Wasilla council member resigns

July 1, 2005

DARRELL L. BREESE\Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA -- Wasilla City Council Member Noel Lowe offered his resignation Monday in the wake of debate over the status of his residency, and after a unanimous vote, the council accepted it. The drop of the mayor's gavel ended not only the meeting, but Lowe's tenure on the council as well.

Lowe informed the council in October that he no longer lived within city limits, but the council allowed him to remain in office because of a nebulous interpretation of state law on residency. The ongoing confusion and uncertainty was the reason for Lowe's resignation.

"The whole issue with my residency has taken on a life of its own," Lowe said. "I don't want it to become a hindrance to this body doing the business of the city."

Lowe said it has been his intention all along to move back into the city of Wasilla, and to that end he announced he was preparing an offer on a four-plex just off Lucille Street.

"I hope to make an offer tomorrow," he said after the meeting. "But closing on the property before my term would expire in October is not a realistic possibility. With that in mind, I decided to resign to avoid any additional controversy."

Fellow council member Mark Ewing, who repeatedly raised the question of Lowe's residency during council meetings, was happy to see the issue resolved.

"It's been 10 months since he first informed us he was living outside city limits," Ewing explained. "And as per our attorney's recommendation, we have waited to address the issue.

"When we discussed it in May, we agreed to a gentleman's agreement that gave him until this meeting to resolve his living situation or resign. I am happy that we can finally put this issue behind us."

While Ewing was vocal in calling for Lowe's dismissal from the council since the issue was first raised, he joined in thanking and praising Lowe for his nearly six years of service.

"I have nothing against him," Ewing said. "He has served the city faithfully and diligently. His intelligent debate will be missed. It is with a great deal of sadness that we accepted his resignation. But is was the right thing to do."

Mayor Dianne M. Keller echoed his sentiments, "Noel is a fine public servant. He served the city with integrity and enthusiasm. His presence on the council will be missed."

What is next for Lowe is still uncertain, but he did hint at future political aspirations.

"One of my goals that I wrote down several years ago is to be mayor of the town that I grew up in," he said. "I think it would be a wonderful opportunity to be an example for my kids."

With Lowe's resignation effective at the conclusion of Monday's meeting, the city has until July 26 to fill his vacancy on the council until the Seat C term expires in October.

Residents interested in serving out the remainder of the term may pick up and fill out an application at the clerk's office.

The position is open to any qualified registered voter who has resided within the city of Wasilla for at least one year prior to appointment.

The application deadline is July 15, and the council will conduct interviews during its July 25 meeting.

Contact Darrell Breese at 352-2267 or darrell.breese@frontiersman.com.