Voters to decide Houston’s future

HOUSTON — When Houston voters go to the poles on Oct. 6, what’s at stake is more than just seats on the city council. The ballot will ultimately be a referendum on the future direction of the city.

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.

But because the change will be subject to the Boundary Commission’s decision even if it does pass, the council will appoint a mayor after the October election. This, as well as gravel permits and calls for starting a new borough, have brought the council members to the center of Houston’s political arena.

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.