If you ever wondered why an elected official voted this way or that, or were determined you could do a better job, here’s your chance. The Oct. 1 election for city and borough positions is just around the corner and candidate filing is getting underway.
Homer
Candidacy filing begins: 8 a.m. today
Candidacy filing closes: 5 p.m. Aug. 15
In the city of Homer, two council seats are open, each a three-year term. The seats are currently held by Bryan Zak and James Dolma.
“(Candidacy) forms are available online on the city clerk’s website and they then would need to come in and file them in person,” said City Clerk Jo Johnson.
Johnson wanted to remind the public that voter registration is open at the city clerk’s office, as well as on the state of Alaska website.
“And if you’re going to be absent for the election, you can arrange for absentee voting. You can do all that on the website or come in,” said Johnson. “It would be nice if we had a good voter turnout.”
The plastic bag referendum also will be on the city ballot, asking voters if Homer city code prohibiting sellers from providing customers with disposable plastic shopping bags shall be repealed. The ban was approved by the council in 2012 and prohibits merchants from giving away disposable plastic bags 2.25 mils thick that are designed for carrying customers’ purchases from the store. It did not ban bags for household and business use, produce and meat bags, bags for bulk items and bags for dog poop disposal. It is on the Oct. 1 ballot as a result of a citizen initiative to repeal the ban.
For more information, contact the city clerk’s office at 235-3130; 491 E. Pioneer Ave., or www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/cityclerk. The state of Alaska website can be found at www.elections.alaska.gov.
Kachemak City
Candidacy filing begins: Aug. 16
Candidacy filing closes: Sept. 11
Three city council seats, each a three-year term, will be on the ballot for Kachemak City. They include Seat A, currently held by Tammy Hopkins; Seat D, currently held by Ted Heuer; and Seat G, currently held by Bill Fry.
“I don’t know if any are running for reelection,” said City Clerk Helen Schoepke. “We will know more after the Aug. 14 council meeting.”
Filing forms are available from the city clerk’s office; by mail at P.O. Box 958, Homer, AK 99603; or in person at Kachemak Community Center, 59906 Bear Creek Drive between the regular office hours of 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Mondays, or by appointment.
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Candidacy filing begins: 8 a.m. today
Candidacy filing closes: 4:30 p.m. Aug. 15
The school board seat for District 9, the southern Kenai Peninsula, a three-year term, will be on the Oct. 1 ballot. It is currently held by Sunni Hilts.
There also are openings on four service area boards on the southern peninsula:
• Anchor Point Fire and Emergency Medical Service Area Board: Seat B, three-year term, currently vacant; Seat E, one-year term, currently held by Sandra Matthews;
• Kachemak Emergency Service Area Board: Seat B, two-year term, currently vacant; Seat C, two-year term, currently held by Mike Petersen;
• Seldovia Recreational Service Area Board: Seat A, three-year term, currently held by Mark Janes; Seat B, one-year term, currently held by Erik Schreier; and Seat D, three-year-term currently held by Vivian Rojas.
• South Kenai Peninsula Hospital Service Area Board: Seat C, two-year-term, currently held by Barbara McBride; Seat G, three-year term, currently vacant; Seat H, three-year term, currently held by Doris Cabana; Seat I, three-year term, currently held by Ralph Broshes.
Individuals in running for election can pick up their packets at the borough’s Homer annex, 206 E. Pioneer Ave., or at the borough clerk’s office at 144 N. Binkley in Soldotna, according to Clerk Johni Blankenship. Forms also can be obtained by mail, fax or on the web at www.borough.kenai.ak.us/assembly-clerk/elections.
For additional information about the upcoming borough election, call 1-800-478-4441, ext. 2160.
State of Alaska
The only state offices on the Oct. 1 ballot are for the Regional Educational Attendance Areas, which “does not have any impact on (Kenai Peninsula Borough) communities,” said Gail Fenumiai, director of the Division of Elections. REAA’s are educational areas established by statute in unorganized boroughs of the state.
McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.
