Hello From Eaglexit,
It is February and winter continues to churn on. Eaglexit also continues to work tirelessly towards our independence. We are proposing our communities of Eagle River, Chugiak, Birchwood, Peters Creek, Eklutna, Hiland Road, Thunderbird Falls and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson form a new and independent Chugach Regional Borough.
Eaglexit understands that this would be the biggest and most complex boundary change in the history of our state. This would be a multi-billion-dollar transaction. It would impact 40% of the state’s population. It will impact over 50% of the Municipality of Anchorages geographic jurisdiction. For that reason, Eaglexit is forever grateful for all the support of time and money that has gotten us this far.
During the latest phase of the detachment and incorporation of our new Chugach Regional Borough, We, in collaboration with our legal counsel have submitted to the Local Boundary Commission our petition, charter, and legal brief for an informal review. With feedback from the LBC, We have completed substantive redrafting of Eaglexit’s legal brief in support of the petition, and most importantly we have revised the petition transition plan to comply with Alaska law and Eaglexit’s goals.
As unpaid, grass-roots volunteers who have given our time and money to this effort, we are absolutely committed to the success of this project. But we can't do this alone. We need your ongoing help to pay for legal assistance, events, marketing materials, fliers and more. If you believe in freedom, limited government, low taxes and better schools, please donate! It's easy and very much appreciated. It's time for a change.
We hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season. Eaglexit is excited about recent changes in our leadership, upcoming events, and our plans moving the petition forward. Our goal would be to start collecting signatures before Bear Paw this summer.
In January the board elected Catherine Margolin as our new Chair. She brings a great attitude and a wealth of community involvement experience to the board. We continue to have our monthly public meetings on the Third Tuesday of every month at 7pm. We want to thank the folks at the Birchwood firing range for hosting us last month. This month’s public meeting will be Feb. 20 at 7pm at the Century21 Event Center at 12400 old Glen Highway. If you or an organization would like a private presentation on the process and our progress, please feel free to contact us at any time.
This month the board will be meeting with the Municipality of Anchorage to work on our transition plans. The board is also following up with the LBC to review our current work, with the goal of gaining approval to collect signatures.
As Lee Jordan asked on October 29, 1975, “Will the people of Chugiak-Eagle River have the opportunity to control their own destiny, or must they forever remain subject to what has been decreed for them by Anchorage?”
By completing the petition and bringing it to the public, we hope to answer many questions our community has concerning the cost of our endeavor, and if your taxes will go up, what will our new local government look like?
The petition required content include many procedural acts, but also must contain the following:
1. the following tax data:
A. the assessed or estimated value of taxable property in the territory proposed for change, if the proposed municipal government, or any existing municipal government for which a change is proposed, levies or proposes to levy property taxes;
B. projected taxable sales in the territory proposed for change, if the proposed municipal government, or any existing municipal government for which the change is proposed, levies or proposes to levy sales taxes;
C. each municipal government tax levy currently in effect in the territory proposed for change.
2. a three-year projection of revenue, operating expenditures, and capital expenditures for a proposed municipality, or for any existing municipality for which a change is proposed;
3. information about any existing long-term municipal debt;
4. information about the powers and functions of
A. a proposed municipality;
B. any existing municipality for which a change is proposed, before and after the proposed change; and
C. alternative service providers, including regional educational attendance areas and other service areas within the area proposed for change;
5. the transition plan required under 3 AAC 110.900;
6. information about the composition and apportionment of the governing body of
A. a proposed municipality; and
B. any existing municipality for which a change is proposed, before and after the proposed change;
With this information we are hopeful we will answer more questions and gain the support our communities need to be independent and self-governing.
As anticipated by our founders, when communities grow and are ready to become independent, it is right that they do so.
It takes all of us!
Time – Get involved.
Effort – Share with friends and neighbors. Analyze - Review the Petition and Charter Money – Donate at www.Eaglexit.com
Thank you for joining us in this effort!
Sean Murphy, Board member
Sean Murphy came to Alaska in the Army. Met his wife and moved to Eagle River in 1999 with his family. He is a retired Anchorage School District educator and administrator. He is active with his community council and is a board member of Eaglexit.
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