News from Patrick Flynn

My decision to request a new evaluation of the proposed Knik Arm Crossing generated quite a bit of interest in the local paper, which published two different stories and an editorial. The local television station also covered the issue twice, and an AP writer did a piece from a broader perspective. But what does it all mean?

Put simply, after adopting an amendment from Dan Coffey that moderated the language, the Assembly unanimously passed the resolution proposed by myself and Sheila Selkregg. That will result in the Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions policy committee, of which I am a member, reviewing whether to keep the Knik Arm Crossing in Anchorage’s Long Range Transportation Plan. The matter will be on the agenda at our next meeting, which takes place in the Planning & Development Center’s first floor conference room at 1 pm on Thursday, October 9, but it will be many months before a final decision is made.

Since then I’ve fielded several questions about my agreement to incorporate Mr. Coffey’s amendment – we adopted it without objection – and what the resolution accomplished. To explain, the specific language is much less important than the basic premise, triggering an AMATS review. That process is necessary because we have to follow the appropriate procedures to comply with federal guidelines, which is required because we’re dealing with federal funds. Put another way, we need to act in a deliberate and thoughtful manner that allows all interested parties to present their points of view.

And speaking of public outreach, one of my neighbors asked about the Municipality of Anchorage‘s decision to stop publishing Assembly meeting notices in the Anchorage Daily News and instead use the Alaska Journal of Commerce as its “paper of record.” While the Journal is a fine paper – they did a nice summary of the recent CEA/ML&P power plant agreement – the concern expressed is that even though it’s published on Fridays hard copies of the paper often do not reach mailboxes until Monday or Tuesday.

I’d be interested to hear from more neighbors, do you rely on the advertisements placed in the paper to keep up with the Assembly or do you use other means, such as the web, media reports or blogs like this? My current poll – scroll down the page, and keep an eye on the right side – is an easy way to let me know. If placing the ads in the News is important to you I’ll work with the Clerk‘s office to see if we can change things back.

With that, have a great weekend and keep your thoughts and ideas coming!

Regards,

Patrick