Let me start by saying that I like both candidates, and I made this point before anyone declared that they were running; the latter via a comment on a local online news source.
The Assembly voted to spend taxpayer money to have a mayoral race; even though we had a full Assembly, including the Deputy Mayor as acting Mayor. The City Manager runs the City, unlike some cities where the mayor runs the city. Our mayor position may have perceived prestige and look nice on a business card, but it doesn’t carry any more weight than the other Assembly seats. So taxpayer money was spent to fill a full Assembly. And it is no secret that we are not having a surplus year.
Crane was one of the Assembly members that voted to spend taxpayer money to have this extra election; and then proceeded to run for the mayor position herself. That is a conflict of interests. Taxpayer money cannot be spent in an attempt to get yourself promoted to mayor. We mustn’t allow it, or it will become the norm; and acceptable. Crane already held a seat on the Assembly. There is no benefit to the public, while the Assembly plays an expensive game of musical chairs.
We each have a voice, so tell City Hall that we do not appreciate our taxes being adjusted, while our tax money is frivolously spent on moving an existing member of our Assembly to the chair position. It is nothing to send an email, or to go vote on March 15; but it is everything if you sit by and do nothing. It is our money, and it should not be wasted.
Thank you for your time.
Paul Nowlin,
Juneau