In two cities, three run for one contested seat

MAT-SU — While perhaps less controversial than the city council race in Houston, and less contested than the race for the Mat-Su Borough Assembly, both Wasilla and Palmer have two seats on their city councils up for election on Oct. 6.

In Palmer, the seats held by Richard Best and Ken Erbey will be on the ballot. Both are running unopposed for re-election.

Seats A and B on the Wasilla City Council will be up for voter approval. However, Doug Holler is running unopposed for Seat B.

In the one contested race between the two cities, Ron Cox has drawn two rivals for Seat A. Cox, Taffina Katkus and Steve Menard were sent a questionnaire from the Frontiersman. Menard did not respond by press time, and a summary of the answers of the other two are below.

Their complete responses are online at frontiersman.com.

Cox is a past teacher and pastor who now manages Mat-Su Security Services. He said he is running for re-election to continue to make Wasilla a better place and “will not be happy until our traffic problems are under control.”

Katkus is the owner of Pioneer Signs and a professional artist and photographer. She is running for the council to represent the interests of everyday people, she said.

As far as working with Mayor Vern Rupright, Katkus said she admires his determination and commitment. He is doing the “best job that he thinks he can do at this point,” and he will only get better with more experience.

“However,” Katkus said, “it also appears that in his drive to do what he thinks is right, he loses sight of his duty and responsibility to the public to listen to and heed conflicting opinions.”

Cox said he thinks the mayor is doing a “wonderful job.” However, this race is about the people deciding who they want to represent them, not the mayor, Cox said.

Cox supports the concept of an outdoor shooting range at the Menard Memorial Sports Complex. Having a controlled place for people to train will cut down on the accidents and uncontrolled shooting.

“What better place than an area that was set aside for sporting events?” Cox said.

Katkus disagrees. She believes there is a need for a range, and she supports “responsible firearm ownership, training and use.” However, she does not support the proposed location, design or concept.

Now is not the time to split the borough in two, Katkus said.

Each government has certain responsibilities, she said, and there needs to be planning and leadership to prevent overlapping services and overreaching authority.

Cox said the council has never discussed splitting the borough. Besides, he said, Wasilla does not need to follow Houston.

“Perhaps Houston should follow the lead of Wasilla?” Cox said.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.