When Suzanne LaFrance ran for mayor, the theme was incompetence. She and her supporters said that snow wasn’t removed quickly from roads and streets in Anchorage because Mayor Dave Bronson was incompetent. It wasn’t that there was record snowfall and a nationwide lack of qualified workers after the Covid government mismanagement disrupted the economy.
It snowed so hard and fast last winter that during November, schools had to close a couple of times and some heavy cargo jets were diverted to Fairbanks, because the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport could not keep up with the snow. The winter was an unlucky break for Mayor Bronson, who was running for reelection.
It was all due to Bronson’s incompetence, LaFrance’s campaign claimed.
Now that she is facing her first winter, it’s not incompetence, but it’s that the snow removal equipment is old. LaFrance talked with the media earlier this month to set everyone’s exceptions lower, just in case there are record-breaking snows, as there were during the Bronson administration.
Snow equipment is something the big labor unions would like to see improved, and LaFrance was elected with the help of unions, so she must now pay that debt.
Thus, LaFrance will ask the taxpayers to pay for a bond to upgrade snow removal equipment and maintain that equipment, all outside of the tax cap, thus adding to the basic cost of living in Anchorage for businesses, homeowners and renters. That bond proposal is expected to be rolled out soon, will be placed into the Assembly calendar this fall and scheduled for the spring municipal ballot.
In the meantime, the main strategy for this winter is to get residents prepared for suffering and to just expect less from their government. That way, if there is a big snow winter, which isn’t likely, the public will have been warned. If the snow is less than it was during the Bronson Administration, LaFance can declare victory.
The LaFrance Administration is working on a “safe snow strategy,” led by Municipal Manager Becky Windt Pearson, who is “breaking down silos across municipal departments to ensure planning, personnel, fleet, budget, and communications staff are working together to guarantee preparedness, transparency, and coordination well in advance of the first flake,” according to the mayor’s office.
The first official snowfall in 2023 was on Oct. 11. On the week of Nov. 5, 2023, it snowed 29 inches.
Over the winter of 2023-24 it snowed 139 inches, compared with 109 inches in 2022-23, 100 inches in 2021-22, 69 inches in 2020-21, 88 inches in 2019-20 and 64 inches in 2018-19. The likelihood of another winter with 139 inches of snow is remote but not impossible.
She and the assembly wanted to blow $500,000 on toilets over snow removal equipment. I’m sure the will try to work that in somehow
Wasn’t it $5,000,000 for 10 toilets? I believe she wanted to blow 5 million on toilets following Portland, OR’s model. Stainless steel toilets to be used as points of sale for prostitution, illegal drugs, stolen property etc. as well as a place to shoot-up drugs and leave hypodermics laying about.
You are correct.
FYI I’m pretty sure that’s the price for one toilet
Correct
“…$12.5 million (dollars) to install up to 30 “Portland Loos” or similar toilets across the municipality passed the Assembly on Tuesday.”
(‘https://mustreadalaska.com/anchorage-goes-assembly-wants-to-sprinkle-dozens-of-400000-toilets-all-over-the-city/)
I believe it was $460,000. for each toilet plus installation, so about $500,000 per toilet.
That’ll fix everything.
Heads up I’m putting the money in my pocket (Well that’s how I read it anyway)
She just lied to the anchorage voter as normal.
When we people wake up to the lies thefts and incompetence of politicians?
I want my road plowed the next day as she promised.
Word up.
Anyone who actually believed that deserves what’s coming
What is their purpose if they can’t do the basics?
What a clown show. Profoundly unserious people.
She should be out there with a shovel!! She’s good at shoveling manure
The reality is there are few pieces of modern equipment that are close to the performance and have as low maintenance costs, compared to pre 1980s equipment. Modern engines are pain in the a– due to the emission control equipment, the equipment is built lighter and less robust, the controls are much more complex and less dependable, and the maintenance cost are much higher. Then you have the major difference in level of skill in the seats. The muni is a disaster when it comes to stewarding our money.
Spot on assessment Robert regarding the cost to purchase operate and maintain new equipment.
There are companys who specialize in restoring older (pre Obama emission requirement) equipment just to survive the extreme high cost of maintaining impossible emission standards set 10 years ago.
Even the equipment dealerships are struggling with the cost of warranty repairs on new equipment that simply will not run in arctic conditions.
From what I have been told, the Leftist required changes to engines for large equipment is a major problem. The Left usually minimizes those kinds of things. We must save the planet at any and all costs with arbitrary government mandates. Tough luck, serfs.
Big snowfall trends are the norm now for Alaska because warmer air pushing north are causing more clouds as the last 2 winters have been big snow winters, also rainy summers.
Summarize; Anchorage snowfall this winter may be close to a record amount.
Interesting read at nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/goddard/tonga-eruption-blasted-unprecedented-amount-of-water-into-stratosphere/.
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“When the Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted Jan. 15, (2022)… blasted an enormous plume of water vapor into Earth’s stratosphere – enough to fill more than 58,000 Olympic-size swimming pools. The sheer amount of water vapor could be enough to temporarily affect Earth’s global average temperature.
