Jack likely re-elected mayor in municipal elections

Preliminary results are in for the 2016 Wrangell municipal election.

Those who hadn't already voted early took to the polls in person Tuesday, with 384 ballots cast at the Nolan Center.

Running for mayor, David Jack won reelection with 321 votes. Candidate Kipha Valvoda garnered 49 votes, and seven additional write-in votes did not qualify.

Two candidates ran unopposed for two three-year terms on the City and Borough Assembly. Incumbent Julie Decker received 345 votes, and write-in candidate Patty Gilbert received 157.

Two candidates also ran unopposed for two three-year seats on the Wrangell Port Commission, and both were elected. John Yeager was reelected with 363 votes, while write-in candidate Gary Morrison earned 87.

Running for one four-year term on the Wrangell Hospital Board, Marlene Messmer was reelected with 179 votes, narrowly winning the seat ahead of fellow incumbent Barbara Conine with 173 votes. At the request of the board in March, the Borough Assembly had approved reducing its size from nine members to seven, eliminating some standing vacancies. That is the reason two incumbents on the same board could be running for the same seat.

Also running for the hospital board, Patrick Mayer and incumbent Olinda White were unopposed for two unexpired terms, which expire in 2018. White received 308 votes and Mayer 258.

Four candidates ran for two three-year seats on the Wrangell Public School Board. With the most votes, Georgianna Buhler and incumbent Rinda Howell were elected with 216 and 177 votes, respectively. Candidate Robert Rang received 165 votes, and Scott Seddon 138.

Voters also approved a proposed measure which formally retires the Nolan Museum and Civic Center Board. The board was deemed no longer necessary or cost effective, as its oversight functions were already being undertaken by the Friends of the Wrangell Museum. At the board's own request and the Assembly's approval, the proposal to repeal its section from the Home Rule Charter was added to the ballot. Voters approved the measure by325 votes to 47 against.

The Canvass Board meets this morning to finalize the election's results, which will then be certified by the Assembly at a special meeting Monday at 11:30 a.m.