FNSB Assembly Likely to Withdraw Opposition to Manh Choh Trucking Plan Tonight

Potential Truck Specifications

Two weeks ago, the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly approved a resolution Opposing The Proposed Transportation Route For Private Industrial Hauling From The Manh Choh Mine To The Fort Knox Mill.

A day later, Assemblymember Brett Rotermund filed what’s called a Notice of Reconsideration, which puts the resolution on hold and back up for discussion tonight.

There could be several reasons for this, but the most likely is that Assemblymember Rotermund is considering changing his vote, which would defeat the original resolution.

It would also be a step back from what our community has loudly asked for.

Two weeks ago, the chamber was filled with people voicing their support for the resolution. The majority of borough residents are against the proposed plan. Both of the cities of North Pole and Fairbanks have passed similar resolutions opposing it.

Last year, Candidate Rotermund and I sat right next to each other, and we voiced our shared opinion that the proposed trucking plan was not what our community wanted.

You can attend todays meeting at 6pm, in-person or online, and remind our Assembly of that fact.

A Disturbing Trend

I’ve noticed a disturbing trend. It stretches across local, statewide, and federal government, and it seems to be growing in popularity.

The trend is stating different versions of: “my people couldn’t be here today, but I’m sure they would agree with me. The people that did show up are bad actors”.

It’s used as a tool to discard public testimony, and it’s being weaponized to erode participation and trust in our democratic process.

We can see this with the recent discussion by legislators for increasing the base student allocation from the state via HB 65.

Matt Acuña Buxton @mattbuxton

Rep. McKay says that people who don't support schools were too busy working and being at home to testify last night. Then he calls the foundation formula, which has been mapped out in great detail, a "black box" and says there's "no accountability, no responsibility."

We can also see it right here in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, where testimony and civic action is being tainted by buzzwords (that don’t even make sense in context).

Joel Davidson @AlaskaWatchman1

A group of climate alarmists and critical race theory activists are hoping to resist efforts to alter and limit the scope of the Fairbanks North Star Borough’s controversial “Climate Action & Adaptation Plan.”

alaskawatchman.comTONIGHT: Hard-left activists aim to pressure Fairbanks to adopt controversial climate planEnvironmentalist & critical race theory activists aim to repel efforts to limit the scope of the Fairbanks’ Climate Action & Adaptation Plan.

Rooms and inboxes full of passionate testimony are being discarded or ignored by certain Assemblymembers because they go against their personal beliefs.

Listen to last weeks Borough Assembly meeting. Or the one before that. Or the one before that.

There has been an alarming pattern of ignoring public input at the Borough level on the proposed climate plan, the proposed trails plan, and other issues in front of the Assembly.

This is a failure of leadership, and our community deserves better.

Don’t let this fact get lost in the avalanche of developing news at the state and federal level.

You can attend todays Assembly meeting at 6pm, in-person or online.