Houston's missing Link

City councilor admits to living in Wasilla hotel

By Russell Stigall/Frontiersman

HOUSTON - Where, oh where, does Link Fannon live?

For at least the last 93 days, Houston City Council member Link Fannon has lived in the Grandview Inn in Wasilla.

&#8220Even his mailing address is not in Houston,” Houston Mayor Dale Adams said.

Houston city ordinance requires elected officials to inform the city council when moving outside city limits. Fannon did not mention his move until Houston resident Elsie O'Bryan confronted Fannon during citizen comments at Houston's council meeting Thursday night.

Fannon said he sold his house early last November. His wife, Melody, and children Journey, 2, and Levi, 3-months, moved out 10 days later. Link Fannon was in Petersburg at the time of the sale, he said.

The Fannon family put their house up for sale last summer, Fannon said. The home was located in Gaunt subdivision, backed by 80 acres of open land.

&#8220Quiet, ideal for a family,” Fannon said.

But when an airport went in on the 80 acres, the Fannons decided to leave.

Fannon said originally he planned to purchase a plot of land from an acquaintance. But the deal fell through. In the days since, Fannon has bid on four homes in the Houston area, he said.

&#8220My intentions are 100 percent to buy a home in Houston,” Fannon said.

While Fannon rents a room in Wasilla, his wife and two kids are visiting family in Seattle, Wash., and Boise, Idaho. His wife is seeking medical attention.

Fannon's confession broadsided council members, because they didn't know in advance that he would be confronted.

Adams said he called Fannon into city hall to discuss a letter the city received from Houston resident Raymond Six. The letter alleged Fannon's change in residency. When Adams asked Fannon about Six's allegations, Fannon did not give a full response, Adams said.

Later, during the &#8220persons to be heard” portion of the city council meeting, O'Bryan addressed Fannon directly and asked him where he lived. Fannon then spilled the beans.

&#8220Things like this just don't happen,” Mayor Adams said. &#8220People have moved out before, but usually they resign.”

Houston has had residency cases with its officials in the past.

Late last year, Six planned to file a recall petition against former Houston City Council member Betty Vehrs based on questions of her residency. Vehrs resigned from the council for family reasons before Six filled the recall.

Adams said Six has Houston's best interests in mind when pursuing residency questions.

Six thinks that &#8220to represent me you have to live in my city and drive on my roads and suffer when the roads aren't plowed,” Adams said.

Fannon was hard on Vehrs when her residency was in question, Adams said.

Fannon said he believes his past aggressiveness will affect how the council treats his case.

&#8220I'm a great big pain in the ass,” Fannon said.

Since the matter is being considered by Houston's attorney, Adams said he is limited in what he could discuss. But he said by Houston city ordinance, Fannon is required to notify city council before moving.

Fannon did tell the council he had the intention to come back, Adams said.

&#8220I don't know when,” Adams said.

If Fannon had informed the council early of his decision to move, the council could have voted to waive the residency ordinance.

&#8220More than likely, the council would have given the benefit of the doubt,” Adams said.

Vehrs said she believes Fannon didn't discuss his situation because, &#8220Fannon doesn't feel like he has to follow the rules,” she said.

Untouchable or not, Fannon said he feels he did no wrong.

&#8220I didn't think it was a real big deal,” Fannon said, &#8220because I didn't deceive.”

Though he failed to alert the council of his relocation for more than three months, Fannon said &#8220it comes down to intent.”

Instead of voting to the allow Fannon's absence, the council now has to rectify his violation of city ordinance.

&#8220I hope that council does what's right,” Vehrs said, suggesting that Fannon should be removed from the council.

The council member for seat B, Fannon is also the president of the Mat-Su Property Owners Association, president of the Young Republicans Mat-Su and the District 15 finance chair for the Republican Party, according to the Houston city Web site.

Contact Russell Stigall at

352-2267 or russell.stigall@ frontiersman.com