The Seattle Times has a front-page story today entitled "Inside Palin's turbulent first year as mayor."  It's at http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008163431_palin070.html.  The article deserves national attention.

The story draws from three boxes of documents from the wrongful termination suit filed in federal court by Irl Stambaugh, the police chief in Wasilla, AK, fired by recently elected mayor Sarah Palin.

In addition to recounting what led up to Stambaugh's termination, the article describes Palin's campaign for mayor, which brought partisan politics and ideology into what had previously been a nonpartisan elected office. 

From The Seattle Times:

A Palin campaign ad displayed the slogan, "Positively Sarah."
"Endorsed by the NRA," it said. The ad encouraged people to vote for
"Conservative, More Efficient Government," and called Palin "ENERGETIC
... DETERMINED ... POSITIVE."

The ad pictured Palin with four state lawmakers — all Republicans,
pledging their support. More than 100 other supporters were also
listed, including the owners of the Mug Shot Saloon and the Wasilla
Bar, two taverns that stayed open until 4 or 5 a.m.

To Stein, the three-term mayor, this campaign had unusual overtones,
raising issues that had no bearing on local government. He would marvel
at how abortion became an issue — he was labeled pro-abortion — and how
some people noted that his wife's last name differed from his. He later
noted how Palin's backers included what he called the "Liquor Cabinet"
and Wasilla's religious conservatives.

Ideology didn't end with the campaign, however: 

Afterward, a TV station called her Wasilla's "first Christian mayor."
This prompted a letter from Stein, saying: "Really?" He listed eight
previous mayors, all Christian, and added: "With a name like 'Stein'
some suspected that I must be a non-Christian, have non-Christian blood
or at least have sympathized with a non-Christian sometime in my
career. I'm proud of such a reputation but I, my family and forbearers
are of the Christian persuasion, too."