Richard “Dick” Parmelee. Though exhausted this year, he says “Next year, I may feel differently.” (KCAW photo/Rachel Waldholz)
Assembly candidate Richard “Dick” Parmelee notified Sitka’s municipal clerk Thursday (9-4-14) afternoon that he is withdrawing from this October’s election.
However, since voting is less than 60 days away, Parmelee’s name will still appear on ballots, which are already being printed.
Parmelee told KCAW News that he’s had a long summer working in the tourism industry, and he underestimated his energy for serving on the assembly.
The 66-year-old said, “If I’m going to do this, I want to do a good job.”
Parmelee runs the dock for Greenling Enterprises, which operates the Sea Life Discovery Tour, Ocean Raft Adventures, and Kruzof ATV Tours.
Parmelee is the current chair of the Sitka Planning and Zoning Commission, and says he plans to continue his service on that body for the remaining two years of his term. In all, Parmelee has served seven years on Planning and Zoning.
He’s also attended one meeting of the Sitka Solid Waste Committee.
Parmelee says he’s not worried about friends voting for him out of courtesy. He says many have noted that he seemed overextended, and looked tired.
“There are plenty of other good candidates,” he said. “Please don’t waste a vote on me.”
Parmelee does not rule out another run for assembly in the future.
There will be six other candidates for the assembly to choose from this October, vying for two open seats. There will also be two candidates for mayor, and two for school board.
The municipal election in Sitka is Tuesday, October 7.
