The leftist majority of the Anchorage Assembly has denied the mayor’s pick for the new Anchorage municipal attorney. Mario Bird, a conservative appointed by Mayor Dave Bronson, was not confirmed by the Assembly, which gave no real reason. No matters were brought up during the committee process earlier this month that would have indicated Bird’s confirmation was in trouble.
The vote was 8-4, with the leftist members voting against Bird; Assemblyman Pete Petersen broke away from the leftist majority to vote for Bird’s confirmation.
Thus ends the abbreviated term of the second city attorney for Mayor Bronson; Patrick Bergt, who was appointed at the beginning of Bronson’s term, left earlier this year. The Municipal Law Department is once again without a lead attorney.
The Assembly did confirm Courtney Petersen for the Office of Management and Budget, and Michael Braniff for the office of Parks and Recreation.
