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.
7 Comments
As a Christian Conservative who lives in Eagle River, I think this is rooted in desperation. Ideally I would like to separate and form our own government as Eaglexit suggests. However the most important goal here is getting out of Anchorage. So joining Matsu is still far preferable to what we have now. I agree with Margolin however. We should let Eaglexit play itself out. It has already been submitted to the LBC. My suggestion for anybody in Assembly District 2.
1) Support Eaglexit and wait for it to run its course
2) If that fails for whatever reason.. then we can look to alternatives like Annex Now
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.
Fighting for Eagle River’s Future: Stand Strong Against the Anchorage Monstrosity
My message to the EAGLEXIT Runaway Project.
Eagle River, like many communities, faces the decision of whether to remain under the control of a larger, more liberal entity, the Municipality of Anchorage, or to forge its own path, independent and strong, with the potential for greater freedom and self-determination in the Mat-Su Valley.
Just like fighting a fierce battle, we don’t sit back and allow the weight of bureaucracy and liberal agendas to crush our spirit. We fight for what we believe in. We use every resource at our disposal, our minds, our wills, our imaginations. We stand firmly on the belief that we deserve a government that reflects our values, not one that imposes ideologies foreign to our community.
Just as cancer spreads when not addressed, the overreach of Anchorage’s policies has infected our local way of life. Allowing this to continue unchecked would mean the inevitable erosion of our values, our freedoms, and the community we hold dear. The question isn’t whether it will stop on its own; it won’t. It will only grow stronger, faster, and more intrusive. We must act.
Eagle River must set obstacles in its path—obstacles to prevent Anchorage’s liberal control from continuing to dictate our future. Just as cancer needs to be fought from within, so does our fight for independence. With our fortitude, creativity, and unity, we build our mechanisms for freedom. We stand strong in the face of the challenge, refusing to surrender.
Leaving the Municipality of Anchorage for the Mat-Su Valley isn’t about running away, it’s about standing on your ground and taking a stand against the cancer of overreach and liberal control. This is our fight. It’s not about fleeing from the problem; it’s about confronting it head-on and refusing to let it grow any stronger. Just as you fight cancer by putting obstacles in its way, we fight the overreach of Anchorage by standing firm in our values, in our freedom, and in our right to determine our own future.
This battle requires courage, fortitude, and unity. You are not just defending Eagle River; you are fighting for the future of every community that refuses to surrender. Let’s stand together and fight the cancer that threatens to spread, for our homes, our children, and the future we want to build.
Stay firm, stay strong, stay and fight!
Paul A Bauer Jr., potential Lt. Gov candidate.
“Leading with Integrity, Serving with Purpose: A Stronger Alaska for Every Alaskan.”
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.
Totally opposed to being a part of such a huge borough, jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. EagleExit is the ANSWER. Resident of Eagle River since we were the Greater Anchorage Area Borough not interested in being a part of the MatSu problems
I am for anyone who will remove property taxes.
lol no. We don’t need Anchorage adjacent issues that are that close to the city out here. Figure it out yourselves. Good luck.