Field takes shape for fall election

Frontiersman

MAT-SU — The names are set for the ballots on Oct. 6 when voters will choose who to sit in 13 seats across the Valley.

What follows is a rundown of the candidates in the local elections. Future editions of the Frontiersman will focus on the specific races and offer more detail on the individual candidates.

The top spot of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough is up for contention just four months after voters chose who to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Curtis Menard. Talis Colberg won the provisional election out of a field of six candidates. His bid for re-election has one opponent, John Leiner.

The borough assembly will have at least one new face, as Tom Kluberton is not seeking re-election to the District 7 seat. Vern Halter and Doyle Holmes are vying to represent the area the encompasses Meadow Lakes, Willow and Talkeetna.

Michelle Church is seeking re-election to her seat representing District 3 — the area from Trunk Road to Seward Meridian. Her only opposition is from Ronald Arvin.

In District 6 — the area including Hatcher Pass, Wasilla Fishhook, Schrock and Memory Lake — Robert Wells will have to beat Jim Colver and Jim Turner if he is to hold onto the seat.

By choosing to run for the assembly, Colver’s Seat A on the school board is going to one of five opponents. They are: Dean Baugh, Adam Boyd, Jamey Duhamel, Michael Dunleavy and Neal Lacy. Sarah Welton is running against Robert Doyle and James Tapley to keep Seat B on the school board. Erick Cordero will have to hold off Dave Anderton and Julie Collins for Seat E.

In Wasilla, two seats on the city council are up for election in October. Taffina Katkus and Steve Menard are contesting Ron Cox for Seat A. Incumbent Doug Holler is running unopposed for Seat B.

There are two seats on the Palmer City Council on the ballot this year. However, both incumbents — Richard Best and Ken Erbey — are running unopposed.

Seats C and D are up for a vote this year in Houston. Natasha Schachle will seek re-election against opponents Kathleen Barney and Joshua Hanford for Seat C. Lance Wilson will run for re-election to Seat D unopposed.

While the period to register as a candidate is over, voter registration runs up until 30 days prior to the election. Voters can complete registration forms and submit them to borough or city clerks offices by Sept. 6.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.

The candidates

BOROUGH

Mayor

Talis Colberg (incumbent)

John Leiner

Assembly District 3

Michelle Church (incumbent)

Ronald Arvin

Assembly District 6

Robert Wells (incumbent)

Jim Colver

Jim Turner

Assembly District 7

Vern Halter

Doyle Holmes

School Board Seat A

Dean Baugh

Adam Boyd

Jamey Duhamel

Michael Dunleavy

Neal Lacy

School Board Seat B

Sarah Welton (incumbent)

Robert Doyle

James Tapley

School Board Seat E

Erick Cordero (incumbent)

Dave Anderton

Julie Collins

WASILLA

City Council Seat A

Ron Cox (incumbent)

Taffina Katkus

Steve Menard

City Council Seat B

Doug Holler (incumbent)

PALMER

City Council

Richard Best (incumbent)

Ken Erbey (incumbent)

HOUSTON

Seat C

Kathleen Barney (incumbent)

Joshua Hanford

Natasha Schachle

Seat D

Lance Wilson (incumbent)