Wasilla Mayor 1998 – 2002

Governor Palin’s accomplishments are being reconstructed. Once this page is complete, this notice will be removed.

Mayoral Campaign Born

In this doodle on the back of a budget document, then Councilwoman Palin outlined her nascent mayoral campaign (H/T Kenton L). Click photo for full-size image. Notice the “time for change” written in the upper left-hand corner. As Gov. Palin pointed out in Going Rogue, “we were change, before change was cool.”

Executive Summary

During her two three-year terms as Mayor of Wasilla, Sarah Palin developed her executive and administrative experience, and put her Transformational Leadership skills to the test. Sarah Palin won her Mayoral election with 75% of the vote in a three-way race (Palin, 2009, p. 80). The Mayor’s position of Wasilla is a CEO type job over a multimillion dollar entity (Palin, 2009, p. 69).

Reagan Conservatism/Tax Reduction:

Cut taxes
Eliminated small-business inventory taxes
Eliminated property taxes
Eliminated business license renewal fees
Cut the real estate property tax mil levy during each year in office
Did not support proposed city-wide smoking ban

(Palin, 2009, p. 78)

Infrastructure Development:

Built and paved roads
Extended water and sewer lines
Paved runway at Wasilla Municipal Airport
City bond financed by half-cent sales tax to build Curtis Menard Jr. Multi-Use Sports Center

(Palin, 2009, p. 78)

Wasilla became a major commercial center under Mayor Palin. Established small businesses grew, and major national chains opened their doors in Wasilla.

Transformational Leadership:

“This gets at my approach to management. I have a bulletin board filled with coffee-stained dog-eared quotes tacked up along with family photos that has followed me from office to office since 1992. One of my favorite quotes comes from author and former football coach Lou Holtz, on how to build your team: “Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated.” (Palin, 2009, p. 79).

Fired police chief who refused cut department budget and who attempted to undermine Palin’s Mayoralty.
Requested letters of resignation from all department heads to keep on file. Only two complied.

President, Alaska Conference of Mayors

Led dozens of other mayors in dealing with statewide issues, such as municipal revenue sharing, and advocating for local control government.

(Palin, 2009, p. 80)

Feminism:

“We have to work twice as hard to prove we’re half as capable as men think they are….thankfully, it’s not that difficult” (Palin, 2009, p. 80)

Powers and Duties of the Mayor of Wasilla

The 10 Powers and Duties of the Mayor of Wasilla are delineated the Wasilla Municipal Code, Chapter 2.16, Section .020:

A. The mayor is the chief administrator of the city, has the same powers and duties as those of a manager under AS 29.20.005, and shall:

Preside at council meetings. The mayor may take part in the discussion of matters before the council,
but may not vote, except that the mayor may vote in the case of a tie;
Act as ceremonial head of the city;
Sign documents on behalf of the city;
Appoint, suspend or remove city employees and administrative officials, except as provided otherwise in AS Title 29 and the Wasilla Municipal Code;
Supervise the enforcement of city law and carry out the directives of the city council;
Prepare and submit an annual budget and capital improvement program for consideration by the council, and execute the budget and capital program as adopted;
Make monthly financial reports and other reports on city finances and operations as required by the council;
Exercise legal custody over all real and personal property of the city;
Perform other duties required by law or by the council; and
Serve as personnel officer, unless the council authorizes the mayor to appoint a personnel officer.

References:

Palin, S. L. H. (2009). Going Rogue: An American Life. (New York: Harper). pp. 69-81.

Document Central. (n.d.). City of Wasilla. Retrieved July 4, 2010 from: http://www.cityofwasilla.com/index.aspx?page=136

What are the Duties of the Mayor of Wasilla? (n.d.). Document Central. City of Wasilla. Retrieved July 4, 2010 from: http://www.cityofwasilla.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=485

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