Community Perspective
Challenges aren’t problems
Mayor must help economy, energy and environment
Published Friday, October 2, 2009
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Stumble It!During the past 16 months, I have wondered if a non-politician could be elected mayor, even in a nonpartisan race. We soon will know the answer to that question.
The ability of local government to affect the quality of life in our community hinges on strong leadership and clear direction. Local government exists to provide order and stability in the community it serves. The Fairbanks North Star Borough mayor should respect voters’ decisions and listen to residents. Our diverse community enjoys all types of lifestyles within its boundaries from Ester to Salcha and the Tanana Flats to the North Slope haul road. I believe the future must be charted with open discussion and understanding of the unique needs of our residents and taking appropriate action as the situation dictates. We are facing three core challenges in the borough: bettering our economy, providing affordable energy and taking responsibility for our environment. These are challenges and not problems, and the attitude employed to approach them makes all the difference.
Having lived here for the past 50 years, I have a good understanding of the elements affecting our day-to-day economy. It makes the most sense to me, from small business to our local nonprofits, to keep our money locally if we want to see Interior Alaska succeed. Every dollar spent in my campaign for borough mayor has been paid to or by local businesses. From signage and printing to balloons, giveaways, Web site design and media expenses, I decided from day one: All campaign resources would stay in the borough. As consumers, we cannot continue to spend our money “down south” if we want a vibrant and robust community. We have to do our best to keep dollars where we live and work. The next borough mayor will be entrusted by the residents to make solid economic decisions for our future.
Our local air quality, water quality, resource-rich land, a semi-arid climate, and the extreme temperatures and daylight conditions are a few of the tangible elements that define our environment. We know what’s best for our community, and we must maintain local control if feasible, conveying a clear, united message with the state to temper federally mandated programs such as regulation of fine particulate matter in the air.
Serving and representing others requires impeccable personal standards regardless of political fallout to act on behalf of the true stakeholders — the voters.
During public events hosted during the past year, I spoke with many of the hardworking men and women of this borough who are struggling to thrive here. The Women’s Affair, Salcha Fair, Summer Solstice, Golden Days and the Tanana Valley State Fair as well as this month’s political forums have all provided venues to hear the concerns of borough residents. Disposable income for families is the lowest it has been in years.
Our vision of seeing affordable energy will be best served by working with other Railbelt mayors in the Denali and Mat-Su boroughs and working with the Municipality of Anchorage to make certain natural gas is provided in-state, especially in the Interior.
According to the Fairbanks North Star Borough clerk’s office, average voter turnout during the past five years has been 16.75 percent. I have faith the residents of this community will empower themselves with knowledge to make informed decisions by electing someone who will appropriately represent their values. I firmly believe mayors should act respectfully as servants to residents rather than behave as kings, serving the entire borough community, not just those who voted for them. Elected public officials are servants and should remind themselves daily of that important fact.
Management of the borough and its assets necessitates a broad business and political understanding. I offer both. My record speaks for itself, and I truly believe I am the most qualified candidate to be your next mayor. I strongly encourage you to vote on Tuesday, so your voice is heard.
Charlie Boddy resides in Fairbanks at 1611 Tamarack St. He retired after 38 years in the private sector to run for borough mayor in 2009. He encourages residents to get to know more about his personal views at www.MeetCharlieB.com and why he would like to be elected mayor at www.Boddy4Mayor.com.
Community Discussion
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Your right Charlie, your record speaks for itself. Thats why those
wanting change will vote dor someone else!!
Twain, I’m not clear as to what you are referring to. In my experience, Charlie’s record is based on “Serving and representing others requires impeccable personal standards regardless of political fallout to act on behalf of the true stakeholders”
Twain means Charlie is more of the same. He is a great person but he doesn't listen to people! He has no eye contact when he talks and he thinks he is smarter than the people he wants to represent. People don't want a government that tries to "protect me from myself". I want government out of my life. Leave me alone to live my life, thank you very much!
I'm still waiting to hear from his wife.
Jewel alaska...... Im sure on a personal level hes a nice guy. Being
part of the chamber of commerce crowd he will only keep on with the
policies that the people are sick and tired of. We need NEW thinking
and Im afraid charlies not it.
twain: not certain you followed the chamber crowd, but during Boddy's reign, he raised eyebrows because his voting went completely AGAINST the groupthink grain of all the typical chamber thinkers--the ones in which you are grouping him with. double-check your facts
Fair enough, I’ve followed the blogs and respect the value of reading differing views over the past year. I agreed to help Charlie with his campaign because I respect him after the year I spent at CEO during his Chairmanship of the Chamber.
Though I am disenchanted with the “politics” in our community... my options are to complain about it, or get involved to try and change it.
An example:
>>>Charlie Boddy, vice president of governmental relations for Usibelli Coal Mine, cast the lone dissenting vote after commenting that the letter is “strictly a no vote on AGIA from this chamber” and serves little purpose.>>>
Full story:
http://newsminer.com/news/2008/jun/16/fa...
Why would you be waiting to hear from his wife?
Is she running for Borough Mayor?
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