Wasilla chamber election draws 12

WASILLA — The Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce announced the initial list of candidates for the October board of directors election.

Six of the seven seats are up for a vote, as six of the board members were appointed in June on an interim basis. The seats are usually staggered on three-year terms, but the new directors will be assigned to one, two or three years of service as determined by the board after the election.

While the open filing period is over, candidates can still be nominated by petition. The petition has to include signatures of at least 5 percent of the membership, or about 20 names. Petitions have to be turned in by Sept. 21.

Teresa Bloom, the election coordinator, said the chamber will have a candidate forum on Oct. 6 and the ballots will be sent out on Oct. 15. Bloom said all the election material has been donated by the current board members, and the membership directory will be updated with any new members the day the ballots go out.

More information can be found at www.wasillachamber.org.

The candidates who filed are:

• Rizz Arbelovsky with Nails Plus

• David Baker with Wells Fargo

• Courtney Brooks Smith with Mat-Su College

• Julie Busch with BuschWhacker Decoys

• Debbie Erikson with Dynamic Properties

• James Hastings with the city of Wasilla

• David Johnston with Geneva Woods Pharmacy

• Jessica McGill Berberich with Primrose Retirement Communities

• Steve McVeigh with Sportsman Warehouse

• Marcus Reum with Country Financial

• Darcy Salmon with Century 21

• Kari Sleight with the Frontiersman

The one elected member on the board, Quentin Algood, has not yet finished her term. Board president Chris Abernathy will remain on as the past president. Arbelovsky, Baker, Busch and Reum are running to retain their seats.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.