Save Anchorage Seeks to Take Over Community Councils
The Anchorage-based merry band of political activists in the Save Anchorage group has announced their intentions to "take over" or at least make a "dent" in Community Councils—although it's unclear how effective the group can be in its take-over ambitions.
Still, since Save Anchorage has expressed an interest in taking over Community Councils, it might be helpful to know a little bit more about the Councils, how they serve our city, and, more importantly, why Save Anchorage might be interested in taking them over.
According to the Federation of Community Councils, every neighborhood in the Municipality of Anchorage is in a Community Council district, and Anchorage has 38 Community Councils. They are a direct and continuing means of citizen participation in government and local affairs.
So what does that mean exactly?
Community Councils are essential because they are public spaces where citizens within each Council district can bring up concerns about a problem property or a dangerous intersection.
New businesses who want to come into a community are expected to present their plans and those attending the meetings. If, for example, you have concerns about extra traffic or noise, safety, or when the government wants to build something in your community, Community Councils are the place for you to voice those concerns.
Representatives of the Anchorage Assembly, the Legislature, the Anchorage School District, and public safety often attend as guests and give the public updates. Anchorage School Board members are each assigned to multiple Community Council districts and engage with them regularly.
Most Community Councils send out notifications to residents living within the boundaries of each Council on the upcoming meeting agendas. Those notifications might include representatives of new businesses introducing themselves to the Community Council or developers presenting a construction proposal.
Well, that all sounds boring, you might say. So why would Save Anchorage care about any of that?
Did you know petitions for political recalls originate at the Community Council level? So if a group of individuals wanted to say, for example, recall Progressives from the Anchorage Assembly, it might be beneficial to stack Community Councils with like-minded individuals inclined to vote in the affirmative on those petitions.
Potential future candidates for elected office are appointed by Council leadership for a seat on a Council and are largely voted in by those who attend Council meetings. Very often, like-minded people are invited to these meetings to vote for their preferred person.
When these new Council members get support from the community and get the word out that they are considering running for political office, political parties and special interest groups support them with outreach, funding, and generally when they file with the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC).
Alaska State Senator Lora Reinbold, Anchorage Assembly Person Jamie Allard, and Municipal Manager Amy Demboski all started their political careers at a Community Council.
Additionally, and hypothetically, if a Community Council were being influenced by—say, an Anchorage Assembly Member, then perhaps not all members of a Community Council might be aware of what was being voted on and who was attending Council meetings. For example, imagine if only a small group of people participated at a Council meeting that sought to secure a resolution that the Council wanted in front of the Anchorage Assembly but that the majority did not. While perhaps advantageous, it could spell trouble and even lead to corruption allegations.
Community Councils are where early impactful decisions are made. Progressives should get involved in their respective Community Councils knowing that Save Anchorage political activists—and their allies—will be very disappointed if they do.
There is a roster of Council members on the Federal of Community Council's website, which shows when their terms are up. Unfortunately, there are a lot of vacancies coming up.
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