For several years now, a group of residents in the Eagle River and Chugiak area have been working to formally detach from Anchorage in order to create a new, independent borough. This effort is called Eaglexit.
Now, however, a rival group has emerged that is looking to simply attach to the existing Mat-Su Borough.
On Dec. 16, the Mat-Su Borough is poised to consider a resolution, sponsored by Assemblyman Dmitri Fonov to initiate preliminary discussions regarding the proposal to annex the Chugiak-Eagle River area into the Mat-Susitna.
“There has been a long history of cooperative and collaborative relations between the residents of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the residents of Chugiak-Eagle River (CER) area spanning decades,” a memo on the resolution states.
It goes on to note that “CER has always sought a degree of autonomy and independence as their own local community,” but that Anchorage has eroded this autonomy to the point where CER residents are “wishing to disconnect with Anchorage and be part of another established borough.” The resolution makes no mention of Eaglexit or the work they have been doing.
On Dec. 15, Eaglexit Chair Catherine Margolin issued an “urgent call to action,” asking Eaglexit supporters to tell the Mat-Su Borough Assembly that any discussion about annexing the region under the Mat-Su is premature.
“There is a parallel movement, called Annex Now 2 Mat-Su, that is a small, recently formed group of people who have decided that instead of creating our own, autonomous and self-directed borough and our own school district, we should trade one larger entity and master (the MOA) for another by attaching our community and future to the Mat-Su Borough,” Margolin wrote to supporters.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
She noted that this is not what Eaglexit is attempting to accomplish, which is to detach Eagle River, Chugiak, Birchwood, Peters Creek, Eklutna and JBER, from Anchorage in order to form an altogether new home rule borough.
Margolin said Eaglexit’s objective is to create a “small, responsive and effective government, as well as a strong education system,” while lowering property taxes by 30%.
Margolin is asking Eaglexit supporters to attend the Mat-Su Borough meeting to oppose the resolution.
“If you value freedom, self-determination, quality education, lower taxes, responsive government, services that make sense and serve the community, our own police, fire and EMS … PLEASE attend the Mat-Su Borough Assembly meeting on December 16 and speak your mind about this resolution!” she stated. “In our opinion, consideration of this annexation proposal is premature and will result in confusion throughout the community! Any indication by the Mat-Su Assembly in favor of annexation would be very premature and would send mixed messages to our community.”
Margolin noted that Eaglexit is asking the Mat-Su Borough to table any discussion about annexation in order to give Eaglexit a chance at success.
TAKING ACTION
— The Dec. 16 Mat-Su Assembly meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Assembly Chambers (350 E. Dahlia Avenue, Palmer). For more information, click here.
2 Comments
It’s a good idea and one that will bring on new issues that may have been overlooked and closed to questions with just one way thinking as the Eaglexit looks today. More ideas and genuine interest in a discussion that should invite inclusion and change of goals for everyone in the community parameter. It could create a remarkable change and balance. Give it a try!! Get into the discussion for improvement and beneficial change.
Who is the “Annex Now 2 Mat-Su” group? Is it the same group that started the Repeal Now effort? Seems kinda like the same play book at this point.