By now, most of Anchorage knows about the two ordinances, (AO 2020-58 and AO 2020-66), that the Mayor and Assembly have tried to push through, attempting to bypass public scrutiny, without going through the usual process of zoning and planning. What might have taken less than an hour of public testimony provoked public concern and outrage lasting more than 20 hours over five nights. The public sentiment ran about 75% against both ordinances and 25% or less in support of the ordinances. An email was sent out to the mayor’s supporters urging them to send a pre-written email in support. After careful review, many people were unable to find their email or online testimony against the ordinances in the public record, suggesting possible tampering to show more support than there actually was.
Of greater concern to me is the timing of the edict to again close down small businesses and not allow the public to attend the July 27 Assembly meeting in person. It was to be at this meeting where the Assembly, after tremendous public pressure was brought to bear, would be voting on the two ordinances in question. This was a violation of our First Amendment right to assemble and our right of free speech. The timing of the edict was too coincidental.
We have an Assembly that refuses to represent us, a mayor with emergency dictatorial powers, Assembly meetings where members do not pay attention, insulting people who spoke from the public, and a mayor who publicly announced during a radio interview that he would not be swayed by public opinion. Apparently, that was not bad enough. The Mayor, in violating our First Amendment rights to assemble and speak, has insured that he alone has access to the Assembly to exert pressure on them to vote the way he wants without public scrutiny or protest.
During the five nights of public testimony, one of the public speakers, during the course of her testimony, reminded the Assembly and mayor of how we started the meeting by pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and what it stands for. She went on to say that she thought we were in the United States and the Mayor and Assembly had to obey the laws just like the rest of us. Clearly, they will have chosen not to if these ordinances are passed.
Michael B. Savitt
Anchorage
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