As the mayor’s term comes to a close and as I reflect over the last few years, I want to pick up the red pen Ken Koelsch used on my assignments 40-plus years ago!
When he decided to jump into the mayor’s race, I thought my former teacher was a little nuts – wanting to tackle rising crime, the homelessness issues, cruise industry lawsuit, mining ordinance review and job losses due to declining state revenue.
But he jumped on the foundering ship and started putting fires out. I do not envy who comes next to take command, but fortunately for us, Koelsch made great strides in stabilizing our ship. And he used that red pen.
Juneau is an amazing place, but an amazing Juneau doesn’t just happen. It takes a tremendous amount of effort, including hours spent in meetings giving yourself to the process. For that, I believe the mayor deserves MVP, Gold Glover and first round Hall of Fame Inductee.
I watch some Mariners baseball and have occasionally thought I’d like a jersey, but whose name would be on the back? Who could I really get behind? Well, if I ever come up with a Juneau jersey, “KOELSCH” would be on the back.
Ron Flint,
Juneau
• My Turns and Letters to the Editor represent the view of the author, not the view of the Juneau Empire.
