum.
I voted against using city money for construction of the sculpture both times. The Assembly previously said it would pay for site work and maintenance, but the sponsoring group came back and said their fundraising had not been as successful as expected and they needed money to "jump start" the donations. I did not think that was a good enough reason to change our original commitment (not to mention the legal advice against using marine passenger fees). Most importantly, the feedback I heard from citizens ran 100-1 against funding the sculpture. Citizen preferences should drive Assembly decisions. While I know there were many who did not express their opinions, this response was overwhelming and it came from all sides of the political spectrum.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Regular Assembly Meeting tomorrow- 9/8
There is an awfully lot going on at the local level. Unfortunately, it is being eclipsed by national politics and elections in general. Things are happening that YOU need to know about. Ordinances for public hearing tomorrow include authorizing the manager to negotiate purchase on land on telephone hill for a parking garage. I have moved from lukewarm support, to semi-opposition. Let me explain why. The land on telephone hill was designated to be a capitol complex. If we purchase the land, I believe we are telling the state we are OK that they will not build the capitol there. Our agreement with them should be that we will build a garage on their land, which will be given to them upon the construction of a capitol building. We should not abolish the loan we gave them that has increased to 6+ million. That is one of our few pieces of leverage and we should not give it up.
Tomorrow night also has an ordinance on Auke Lake motorized vehicle use. And while not on the official agenda, the issue of the whale sculpture will come back for reconsideration. I continue to oppose use of city dollars to construct the sculpture at this time. And I want to know more details about costs for siting and maintenance.
Despite this stuff- probably THE most important issue is the new Comprehensive Plan for Juneau. The draft has been reviewed for more than a year by the Planning Commission and is now before the Assembly. It will guide Juneau building and development for the next 12 years. Citizens should view the plan and provide feedback to the Assembly.
http://www.juneau.org/cddftp/CompPlanUpdate.php
Citizens should also be aware that we are reviewing proposals for upgrading Capital Transit. http://www.juneau.org/capitaltransit/tdp-info.php We need citizen support if we are to increase our bus service. Please write us.
Tomorrow night also has an ordinance on Auke Lake motorized vehicle use. And while not on the official agenda, the issue of the whale sculpture will come back for reconsideration. I continue to oppose use of city dollars to construct the sculpture at this time. And I want to know more details about costs for siting and maintenance.
Despite this stuff- probably THE most important issue is the new Comprehensive Plan for Juneau. The draft has been reviewed for more than a year by the Planning Commission and is now before the Assembly. It will guide Juneau building and development for the next 12 years. Citizens should view the plan and provide feedback to the Assembly.
http://www.juneau.org/cddftp/CompPlanUpdate.php
Citizens should also be aware that we are reviewing proposals for upgrading Capital Transit. http://www.juneau.org/capitaltransit/tdp-info.php We need citizen support if we are to increase our bus service. Please write us.
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