Big Lake rejects incorporation

Big Lake voters reject incorporation

Frontiersman staff

WASILLA — Big Lake voters overwhelmingly rejected the opportunity to become the Mat-Su borough’s fourth city, according to preliminary results posted on the Division of Elections website Tuesday evening.

Voters had faced three interdependent questions: whether or not to incorporate, whether or not to levy property taxes equal to the existing taxes. A third question had asked voters to select city council members, with seven candidates standing for seven available spots.

On the first question, 701 of 872 voters voted no, for 81 percent of the total vote. Figures showed only 168 voters supported incorporation.

Because the first question was soundly rejected, the next two questions were automatically disqualified. However, totals in those districts recorded similar results: the tax levy went down 691 votes against to 169 votes for. Among the seven candidates, Yvonne Ruth pulled the most with 194 votes, followed by Sandra Baker with 191 votes, followed by candidate Lolly Symbol — who openly advocated against incorporation — with 187 votes, followed by Ralph Lindergh with 186 votes, followed by Gregory Quninton with 184 votes. Chris Hoskinson and Larry Schmidt tied for last place with 183 votes each.

Figures provided by the Division of Elections show 701 voters from the unincorporated area adjacent to the Houston and north of Knik-Fairview registered 35.7 percent turnout.

Votes could still be streaming in — the Division of Elections has until Nov. 12 to count the full number of absentee ballots. However, borough officials at the joint meeting of the assembly and planning commission said they would likely not pursue draft documents required as a result of the incorporation.