Proposition 2 poses the question to the voters to decide whether Houston should apply to become a first-class city. The change would mean the mayor would be directly elected by a popular vote, rather than appointed by the city council from within its ranks. It would also allow the city council to levy a property tax by ordinance rather than voter referendum.
If the majority says yes, the council will send a petition to the Alaska Boundary Commission for review. The voters will also weigh in on the length of term and possible term limits if the mayor is to be directly elected.
  
|
Two seats are up for election this year. The Frontiersman asked each of the candidates the same questions about issues the city is facing. Summaries of their answers follow, and their complete and unedited responses are below the story.
Three candidates are running for Seat C and its three-year term. Natasha Schachle is the incumbent and seeking re-election against Kathleen Barney and Joshua Hanford.
Schachle lives and works in Houston and enjoys the recreational opportunities afforded by the town. She said she brings a different perspective to the council and wants to “continue to work toward making sure (Houston) grows to be a better place to raise our families.”
Barney moved to Houston in 1988 and currently works in the special education department at Houston High School. She said she has seen a lot of changes in the 21 years she has lived in Houston, some good and some not. She believes a fresh perspective is needed on the council, something she says she can bring.
Barney is concerned about the resources necessary and legal dangers involved in securing planning powers, but she said she understands the desire for Houston to write its own course. However, Barney said, becoming a first-class city would “increase the administration, increase the budget and increase the need for more revenue. These increases in government would cost the residents more.”
Hanford is a veteran, serving in the Marines Corps, and said he will bring a fresh perspective to a “stagnant political environment.” He said he appreciates the mayor’s efforts but would never vote to reappoint him. Hanford does not believe in what he has done for the city or community, and “his attempts to exaggerate his importance (have) hurt the city of Houston and (have) subsequently diminished our community’s depth, pride and public support.”
Splitting the borough in two is not a good idea, Hanford said. It would increase taxes and create a rift in the school system hurting the students and costing more money, he said. However, Hanford said becoming a first-class city would be beneficial. Sewer and water systems need to be developed, tourism needs to be captured, and Houston needs to attract more “capable, willing, educated and experienced community members to represent Houston, in order to make it a better place to leave to our children.”
Deputy mayor Lance Wilson is running unopposed for re-election to Seat D. Wilson is retired from the Army and has a bachelor’s degree in government administration. He wants to make Houston a better and safer place by improving fire insurance ratings and attracting more jobs.
“We must nurture Houston businesses, not kill or drive them away through over-regulation and heavy taxes,” Wilson said.
Wilson listed accomplishments he credits to the current mayor, including a budget surplus in spite of increased services. But, he reserved comment on appointing him again, saying he will wait until he sees which council members would “desire that burden.”
The borough assembly, by being “overbearing and non-responsive,” is the cause of the rift in the Valley, not the city of Houston, Wilson said.
Changing to a first-class city will cost nothing and will not increase the size of government, he said, but it is necessary if the people want to elect the mayor.
In addition to the two seats on the council and the question of becoming a first-class city, Houston voters will decide whether to levy an additional two percent sales tax on fireworks. The revenue would go toward police and fire services.
Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.
Comments
47 comment(s)to daisy duke wrote on Sep 30, 2009 11:33 AM:
Other Man wrote on Sep 30, 2009 1:00 AM:
The council does not have to ask Purcell to leave. Five of them could TELL him to leave and he would be gone in a lazy afternoon.
