Here are the candidates who will appear on Sitka’s municipal ballot, in alphabetical order. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk.
Assembly
3 seats available
Phyllis Hackett*
Matthew Hunter
Dallas Peavey
Michelle Putz
Aaron Swanson
Mayor
1 seat available
Thor Christianson
Mim McConnell
Cheryl Westover*
School Board
2 seats available
Cass Pook*
Longtime school board member Tom Conley did not file for re-election. If no one enters as a write-in candidate, and Pook is the only person elected, the school board will most likely appoint someone to the open seat.
McConnell and Christianson are current Assembly members, challenging Westover for the mayor’s chair. McConnell’s term is up this year. Christianson has one year remaining in his Assembly term.
Assembly and school board members serve three-year terms, although one of the Assembly seats will serve only a year’s term. The shortened term is for the seat vacated by Terry Blake, whose term would have expired in October 2013.
The municipal election is Oct. 2, 2012. Raven Radio will provide a variety of coverage between now and then, including public events featuring the candidates. We’ll also be announcing candidate forums soon. They will air in mid-September. That’s your opportunity to call in and ask questions live on the air.
