Quartet of candidates vie for pair of Wasilla council seats

August 28, 2007

By Chris Gillow

Frontiersman

WASILLA - The end of August is near, the purple petals of fireweed are fading fast and it's been consistently chilly in the morning, which is a sure sign politics is in season.

With 38 days left until the Oct. 2 local elections, Wasilla City Council promises lively races to fill seats up for election. This year's city election focuses on Districts E and F, both of which have two candidates who hope to secure council positions.

District E

The two candidates running for the District E seat are Norman Fuller and Dianne Woodruff.

Fuller, 42, owns Alpine Chiropractic Center in Wasilla and has lived here since 1992. He has been a private business owner for those 15 years. Although Fuller doesn't have any major problems with the way current council members handle the city's business, he believes he can make some positive changes.

&#8220I feel like there's a need to serve,” Fuller said.

He outlined four main areas he would like to improve if elected - residential land development, protection of personal rights, continuing improvement of the city's infrastructure and creating more and better jobs.

Fuller isn't a &#8220hard-core” politician, he said. When it comes to the council, it shouldn't be all about politics; rather, it's about helping the people who live in the community one serves. When asked what he would bring to the table, he said his &#8220experience and my good humor.”

Fuller's public service record includes the emergency management team and three years working with the American Red Cross.

Woodruff, 45, is a self-employed certified public accountant who has lived in Wasilla for eight years. Prior to that she lived in Anchorage. The desire to run for a council position stems from a desire to have a friendly and well-run city, she said.

&#8220I want to see all the city's business conducted in a fair and open manner,” she said.

With a year and a half of experience on the Mat-Su Borough Planning Commission, Woodruff said she can play an important role in the development of Wasilla. Also, a background in accounting provides her with knowledge on how to keep the city fiscally responsible.

&#8220I would really like to help make our government as efficient as it can be,” she said.

District F

The two candidates running for District F are incumbent Mark Ewing and Kristofer Larson.

Mark Ewing, 52, is a journeyman telephone technician and the current seat District F council representative. Ewing has lived in Wasilla since 1970, and his interest in city council began after he attended a high school reunion. He was approached by a former classmate who had concerns about local government and believed that &#8220someone needs to look out for our community.”

&#8220I think there is a difference between politics and public service,” Ewing said.

As a council member, Ewing said he has accomplished many goals, including helping to relieve congestion on city streets and protect against thousands of dollars of overspending. But he doesn't plan to stop there.

&#8220You have to finish what you start,” Ewing said about running for re-election.

One of the issues Ewing would like to address if elected again is taxes. Some tax breaks are unfair to the average consumer, like those given to building contractors, he said.

Dr. Kristofer Larson, 29, grew up in Wasilla and works at his father's business, Larson Chiropractic.

As a physician, Larson said he could work in any town or state, but he chose to come back to Wasilla because he loves living here. He wants to see Wasilla prosper and hopes to help accomplish this by joining the city council.

&#8220As we build Wasilla's infrastructure, we should build with the future in mind,” Larson said. &#8220We need to create an environment that supports economic growth.”

An active community member, Larson volunteers a lot of his time to the Colony High School football program, he said. As a doctor, he's able to help with many medical problems and injury prevention.

Larson said he wants to revitalize city council operations.

&#8220I have the skills to navigate a deliberative body and I will bring a sharp mind and a new perspective to the position,” Larson said.

To participate in the Oct. 2 city election, prospective voters must be residents of Wasilla and registered to vote. The deadline for voter registration is Sept.. 2. Residents can renew their voter registration at Wasilla City Hall or at the state Division of Elections Office located in the North Fork Professional Building on Bogard Road.

Contact Chris Gillow at 352-2284 or chris.gillow@frontiersman.com.