Second-class cities are a beautiful thing... "
Concerned wrote on Sep 29, 2009 10:11 PM:
daisy duke wrote on Sep 29, 2009 6:54 PM:
HoustonResidentAlso wrote on Sep 29, 2009 4:49 PM:
" Purcell has lived in the same house for several years now off of Birch Road. He isn't renting it just to hold onto an elected position from which he soaks all possible attention and power, he is a resident. "
Actually, if you keep up with the conversation you'll see that Purcell LOST his house to foreclosure, and will now be RENTING,hence the comments in regards to him renting a home in Houston. "
Veritas wrote on Sep 29, 2009 3:49 PM:
Write in candidates wrote on Sep 29, 2009 1:00 PM:
Houston Resident wrote on Sep 29, 2009 11:48 AM:
The Man wrote on Sep 29, 2009 11:30 AM:
to concerned wrote on Sep 29, 2009 10:48 AM:
concerned wrote on Sep 29, 2009 8:33 AM:
Concerned wrote on Sep 29, 2009 8:08 AM:
The Man wrote on Sep 28, 2009 4:46 PM:
Hopeful wrote on Sep 28, 2009 1:36 PM:
money manager wrote on Sep 28, 2009 12:14 PM:
Houston Citizen wrote on Sep 28, 2009 8:40 AM:
Houston Resident wrote on Sep 27, 2009 11:40 AM:
Amazing wrote on Sep 25, 2009 5:53 PM:
Ted wrote on Sep 25, 2009 12:23 PM:
The Man wrote on Sep 25, 2009 11:46 AM:
Vote No On Purcell wrote on Sep 24, 2009 9:23 PM:
psycho wrote on Sep 24, 2009 8:17 PM:
The Man wrote on Sep 24, 2009 3:54 PM:
The Man wrote on Sep 24, 2009 3:38 PM:
In the know wrote on Sep 24, 2009 11:36 AM:
Houston Res you are wrong wrote on Sep 24, 2009 5:15 AM:
Purcells Latest wrote on Sep 23, 2009 3:41 PM:
"Houston Council debates controversial ordinance giving the mayor police officer powers". "
Too far wrote on Sep 23, 2009 12:52 PM:
Susitna Valley Resident wrote on Sep 22, 2009 11:48 PM:
(without much class, in my opinion)...but I live north of Houston and I have NO DESIRE AT ALL to join that ship of fools in forming a new borough! "
In the know wrote on Sep 22, 2009 8:47 PM:
The only thing better would be a RECALL of Purcell. "
Anti-Purcell wrote on Sep 22, 2009 8:12 PM:
non-houston res wrote on Sep 22, 2009 8:03 PM:
Relpying to Houston Res. wrote on Sep 22, 2009 7:50 PM:
It's about time the long timers took a stand and it's too bad a couple of deadbeat new found losers are ruining the town.
Out with the new and in with the old.
Where's Joe? "
Houston Resident wrote on Sep 22, 2009 6:16 PM:
I had the chance to visit with Josh and his wife Jennifer while fising on the little Su. What a nice guy and a real famlily man. He gets my vote and you should give him a real good look. "
My dad rocks wrote on Sep 22, 2009 5:26 PM:
Mike Westbrook wrote on Sep 22, 2009 4:07 PM:
Brains and common sense seem to be lacking tremendously out there. If something doesn't get done soon I'm going to stop contributing by way of taxes and not spend a dime there. The ice cream is even starting to stink. "
Houston Resident wrote on Sep 22, 2009 3:36 PM:
The Man wrote on Sep 22, 2009 2:11 PM:
Only the BEST wrote on Sep 22, 2009 10:52 AM:
The Man wrote on Sep 22, 2009 10:50 AM:
In the know wrote on Sep 22, 2009 10:21 AM:
VOTE NO ON PROP 2 "
Houston Resident wrote on Sep 22, 2009 8:50 AM:
Pounder wrote on Sep 22, 2009 8:41 AM:
Houston Resident wrote on Sep 22, 2009 8:26 AM:
VOTERS BEWARE PROPOSITION 2!
The phrasing on the ballot is deliberately misleading. It's not just about voting on the mayor! Much more is at stake and will cause harm to us residents and to the city.
See HoustonCitizen.org for information before you vote!!!!!!! "
Ted wrote on Sep 22, 2009 12:16 AM:
Vote NO on Prop 2 wrote on Sep 21, 2009 10:33 PM:
If it was, I would be all for it. Right now no one wants to be mayor of this funnyfarm except Twilight Zone Barny Fife.
Let's fix our problems first, THEN worry about stuff like that.
For more about becoming a first-class city, look at the story in HoustonCitizen.org "
Houston Resident wrote on Sep 21, 2009 8:36 PM: