By The Associated Press Amanda Bohman for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner AP

9:58 p.m. AKST, March 1, 2013
FAIRBANKS, Alaska—

The mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough now has more power.
   
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (http://is.gd/rxt1zE) reports that on Thursday the Borough Assembly approved a measure granting Mayor Luke Hopkins the power to hire and fire department directors.
   
The move by the assembly does not affect current directors. Most belong to a labor union and may continue to do so under a grandfather clause.
   
About 30 union supporters attended the meeting. Some spoke out against the ordinance, which passed on a 5-4 vote. Mayor Luke Hopkins also was opposed to the measure put forth by Assemblyman Lance Roberts. The mayor had asked to appoint two positions, not all department heads.
   
In 14 other Alaska municipalities, including Anchorage and Juneau, the mayor or city manager appoints department directors.