“Your representative owes you not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.“

(Edmund Burke in the 18th century)

Hello,

I am running for re-election in order to continue the progress Wasilla has made in the past number of years. I set a number of goals when I ran for Mayor in 2008 and we have succeeded in meeting numerous objectives. The job of Wasilla’s Mayor is a full-time management position which requires foresight, planning, leadership, sound problem solving and negotiation skills with a positive determination to see things through. The direction has been exemplarily with gains to the citizen in lowering the sales tax, paying off nearly all of the cities long term debt, lowering the budget over the past budget cycles by more than 16% and improving response to citizens needs, not cutting services. I have successfully negotiating acceptable union labor contracts while maintaining qualified and skilled employees without increasing taxes. This administration has continued to abate the need for any city property tax while reaching these objectives: improvements to the Wasilla City Center area have been implemented successfully, increased utilization of the Sports Complex bringing more people into Wasilla. acquisition of additional park land within the city such as the nine and one-half acres alongside Cottonwood Creek at not cost to the city and Lake Lucille Park under city control to name a few. I desire to see that progress continues in the fastest growing city while maintaining the quality of lifestyle that is unique to Alaska.
Wasilla captured my heart long ago, is where my children were born, and is my home.

Sincerely,

Verne E. Rupright    
Mayor, City of Wasilla