Borough Assembly selects new member for 6th District

During the February 9 Mat-Su Borough Assembly meeting, members selected a candidate to fill the District 6 vacancy after Jesse Sumner resigned to serve as a state representative.

Three candidates — Naomi Sweetman, Kerby Coman, and Dmitri Fonov — met with assembly members during a special meeting in which the candidates had the opportunity to introduce themselves before answering a series of interview questions.

Naomi S. Sweetman was out of town, but participated remotely. She expressed her passion for serving her community and felt this would be an excellent opportunity to do that. Kerby Coman, whose young family attended in support, told assembly members that his background in business could help in setting Borough budgets. Dmitri Fonov was last to interview. He believed the most important skill to possess as an Assembly Member is the ability to communicate effectively, which would enable him to be a better listener to constituent concerns.

After exiting an executive session, a motion was made to appoint Dmitri Fonov to the Assembly district six seat through November 2023, for which there were no objections. During comments, all Assembly Members thanked the candidates and praised them on how well they all handled the interview questions

Fonov, originally from Uzbekistan, told the members that his family, including 8 siblings, emigrated to escape persecution, and has called Wasilla home for 27 years.

“None of us knew English, didn’t have any money, and started from zero,” he told assembly members in his opening statement. Since then, he attended school, married and raised 5 children, all while having a great experience living in Wasilla.

“I’ve traveled quite a bit and had plenty of opportunities to move to other places, other cities, and other states, but have enjoyed here most of all.”

He told the assembly members that it was time for someone in his family to start being involved on the local level, and if it wasn’t going to be anyone else, then it should be him.

“Jesse Sumner himself has inspired me to do this, and after some conversation with my family, looking at some of the things we’ve done, I’m her for you,” Fonov said.

When asked what he felt was the most important skill for an assembly member to have, Fonov said he believed communication and an even temper were both good skills an assembly member should possess.

“Oftentimes, just explaining some of the basic things, how things operate, answer a question, or sometimes we just need to listen, to just shut up and let them speak,” he said.

Fonov told the members that safe roads, great schools, effective response from police, fire, and emergency services, and providing a safe community for everyone to live were all components for what local leadership should look like.

“We should continue to have the freedom we enjoy from living here in the Valley.”

Fonov also told the assembly that when it comes to researching issues that come before the board, it is important to understand both sides.

“Get to know both sides if there’s a debated argument. I actually enjoy talking to people that I don’t necessarily agree with to actually understand their way of thinking, hear their point of view,” he said, adding that it is important to do the homework when preparing to meet.

He doesn’t have a specific agenda item he wished to champion at this time, but that any time he has been faced with a tough decision, it is important to examine the calculated risks versus what the return will be, but also look to family.

Fonov will represent District 6, which encompasses North Palmer, North Wasilla, Hatcher Pass, Wasilla Fishhook, Schrock, and Memory Lake. His term will expire later this year.

“Having a hard working attitude and faith and hope and you move forward, even if it’s hard. Take one step at a time until you see results. If you don’t get the results you want, don’t let that disappoint your life. Just move on-there’s many more opportunities out there.”