Meet the Candidates

Aleisha Mollen

Wrangell School Board, three-year term

Occupation: Service Manager, Wells Fargo

Why do you want to be on the Wrangell School Board?

"I care deeply about the youth here in Wrangell. They are a great group of kids and I want them to have the best educational experience possible. They are the future leaders in our community and our nation and I believe that making sure they have the opportunity at a better education will better us all. Making a difference in the schools today can make a difference for many generations to come."

What experience or qualities do you have that would make you a more effective member of the Board than your opponent?

"First off, I want to say that Susan is a great person and has done a fantastic job on the School Board. Aside from knowing the students and families in Wrangell, the experiences that I bring to the table are two-fold. Two years ago, prior to my current occupation, I spent some time as a substitute at the schools for both teachers and aides. During this time, I was able to see firsthand what it is like working at the schools and what the benefits and challenges are for the faculty and staff. This understanding definitely helps when making decisions regarding the staff. Secondly, as someone who doesn't have children and doesn't have family in the school system in Wrangell, I offer a very unique perspective coming in. There are no preconceived biases or agendas that I come in with and I think that is unique and refreshing to have."

What do you see is the most pressing issue currently before the School Board, and how should it be addressed?

"I think that there has been a lot of turnover in the schools at every level in the past few years. We are incredibly blessed to have the talented faculty and staff that we do and I think that we need to remain vigilant about making sure we are competitive and able to keep that staff. Through my career in human resources, I realized that an employee who feels valued and appreciated will work harder and pass that along to those around them – including the students that they work with. Students need that and they need the continuity of the teachers, aides, and support staff around them, and it is part of our job to do what we can to keep them with the Wrangell Public School system."

David Jack

Mayor, two-year term

Occupation: "I am retired." Formerly "U.S. Army for 6 years, 13 years Alaska National Guard, worked as engineer in powerhouse at the mill when it was still going, I was police officer for over 17 years, Harbormaster, drove log truck, worked in a hardware store and then retired."

Why do you want to be Wrangell's Mayor?

"To continue with the many items of interest to the people of Wrangell that are in the works, and to continue to work to expand and diversify the economy."

What experience or qualities do you feel better qualifies you to be Mayor than your opponent?

"As current Mayor, I am aware of and have kept current on many issues that the City and Borough of Wrangell is involved in and I would like to continue to work on those issues. And being retired, I have time to apply to them to try to do the best for the majority of the people of Wrangell."

In your opinion, what is the borough's most urgent issue needing to be addressed in the upcoming term, and how would you address it if elected?

"I believe the item of most interest to the people is the hospital. It is still a project that needs to be developed to provide the best health care to the people of Wrangell as is possible. Although it might not be considered as urgent, it still needs to be done as soon as reasonably possible. By the time this is printed, there may be some new information on that. Further development of The Marine Service Center is also a project that needs to be considered. B.C. mining is also an issue that needs to be carefully monitored to protect the fisheries which so many people of Wrangell depend on for their livelihood."

Kipha Valvoda

Mayor, two-year term

Occupation: Janitor for City Market and Coca-Cola vendor. "I was a commercial/industrial electrician for over 30 years, working as a foreman for companies in the DOD (Department of Defense) and aerospace fields, such as NASA."

Why do you want to be Wrangell's Mayor?

"Because I believe that every citizen should do their part to make this country the best country. We can only have this when politicians are frequently changed, before they become entrenched and entitled."

What experience or qualities do you feel better qualifies you to be Mayor than your opponent?

"I went to the Nolan Center and met with the Petersburg Assembly, then watched as ours sat next to them, doe-faced, as SEAPA threatened them. It was outright financial arm twisting and they let SEAPA win. Now we have lost our jobs at Thomas Bay, as well as our prestige and input, for our power supply. This was passed on a unanimous vote by both cities, for fear of a few thousand dollars in expenditures. Now we are paying higher electric rates. They never learn, when it's gone it's gone for good and you will all pay more for less."

In your opinion, what is the borough's most urgent issue needing to be addressed in the upcoming term, and how would you address it if elected?

"Our most important issue is to keep Wrangell 'Wrangell' – to promote growth without the loss of our home identity. One way to promote this is to start the work on expansion of a larger ship yard, full-service, where we can attract more ships of all sizes here to be worked on. The old mill property would be good, possibly the old school property could be utilized in some way. These issues need input from the entire community, then comes tons of paper work. The city may look to issue bonds or collect grants."