Looks like Talis Colberg gets a full term

Like him or not, Borough Mayor Talis Colberg appears to be a sure thing in October’s election. His only opponent is John Leiner. In the June special election, Leiner got 42 votes to Colberg’s 2,541 in a poor showing of voter interest.

If Leiner takes the same tack as in June, he will spend no money on his campaign. That doesn’t get him much publicity. It’s hard enough to beat an incumbent, especially one who recently vetoed a sales tax proposition that put him on the good side of a lot of Valley residents, but not even a vote-for-me sign?

Under those circumstances a Leiner win would be an upset of shocking proportions.

Another name from the special mayoral election last June is Steve Menard, who is hoping to get back on the Wasilla City Council in a race with incumbent Ron Cox.

Also appearing to have their seats back, barring a vigorous write-in vote, are Richard Best and Ken Erbey, who are unopposed for the Palmer City Council. Lance Wilson is also unopposed for his Houston City Council seat.

There will be at least one new face on the borough assembly. Tom Kluberton, who represents the north part of borough, didn’t file papers for re-election. His replacement will bring instant name recognition, though. It will be either Vern Halter or Doyle Holmes. Given their stand on the borough-wide sales tax, one would have to wonder how secure the seats are for Michelle Church and Rob Wells. Unless one of the five who voted to put the measure on the ballot changes their mind, an override of the mayor’s veto is almost a sure thing. And that will rankle a lot of voters.

Wells seems particularly vulnerable because one of his two opponents is Jim Colver, currently the president of the school board.

In all, there are 30 people running for 13 offices, including 11 candidates for three seats on the school board.

And if the sales tax does make it on the October ballot it should bring out a crowd. Certainly better than the pitiful 7 percent turnout in June.

If the Tea Party folks really want to be patriots, they should figure out a way to register voters at their next non-partisan gig. That would say a lot more than just grousing about government. They could also help people find their precinct voting places.

As a matter of fact, all of us could do a better job of promoting election participation.