Local preliminary city election results released

Wasilla mayor Glenda Ledford appears to be on her way to another term.

Ledford has garnered 71 percent of the vote, according to the preliminary results released by the city of Wasilla Tuesday night. Ledford received 266 total poll votes, more than twice challenger Bee Rupright’s amount of 105.

On the city council, Ian Crafton is on track to defeat incumbent Simon Brown for Seat D. Crafton has 65 percent of the vote, leading 239-125 Tuesday night. Timothy Johnson ran unopposed for Seat C.

Wasilla city election results will be updated Friday afternoon, according to the city, and will be certified at the Oct. 9 city council meeting.

There is a tight race in the city of Houston elections. In a battle for city council Seat A, Lisa Johansen leads Jay Lowenstein 58-54. In the Seat D race, Kent Mitchell leads Dale Lloyd 71-33. Jeffrey Brasel is running unopposed for Seat B.

Houston also has two propositions on the ballot. The proposal for residents to vote on is Prop H-1, which would increase the current sales tax by .05% for a period of 5 years, beginning January 1, 2024 until December 31, 2028. If approved, the proceeds from the tax increase would specifically go towards the renovation and construction of parks and recreational facilities in Houston.

The second proposal, H-2, asks voters to consider whether the city should provide qualified residents with the tax exemption already provided to Mat-Su Borough residents under MSB Code 3.15.037, and provide a real property tax exemption of $114,000 of assessed value that exceeds $150,000 of real property owned and occupied as a permanent place of abode by a resident who meets the same criteria as listed in the Palmer Proposition, that being a person 65 years or older, a disabled veteran, or at least 60 years old and a widower of a person who qualified for an exemption as noted above. This exemption would be in addition to any other exemption applicable to the property and the owner must apply for this exemption by April 30 of the assessment year for which exemption is sought but not required to file again unless there is a change in ownership or occupancy of the residence.

Proposition H-1 is failing, with 89 "No" votes compared to 32 "Yes" votes. Proposition H-2 is leading 108-13.

Results will be updated Friday, and certified during a special meeting Oct. 9.

In Palmer, there are three candidates for two seats on the city council. Former Palmer mayor and councilman Jim Cooper leads the race with 179 total votes, 37 percent of the vote. Incumbent Richard Best received 157 votes, 32 percent. Another incumbent, Thomas Ojala trails with 123 percent, 25 percent.

The Palmer ballot also has two proposals for voters to decide. First is Proposition 1, which asks if the City of Palmer should issue general obligation bonds not exceeding the amount of $10M to finance capital improvements to the Palmer Public Library. Proceeds of the bonds would go toward paying the costs of planning, designing, prep work and construction of the Palmer Public Library.

Proposition 2, if approved, would amend the Palmer Municipal Code to increase the amount of the residential real property exemption for seniors and disabled veterans from $68,000 to $150,000.

The exemption would apply to those people 65 years or older, a disabled veteran, or at least 60 years old and a widow or widower of a person who qualified for an exemption as noted above.

It looks like both propositions have passed. Proposition 1 received 79 percent of the vote and Proposition 2 has 79 percent of the vote.

Preliminary results will be updated on Friday and the results will be certified at the Oct. 10 city council meeting.

Contact the Frontiersman at news@frontiersman.com.