With the addition of two write-in candidates to next month’s municipal election ballot, all the expected vacancies will at least have people to fill them. Of the open spots on the Oct. 4 ballot, six are still currently uncontested.
Of those being contested, current Mayor David Jack will be running for reelection against candidate Kipha Valvoda. Four candidates will be running for two three-year terms on the School Board, including former member Georgianna Buhler, Scott Seddon, Robert Rang and incumbent Rinda Howell. The two candidates with the highest total of votes will assume the seats.
After the Borough
Assembly this summer approved the reduction of seats on the Hospital Board from nine to seven, current incumbents Barbara Conine and Marlene Messmer will be running for one vacancy, a four-year term. Two unexpired two-year terms on that board are so far uncontested, with Patrick Mayer and incumbent Olinda White announced as candidates.
Assembly member Julie Decker will be running for another three-year term, and resident Patty Gilbert has put herself up for candidacy as a write-in for the Assembly’s other vacancy. Running for two three-year seats on the Port Commission will be incumbent John Yeager and write-in candidate Gary Morrison.
The names of write-in
candidates have to be written by voters exactly as submitted in order to be counted. Votes cast for individuals who do not file a letter of intent are otherwise not counted. Those wishing to still run as a write-in candidate for any of the above availabilities must file a letter of intent with the city clerk’s office no later than September 30.
Also on the ballot will be a proposed amendment to the Home Rule Charter.Proposition 1 asks a yes or no question, whether to “repeal Section 3-10, Nolan Museum and Civic Center, as set forth in Ordinance No. 919.”
Passage would entail
the permanent dissolution of the Nolan Museum and Civic Center Board. As with other public committees and boards, it has experienced difficulty in finding people to fill vacancies, while still
costing the city money to meet. Its essential functions were also found by the Assembly
to be redundant, largely being served already by the Friends of the Wrangell Museum.
Those wishing to vote in this year’s election will need to have already registered as a Wrangell resident. Voters may register or update their existing voter record on the State of Alaska’s web site by accessing the new Online Voter Registration System athttp://www.voterregistration.alaska.gov.
The election itself will be held on October 4 inside the Nolan Center, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee voting in-person begins September 19 at City Hall during regular operating hours, continuing until October 3 at 5 p.m.
For more information, visit the city website atwww.wrangell.com or inspect the materials available on a designated table inside the City Hall entryway.
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