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2010 Election Pamphlet

2010 Election Pamphlet

2010 Official Election Pamphlet by the City of Gustavus

The City Council is providing information about all ballot propositions appearing on this years General Municipal Election ballot. City Ordinance Section 05.90

 

  • The 2010 General Election will be on October 5, 2010
  • Polling Location:  Gustavus Public Library
  • Polls will be open 7:30 AM until 8:00PM

 

Proposition 1 As It Will Appear On The Ballot:

 

 

PROPOSITION NO. 1

APPROVE THE EXPENDITURE OF ENDOWMENT FUND PRINCIPAL UP TO $150,000 TO BE USED TO BUILD A COMMUNITY-WIDE BROADBAND NETWORK, TO BE REPAID FROM INTERNET SERVICE FEES OVER EIGHT YEARS TIME WITH INTEREST


Shall the City of Gustavus withdraw up to $150,000 from the Gustavus Endowment Fund, use it to finance the construction of a community-wide wireless broadband network by the Gustavus Community Network (GCN), and, over the course of up to eight (8) years, re-deposit the loaned funds to the Gustavus Endowment Fund from GCN subscriber fees, together with five percent (5%) interest per year?

 

Description of proposition 1:

 

 

The purpose of this initiative is to provide affordable broadband Internet service to all Gustavus residents. City-owned Internet service provider Gustavus Community Network (GCN) has developed a detailed design and business plan for a community-wide broadband network but has insufficient reserves for the project and has been unable to secure grant funding. Once the community-wide broadband network is built, revenues are projected to be sufficient to professionalize operations and repay the cost of the project, with interest, over the term of the loan.

(Based Ordinance FY11-01NCO, Section 3. Purpose and Findings)


Statement in Support (Pro) for Ballot Proposition 1:

Ballot Proposition 1 is to provide loan funding from the community Endowment Fund (EF) to the Gustavus Community Network (GCN) so that a wireless system can be built that will reach all residents. The loan would be repaid from GCN proceeds at five percent (5%) over eight (8) years.

The Strategic Plan and recent surveys rate GCN Broadband services a high priority. The City submitted a grant for stimulus funding but was not chosen. Receiving a loan from the EF would insure that GCN remains in the public sector, a City owned utility, meaning all subscriber fees will go toward system upgrade, maintenance and ensuring lowest possible rates. Customer service and maintenance will be provided locally assuring fast response.

A Communications Tower for broadband will soon be built at the Hydro Project therefore all GCN needs is the financing to hire a contractor to provide “the last mile”, from the tower to the customer.

Providing a loan to GCN to provide universal Broadband service would be using EF to benefit present and future residents and the local economy. Please consider the benefits provided from having a quality internet system through a publicly owned utility when you cast your vote.

Submitted by Paul Berry

 

Statement in Opposition (Con) for Ballot Proposition 1:

1.  Since grants are part of the endowment fund commitment  when certain criteria are met, this reduction in the fund principal could have an adverse affect upon potential future grant awards for a number of years in the future.
 
2.  This loan is basically a non-secured type of instrument and if enough people fail to become members of GCN the repayment of the loan may be put at risk.
 
 
Submitted by Bruce Tedtsen

The statement in support and the statement in opposition printed on this page are the opinion of the author(s) and are presented as submitted to the City Clerk.

 

Proposition 2 As It Will Appear On The Ballot:

 

PROPOSITION NO. 2


AMENDING SECTION 04.15.030 “IMPOSITION OF SALES TAX”BY INCREASING THE CITY'S SALES TAX FROM TWO PERCENT (2%) TO THREE PERCENT (3%)


Shall the Gustavus Municipal Code Section 04.15.030 Imposition of Sales Tax be amended by increasing the City's sales tax from two percent (2%) to three percent (3%)?

 


Description of Proposition 2:

The Gustavus City Council has determined that additional funding is required to provide for important public services.

(Based Ordinance FY11-02, Section 3. Purpose and Findings)

 

Statement in Support (Pro) for Ballot Proposition 2:

The proposed 1% sales tax increase in Gustavus is intended to provide for public health and safety—no doubt our most important city function. Half of the proposed increase will be used to support the Gustavus Volunteer Fire Department, primarily to pay for a fire chief but to also to provide for improvements to the department. The other half will provide for continued support to the Gustavus Clinic.

City of Gustavus ordinance (6.02.010) mandates a fire department that complies with fire and emergency medical services standards established by the State of Alaska.


Our fire department does not support itself through user fees, but relies on City contributions and government grants. The existence of a well-functioning fire department in Gustavus is a win/win situation. We are all safer, and, according to an insurance agent in Juneau (Shattuck & Grummet), the approximate cost of home fire insurance in Gustavus costs about 40% less than if our fire department ceased to function.


The Community's clinic provides essential emergency services and a less-expensive alternative to traveling to Juneau for basic health care. It generates revenues but cannot support itself. Annual contributions by the City to the clinic have averaged about $50,000 in recent years.


Statement in Opposition (Con) for Ballot Proposition 2:

No Con statement was received prior to election pamphlet distribution deadline.

 

The statement in support and the statement in opposition printed on this page are the opinion of the author(s) and are presented as submitted to the City Clerk.

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