I notice something remarkable over the last half of 2024: a city that works!
A budget and work plan for the fiscal year gets passed by the Assembly without undue drama, unhoused people have alternatives, and tough enforcement of regulations is imposed requiring multifamily dwellings to maintain minimal standards for our citizens who rent from them.
In the latter case, an absentee landlord out of California continued to ignore a lack of heat in a 29 apartment unit in Spenard. It took solid reporting by the ADN and a $500 a day fine by our city to get their attention.
I have long believed that a higher tax for out-of-state landlords be imposed with the differential being used to underwrite local costs like litter, graffiti and lack of maintenance.
Too often we only speak out to complain. Let’s celebrate the good!
Thanks to the ADN and the city for doing their jobs!
— Elstun W Lauesen, Anchorage
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