Kohring applies for appointment to Wasilla Planning Commission

WASILLA — As political talking heads campaign for “change” in national congressional and presidential races, there’s plenty of change on the horizon for the city. For at least one hopeful Wasilla Planning Commission applicant, change would mean bringing back a face familiar to city and state politics.

Former seven-time state House representative and convicted felon Vic Kohring has applied to fill one of four planning commission seats that are either vacant or coming up for renewal by the end of the year. Kohring was one of six former state lawmakers entangled in a federal investigation into public corruption in Alaska and resigned from the state House in 2007. He eventually entered a plea of no contest and served a year in an out-of-state prison for his role in the public corruption scandal of oil services company VECO.

“There’s no politics in play at all here,” Kohring said of his application. He said he saw there were openings and, “I thought, well shoot, maybe this would be a good way to get involved in public service again. I feel like I’ve got a lot to offer.”

Before election to the Legislature, Kohring was on the Wasilla Planning Commission from 1991-1994, including a stint as its chair. He said that experience would be helpful if he’s chosen.

“I know the city issues well and city code and development issues for the city,” he said. “I want to stay on that course and continue growing the way we’re going.”

His motivation “was always that I wanted to help people, and when I was in the Legislature, that was reflected in a lot of the casework I and my staff did,” Kohring said.

If the former lawmaker wants to put that public service experience to work, he may have to wait a while longer, Wasilla Mayor Verne Rupright said.

Rupright is tasked with filling the four seats on the Wasilla Planning Commission, as well as spots on the city’s Airport Advisory Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission and administrative hearing officers. He said that while he will consider every application equally, the timing may not be right for Kohring.

“For me, it’s a two-fold process,” Rupright said. “Anybody can put an application in and I’ll read it. But he’s still on federal probation and I think it would need to be clear (if he can legally serve a political appointment). There’s that gray area that you have to be 18 and a lawful voter.”

As a felon, Kohring is prohibited from voting, Rupright said. Also, there’s a question of maintaining the public’s trust in city happenings.

“I have to weigh the fact with the crimes he did admit to, which were a breach of public trust,” he said. “Wasn’t he convicted of or admitted to a crime of breaching a public trust? So why would you put him in a public trust position? The planning commission is a public trust position.”

That said, Rupright also said he has faith in the process of judicial punishment and that a person can pay for his crimes and “you don’t wear the scarlet letter forever.”

Kohring said that contrary to some scuttlebutt going around, applying was his idea.

“I simply applied on my own after learning that a vacancy may be coming,” he said. “The mayor and I have not even spoken about the matter, although I hope to at some point. … All I can do is wait to see if the mayor deems me qualified and if I’m a good selection for the position. If not, no problem.”

Along with Kohring, four others have applied for the planning commission. Two will be chosen to fill the seats of Buzz Buswell, the group’s former chair who was recently elected to Wasilla City Council, and of Steve DeHart, who had to resign for health reasons. Also, the terms of Glenda Ledford and Doug Miller are up. Both have reapplied, along with Jessica Dean and Jesse Sumner.

Other public commission hopefuls include John Popecki (Airport Advisory Commission), Dave Tuttle (Parks and Recreation Commission) and Eric Jensen (Administrative Hearing Officer). All three are incumbents and have applied for re-appointment.

Overall, Rupright said he’s pleased with the number and quality of applicants, although more are needed.

“I have some people who have applied that I’m please with and some new faces,” he said. “I want to see if I can get some younger people involved, too.”

Rupright said he’ll likely make his choices and bring them to the city council by early December for approval.

View applications for the city of Wasilla’s commission and board appointments attached to this story online at frontiersman.com.

Contact reporter Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.