Vehicle collision takes MAT-SU community lead

>MAT-SU—Art and Beulah Scates will be sorely missed in the MAT-SU. The couple was killed in a vehicle collision on Knik-Goose Bay Road yesterday, Jan. 5. The two cared about their community and were deeply involved. Beulah was fondly known as "Boots."

Art Scates served in numerous leadership roles for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Scates was formerly Chairman of the Port Commission, from January 2003 to December 2006, and a Port Commissioner from 2001- to 2003.

Assembly Member Noel Woods served on the Port Commission when Scates did.

"He always gave good advice and really thought that we should make sure the Port project went ahead as fast as it could. We lost a really fine gentleman, someone who helped the Borough a lot," Woods said.

Port MacKenzie Commissioner Jay Nolfi was friends with the couple.

“Art was an extremely dedicated Borough volunteer who served with much pride on several boards and commissions, but the one he devoted most energy to was the Port Commission, as a member and as Chairman. His contribution to the Commission has left a positive mark in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough,” Nolfi said.

Port Director Marc Van Dongen worked closely with Scates over the years.

“He was a strong supporter of development at Port MacKenzie. He was a real leader. He’ll be sorely missed,” Van Dongen said.

Point MacKenzie is on the verge of tremendous growth with the prison near completion and the increasing Port activities. Scates wanted growth done right. Scates served for five years as the Chair of the Point MacKenzie Community Council. Recently he served on the Goose Creek Correctional Center Citizens Advisory Committee for a year. He also held a seat on the Point MacKenzie Community Comprehensive Planning Team. Borough Planner Emerson Krueger gained respect for Scates while working with him.

“He had a clear vision of what community was, and he worked at it,” Krueger said.

Scates also served from February 2000 to November 2007 as a board Supervisor for the Wasilla-Lakes Fire Service Area, the second busiest in Alaska.

Central—MAT-SU Fire Chief James Steele:

“When you look at the time Art served us as a member of the board of supervisors and even afterwards, he was a strong supporter of emergency services. It’s a loss for us definitely,” Steele said.

Photo: Art Scates as Port Commissioner on the right, on the left Jordan May then Port Commissioner next to the first wood chip ship at Port MacKenzie in February 2005.

For more information call Patty Sullivan, Public Affairs Director 745-9577 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.