Wasilla council needs to make the tough choice

Members of local elected bodies often tout how they’re charged with doing the will of the people. They’re our voices on issues of public policy, and represent our interests in conducting municipal, state or federal business.

In the case of Wasilla City Council, the remaining five members are searching for a solution to an impasse over whom to appoint to fill a seat that has been vacant since city voters recalled former two-time councilman Steve Menard on Feb. 13.

After the recall election, council members asked for applicants to fill the seat until the Oct. 2 municipal election. It’s a routine process used by councils and borough assemblies throughout Alaska; they interview applicants and make a decision.

That’s why we were surprised Feb. 27 when the Wasilla council said it was unable to choose from the three applicants — John Luberger, Glenda Ledford or Patrick Johnson — who boast years of varied collective public service.

One of the three was previously appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Wasilla council. Another has been appointed by four Mat-Su Borough mayors to sit on various boards and commissions. The third, like some of the present councilors, is a passionate longtime resident and business owner.

This is not an argument for one candidate over another. We see merits in all three.

City code calls for a decision to be made by at least a two-thirds majority of remaining council members, which is why at least four votes are needed to approve someone.

After delaying the decision Feb. 27, the council has until March 29 to make a decision. The deadline for aspiring city council members to apply is noon, today. But as of press time Thursday, only the three original candidates had reapplied.

So at Monday’s regular council meeting, Wasilla’s governing body will review what will likely be the same slate of applicants. And they will try again to resolve their stalemate.

This time, an impasse is not an acceptable result. Seating a council member is a difficult decision, but it’s one the current council members were elected to make. City code is clear: council must decide.

Because Menard’s seat became vacant more than 180 days ahead of the city’s next regular election, the council could opt for a special election to settle the matter.

But in this case, putting the city through the expense and drama of yet another special election that’s likely to draw a small fraction of eligible voters hardly seems like the best course of action.

We encourage the council to find a compromise and put this matter to rest quickly.