Nadine Winters keeps seat on Fairbanks Borough Assembly
Published Wednesday, October 14, 2009
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Stumble It!FAIRBANKS — Nadine Winters has retained her seat on the Borough Assembly.
Numbers following a count of absentee and questioned ballots Tuesday show Winters, who joined the assembly four years ago, beat challenger Josh Lott 50.3 percent to 48.7 percent.
The Winters-Lott race was the closest in the borough-wide election, separated by less than 200 votes after the initial count, following last week’s initial tally. The margin grew slightly, to 214, during Tuesday’s count.
Winters’ three-year term will start later this month. She is the presiding officer for the assembly, approving agendas and running regular meetings, and said she’d likely seek the post again. Winters said she tries to provide “a thoughtful voice” to issues that can grow contentious, as they have recently in the case of air pollution.
“(I try) to treat everyone fairly, assembly members and the public that comes in, and where possible coordinate with the administration,” Winters said.
Winters said she’ll arrive for a second term without a set agenda and needs to see who voters choose as a new mayor before speculating on any possible policy focuses.
Lott, who lost his second assembly race in as many years, said he plans to stay involved. A regular at public meetings in the past year, Lott said he’ll apply for a vacancy when voters choose either Luke Hopkins or Tammie Wilson, both incumbents, as mayor next month.
“I’ve stayed dedicated to coming to the meetings, even if I’m currently on the audience’s side of things,” Lott said of his decision to continue pursuing of public office.
Winters said she expected a close race and sensed this year’s election was fairly unique because of some voting groups’ efforts to keep a handful of emotional issues, including air quality and recycling, at the forefront.
“I’m glad for the support and I hope I have something to offer the community over the next three years,” she said.
In other close borough races, Wendy Dominique won re-election to the school board, beating challenger Lynette Bergh 5,946 votes to 5,644. Dominique’s immediate lead following last week’s initial count was 5,329 votes to 5,044 for Bergh.
In the borough mayor's race, the final count shows Luke Wilson with 32.52 percent of the vote and Tammie Wilson with 31.56 percent of the vote.
Community Discussion
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How unfortunate, I didn't even know her opponent and still voted against her.
It is such a shame that Fairbanks voted to retain that liberal "bag lady". I wish bag taxes upon those 50%.
Well, when the unions say jump, the rank and file jump.....Hence we end up with tax and spend , rules and regulation Liberals trying to run our lives.
The big test is can we (the little people ) defeat The Union Liberal Luke Hopkins...
Exceptionally disappointing. Unbelievable anyone could in good conscience vote for someone whose actions not only defy common sense, but are designed to steal money and liberty from the very people she's sworn to protect.
for those that didn't even got out to vote, you should be penalized with the next 3 years of going to the borough assembly meeting just to see and hear Ms. Winters and you will change your mind about voting and vote against her next time. Winters said she tries to provide “a thoughtful voice” to issues that can grow contentious, as they have recently in the case of air pollution.
“(I try) to treat everyone fairly, assembly members and the public that comes in
Her thoughtful voice is so tactless, so uncompassionate, down right rude sometimes. You get what you get, when you don't take the time to care and vote!!!!!!!!! What will she come up next, tax on cigarette butts,soda,and candy wrappers.
The winters are nasty in Fairbanks, including the cold one on the assembly. Fairbanks should be very shamed...especially all those that did not VOTE! There was a great candidate that would made Fairbanks a better place to be, instead we have another cold and nasty winter. PRAY for global warming and maybe this awful winter will leave someday.
downstream, you said it the best.................
BullsEye....don't be so sure. I am a union member. The union recommended Winters....I voted for Lott. Union member does not equal brainless idiot.
This will just embolden her to continue with her unpopular agenda. I can't believe the voters put her back into office. It never ceases to amaze me how voters can be so outspoken against a candidate, yet continue to vote for them. I just can't understand it. I also can't figure out how Alaskans can vote about 62% for Republicans for national office, yet the majority of local and state politicians are liberal leaning Democrats. It just doesn't make any sense. I wonder if that would change if those running for state and local office had to identify their party affiliation? Most voters don't bother to investigate candidates beyond the generic, feel good comments made in politcal ads.
All of you that voted for her, SHAME on you!!!
I do not know her opponent, but I voted against her. She has done nothing that I approve of and I agree with those that say she will steal our liberty.
Apparently we are a collective fool. She was the one person I heard the least positive things about from all sides. They way people were talking I figured it would be a land slide against her. Oh well, for those who voted for her, prepare to reap what you sow.
The conservatives aren't as strong as they think they are. The way it looks, the Obama Democrat Hopkins will probably win and do to this borough what Obama has done to this country.
Freedafur, I'm afraid that you are right. I talked to many people about this election who would have voted for Tammie and Josh and they all had an excuse why they did not make it to the polls. If it's not a national election we might as will just let the Ester and Farmers Loop precincts select their favorite candidate and call the election off.
This result really makes me wonder about our "vote". Overwhelming cries from both sides of the fence that her latest little fiasco was downright wrong...yet, surprise!, she retains her seat.
Wow, I did not realize we really had so many of the ignorant in this borough that this could actually happen. I cant find anyone who says they voted for her, anywhere, yet she won. So, there must be some folks who are secretly in her camp, but have to lie in public as they are ashamed to admit their true nature in public for fear of ridicule. Are the people really so naive'?
I guess you CAN fool most of the people most of the time. Pity.....
Here's one Fairbanksan who's not ignorant and voted for Nadine Winters...and I'd do so again.
