Fairbanks voter initiatives dropped

FAIRBANKS — Two voter initiatives failed to collect enough required signatures to appear on next year’s ballot or be voted upon in a special election.

Ron Warner, a former candidate for Fairbanks City Council and the sponsor of a petition to remove fluoride from the city’s water system, worked diligently to collect the minimum required signatures but could not obtain the required amount during the allowed 90-day period, according to Mayor Terry Strle.

Donna Gilbert sponsored a separate petition that would change the city’s charter to remove the mayor as a voting member of the council and limit the number of council members from six to five.

That initiative also failed to collect enough signatures prior to Wednesday’s deadline.