The frontiersman., 1963-06-06
INSURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY

Self -determination-the right of people to decide tor themselves how they shall be eoverned-was impor- tant enough 10 small group of colonists along the eastern seaboard back in l775, to fight for.
 Many thought they were wrong-that they ought 10 stay within the shetering. if dctatorial, of older. more established community.
 But they fought, and they won, and the right of selt-deermnaon remained important enough to them to be written into their Constitution.
 Here in the state of Alaska, the question of how we shall be governed locally has become paramount issue, with the last of the legislature making borough incorporation mandatory by January, l9o4. # community has not incorporated voluntarily by Oct l. 1863 the state will step in and incorporate under the provisions of HB 9O
 Two local option petitions, which grew out of many months of committee planning and public meetings, have been presented 10 the Local Affairs Ageney-The Captain Cook Borough petition and the MatanUska-Su- sitna Borough petition. Ii generally agreed year ago that these two petitions represented workable units of local government.
 The Captain Cook petition was submitted last February The MaanUskaSusitna petition revised to boundaries and borough seat and new petition was circulated early in May Within one week 500 signatures were obtained, and the petition forwarded 10 the local Affairs Agency
 Publicity began 10 appear in Anchorage papers concerning a Palmer group which had requested the Boundary Commission 10 enlarge the boundaries of the Captain Cook borough 10 include District 7. The numbers
 
 six persons lone of them Anchorage woman drafted an eighf-pa9e letter 10 the Boundary Commission, out lining their position. Ii would be presumpfUous 10 say that these six have followers but statement of the number of supporters has been made public.
 As result of this letter. the Boundary Commission held hearings the Captain Cook petition in Palmer and Wasitla. as well as in Anchorage. Al the hearings in Palmer and Waslla seven testified opponents of the Captain Cook borough uha s favor of extending the boundaries 10 include District ? and 2 testified as proponents he Captain Cook boundaries as up include, roughly District ony) This testimony taperecoFded by member of inc commission.
 Thus far. the procedure has followed democratic pattern. But the next step may sharply devate.
 Those who favor combination District 7-8 borough argue that the only way they be heard is through recommendation from the Boundary Commission 10 tend the boundaries of the Captain Cook borough include District Then general election will be called giving the voters of the two election districts inc right to accept or reject inc revised petition
 This sounds like valid argument-that is, until you consider that 8,oOO District 8 residents voted in the last general election and about % District went 10 the polls
 There is way 10 know whether the people of Dis trc see in District vast potential of natural resources which will one day add wealth 10 their borough govern ment, whether they have desire 10 add large and thiny populated area 10 their boundaries.
 But this is not the basic issue.
 If such an election is called the people of District 8 will decide by vote of nine 10 one, what kind of government the people of District will have.
 Our right of self-deefnnaton is threatened If Lis taken from us we have one constitutional right remain We an fO inc