3 apply for Wasilla City Council

WASILLA — A trio of hopefuls have applied to fill the seat vacated by former city councilman Steve Menard.

Voters recalled the two-time councilman Feb. 7. The council will appoint a person to serve in his place until the Oct. 2 municipal election.

The list of applicants includes some faces familiar on the council. The first to apply by the noon, Friday deadline was John Luberger, a retired business owner who served a five-month stint on the council filling a vacancy when former councilwoman Nancy Hall moved out of the country.

Patrick Johnson also has applied, and has been a city resident since 1967. In a letter submitted with his application, Johnson says he voted for the city’s incorporation and ran for the council in 1973.

Glenda Ledford is the third applicant for the seat. In her application letter, Ledford says she’s worked and lived in the city for more than 25 years. She ran for city council previously and lost by 39 votes.

Luberger said he enjoyed his time filling a council vacancy before and that he believes he can be effective again.

“I’m retired and I’ve got time to do things,” he said. “I’ve got my own business and I understand the problems of being in business.”

He also thinks the city is missing out on some tourism development relating to the national popularity of former mayor and governor Sarah Palin.

“I think Wasilla should capitalize on Sarah Palin,” he said. “You my not be for her, I may not be for her, but she’s a big deal for the people of the United States. If we did quite a little bit of thinking, I bet we could get 5,000 or 6,000 people a year to Wasilla to buy a cup of coffee or a hamburger.”

Luberger also said he feels the city needs to prioritize developing its airport as a profitable asset.

In her application letter, Ledford says her experience would help the council.

“I have served on the Wasilla City Planning Commission, have been a board member of the Wasilla Area Seniors,” she writes. “I am presently the chair of the state of Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers and the Republican chair of our new House District 9E.”

She said she also vows “to serve with honor, dignity and compassion.”

A disabled Vietnam War veteran, Johnson writes that his decades of living in Wasilla have included many volunteer positions, including serving on the boards of several local nonprofits and a stint as chair of the Mat-Su Borough Platting Board and Planning Commission.

The three hopefuls have been invited to Monday’s regular city council meeting, 6 p.m. at Wasilla City Hall, City Clerk Kristie Smithers said. Each will be given an opportunity to make a statement to the council and field questions.

The council has several options in filling Menard’s seat, she said. One of the three applicants could be appointed Monday, or the council can put a vote off until a later meeting, or could decide to solicit more applications. By city code, the council has until March 29 to fill the vacant seat.

Whoever is appointed will serve until the next regular election, which is Oct. 2.