News-Miner Editorial
Thin pickings
Lack of candidates isn’t a good sign
Published Thursday, August 14, 2008
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Stumble It!The question shouldn’t have to be asked, but what if an election were held and no candidates showed up?
Friday is the deadline for filing as a candidate in local municipal elections for the Fairbanks North Star Borough and the cities of Fairbanks and North Pole.
In the city of Fairbanks, each of the three open city council seats has a pair of contestants. So that will guarantee voters a choice in that venue, at least.
As of late Wednesday, though, only two people had signed up to serve on the four open seats on the borough assembly. That doesn’t quite cover it. So far, two seats remain without candidates, and the two candidates for the other pair of seats are unopposed.
The school board, with three open seats, had only one candidate.
No doubt we’ll see a few more contestants in the assembly and school board races by the deadline, Friday at 4:30 p.m. (The city of Fairbanks deadline is 5 p.m.) A good number of people have picked up packets for the assembly seat from the borough clerk’s office, and the forms are available online as well. So we probably don’t have to worry about answering that first question: What happens if no candidate shows up?
The answer is interesting in itself, though. In the case of the borough assembly, it appears that a lack of candidates would create a vacancy of greater than 30 days duration. Under borough code, the remaining assembly members would get to pick a person to fill the seat.
So, would you rather pick your representative or have your representatives pick your representative? The answer should be clear for most voters. Maybe a few more will sign up to prevent the latter scenario.
Community Discussion
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Blame the Alaska Public Office Commission (APOC). Their totally invasive disclosure forms, plus the fact they will post this information online for any ID thief worldwide to see and utilize, has mad a joke of local government. No one in their right mind would fill out those forms; they include bank accounts, real estate ownership, even all incomes of the spouse and children living at home.
That's right, even the minimum wage earnings and savings of the candidates child must be reported and will be posted on the internet.
Doesn't surprise me at all there isn't very many people seeking local office; truth is, the ones who have filled out the forms in order to run are showing very poor judgement concerning their own money and privacy and therefore are probably not a very good choice for a leadership role...
For first-hand information on APOCs effect on local government, call the Denali Borough office at 683-1330.
What if an election was held and no voters showed up. The North Star Borough runs a 10 to 20 % turn out of voters. Two things could account for this, people are content or people are so disconnected from the local government they no longer care. Hopefully the fact that this is a Presidential year will increase voter turn out.
Personally, I think people wait to the last minute to put their name in because they realize that the competition will increase when the public sees who is running for office.
I would like to maybe run someday, but for now, the Hatch Act keeps me from it. Hey DenaliGuy, you know, I feel the same way as you about the privacy issue. I do not really have anything to hide... as you know... but having my laundry aired out for all to see is distasteful in the highest degree to me. I know it is for you as well, because we live our lives as good Alaskans and good Americans and understand that our personal privacy is more important that public service.
When someone runs and wins, it doesn't matter how good of a job they do, Ms. Gilbert will be on the radio ragging on them. Who wants to put up with that garbage?
Hummm a shortage of people to run. Well in the vein of past politicians, I will run on the platform of "Honesty" I can't be bought at any price. But I can be rented or leased. If you want me to run for office please send donations.
This year we have the opportunity to vote for nobody. That's great, because you know what? Nobody's perfect!
So...the editor is angry there aren't a lot of people running...and yet his name is not on the ballot? Sounds to me like he's either a hypocrite or content with the borough picking it's own members, so long as he doesn't have to run...
IF no one voted, would they just go away?
We need good people on the Borough Assembley - people who will stop taxing the hell out of us. I'd like to see somebody axe the property tax and replace it with a seasonal sales tax. You'd have to run the numbers to see if it would work, but I think it's a fairer form of taxation. Paying a property tax is, essentially, paying rent to the government. It's getting government persmission to remain on land you've bought and paid for. Let's see the FNSB Assembley handle that issue.
Interesting impersonation. Did you think other people wouldn't notice the difference in usernames? Did you think I wouldn't notice?
But, imitation? It's flattering, not insulting.
:)
Yes, I realize that my last post didn't make sense....now. I had an impersonator that was posting garbage under another very similar username.
The Hatch Act does NOT prevent most Federal employees from running for local office, as long as the election does not involve political parties. See http://www.osc.gov/ha_fed.htm
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