The municipal election is set for next week, with polls open Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. inside the Nolan Center.
Though a number of candidates for local positions are currently running unopposed, all vacancies are at least set to be filled, thanks to the addition of two write-in candidates earlier this month.
For mayor, current incumbent David Jack will be running for reelection against candidate Kipha Valvoda.
Four candidates will be running for two three-year terms on the Wrangell Public School Board, including incumbent Rinda Howell, former member Georgianna Buhler, and first-time candidates Scott Seddon and Robert Rang. The two candidates with the highest total of votes will assume the seats after the election.
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 tomorrow at 5 p.m.
Already begun on September 19, absentee voting will continue until the day before the election, on Monday. Registered voters wishing to submit an absentee ballot may do so until City Hall closes, at 5 p.m.
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.”
If passed, the Nolan Museum Board would be permanently dissolved. The decision to pursue this course was taken as the board has experienced difficulty in finding people to fill vacancies. Earlier in the summer the Assembly decided the board was also largely redundant, since its governing functions were already being served by the Friends of the Wrangell Museum.
Though not on the ballot, ten positions on various appointed boards and commissions will also be opening up after the municipal elections. Among them, three three-year terms and an unexpired one-year term on the Planning and Zoning Commission will expire. So far only two letters of interest have been received, with current commission chair Terri Henson applying for reappointment and dentist Charles Haubrich has put in for the unexpired term.
Letters of interest have yet to be received for the two remaining seats on the commission, or for any of the other impending vacancies, all three-year terms. One term on the Parks and Recreation Board, two seats on the Wrangell Convention and Visitors Bureau, two on the Economic Development Committee and one on the Nolan Museum Board. Depending on whether voters decide to approve the ballot measure on Tuesday, the position on the Nolan Board may become irrelevant.
Those looking to serve on any of the aforementioned boards are invited to submit a letter of interest to the clerk’s office by Wednesday at 5 p.m., though appointments can be made by the mayor at any time, as needed.
For more information, visit the city website at http://www.wrangell.com or inspect the materials available on a designated table inside the City Hall entryway.
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