under Statehood and Constitutional
Government
Local Government Units
By PATRICIA OAKES
Throughout AIaifld, citizens are
wondering how statehood will
affect local governments, or the
lack of it in some areas. An exami
nation of the Constitution will
give some insight into th6 future
of local government.
—Self Government—
The Constitution directs that
Alaskans shall have a maximum of
local self-government with a mini
mum of local government units.
It suggests prevention of duplica
tion of tax-levying jurisdictions
and a liberal construction of
powers given to local government
units.
—Two Types—
1 Under statehood, local govern
ment will be two types. First there
wiU be the ba’otigh government,
an intermediate unit between state
and city government. Finally there
will be city government.
—The Borough—
‘ Let us first examine the borough
government, its purposes and or
ganisation.
The Constitution provides that
alt of Alaska v ill be divided into
boroughs. In densely populated
areas, these u ill uirfloubtedly be
organired boroughs. In less popu
lated areas, they may be termed
“unorganized” boroughs. Stan
dards and provisions for borough
organization will be provided by
the legislature.
As the transitional articles of
the Constitution- provide that
cities, school districts, health
districts, public utility districts
and other local subdivisions of
government existing on the effec
tive date of the Constitution will
continue to exercise their powers
and functions under existing law
until new legislation is Drovided
regarding the service areas. Since
the borough sya$$jiv is similar to
the county, and .parish systems.of
existing. states, many of the tech
nical aspects will be ironed out
after a study of laws existing in
those states. Various special ser
vices will be strengthened by the
fact that the assembly has authori
zation to levy taxes and charges.
Special service districts existing at
the time of borough organization
will be integrated with borough
government.
—Unorganized Boroughs—
In less populated areas, or in
areas not meeting requirements
for organized boroughs, the legis
lature will exercise any power or
function normally exercised by
the assembly of an organized
borough, much as the Territorial
Department of Education must
now act as the school board ior
schools outside of organized school
St. Mary’s Church
Rev. Raymond L. Talbott, S. J.
M ASSES:
Mlftilay Hospital Chapel
Church 8:30 and
Holydays Hospital Chapel
Church 7:15 and
Daily Hospilul Chapel
ROSARY AND BENEDICTION:
Sunday and Friday
HOLY HOUR:
Saturday Hospital Chapel 1:00 to
CONFESSIONS:
Saturday Chusch 7:00 to
Also daily before Masses
BAPTISMS:
Sunday
SUNDAY SCHOOL:
6:30 AM
lu.30 AM
6:30 AM
8:00 AM
6:30 AM
7:30 AM
2:00 PM
8:00 PM
2:00 PM
10:00 AM
districts. Local participation of the is encouraged by the Constituuoa.
citizens Yin unorganized boroughs (Contfmied on Page 8)
0
Vote Yes—-3 Times
FOR
Statehood
FOR THE THIHGS KODIAK HEEDS
if Increased Industry
if More Payrolls
if Rid of fishtraps
if More Roads
if Better Schools
if Waterfront Development
Vote for
JOHN A. GIBBONS
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
STATE OF ALASKA
Dedicated to the Economic Progress
of the Kodiak and Aleutian Area
PRIMARY ELECTION AUGUST 26
(This is a paid advertisement)
to carry out the provisions of the
Constitution, local government can
continue as it is.
hi view of the many vitally
pressing matters which must be
considered by the first legislature,
it is possible that local government
organization may wait several
years before it can be studied and
considered for legislative action.
—trough Boundaries—
Let us clearly understand that
the boroughs are not synonymous
with the present state election
districts, although possibly when
standards for borough boundaries
are determined, some boroughs
and election districts could have
the satee boundaries. Tee borough
boundaries will be determined by
an area and population with com
mon interests. The standards used
to determine the limits of a
borough shall include population,
geography, economy, transporta
tion and other factors.
—Taxation and Debts—
The State will delgate taxing
powers to organized boroughs and
cities only. No debts may be con
tracted by the boroughs or cities
unless authorized for capital im
provements by the governing
hotly of the unit and ratified by a
majority vote o? those qualified to
vote and voting on the matter.
—The Assembly—
The governing body of the
borough will be its assembly. The
composition of the assembly will
be determined by the legislature
or in the assembly’s charter. Each
first class city and each city of any
other class determined by law will
be represented in the assembly by
one or more members of its city
council. Other assembly members
will be elected from and by quali
fied voter* resident outside includ
ed city.
Legal provisions will be made
for organization, incorporation,
merger, consol Mat ion, reclassifica
tion or dissolving of districts.
—Service Areas—
Special service areas, such as
public utility districts, health
districts, etc., may be established,
altered or abolished within an
organized borough by the assem
bly subject to legislative and
charter provisions. The assembly
may levy taxes, charges and assess
ments within a service area to
finance special services.
When the legislature reaches
the point that it is considering
laws to carry out the provisions of
the Constitution in tins matter, i*
will be faced with many problem.-,
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