Anchorage is a winter city. When metro areas in the Lower 48 get a few inches and shut down everything, Alaskans tend to chuckle and think, “that could never be us.”
Over the past week, 3-plus feet of snow has buried the city — clogging our roadways, creating berms and mountainous ruts that are damaging vehicles and stalling daily life and business for thousands of people across Anchorage.
Yet, over the past week, Anchorage’s residents have seen extreme mismanagement, both from the Municipality of Anchorage and Department of Transportation. We have had to plow ourselves out of our own neighborhoods and unbury our cars, only for the city and state to shrug and say they would do better next snowfall.
The next storm has come and gone, and roads are still unplowed. This is completely unacceptable, especially for a mayor who claims to be pro-business.
Dozens of Anchorage’s small businesses have suffered due to Mayor Bronson’s carelessness. The mayor cut the budget and gave costly private plow contracts to his friends. If your budget cuts result in such hazardous conditions, you have failed.
Under past administrations, Anchorage roads have been plowed in an efficient manner. We have always had snow, but when employees can’t make it to work and shops are forced to close early, there is a serious problem. You are directly affecting our income, how we eat and pay our bills.
The negligence and incompetence from your administration has already damaged local businesses. Put the money where your mouth is and plow our roads.
Signed,
50 small business owners in Anchorage
Alex Bayer, Lovewise Kombucha
Alyssa Petzoldt, Nail Remedy by Aly
Ariel Akerlund, Ariel The Tattooer at Brightside Tattoo
Ashley Simpson, 907nailplug
Aubry Okayama, Homemade Handicraft
Bear Lawrence, Bearable Tattoos at Brightside Tattoo
Bret Connor, Hulin Alaskan Design
Caroline Saito, Sweet Caro
Carson Baldiviez, That Feeling Co
Cintia Elhard, Originale
Dana Hogan, Get Stuffed Bakery
Elizabeth Gittlein, Fable Tattoo Studio
Ember Fandel, Ember Inks
Emma Hill, Rage City Vintage
Emily Sullivan, Vast Expanses LLC
Erin Scott, Tattoos by Erin
Frieda Koper, Flying Dutchman European Pastry Shop
Garrett Martin, Spenard Joe’s
Haley Lindow, Blush Boutique
Hannah Schruf, Weather Boutique
Iana Solomona, T’d Up Teine
Insook Lee, SoYo Yogurt Shoppe
Jasmine Bly, Spenard Joe’s
Jasmine Sherbahn, Sleepyhouse Designs
Jeani Cortez, Professional Support Associates
Jeremiah Christian, Magnetic North Brewing Company
Jordyn Therriault, Ugly Stitch
Kendra Arciniega, Arciniega Street Productions
Lane Carter, Ink By Lane
Lara Stone, Babycakes Cupcakes
Lauren Roberts, Lauren Roberts Photographer + Filmmaker
Lori Morse, 5th Avenue Cigars, Northern Knives, The Lounge On 5th
Mackenzie Tubbs, Rage City Vintage
Michaela Teater, Alaska Concrete Collective
Moira Pyhala, Ice Queen Crowns
Mercedes Arciniega, Arciniega Street Productions
Mercedes Kashatok, Chix̂tax̂ Designs
Miranda Miller, Arya Bear’s Closet
Nick Carpenter, Medium Build
Olivia Emery, Kooky Konfections
Rachael Tranum, Ember Esthetics
Rae Young, raecolorseverything at Salon Nirvana
Samantha Davenport, Fawned Finds
Sarah Kathryn Bryan, SKB Real Estate LLC
Sarah Yelle, Own Glow Candle Co.
Sky O’Neal, OpalSky Esthetics
Sydny Kragness, SydxTattoos
Tara Gondek, Bateau Bridal Boutique
Tristan Morgan, Tristan Agnauraq Morgan Art
Viola Armitstead, eggtit at Black Heart Club Tattoo
Sam Davenport is a writer residing in Anchorage. She's a leo and a plant-person, and loves spending quality time with her dog, Aspen. She is a Real Housewives fan and has been called a Bravo historian.