Friends and Neighbors,

Local elections are here! Please take a moment to vote tomorrow October 4th from any polling location. Don’t want to wait in line? You can vote at the FNSB office between now and the close of polls on Tuesday.

For information on polling locations or the ballot please call 1-888-383-8683 or visit the Borough website.

Interior Veterans Cemetery Project Moving Forward

After many years we are finally a step closer to breaking ground on the new Interior Veterans Cemetery. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has slected a new 40 acre parcel off the Steese Highway by Goldmine Trail. This land is already State land and contains signifcantly fewer barriers than the orginal site adjacent to Birch Hill.

This month I attended a meeting with the Department of Natural Resources, Fairbanks Borough, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and other Interior Legislators to discuss the need to move forward on this project. Our veterans and their families shouldn’t have to wait any longer.

Understanding that this is not the original site presented to area veterans, I will be putting together an informational meeting to talk about the new site, the design and the logistics of what has to happen so construction can start on a cemetery. We also will be hosting a meeting for residents of the area to gather comments on the project. In the meantime please feel free to contact my office with any comments on the new site.

PERS/TERS Senate State Affairs Committee Meeting

If you are a public employee or teacher please consider attending the Senate State Affairs Committee meeting on state retirement plans on Thursday October 13th from Noon to 2pm at the FNSB Assembly Chambers. The committee will be hearing from experts on the situation reguarding Alaskas PERS/TERS system.

The debate surrounding defined contribution vs. defined benefit will hopefully be addressed again this session. Defined contribution has been impeding Alaska’s ability to recruit and retain teachers, police officers and other public employees. The volatility of the stock market has hurt current retirees and those reaching retirement age. As lawmakers, we have the responsiblity to make sure that people can work, live and retire in Alaska. 

Currently a bill has been introduced in the Senate that would give a choice between a 401K and a pension. I foresee that the Legislature will be taking a hard look at the options as costs for all increase and recuritment of qualified long term employees struggles.

Gold Hill Bike Path Meeting

The Department of Transportation is looking at adding a pedistridan lane to Gold Hill road. DOT is holding a public meeting to gather comments on revised plans from earlier comments on the project.

When: Thursday October 6th
Time: 5:00pm to 7:30pm
Where: UAF Patty Center, 410 Tanana Loop (Free parking after 5pm)

DOT will present alternatives inlcuding a no-build option, 4 foot shoulder with minimal tree cutting, and a combination of detached and attached paths for comment. For more information or to submit comments please contact Al Beck, project manager, at 907-451-5359 or send an e-mail to albert.beck@alaska.gov. Comments are due November 4th 2011.

Thank you for reading and please feel free to call my office and share your ideas.