Former Wasilla Mayor Bert Cottle has died

Former Wasilla mayor Bert Cottle has died. News of Cottle’s death hit social media Wednesday.

“My family and I are sad to hear of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Bert Cottle. My administration is thankful for all of the work Bert did for Alaska. Most recently he was our outreach coordinator, and previously he was the mayor of Wasilla. Bert was truly one of the good guys. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time,” Gov. Mike Dunleavy said in a statement on social media.

Cottle served as the mayor of Wasilla for six years before leaving office in 2020.

“Mayor Cottle you work tirelessly in helping the cow ensure decisions are made at the local level and that’s something I believe the city council and you have led this effort on local control and really have been spearheading that effort throughout our state,” Sen. David Wilson said in September of 2020 as he presented a legislative citation to honor Cottle for his career in public service spanning over three decades in Wasilla and Valdez.

In a 2021 interview with the Frontiersman, Cottle said the following when asked about his biggest accomplishments during his time as the Wasilla mayor.

“Probably when we moved the Veterans Wall. The City of Wasilla took the leadership on that. We raised $900,000 from different organizations that made the wall what it is now. People might not like the location and there’s nothing I can do about that, but the City of Wasilla gave a 198-year lease on that land for a dollar a year, and pays for electricity, and maintenance… I was working for Rupright when I got the land donated by the Borough to get a new library, and I was the mayor that bought the land from the school district to build a new police department, and that was all approved by the voters… You’ve got to have public support. The public has to trust you in government, that you’re gonna do what you say you are, and the first time you don’t do that, you’ll never get it again,” Cottle told the Frontiersman.

Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries won a race for her position and Cottle was among the other candidates. Cottle’s race for mayor was hampered by a temporary halt in his campaigning due to heath reasons.

Both shared an era with prominent roles in Mat-Su leadership.

{span}”It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge Mayor Cottle’s passing. He as Mayor of Wasilla and I as Mayor of Palmer spend much time and effort together in working for our communities. Even after I was elected Borough Mayor and he working for the Governor, we spend time working together. I always appreciated his forward thinking and caring for our community. He leaves a large hole. Prayer and blessings to his family and our community as we grieve together,” DeVries said.{/span}

Alaska Municipal League Executive Director Nils Andreassen also made a tribute to Cottle on social media Wednesday.

“It is difficult to describe the scale of the contributions Bert Cottle made to the local governments he served, and to the Alaska Municipal League. Decades of public service translate into immeasurable benefits. Bert was a force to be reckoned with and a tireless advocate for the interests of communities he led. His commitment to local control and to ensuring that local governments were united in their voice and vision for that principle was unparalleled. We know that our membership will miss him greatly, even as our thoughts are with his family and so many friends,” Andreassen said.

Cottle also served as mayor and police chief in Valdez. He worked for the Valdez Police Department from 1974-1996. He was the police chief for the final seven years before he retired from law enforcement. Cottle served as mayor of Valdez from 2000 through 2010.

“There was no finer public servant than Bert Cottle. He never hid behind a desk, he was always out and about in the communities he loved, talking to the people, even though his physical health was failing, he maintained his great attitude and didn’t miss a beat when it came to talking about politics and the Alaskan people he loved. Everyone always knew when Bert entered a room and we mourn his departure,” Former Alaska Governor and current candidate for governor Bill Walker said on a statement on social media.

Cottle became the deputy mayor of Wasilla in 2011.

Contact the Frontiersman at news@frontiersman.com.