Willow builder confirmed as new planning commissioner

After months of haggling over candidates, Mat-Su Borough mayor Talis Colberg and the Borough Assembly reached a compromise and were able to seat a full board of planning commissioners.Colberg nominated three candidates, but the assembly only approved of Patrick Johnson and rejected the other nominations. After coming up with new nominees, the assembly approved of Colberg’s favored candidate, Gary Foster of Palmer, in March. During their last meeting on April 13, the assembly appointed John Anderson of Willow to the planning commission.

Assembly member Vern Halter, representing district 7, had disapproved of Colberg’s prior nominees and encouraged Anderson to toss his hat in the ring to be considered for the planning commission.

Anderson is a 31-year resident of the Borough and owns Anderson & Associates, building residential homes. He stated that he wants to help see the borough develop into the twenty-first century.

Foster is a 13-year Palmer area resident, contractor and owner of Foster’s Fine Finishes LLC. He disclosed that he has a financial interest with the borough as he contracted work to secure Bogard Road homes. He is a past president of the Mat-Su Home Builder’s Association. In his application he said he wants to help plan and structure future and present growth.

The borough’s planning commission is tasked to review land-use rules, construction projects, long-range plans and makes recommendations to the Assembly