"Winters said she tries to provide “a thoughtful voice” to issues that can grow contentious"
Tries?! Well, she flat-out fails if that is the case. She does not try. She openly shows disdain toward those that disagree with proposed ordinances. Her arrogance and lack of tact, consideration, and respect are written all over her face for anyone to see. If she was even remotely thoughtful, she would not have elected to attempt to retain her seat on the assembly for another term.
SpiritofAlaska wrote, "Her thoughtful voice is so tactless, so uncompassionate, down right rude sometimes."
And, I could not agree more.
Way to go Nadine!
Congratulations on the victory.
I could go on but my fellow Fairbanksan's have so much to write I think I'll let them say it for me.:)
In seems that Ester & the Farmers Loop areas control the elections in this Borough. How interesting? How can so few thrown the balance of an election one way or the other. It must be wonderful to be so powerful.
The voters of this Borough must band together to show everyone who controls local elections. And that's not one or two little pockets of liberal thing!
Oh the outrage...that someone on the assembly would sacrifice people's liberty, by reminding them that that absolute freedom to do whatever you want comes with a price...total isolation and self dependence. If you don't like being held accountable to other voters for your pollution, I suggest you pull up stakes, and move where nobody can bother you, and nobody can help you in anyway.
I've known Nadine casually for years and it saddens me to agree with many of the negative comments here about the way she appears at assembly meetings. I don't know if it is genuine disdain or simply boredom, but she doesn't even bother to pretend to be interested in the public testimony. I've sat on public boards and I've had to preside over the cantina scene that sometimes shows up for public comment. I'm not so naive to think that the fifth person to sit in the chair and rant for or against some ordinance or the guy who seems to be always off topic is likely to be very interesting to listen to but part of your job as a servant of the public is to at least PRETEND it is.
DNM your opinion is shining thru once again. You must be so proud of your bag lady because it really shows in the glowing report that you call objective news.
Fairbanks, why would you do this? Who knows what "fees" she will try to impose on us in her next term.
A $.05 bag tax causes absolutely no strain on the consumer. What it does do, however, is cause a perceived incentive to bring your own bag. Those who wish to ignore the tax can, and can say goodbye to an extra quarter every time they shop. Those who do want to take advantage of this small push forward can, and will make a big difference in the landfills. Our actions, and all the waste we cause, really does have a price, although we can't see it yet up here (the dead-zone in the ocean, on the other hand, that garbage continent the size of Texas floating out in the sea, well, it is feeling the heat of our extraordinary consumption habits).
Nadine is a forward thinking woman who deserves to retain her seat.
Way to Go, Nadine! A political leader who is not afraid to stand up for principle, who does not shy from controversy, and who offers her daily service to our community to make this a better, more progressive place for everyone to live. I am feeling refreshed and heartened that the community has spoken, and the values and leadership Nadine offers has been embraced. Cheers!
Wa-HOO! So happy to see that news this morning. She does amazing work for our community.
Whoever voted for Nadine is either an idiot, uninformed, or both!
Maybe Nadine can institute a five cent vote tax on those who voted against her.
... or even better, if we had a nickel for every non-voter.
I thought the bag fee was a good idea. However, I also appreciate that the majority of the Borough is against it and so it was rescinded. That's fine! That is our local gov't as it should work.
What I don't understand is the teeth gnashing directed toward Winters. Does anyone dislike her for a reason OTHER than the bag fee? If so, I haven't read it. I get not voting for her because you didn't support that measure, but I don't understand the claim that it curtails our liberties or that she is somehow an intrinsically awful person for supporting it.
These claims about Winters - and, to expand, about the politics of the Borough in general (I'm looking at the folks who claim Ester and the University 'ruin' the vote) are downright hyperbolic. They don't contribute to a significant understanding of the issues.
JaneBeans... the bag tax is history - gone - kaput. Just so ya know...
tater, Nadine is your type of tater, a dick tater.
Some of you forget... there were a lot of people who testified in support of Nadine's "bag tax." They vote too.
We all have a tendency to hang around people we generally agree with. That puts us at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to predicting the outcome of elections.
Yes Nadine..but now if you didn't vote ..then it means that you de facto voted for her...thanks to al the defacto voters for your support
DEMOCRACY IN ACTION!
I love AMERIKA
I love DEMOCRACY!
see how it works!
The last line of this article is slightly incorrect - Tammie Wilson finished with 31.56% and Luke Hopkins with 32.52%. The article says they both had 32.5.
justasking
My wife and I wonder if you know the difference between a Democracy vs Republic?
justasking,
I live in America, YOU, Winters and all your idiot liberal friends can live in Amerika. I'm sure that if your keyboard could you would also type the "R" backwards comrade! Told you all, these people are just IDIOTS!!!
The dead weight remains.
Jeez what a mess of vitriol!
Here is a political perspective on the runoff for mayor -- trying to be objective and not spread more toxins, which seem to be the mother's milk of these commentaries:
Frequently the #1 vote getter in the primary has gotten all they are going to get, while the runner up stands to gain those voters who did not like #1 in the first place, and therefore would not like #1 in the runoff, so they vote for #2 (actually against #1) the second time around. It is not 100% that way, but if the same voter profile comes out for the runoff, that is not an unusual outcome. IF it does NOT play out that way, it will be very very close race.
Meanwhile, who is really interested in the snarky small-minded, love/hate, liberal/conservative, conspiracy A vs. conspiracy B (don't you people have anything better to do?) chatter boxes. How about, how will this play out as a political event? And, how can we, as voters, affect change? THAT is what matters! Not all this sophomoric drool that attempts to glamorize these screens. Name calling is really NOT an American value, but it is, apparently, an American tradition. Sad.
Congratulations Nadine!!!
Unreal
My wife and I says its unreal she won!
It is a sad day when the bag lady pulls this one off. Ever since the pipeline this town has slid down hill.
Pat
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