Rupright has a challenging task ahead

Wasilla will swear in a new mayor tomorrow, and with him hopefully begin rebuilding a public trust shattered by questionable ethical practices and shadowy deals to benefit a developer.

Local attorney Verne Rupright out-dueled former Wasilla City Council member Marty Metiva for the city’s top administrative post in a run-off election certified on Friday. And while forcing a run-off in a close municipal election Oct. 7 and coming out on top this past week, Rupright has little time to relish his victory before taking on the task earning back the trust of Wasilla residents.

Rupright said his priorities beginning his term will be to update the city’s comprehensive plan and tackle Wasilla’s transportation challenges, he must also make earning back the public’s trust in its local government a top priority.

That trust has been strained, tested and broken over the past year, including an independent investigation that found Mayor Dianne M. Keller and some key city staffers worked behind the scenes to benefit a developer. They did so at the expense of other established local businesses and property owners, the Denali Law Firm found in its probe, conducted earlier this year at the request of city council.

Rupright has a reputation as being honest and we expect he’ll bring a no-nonsense approach to handling the city’s business. The first step is helping Wasilla City Council draft and implement a comprehensive code of ethics for the city’s mayor, department heads and employees to follow. Crucial to this effort will be practices that encourage and regulate city business to be conducted in the light of public scrutiny as much and as broadly as possible.

Saying he’s “in the listening business,” Rupright has vowed to glean insight from residents into how they want him to lead Wasilla. While he’s listening, here’s what Wasilla needs from its mayor.

Wasilla needs a mayor who’s honest and open with the public and employees.

Wasilla needs a mayor who is fair and consistent on managing the city’s retail, commercial and residential growth. No special favors and no pet projects.

Wasilla needs a mayor who will listen to its employees and make consistent decisions.

Wasilla needs a mayor who will work on concert with, not in opposition of, the city council.

As a new Wasilla City Council prepares to work with its new mayor, we trust Rupright will give the council the respect it deserves. While the mayor doesn’t work for the council, the office and council are both answerable to the same authority — the residents of Wasilla.