Millions in school, road bonds on the line; local races to be decided

MAT-SU — School board, Mat-Su Borough Assembly, three city councils and a raft of ballot questions and bond propositions go before voters today.

The borough has a list of polling places on its website, depending on the polling place doors open anytime from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

As for the issues, here’s a rundown:

MAT-SU BOROUGH

For the seat representing Wasilla and its environs, Steve Colligan is facing off against Pat Johnson.

Colligan touts his business experience. He has a firm doing computer mapping, design and database work. Johnson has served on the borough’s planning commission and describes himself as a fiscal conservative.

The borough’s school board also has a couple of seats up for grabs. Incumbent Ole Larson didn’t draw a challenger.

School board vice president Erick Cordero is squaring off against political newcomer Lynette Warhus, a parent of kids in the district who feels there are a few things that need changing.

As for ballot propositions in the borough, there are a few.

Proposition 1 asks voters to approve the redrawing of lines for borough assembly districts. Essentially, the districts are shrinking in the west and growing in the east to accommodate booming growth in the Knik-Fairview area.

Proposition 2 is a $32 million bond package to build and upgrade roads up and down the borough. State money will have to be matched up with the bond money if the projects are to proceed.

Proposition 3 carries a hefty price tag — $214 million for school projects — but the school district says the raft of bonds amount to five years worth of projects with five new schools built in that time.

CITY OF PALMER

Palmer elects its council members at-large, so the two top vote-getters of the three running will each win one of two open seats.

In the race are former councilman and current volunteer with numerous area nonprofits Mike Chmielewski; volunteer, former telecommunications worker and wife of a former mayor Linda Combs; and incumbent councilman and hockey coach Brad Hanson.

Palmer voters are also being asked to mull a bond proposition, this one would borrow $2 million to build a water and wastewater utility and pay the bonds back with utility fees.

CITY OF HOUSTON

The Houston City Council is structured such that the council picks a new mayor after every election. So the fact that mayor Virgie Thompson is running doesn’t mean she gets to stay mayor if she wins.

Which she likely will because she doesn’t have an opponent.

As for the contested races: incumbent and longtime Houston politician Ruth Blanchard is facing challengers Kenny Champ, who has rebuffed Frontiersman requests for information but is in the septic pumping business and insurance agent and close observer of Houston politics Gina Jorgensen and incumbent and volunteer with the Houston Fire Department Alma Hartley is facing a challenge from former lodge owner, former councilwoman and former mayor Rosemary Burnett.

CITY OF WASILLA

Wasilla is actually picking a new mayor this year and four candidates have decided to run.

They are: businessman, former city councilman and frequent candidate for mayor Michael Carson; current mayor and licensed attorney Verne Rupright; city councilwoman and local businesswoman Taffina Katkus; and councilwoman, accountant and former borough planning commissioner Dianne Woodruff.

Over on the city council side of things, real estate agent and incumbent Leone Harris is battling cookware shop owner David Nyberg while incumbent, former employee of the state Legislature and current consultant Colleen Sullivan-Leonard is facing local volunteer and advocate for the blind Pat Brown.