• 2001 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD WINTER GAMES, ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
• AKPIRG
• ALASKACAM
• ALASKA CENTER FOR LAND REFORM
• ALASKA "DIGEST" EMAIL NEWSLETTER
• ALASKA LEGISLATURE ON-LINE
• ALASKA LIBERTARIAN PARTY
• ALASKA MUSIC ARTISTS
• ALASKA ON-LINE
• ALASKA STAR NEWSPAPER & ALASKA MILITARY WEEKLY
• ALASKA STATE CONSTITUTION
• ALASKA USA INTERNET START PAGE
• ALASKA VOTERS ORGANIZATION
• ALASKAN INDEPENDENCE PARTY
• ALASKAN WHALER'S "MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE"
• ANCHORAGE ASSEMBLY ON-LINE
• ANCHORAGE FUR RENDEZVOUS
• ANCHORAGE GLACIER PILOTS BASEBALL
• ANCHORAGE PRESS
• A.P.O.C
• EARTHPULSE
• GREEN PARTY OF ALASKA
• IDITAROD TRAIL RACE
• LIGHTED FOREST CANDLE CO.
• MAT-SU VALLEY NEWS
• MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER OF AK
• OILWATCH
• REPUBLICAN MODERATE PARTY OF ALASKA
• RICK RYDELL RADIO PROGRAM
• U.A.A. LADIES VOLLEYBALL

Investing for Results

During the conference, the Municipality of Anchorage was invited to present a workshop on our successful "Investing for Results" performance measurement program. Conference attendees were extremely interested to hear of the progress Anchorage has made in our transformation from a "tax and spending mentality" to a "performance measures reality." Under this program, we believe we have refocused emphasis from "How much are we spending?" to "How well are we meeting the expectations of taxpayers and customers?"

Economic Development

The Anchorage Economic Development Corporation was invited to present its latest report on the status of economic development within the municipality. Rick Morrision and Larry Crawford gave the group a good overview.

Local Leadership

Finally, during last week's meeting, Fay Von Gemmingen was installed the new president of the Alaska Municipal League. I was made president of the Conference of Mayors, which means we'll both be acting as spokespersons for state communities on public policy issues.

Little League Ball Fields

"Who in their right mind would agree to pay $4,000 interest for a $30 loan?"

This was my opening line in an opinion article published by the Anchorage Daily News last week. As you may have guessed, the subject is the ordinance proposed by some Assembly members that would allow Little League ball fields to be built in the southwest corner of Bicentennial Park but only on the condition that any other recreational facilities would be banned on any of the other 4,000 acres of the park. Since we don't know what Anchorage will need decades from now, I don't support this proposal. My preference is to let the people vote on initiative already approved for the April ballot that would permit the ball fields without requiring any quid pro quo development ban. You can read the whole article at http://www.muni.org/mayor/editorial_20021113.cfm

Budget Challenge

Finally, I'm sure you know we're in the final weeks of preparing next year's budget. After public hearings conclude and we've had the opportunity to hear the views of the people, both the Assembly and administration will propose our amendments. By law, the budget must be balanced and under the tax cap. The Anchorage Daily News has editorialized that Anchorage is "hobbled" by the tax cap of 1983. My view is different. I believe taxpayers are protected by the cap and I will continue working to defend it and to keep Anchorage an All-America City.

My wife Brenda and I wish you and your family a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

George Wuerch Mayor