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The excess water vapor injected by the Tonga volcano, on the other hand, could remain in the stratosphere for several years.”
Instead of spending millions on homeless (non-taxpayers) who don’t want “help” let’s spend the money on services that taxpayers fund.
Last winter was not just an unlucky break for Bronson, it was an unlucky break for Anchorage. We have had record snowfalls for at least the past three winters. Anchorage weather, in recent years, has resembled Valdez weather; warm with lots of snow. The liberal mayor’s solution is to hope for less snow and not budget adequately for snow removal. LaFrance will now blame inadequate snow removal on snowfall exceeding expectations (her hopes) and on having to rely on the same equipment Bronson had to rely on. When the roads are not plowed this winter, we know who to blame – the Anchorage voters! You elected her and you are getting exactly what you asked for. With three years of record snowfalls accompanied by Valdez temperatures, she will be shocked if snowfall levels are not low this season? I HOPE snowfall this winter will be light but I EXPECT it to be heavy. If I had to bet, I would put my money on heavier snow this winter.
Bronson fought to keep the roads open with increasing snow and no additional money. LaFrance is going to take money from snow removal and equipment and blame the decline in service on the equipment.
I am not getting what I voted for but I am getting exactly what I expected after the election. Unlike the weather, LaFrance is predictable.
Blame it on God. If he had intended for voters to be intelligent, He would have made them that way (a nod to the Fiddler on the Roof).
After three progressively higher snowfalls (probably due to higher winter temperatures resulting in increased evaporation which, in turn, results in increased precipitation, it is comforting to have a mayor who hopes for lower snowfall because she hasn’t budgeted adequately. How could budgeting based on hope, not on experience, go wrong? While it is no longer fashionable to base expectations on experience, I continue to do so and am rarely, if ever, disappointed.
There is an old saying; ‘If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.’ LaFrance, in my opinion, would fall off the horse.
Note to voters: You never get the government you want! You almost always get the government you deserve.
I’m so glad we have a bunch of women running our city. Who else would come up with a “safe snow strategy”?
Thanks, Municipal Mommies.
Going to be a tough winter if they keep seeding the upper atmosphere as they have done all summer. You can count the sun heat days on your hand this year. Buckle up, snow’s coming. You are part of a great experiment for society, but don’t realize it yet.
My expectations are low, too – for this mayor. No, wait, from her and the Assembly I absolutely expect more taxes. “Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.” – H. L. Mencken
I discussed the status of the Muni’s snow removal equipment fleet with a retired highway maintenance formen after the newspaper article came out. (It is worth noting that the article only offered one view of the situation – that of the LaFrance regime). To sum up, he said that folks always want new and shiny toys and a lot of them. If the Assembly was actually trying to make wise decisions on this matter (HA!), they would want to solicit some independent views.
Let the union pandering begin!
I wonder if this Mayor and her band of incompetent leeches in the assembly know what a boomerang is? Any, any hiccups in the snow removal will result in fiery condemnation by the masses. It’s not if this happens, it’s when…
I wonder if additional funding could be located somewhere…
Just spitballing here, but I think the millions we spend on catering to the wants of the homeless might be re-directed to the needs of the taxpayers.
Bumplowers, Inc. Just plow ’em out & scoop ’em up at the same time as the snow this winter.
Gosh, you can’t mean that Mayor Bronson did his best with what he had? You can’t possibly mean that. After all, LaFrance told us he was incompetent for not clearing the snow faster, and she’s the expert, doncha know?
She blames Bronson, when the maintenance wasn’t “up to snuff”. they probably vetoed the $$ to be use somewhere else, then WHEN it did snow, we didn’t have the $$ to pay anybody to get the job done…NO Change this year either…The blame is on the Assembly and not our former Mayor Bronson. They STILL don’t have the $$ because they use it on other useless stuff, ex: stainless steel porta potties. They are the blame putting the $$$ where somewhere else other then the basic upkeep maintenance to keep the road equipment for conditions.
That is pretty much what happened.
Quite the performance review Suzanne is pushing: Sets low standards and fails to meet them.
Bronson figured out how to streamline the snow removal passes. Before Bronson, we got a grader pass or two to push snow into the middle of the street where the snowblower truck grabbed it and lofted it into the dump truck. Under Bronson, single pass by the snow blowing truck directly into the dump truck. Things went a lot faster.
Are we gonna see this sort of innovation under LaFrance and her Assembly leash holders? Probably not, though they will probably get less snow to play with for a year or two. Cheers –
She’s feeding the line of crap that the 907 Initiative used to attack Bronson during the run-up to the election. Surprise? Not really. That entire campaign, run from a midtown office building, has been good for all the finger-pointers. While it was a shame that the Bronson Admin was not more active in their response, what is truly shameful is that LaFrance is now already sandbagging and making similar excuses for poor performance that has not yet happened. And if the union boys think LaFrance will be able to delve deep into the Muni’s coffers to pay them more, they’re in for a surprise. Have no fear, though, when LaFrance’s Quasi-Apocalyptic Snowfall and Lackluster Performance appear, the Daily News and Channel 2 will be there to tell us that what we’re actually seeing is faster snow removal than we saw in previous years. And that it’s all due to her amazing leadership. Heck, the Assembly might even give her an award.
