Anchorage Assembly

Deputy city clerk fired in Anchorage election aftermath

Anchorage Assembly chairman Ernie Hall fired a key planner in the troubled April 3 election Wednesday, though the city clerk responsible for overseeing the election remains on the job.

Retired judge will investigate troubled Anchorage election

Homeless camps return as the snow recedes

Anchorage officials hope there will be fewer homeless camps in city greenbelts this summer, because of an ordinance that gives police the power to evict campers and a new facility that has taken some chronic alcoholics off the streets.

PHOTOS: BEST OF MAY

Westchester disc golf course out of bounds

Parks and Recreation maintenance workers Jarred Tuck, left, and Cody Cederquist put up fencing Wednesday at Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park after the city closed the area to disc golf activities. Rehabilitation work is planned for this summer in the popular and heavily used area near Westchester Lagoon. Residents can weigh in on the city's controversial decision to shut down the course for the summer tonight. The public meeting will be at the Lidia Selkregg Chalet at Russian Jack Park at 6 p.m.

Assembly funds legal firm to defend city in Rollins suits

The Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday approved $100,000 for an outside law firm to defend the city against civil lawsuits relating to the case of former Anchorage police officer Anthony Rollins. Rollins was convicted of sexually assaulting five women while on the job.

Commission recommends no further inquiry into election

The Anchorage Election Commission said Wednesday it was recommending against hiring an outside investigator to look into the city's chaotic April 3 election even as it found that more precincts had run out of ballots than previously announced.

ALASKA POLITICS BLOG

More than half of precincts ran short of election ballots

Though a review by the Anchorage Election Commission found that more than half of city precincts ran short on ballots in the April 3 elections, the commission is not recommending a third-party investigation into the election or a new election.

State funds will help hold down property taxes, Assembly rules

The Anchorage Assembly has opted to use a $6.2 million windfall from the state to reduce property taxes, rejecting Mayor Dan Sullivan's plan to use the cash to replenish the snowplowing budget and pay for People Mover fuel.

Municipality faces choices on its budget

The city has $3.7 million left unspent from 2011 and $6.2 million in unexpected state revenue coming its way to spend in 2012 -- or not. The administration of Mayor Dan Sullivan on Friday laid out proposals to spend it all, including a big chunk to replenish the snow plowing budget.

City finishes counting ballots; outcomes remain the same

Assembly chairman calls for hiring of election investigator

Anchorage Assembly Chairman Ernie Hall said Thursday he will hire a retired judge to conduct a special investigation into what went wrong with the municipal election April 3, when about 40 percent of precincts ran short of ballots.

ELECTION DAY IN ANCHORAGE

City votes on mayor, School Board, Prop. 5

After watching an intense few weeks of campaigning unfold, Anchorage voters cast ballots today to decide on a gay-rights initiative, pick who should be mayor, choose three School Board members and say yes or no to $91 million in bonds.

Mayoral candidates differ on vision for city

School Board candidates focus on achievement, funding

More election coverage

Anchorage Assembly approves School District budget

The Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday approved the 2012-2013 School District budget, which totals $736.8 million, $6.2 million less than the current year budget.

2012 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Legal experts predict challenges if voters pass Proposition 5

On April 3, Anchorage residents will vote on a proposed ordinance to add "sexual orientation or transgender identity" to the city's anti-discrimination code. Supporters say the ordinance, and the equal protection under law it would guarantee, is overdue. Opponents say Proposition 5 would interfere with freedom of religion.

Anchorage snow removal gets political in campaign for mayor

Anchorage Assemblyman Paul Honeman, who is trying to unseat Mayor Dan Sullivan in the April 3 city election, says the city's response to this year's snow overload shows the mayor is a poor manager, more interested in cutting the size of government than providing adequate service.

Plan for Muldoon park advances in Assembly on 6-5 vote

Muldoon residents fighting for a piece of city property that fronts Muldoon Road to become a park won concessions from the Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday.

Creek changes upset Muldoon residents who want park

An Anchorage Assembly vote in January to accept $2 million in federal money for renovation work on Chester Creek just east of Muldoon Road may have looked like everyday business, but to a group of community activists, it was anything but.

Proposal would designate some city parks for fireworks use

The latest proposal for New Year's Eve fireworks in Anchorage is to designate some neighborhood parks where people can set them off. But parks officials say they won't support the plan.

Vehicle emissions testing will end March 1, Assembly decides

The Anchorage Assembly voted late Tuesday to end the city's vehicle emissions testing program ahead of schedule despite testimony from business owners and employees who fear layoffs as a result.

Anchorage property values up slightly

Anchorage property values, including residential and commercial, rose by less than 1 percent this year over last, municipal property assessor Marty McGee said Friday.

Find your property assessment (Muni.org)

EPA agrees to end Anchorage emissions testing program

The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday agreed to let Anchorage end its vehicle emissions testing program after 27 years, saying all the hassle isn't necessary for air quality.

ALASKA POLITICS BLOG

Honeman accuses Sullivan of "cronyism" over contract

Assemblyman and mayoral candidatae Paul Honeman accused Mayor Dan Sullivan today of "cronyism" and "wrongdoing" following reports that the city will offer outgoing port director Bill Sheffield a $60,000 consulting contract.

Protesters challenge ban on sitting, lying on sidewalks

The fight over an Anchorage law banning people from sitting or lying on downtown sidewalks continued Thursday in front of City Hall as protesters gathered to defy the new rules, which went into effect at 6 a.m.

Photos: Downtown protest