Leon and I homesteaded in Sterling in 1959. I have fond memories of the closeness and support of our neighbors, as people didn't have family near in those days. Everyone helped each other; building roads, clearing fields, taking kids to school, giving rides to church and doctors. Now we look mostly to our government for roads, rides, hospitals, fire protection, dust control, junk, noise, etc. Yes, things have changed!

There were only 4 schools in our area in the 60's Kenai Elementary/High, Soldotna Elementary & Sterling Elementary. ... Now the Borough has 44 schools with 1,100 District employees. The population has increased from 9053 in 1960 to 51,563 in 2006.

In 1959 oil was discovered in the Swanson River fields. This was a turning point in the development of our area. Exploration started in earnest and the geophysical crews were everywhere. In 1964 Wildcat oilmen were in the area buying mineral leases from the homesteaders for $1 per/acre per/year. Oil development brought the opportunity for permanent, high paying jobs. Workers came with their wives and children, which increased the school enrollment and the first addition of the Sterling School was built.

"What has changed"? I believe a lot.

1. Along with the population increase, it brings people with differing ideas and views.

2. The demographics have changed. In the early 60's the oldest person I knew was about 40 years old. We now see our older population becoming a larger part of our communities. A lot of these senior citizens were the people that pioneered our Peninsula. They deserve our respect and gratitude.

3. The perception of government has changed. Today people rely on government instead of finding a way to do it themselves.

4. There are more schools, more Borough and District employees, more regulations thus costing us more to operate the government. We have become more of an "I want" type of society.

I remember when our second borough mayor, George Navarre, was in office. His vision for the future required the construction of a new borough building. When it was first built the upstairs was empty. Now the total building is utilized. Progress does require more space and progressive thinking. In 1978, under Mayor Gilman's watch, the population was 25,507 and we had 108 employees. Now we have a population of 51,563, with additional services offered, and have 260 employees.

Think about this! The General Fund Budget in 1996 was $56,732,000 and in 2006 it is $60,150,000. If you added in the inflation rate of 2.5 percent per year, the budget should be about $70,000,000 just for a status quo budget. It is only $60,150,000, which proves that the current assembly and mayor are holding the budget to an amount, even below the inflation factor, for a status quo budget. Accountability is what citizens should expect and I believe that is what we are trying to do. Please keep this in mind when you vote on October 4th.

Editor's note: Candidate Merkes' column was edited to fit a 500-word limit.