LaFrance Outlines Plan to Improve Snow Removal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2023

Suzanne LaFrance for Mayor

Anchorage, AK: Mayoral candidate Suzanne LaFrance calls on Mayor Dave Bronson to fill empty snowplow operator positions in the Municipality of Anchorage immediately. LaFrance has also outlined her plan to improve snow removal in Anchorage.

“Anchorage is a winter city. It snows every year. The municipality has always known how to clear the roads, but these past two years, we’ve seen a string of failures with snow removal that have shut down businesses and schools, and undermined basic public safety. As mayor, I’ll fix that.”

LaFrance calls on Bronson to use the “meet and confer” provision of the labor contract with snowplow operators to raise the starting hourly wage to $25 per hour.

“We’re in an economic emergency and we need action now. The municipality’s wages are way below market rate, putting us at a competitive disadvantage for hiring and retaining operators. This situation was preventable and the mayor could – and should – do everything in his power to fill all open positions today.”

Lafrance says she will take steps to increase the hourly wage on her first day as mayor if Bronson refuses to act. She will also increase the number of snowplow operators to provide the level of service that residents need.

LaFrance also calls for 1) Better coordination with the State of Alaska Department of Transportation; 2) an audit of existing municipal snow plow equipment; and 3) management that anticipates and reacts quickly to weather events.

“Commonsense solutions to this crisis are readily available. We know what we need to do to solve this problem. We need a mayor who will plan, collaborate, and act. The current failure of leadership is costing our kids and schools as well as dragging our economy into the ground.”

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Media Contact: Katie Scovic, katie@votesuzanne.com, 847-452-7860