I am pondering a rental fee structure for my building.
A blanket rent cost, fixed amount for the duration of contract. AND then a fluctuating amount based on total bond amount paid per quarter. ????
I already tell tenants “ I don’t care how you vote but please vote. And remember you have a say in your total rental fee paid monthly”
Where is the conservative equivalent of the 907 Initiative to air radio and TV ads pointing out this breach of public trust?
A question I often ask about may issues. The left outplays us time and again.
Instead of getting better at the game, the right spends too much time complaining “it’s not fair”.
No kidding. Little in life is.
There are more than enough wealthy right of center Alaskans who could fund such an initiative. But it’s too much like work.
So, when are the Anchorage residents going to wake up and realize that this admin has excuses before the problem even presents itself….not a reasonable out, by-any-means.
Maybe after complete social collapse. But I’d not count on it.
Same playbook as Big Pharma-create the vaccine then create the pandemic…‘‘Cept, Chris Constant, oops, I meant Suzanne LaFrance trying to create their dynasty.
Maybe “low expectations” are an improvement over “no expectations” when it’s about Mayor LaFrance?
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Quite the step-up from half-million dollar potties to half-million-plus dollar snow plows, no?
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But nothing’s too good for a public-employee union whose help was essential to install Mayor LaFrance, right?
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Sure looks like an epic Portland Loo redux, tons of taxpayers’ money pouring out the door, for what, to where, no one outside The Club is allowed to know.
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So poop contractors and snow contractors hit the jackpot, they’ll make, and continue making, truckloads of money from — no-bid– poop and snow contracts, which, of course, no one else can do –or qualify for city permits to do.
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Wouldn’t be surprised, after reading another writer’s take on reliability and maintainability of old snow equipment, to hear about it being auctioned off for a song to certain snow contractor(s).
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As this racket unfolds, we predict that earnest conversation about a small, fair, sustainable, seasonal sales tax desperately needed for snow removal will soon hit Assembly chambers and news media.
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To Mayor LaFrance, may we ask:
What if the new snow gear isn’t electric, won’t that violate something?
Who’ll pay for this stuff after Eaglexit, an 80’s-style exodus, if federal and state funding dries up?
How about cowcatchers on the new gear so it doesn’t get messed up with frozen bums or jaywalkers or does it really matter?
(https://mustreadalaska.com/anchorage-assembly-shrugs-off-responsibility-for-12-equity-jaywalking-deaths-in-past-12-months/)
Eagle Exit!
The issue isn’t that our snow removal equipment is old, but it’s the wrong equipment. Graders and underbelly plows are a terrible choice for removing snow. Using plows with blades on the front are far superior and they are cheaper and easier to maintain than a road grader.
Most of the inhabitants of Anchorage would balk at the idea because they would have to shovel the end of their driveway. The horror.
You know, your last statement may be true! At one point last winter, one of my neighbors was complaining about the idiot snow plowers who left a crest of snow at the end of her driveway. I was so shocked I didn’t know how to respond.
I am sure we’ll hear Constant’s gravelly voice praising the wonders of the current Administration’s efficiency just as much as he droned on about his dissatisfaction with the Bronson Administration for three years.
One must wonder, if one TENTH the money spent upon the homeless by LaFrance and the assembly over the last four years, were instead spent upon snow management, how said resultant ends would have been?
Another TENTH the money spent upon the homeless by LaFrance and the assembly over the last four years, were instead spent upon the completion of Bronson’s Navigation Center, how said resultant ends would have been?
Add another TENTH the money spent upon the homeless by LaFrance and the assembly over the last four years to MAINTAIN said Navigation Center for many years, over a decade, how said resultant ends would have been?
Answer?
The snow management of the City of Anchorage would be fully staffed with new equipment to address even record snow.
The homeless management system would be greatly enhanced, providing a safe space for those homeless that choose to take advantage of said location to be sheltered, as well as the opportunity to learn how to not be homeless by education and employment opportunities due to the access of laundry and shower facilities, which is something many, if not most homeless individuals cite as a negative factor within finding a job.
Now, what to do with the other 70% of the money spent upon the homeless by LaFrance and the assembly over the last four years?
Besides the fraudulent spending of Federal Covid dollars so as to further the homeless industrial complex lining their own pockets, those of which shall remain nameless, but obvious, said 70% of the money spent upon the homeless by LaFrance and the assembly over the last four years should be not only given back to the property taxpayers within the City of Anchorage, but have all property taxes lessened unto the rates that existed prior to that 70% increase because of said increase, bringing the property value down unto a more sustainable level, rather than the ridiculous average of $400,000 or above new house value.
I’m in awe Anchorage.
City should privatize and put contracts out to bid. We have much better service Hillside LRSA with private contractors doing the job. And we pay much less.
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