Powell wants to see more borough land in private ownership

One of the bigger issues that got David Powell interested in serving on the assembly several years ago was his belief that the borough needs to get out of the real estate business. He wanted Wrangell to sell off more of its property for private development, and to do it at a faster pace.

He also wanted to serve because "I was interested in how things work with the city," he said. "In a roundabout way, I found it doesn't work as everybody thinks it works."

Powell is running for a one-year term to see through the completion of more land sales, in particular the borough's plan to subdivide the former Wrangell Institute property into residential lots.

That plan, however, is on hold, pending further guidance from the U.S. Department of the Interior as to what it will require of a ground search and cultural site research into the Native boarding school that operated 1932-1975.

"That one I really want to see get done," Powell said. The borough's plan is to subdivide the acreage into at least 40 building lots.

He also would like to serve another year so that he can complete work negotiating a new contract with borough employees - he serves on the negotiating committee.

Along with opening up more land for residential use, Powell also would like to see the borough sell more of its land west of Bennett Street, just past Evergreen Elementary School. "That was all designated for industrial use."

Powell said he doesn't see much point for government to own property unless it has a real use for it. "Unless we are actually going to do something" with the property within two or three years, he doesn't think the borough should hold it "because we might do something in 20 years."

The former hospital building is a good example, he said. Unless the borough has a plan for the building, they should try selling it as is, rather than spending up to $100,000 a year to keep it dry and insured. Maybe a buyer would be willing to deal the asbestos and other issues, he said.

After five years on the assembly, "I'm actually enjoying it," said Powell, who works as manager at The Bay Co. "I can't say it's exciting all the time, but it keeps you on your toes."

He said his philosophy is that "if you're there for a good reason, to help people, by all means run." But don't run for office because you are mad at someone.