SITKA, ALASKA

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There are two people running for the job of mayor: Cheryl Westover and John Stein. And there are four candidates running for two open seats on the Sitka Assembly: Terry Blake, Thor Christianson, Jack Ozment and Michelle Putz.

 

School board president Lon Garrison is running unopposed for re-election.

 

But the bulk of the ballot space is taken up by eight propositions on the front and on the back.

 

Proposition 1 is an advisory vote on $50 million dollars in bonds for the Blue Lake Hydroelectric Project. The bonds will be issued no matter how the vote goes, but city officials say a “yes” vote will translate to a lower interest rate, which saves the city money and prevents a higher increase in electric rates.

 

Proposition 2 is a slightly hotter issue, literally and figuratively. It has to do with smoking. Sitka already has a ban on smoking in places of employment, but this proposition extends it to bars and private clubs. Advocates say it will mean cleaner and healthier environments for the employees and patrons of those establishments. Opponents say it’s an infringement on the freedom of business owners and patrons.

 

Propositions 3 and 4 deal with maintenance to Blatchley Middle School. Prop. 3 is for new air-handling units and electrical systems. Prop. 4 entails replacing and refurbishing windows, doors, bathrooms, flooring, locker rooms and labs. The state will reimburse 70 percent of the $5.7 million dollars in bonds under the two propositions.

 

Proposition 5 will use Sitka’s seasonal 1 percent sales tax to fund renovations at Pacific High School. If it passes, the state will cover nearly two-thirds of the cost of that project, too. Using that sales tax money will not extend the tax beyond the original 20-year term approved by voters in 2003.

 

Propositions 6, 7 and 8 deal with the purchase and renovation of Hames Athletic and Wellness Center.  Prop. 6 will issue up to $6 million dollars in bonds to buy and fix up Hames. Prop. 7 raises the city’s millage rate by a half-mill, which is about $150 a year in property tax for someone with a $300,000 house. And Prop. 8 allows the Assembly to set the millage rate each year.  A note on these three: All of them must pass in order for any to take effect.

 

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

 

Raven News will provide live coverage of the election returns as they come in.

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