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Clean gas, low taxes needed

The Fairbanks North Star Borough and its residents face multiple issues on a global basis and personally through cost of living increases. We must face these challenges and look for strong leadership to guide us through these times. As your representative, I will do my best to represent your needs and requests for action.

The top three issues, as presented by voters to me, are energy, taxes and government size.

•Energy. Our ability to heat our homes and enjoy modern technology is dependent upon available energy. We need affordable, clean energy to reduce our cost of living, promote economic development and address quality-of-life issues such as fine particulate matter in the air. The state has a voter mandate to build a gas pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. The previous two governors have chosen to ignore this and have us tied up in a potentially decades-long affair with no relief in the near future. The voter-mandated pipeline could be built in a matter of years; the corridor, permits and design are done. Clean energy will provide a cleaner environment. The cheap energy Anchorage has enjoyed all these years could easily be within our reach. A petrochemical industry could follow, and economic power generation would be feasible, promoting remote development such as mining. Economic advances could be limitless. I support gas pipeline construction and use.

• Taxes. I oppose new taxes on principal. The proposed city of Fairbanks sales tax is just that — a sales tax. Several uses of the revenue have been proposed. Borough and city sales taxes have been defeated nine times in recent years. Many studies have shown when a city or borough implements a sales tax, several immediate effects are noted. Local businesses suffer the cost of accounting and administering the sales tax and lost sales. The sales tax is considered regressive; the most affected are the lower- or fixed-income populations, such as our retirees. An undue burden is placed on them. Modern communication methods today will alert visitors to the fact that Fairbanks would have a tax while Anchorage would not. Where will their money be spent? A sales tax will force government to grow just to administer the program. Historically, governments will grow to the limit of available funds. I do not support a sales tax.

• Government size. We must strive for smaller government. Whether this requires evaluation of current programs and their viability or more draconian methods should be determined by you, the voters. In my 33 years of living here, the borough has grown from what is now the school district building to its current residence and additional outlying offices. During periods of harsh economic times, we should take a hard look at the value provided by all services offered. The original borough charter committed to education, health and safety and parks and recreation.

I have sacrificed my time and money to run for this position, as I feel it is important to be involved in our government and properly represent you, the voter. I have accepted no endorsements or money from any group or organization. Your time and commitment to the election process is appreciated. Thank you and please vote informed.

Eric Grabber is a candidate for Borough Assembly Seat A. He has a petroleum engineering degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is a small business owner.