Mayor's veto on redistricting suit stands

The Mat Su Borough Assembly recently voted to join the redistricting lawsuit with the Fairbanks Borough, however, Mayor Larry DeVilbiss vetoed the measure stating high costs and risk as some of the reasoning behind the veto.

The assembly then had the chance to vote on a veto override, but the votes weren’t there.  The Mat Su Borough will not be joining other entities in the lawsuit on the redistricting plan.

DeVilbiss said that the borough is served well with the existing plan. He said although its not perfect, the borough has gained a house seat and will have 4 senators, some shared, under the new plan.  Still, the borough will closely monitor others as lawsuits are considered by other entities in the state.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough is going ahead with a lawsuit and others are considering joining that Borough.

The redistricting plan has redrawn boundaries in the Mat Su.  As the lines are now, voters in the upper valley will have Linda Menard as Senator, if she continues to serve and will need to find a new representative since Mark Neuman will be serving part of the lower valley.  The upper valley precincts include Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, Chase, Skwentna, Willow, Meadow Lakes and a part of Wasilla.