Doug Isaacson keeps North Pole mayor seat by slim margin
Published Wednesday, October 14, 2009
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Stumble It!FAIRBANKS — North Pole Mayor Doug Isaacson won re-election by two votes after about 40 outstanding ballots were counted Tuesday.
On the City Council, incumbent Doug Wilson and political newcomer Willy Cork received the most votes, according to final numbers provided by the Fairbanks North Star Borough clerk.
It’s not clear if Isaacson’s closest challenger, Councilman Jeff Jacobson, will ask for a recount.
“I will see if there’s any benefit to that,” Jacobson said.
Assuming the election stands, Jacobson leaves office next week after a decade and a half of service to his city as a councilman or mayor.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve my community over the last 16 years,” the 52-year-old middle school teacher said. “I want to thank all of those who have supported me over the years and especially in this last election. I encourage everyone to be involved as much as possible in their local government and their community by attending City Council meetings, serving on committees and helping in any way possible to make North Pole a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
Isaacson, a 51-year-old former mortgage broker, held a nine-vote lead over Jacobson on election night.
During the final tally, Isaacson picked up 17 votes while Jacobson acquired 24 votes, boosting their totals to 157 and 155, respectively.
Four others campaigned for the $69,000-per-year job but failed to pick up enough votes to be competitive.
The race sometimes focused on disharmony at City Hall with Isaacson bearing the brunt of the blame.
“It was definitely a challenge,” Isaacson said. “I’m exhausted but grateful.”
The mayor said he has begun paving the way for his next three years. He met with the city’s department heads.
“We’re all looking forward to working together — healing wounds,” Isaacson said.
Wilson also had a tough race after the City Council nearly censured him the day before the election. He won his seat with 153 votes.
“I appreciate the vote of confidence from the people of North Pole,” Wilson said. “I will do my best to serve them.”
Cork, who drew 164 votes, had similar sentiments.
“I hope I can do a good job for the voters. I certainly will try,” he said.
Community Discussion
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Every vote counts.
Its time to clean up your act people on the Council and Mayor... and get rid of the North Pole Economic Development before they destroy Christmas in Ice!
Congratulations Willy, glad to see you in there!
While I am disappointed in the outcome of the NP election, I realize that for the betterment of the city, and as well, to promote harmony and peace among it's residents we all have to move forward. I believe we can agree, that regardless of who we supported, the past three years have been dubious at best. Not this next three years however. I will ask for nothing but absolute transparency in all areas of our city government. Kevin Ritchie posted the following blog on October 10th. Unfortunately, it was posted on a News Miner article that was run previously in September, so it wasn't seen by but a few:
"Let's make it black and white. There are issues within every government office as in every day life. If you're truly wanting to resolve these issues then stay tuned. A committee is being formed to meet at least twice a month. Meetings to be held at City Hall. All meetings will be public knowledge and all are welcome to attend. Citizen participation is what makes a strong community. The power is held by the people, not those in titled position.
The purpose of this committee is to hold all parties accountable. The Mayor, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Public Utilities, City Employees to include City Council.
No longer will I be known as CSINorthPole. I feel the citizens of North Pole should know who they can contact publicly. They should feel free and comfortable with whom they are speaking. My eyes and ears will always be open.
My name is Kevin Ritchie. If you have questions please contact me at gatornole36@hotmail.com or make it a point and become a part of the Citizens Committee."
I will be the first to sign up to join Kevin in holding our city officials accountable, all equally, everyone, across the board. The past three years have allowed a few city officials to ride roughsod over the city code, city financial matters, city employees and residents. Confidence needs to be restored to the public, and if it takes a citizen's coalition to join together in order to demand it, then I'm absolutely committing to be involved. I will be in touch Kevin!
Wow.. I voted but since I live in North Pole but not the City limits I couldn't help choose the Mayor for North Pole, So I guess New Cell Phones and some Sam's Club shopping is in Order!!
So, like winters, another dirty dog retains his seat. How's that? Really.
I spoke with Kevin Ritchie this morning. His plans are to attend the next city council session on October 19th, and as many of the budget meetings over the following couple of weeks before the council meets again on November 2nd. He wants to encourage everyone to attend any/all of those meetings as well, and to take plenty of notes. The citizens committee/coalition will schedule a time to meet at City Hall during the first week of November, and everything will be posted to notify anyone that is interested in participating. Everyone is invited to participate and bring your concerns to the table.
akmom99705, I empathize! I don't work for the city, and I have no power on my own. However, if I can do nothing else, I will give you my word that there will be no more misappropriations of city taxpayer funds being used to bank the mayor for months at a time while he gets his personal financial house in order. Anything that I can do to demand honesty and transparency with every dime, I will do. No more excuses!
mouseinthehouse wrote, "A committee is being formed to meet at least twice a month. Meetings to be held at City Hall. All meetings will be public knowledge and all are welcome to attend. Citizen participation is what makes a strong community. The power is held by the people, not those in titled position.
