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Candidate Profile: Tyson Cox

City of Soldotna

 

 

There may not be much drama in the city council elections in Soldotna this year. But for those who will be in office, or like Tyson Cox, back in office, there will be some big issues to deal with in the next term. Cox is running for council seat B.

Despite a relatively low-key election season, Tyson Cox sees a lot of work ahead for the council. Cannabis regulations will be developed, a new sign code will be debated and, the big one: annexation, which Cox says needs to be settled one way or another.

“I think it needs to happen. I voted yes on having this money allotted for having smaller meetings for the community. I’m very much hoping we get a good turnout for all of that from both the city and people in the annex areas. That’s how a city council member makes a good decision is by having input from the community.”

He says he’s happy to hear all points of view on the matter, but he’s most anxious to hear from people who will be directly affected by any annexation plans. He says those folks need to know it will mean a lot more than just a change in property taxes.

“There’s a possibility of utilities. There’s the possibility of more services. There’s all kinds of different possibilities with annexing an area. And there’s reasons to not annex an area. So there’s a lot more variables than people think about. I have a lot of confidence in the staff at the city to get information to us to help make those decisions, but without input from the people, it’s going to be tough to make any kind of accurate decision.”

Cox was one of three council members who voted in favor of letting the city’s moratorium on cannabis businesses expire, opening the doors for some kind of regulated market in Soldotna. Though on that issue, too, Cox says residents need to have some say.

“It’s not necessarily whether I agree or disagree with cannabis being sold in Soldotna city limits or anything like that. I think these bigger topics should be something that goes on a ballot. I also agree with (council member) Regina Daniels very much that the timing was just not good, especially with the ballot measure on the borough side.”

Cox was first elected to the council last year. He’s a 24-year resident of Alaska, most of that time in Soldotna. He’s on the ballot along with Keith Baxter, who is looking to return to the council in Seat F