Wasilla preps for rare election

WASILLA - Early and absentee voting in the city's first recall election begins Jan. 23 ahead of the Feb. 7 vote set by Wasilla City Council.

On the ballot is one question - "Shall Steve Menard be recalled from the office of Council Member?"

A week from Monday, Wasilla voters can go to Wasilla City Hall, 290 E. Herning Ave., and mark their oval early, said Kristie Smithers, longtime city clerk. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Feb. 4, the Saturday before the election.

Those who wait until Feb. 7 can vote at one of the city's two regular precinct places, city hall and the Wasilla Senior Center.

Although the recall is the ballot's only question - the city clerk's office is just as busy now as it would be for any other election.

"It's the same amount of work no matter how many questions we have on the ballot," Smithers said. "What makes it more difficult is the condensed time period we have. During a regular election process, we work with the borough, but we plan everything on a special (election)."

The recall of Menard, a two-time councilman, came in response to his behavior at a Sitka hotel while attending the summer Alaska Municipal League meetings.

"Menard, without any good cause, failed to carry out his official duties," the recall ballot says. "While intoxicated, he inflicted substantial damage to his hotel room and directed the hotel to bill the city of Wasilla for the damage. The damage included urinating on two beds and a chair, vomiting on the carpet and setting fire to a mattress."

Because he's the subject of the recall, Menard was allowed to put a 200-word statement of his own on the ballot. In his statement, he apologizes for what happened in Sitka and reiterates his passion for public service.

"I am truly sorry for my actions and all that occurred in the Sitka hotel incident," Menard says in his statement. "It should be known that my lack of resignation is not a sign of expected forgiveness, but rather gives measure to my continued desire to help carve and form this growing community."

Menard also points out that, while his behavior, struggles with alcohol and effort to recall him have been very public, he hopes voters also recognize his service.

"My attendance at every council meeting has included coming prepared, engaged, staying until the gavel drops, recuse myself from voting when appropriate and voting on all other issues," he writes. "Perhaps what hasn't been noticed is my personal time invested at borough and state meetings because I understand the impact of these decisions on our community. ... I work hard to carry out my official duties and strive to make amends when I fall short. I would appreciate your vote to complete my term."

Petitioners, led by the Valley based Conservative Patriots Group, argue an apology is not enough.

"The council's action of sanctioning Menard and requiring him to make full restitution for all costs are sufficient reasons to find Menard committed misconduct in office," the ballot says.

The last time Wasilla city residents were asked to cast ballots in a special election was in 2002, when 14 percent of registered voters turned out to approve a .5 percent sales tax increase to build the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center.

Just how many people may bother to vote in this special election is anybody's guess, Smithers said. The last municipal election in October 2011, which included a four-way race for mayor, drew a 23 percent turnout.

If voters elect to recall Menard, his last council meeting would be Feb. 13, Smithers said. At that meeting, the council will be asked to certify the results of the Feb. 7 recall. And if voters approve the recall, the council would then also be tasked with appointing someone to sit in Menard's seat until the October election when voters would be asked to elect someone to serve the remainder of his term, which expires in 2013.

"In the past, when we've had a vacancy for a council member, (the council) has gone out for an application process," Smithers said. Applicants "usually have a five-minute statement of why they're interested, they're asked a question or two, then typically (the council) goes into executive session to decide who to appoint."

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