Wrong time to change format for government

As a naturalized citizen of this great country and a very proud resident of Soldotna, I feel the urge to write this letter to the editor regarding the issue of replacing an elected borough mayor with a strong manager type of municipal government.

Assemblyman Knopp's proposal to change the style of government not even a year since the election of our new mayor seems to be creating a perception other than the issue. "It's something that's been talked about for a long time, and it was on my to-do list," Knopp was quoted by the Peninsula Clarion.

These are difficult times, and this is a serious and divisive issue to discuss in the best of times. It would seem more appropriate to honor those during this memorial month who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our liberties by discussing how we can work together as a community. How we can share our talents and resources to assist our elected officials with difficult decisions regarding, services, spending and education.

It would seem the appropriate dialog regarding a manager form of borough government would come at the end of this mayor's term allowing for the appropriate campaign discussion among candidates and voters, and not at this time.

We hear a lot about the Alaska spirit. Perhaps that means something different to each of us, but I think we all agree, that working together in tough times and finding creative solutions to difficult challenges is a hallmark of the Alaska spirit that I have come to know and love. It is not so in other countries and indeed in other states. "That a government by the people for the people shall not perish," wrote Abraham Lincoln. It's time that "We the People," start being government, not attempting to redesign or reinvent government to serve special interests.

Leonor Aroz-Fraser

Soldotna