Former city Mayor Thompson resigns from City Council
Published Tuesday, February 26, 2008
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Stumble It!Former Mayor Steve Thompson effectively resigned his seat on the Fairbanks City Council late Monday night only three months after being elected.
Thompson cited family obligations and other commitments when announcing the resignation by phone at the City Council’s regular meeting.
“I’ve really enjoyed being on the council and feel bad that I can’t continue,” he said.
Mayor Terry Strle said she will nominate Bernard Gatewood to replace Thompson. If confirmed by the City Council, Gatewood would serve until the seat goes up for grabs at this fall’s municipal election.
Gatewood is the superintendent at the Fairbanks Youth Facility. He is also a board director at the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce and a member of the borough’s Health and Social Services Commission.
“It’s an honor to even be asked,” Gatewood said by phone late Monday evening. “If (Strle) deems it fit to nominate me to fill a vacancy, certainly I’ll serve, if chosen.”
Thompson, who served two terms as mayor from 2001 until last fall, oversaw the city during a fiscal crisis that occurred when voters temporarily slashed property taxes in 2006. He was a strong proponent of shifting the city toward a sales tax-based revenue stream, a goal he never achieved. Thompson also served while enduring the death of his wife, Janel Thompson, of cancer almost two years ago.
Thompson has been physically absent from most of the council’s regular meetings since sliding over from the mayor’s desk in November. He has regularly participated by phone, but his physical absence has drawn occasional criticism from the public.
Thompson said Monday was his last council meeting, and that he will submit official resignation papers soon. Strle thanked the former mayor for his time in public office.
“You have been a great community servant,” she said.
City laws require that Strle’s choice of Gatewood be confirmed by the City Council, which will review the nomination March 10.
Community Discussion
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Why did he seek re-election if he was planning on leaving town?
Good question Fairbanksgas
Too bad the entire council won’t resign so we can flush the toilet. The city sold everything of value only to give it away to police and fire departments. The property owners are a cash cow and it probably can not be fixed. Leave the seat vacant because even if you put a good person in there is nothing they can do.
James, I nominate you. Now stop complaining and go do something!
LOL thompsom you sham! "family obligations and other commitments" my arse! everyone KNOWS you were trying to attend meetings via phone from palm springs! busted! thompson KNEW ALL ALONG he was moving to palm springs...thompson's disingenuous and downright dishonest practices raise MANY questions...FULL AUDIT OF THE CITY is called for...
What is it with the wackos in this town??? Here is a ineffective guy finally stepping down and some nut is taking shots at public servants. Does bashing the guys who put out fires and pick up drunks and help Joe public make you feel better? You are a bad person and we are all lucky you are not in public office. If you were informed at all you would know how cheap the services people in the city recive are. Heck per capita the fire dept is cheaper than volunteers.
What per capita number are you citing Mr. White. The city would like to use the population of the entire borough who might happen to be in the city at any given time. They already include Ft. Wainwright for whom no services are provided to inflate their budget numbers. When you use the actual tax role of city residents those "cheap service" are suddenly quite expensive.
I don't think that this took anyone by surprise. It was widely speculated before the election that Thompson would win the election and then resign, thereby allowing the mayor to appoint someone that would agree with her agenda. Thompson had no intention of ever holding onto this seat.
This does suprise me from someone like Thompson the clown
james, get that seat. SERIOUS. :)
Per capita being per call or incident. I agree we need good people with a basic economic understanding.
Are you all serious?? If ANY of you actually had the intellect to be elected to a political position you might actually be heard (and possibly taken seriously) Instead, the only forum you have to vent is on a website! Try doing something with yourselves that actually MAKES a difference versus trying to downplay other peoples contributions to the city. Without such people you wouldn't have jobs to be able afford things such as the two dimensional screen that you are constantly looking at!
It amazes me how hateful some of the people of Fairbanks can be.
Mayor Thompson served this City for two terms and, as a matter of fact, was unopposed for his second term. The people of this City then voted for him as a council member. That doesn't sound like someone who didn't do his job.
He hasn't moved away. He still maintains his residence in Fairbanks. Many people have a vacation house and he and Janel owned theirs before Steve ever held office.
Perhaps some of you should investigate further before commenting.
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