The purpose of this committee is to hold all parties accountable. The Mayor, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Public Utilities, City Employees to include City Council."
Um......... twice a month, at city hall? Nice try. It's already being done. City Council meets at City Hall the first and third Monday of the month at 7pm. I am there at every meeting - I know for a fact you folks are not because all the chairs are empy. So - you might as well come to the regular City Council meeting and avoid the trouble of signing out a key.
I find it ironic that people will post here until their fingers are numb ...... some of you spend an hour or more here each day - yet meeting after meeting at city hall is adjourned with nobody speaking during public testimony.
The more people that get involved in city government the better it becomes. I see allot of frustration online here...... frustration that could be resolved by putting your voice on the record during public testimony. Come out to the meeting - we always have coffee, tea, hot cocoa handy to help your voice box.
Kevin McCarthy
North Pole City Council
It's a fair statement Kevin! And it's a start! I will be there!
Congratulations to Mayor Doug Isaacson.
The people have spoken so lets get behind him to help him bring North Pole together.
We'll be seeing you at the meetings.
You gotta admit,his momma does dress him good.
NP Truth the people have not spoken... the majority did not vote for Doug. Just look at the numbers. Mr McCarthy there are people who care about North Pole, instead of belittling them, why not invite them to talk with you about their concerns and you can help them bring forth their concerns in the appropriate manner. I get tired of hearing people complain about things without coming to a meeting also but I certainly would control myself on such a public place as the comment section of the News Miner. And as for the citizens meeting.. at lease a real dialogue can be had at such a meeting, not at the City Council meetings. You go and testify and most of the time, it's on deaf ears. I know, I've done it more times than I can count.
yay Doug. boooo Nadine.
Maybe doug will go take down his monstrous unsightly signs he has left up for way to long.
Kevin I got 8 votes running for mayor and defended Doug Isaacson McCarthy, give it a rest. Your the one thats tranparent. The chairs are empty because of apathy and disghust.
From the quotes in the Anchorage Daily Planet, the new Mayor may be looking at Coghill's seat. So North Pole you may soon find out your new Mayor will jump ship at the chance of a better political seat.
Isaacson must have hired Mike Kelly's political consultant.
NPMA I'm about ready to go around and take pictures of the monstrosity of the political signs for all to see. It's disgusting how Doug and Mike Welch's signs have been left up now for over a week as if to rub it into everyone's face that they race for office. It's over, get over yourself and take down your signs.
NPTruth said: "The people have spoken so lets get behind him to help him bring North Pole together."
To me it looks like it was split down the middle, and the "people" haven't chosen a definitive winner at all. Not even close to a 50% majority.
If just 1 person had changed their vote it would have tied exactly. So apparently the "people" are pretty divided.
sisu, I knew that several years ago. Doug Isaacson told me that personaly when he was the chairperson of the North Pole Anexation Comittee.
sisu can you provide the link to this info?
Annexation Committee!
Alaska Dispatch, the new statewide online paper where you can read all the news the NewsMiner fails to print or prints it a week latter. article Therriault departure.
An excerpt from the Alaska Dispatch article:
"I hate to speculate at this minute," Isaacson said Tuesday afternoon as the final votes were being tallied. "I'm just concentrating on my own election. But the question would be, how can I best serve my community?"
Not true at all Doug.
He can start by taking down all his signs, instead he plasters stickers on them.
Isaacson won't even pass the vetting process to be considered for Coghill's seat. I'm afraid we are stuck with him, as he has no other offers other than the part-time job he holds with the census bureau.
The citizens need to come together, as much as possible, and hold him accountable to the best of our ability. It certainly was not being done before!
Go Kevin and Go Mouse. I think what your doing is an excellent idea. Stay on top of those who prefer to aoperate below the radar. low. Those who operate above board have nothing to hide. Right on NPMA! It is time to remove the signs.
Sound as if everyone has something to say, that's fantastic. Only one question, who's dedicated and willing to put forth effort. I've personally heard enough complaining from all sides. If what I hear is true and in black/white then all issues will be addressed.
I've heard from several people that say we've already tried and nobody cares.
I care and I'm finishing what's been started. I incourage everyone to participate and be heard.
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