CANDIDATE PROFILES: Mayoral race, sales tax for police facility comprise Wasilla ballot

WASILLA — The 2017 Wasilla mayoral race may seem like “Déjà vu All Over Again” — as the great Yogi Berra once put it. In 2014, Loren Means and Bert Cottle were both newcomers for the seat. Cottle was then serving as the city’s deputy administrator. This go-round, Cottle is the incumbent and faces challenges from both Means, along with a third candidate, Kevin Baker.

Proposal W-1

In addition to choosing a mayor, on Oct. 3 Wasilla voters also will tackle what has become in the eyes of many residents, a controversial 1-percent sales tax increase. The tax will, at first, go totally toward funding the construction and equipping a new Wasilla Police Department facility. “Proposal W-1, Sales Tax Adjustment, Wasilla Police Department Facility Improvements” will partially sunset after “…a period of two years, or until $12 million dollars is collected, whichever comes first.”

The ballot language states the remaining half-percent increase will help support increased operating costs associated with a larger police department facility, increased operating costs and other funding needs across the city. A yes vote approves the increase. A no vote keeps the tax at its current two-percent level.

Bert Cottle

Prior to deputy administrator post, the Wasilla native served for 22 years as a Valdez police officer including eight years as chief. After retiring from that post, he served as an office manager for North Pacific Fuel before returning to his Valley roots. Cottle also served as Valdez mayor for 10 years, and served on the Valdez City Council for 11 years. His resume also includes 12 years on the Alaska Gasline Port Authority, Alaska Municipal League, Alaska Alcohol Control Board and State Homeland Security task Force.

Hoping to secure another, and final, three-year stint in leading the city, Cottle said he is asking the electorate to review the four goals for the city he set in 2014 and review the accomplishments made in each. Those goals were: fiscally responsible government, forward-funding large capital projects, continued economic growth, and improved transportation corridors. Cottle said he felt his first goal under his tutelage speaks for itself and continues today. Regarding forward funding, he said a good example of that success is the Wasilla Public Library project.

“Forward-funding the new library saved Wasilla taxpayers $3 million. I believe voters today should pay for projects and not put our children and grandchildren in debt,” said Cottle. “If a new police department is built, it will be forward-funded, also saving taxpayers.”

Regarding economic growth, Cottle said for the city to grow and continue not levying property taxes, it must continue in its role as the Valley’s business hub.

“When I was elected mayor, we had 1,917 active business licenses,” said Cottle. “In August of 2017, we had 2,244.”

Reviewing his fourth bullet point, Cottle said since he took office in 2014, a number of major transportation infrastructure projects have been completed. Included are a grant-funded land purchase for a new Alaska Railroad train stop, and opening the Mack-Clapp roads corridor. Other projects currently underway include the Centaur extension for the Knik-Goose Bay Road coupler, and extensions of Riley and Roberts streets.

Cottle said he has been honored to serve as the city’s mayor for the past three years.

“I have tried to represent the views and direction of the City of Wasilla,” Cottle said. “Without this representation, Wasilla will not be heard.”

Loren Means

Means is a 21-year Alaska resident with most of that time spent in Wasilla. He is a general contractor by trade and made the move northwest from Nevada. Means is the Alaska District 7 Republican Party co-chair. He said he’s spending his own money in the race and his biggest campaign promise is that he’s through after three years.

“I want to be a one-term candidate. I will not run for re-election,” said Means. “But I will fund someone good to replace me.”

Means said he served on the Wasilla City Planning Commission from 2013-2016 and despite the stress sometimes associated with ensuring the city continues growing in an equitable fashion, he enjoyed the challenge.

“I had a lot of fun there,” said Means. He said one task during that time stood out above the others, a land-use dispute between two property owners on Wasilla Lake. “That decision was really painful, but I think we made a good decision and did a great job.”

Means said he’s aware that not all city residents are pleased with the status quo and that there are frustrations out there.

“I’m frustrated and fed up with the apathy. Someone has to rise up and it seems it always comes to me,” Means said. “This will be my second run for mayor and I think I have a more focused campaign. I have zero signs. I threw them all away (in his first run in 2013) thinking I’ll never do this again.”

Means said it seems the current administration does what it wants, despite the objection of those it serves. This time around, Means said he’s doing a lot more knocking on doors.

“The 50 percent tax increase (Proposal W-1), resonates with the voters,” said Means, adding the electorate seems more interested in what he has to say. “People seem to be adamantly opposed to a tax increase during the recession we are in. Reception is outstanding, way better than it was three years ago.”

Kevin Baker

Baker did not return Frontiersman phone calls. The following was garnered from his campaign website. Baker said he moved to Wasilla in 1984, served a stint on the Wasilla Planning Commission and is current owner of AlaskaMLS, a Wasilla-based real estate company.

Baker said he has watched the city grow since his arrival witnessing many changes during that time, “some for the better and some not.”

His website contains a number of platforms including saving the clock tower at Meta Rose Square, opposing Proposition W-1, allowing and promoting the sale of marijuana within the city as a new revenue stream, establishing a Wasilla Fairgrounds, promoting more and diversified use of the Menard Sports Complex, and increased tourism promotion.