An ordinance failed during Monday night’s Common Council meeting that would have required all candidates running for City office to have no debts owed to the City of Nome.
During citizens’ comments, Bob Hafner spoke out against the one ordinance on the Council’s agenda. The ordinance would have required a city voter who has been a resident of Nome for at least a year to not be delinquent in any payments to the City, in order to run for an elected or appointed office.
Hafner argued the ordinance would limit Nome city government to the relatively affluent:
“And just because a guy struggles on his bills in a town that is outrageously expensive to live in, now he can’t file for any City government (office). And that’s just what is kind of odd about this… it’s about trying to make this an exclusive club,” stated Hafner.
Councilman Tom Sparks felt the intention of the ordinance was contrary to Hafner’s stance on the matter.
“I don’t think it’s our intent to somehow prohibit someone from running for Council, I don’t think that’s what we intend to do, or want to do,” explained Sparks, “But at the same time, I think if we are passing something that affects people and we are forcing them to pay it, then we should be paying it.”
Councilman Stan Anderson also chimed in, reminding everyone gathered in Council chambers that voters wanted this ordinance. The six Councilmen tied three to three during the vote, requiring Mayor Richard Beneville to make the final decision. His tie-breaking vote was no.
New business in front of the Council included a resolution to transfer three taxi licenses from Steven Longley’s EZ Enterprises company to the Mr. Kab taxi company in Nome. Rodney Jones, the owner of Checker Cab taxi company, says, if the transfer happens, then he will be negatively affected and potentially go out of business.
“So, what’s it’s done is created a less-than-minimum-wage circumstance and situation for all the drivers, not just mine, but all of them by over-permitting,” emphasized Jones.
The owner of the EZ Cab company, Longley, argued that his taxi business is still making money regardless of how many permits are available for taxi companies in town. But he says it’s time for him to get out of the taxi business.
“I could keep on running a business, it’s profitable, I make money… I’m just getting tired and thinking of retiring. I’m getting old, and I’m getting tired of dealing with it, so I’m looking at starting another business,” explained Longley.
Upon waiting for further information about the implications of giving three more licenses to Mr. Kab’s taxi company, the Council decided to table the resolution until the next regular meeting in January.
Before adjourning the meeting, Mayor Beneville chose applicant Jessica Farley to fill the vacant planning commission seat, pointing to Farley’s familiarity with Nome. The Council will not meet on December 26th, but instead will have its next regular meeting on January 9th at City Hall.
