Massie to fill Wasilla council seat

Aug. 31, 2007

Chris Gillow/Frontiersman

WASILLA - After sifting through a stockpile of questions and comments, the Wasilla City Council voted 4-1 this week to appoint Stephanie Massie to the vacant seat to fill Seat A.

The final selection process required three council hopefuls - Phil Lockwood, Dan Kelly Jr. and Massie - to answer questions posed by council members, covering topics that ranged from ideologies to sales taxes.

Although new to the public service sector, Massie has been heavily involved with the community for many of her 20 years in the Mat-Su Valley, she said. As a mother of two boys that play hockey, Massie has spent many hours volunteering to help the Mat-Su Amateur Hockey Association run smoothly.

&#8220I live at the hockey rink,” she said.

Massie plans to approach the council position with the same commitment and family oriented values she applies to her own life, she said.

&#8220If I had to pick, she's the one I would choose,” said Wasilla resident Colleen Cottle about the council's choice. &#8220It's good to have a fresh viewpoint.”

Massie will fill the position for one year, after which, Wasilla residents will vote to secure a council member for a three-year term. Although there are not any plans to become a full-fledged politician, Massie said it's likely she will run for re-election when that time comes.