MEA co-op members elect Doyle, Kendig

WASILLA — Co-op members have returned an incumbent to the Matanuska Electric Association board and voted a member of the Mat-Su Borough planning commission into a newly minted district seat.

Incumbent Robert Doyle will remain on the board as the representative of the Susitna East area, where he was the only candidate. Doyle received 750 votes.

Bill Kendig received 476 votes to beat out Arkose assistant brewer Anthony Origer’s 412 votes to secure a position as the Susitna West board member. Trailing them was realtor Matt Steele with 230 votes.

MEA is the oldest and second-largest cooperative in the state.

The Susitna West district was newly created this year to represent residents from west of Church and Vine roads to the northernmost boundary of MEA’s service area along the Parks Highway. The Susitna West district replaces one of the two at-large seats.

Voters also overwhelmingly adopted a series of by-law changes.

The first would allow the election committee chair to give a report on the election with suggestions on the second meeting after the coop’s annual meeting. It passed 4,312 to 413.

The second allows the board to meet 14 days after the election to certify the results, instead of seven. It passed 4,149 to 577.

The third would allow former officers to retain their seats until new officers are elected, rather than the end of the annual meeting. It passed 4,346 to 368.

The fourth allows company officials to add an additional number of contact information. It passed 4,350 to 387.